Communication Studies
Associate of Arts
Transfer Major
Decisions on the transferability of courses are made by the four-year colleges and differ from school to school. Students enrolled in this major should contact the Transfer Services Office early in their academic program to determine which courses will transfer to the college of their choice.
Arts & Communication: Communications Office
Hicks 125 • Phone (215) 968-8425
Curriculum Code: 1120
Communication is an essential skill highly valued by most employers. In today’s ever-changing world, effective communication will significantly affect your relationships and career. Students in the Communication Studies major will observe, interpret, and evaluate human communication in a wide variety of contexts. By exploring a variety of courses in the major, students will develop competency in oral and written communication, critical thinking and problem-solving, and presentations and teamwork. The program is designed to encourage students to explore other areas of interest relevant to communication while also learning how other academic disciplines can provide insight into your communication studies.
This program prepares students in various communication fields for occupations such as advertising, public relations, marketing, international relations, technical writing, broadcast news analysts, reporters and correspondents, theatre or performance, film and video editing or camera operators.
The degree is designed for students preparing to enter a program leading to a baccalaureate degree at a four-year college or university.
Graduates of this program can:
- create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context;
- describe the basic theories and principles of communication in various contexts;
- apply the basic theories and principles of communication to one’s lived experience in various contexts;
- apply intercultural competence-related skills in communication;
- describe the ethical principles in decision making and communication. *
*To fulfill the technological competence requirement, students demonstrate proficiency in accessing, creating, and presenting a digital visual aid appropriate for public presentation in COMM240.
Students who plan to transfer into a Communications major at a four year college will find this major well suited to their individual needs.
Degree Course Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COLL101 College Success Seminar | 1 |
| COMM101 Communication Theory |
3 |
| COMM105 Interpersonal Communication 2,3 |
3 |
| COMM110 Effective Speaking A,4,5 |
3 |
| COMM111 Media and Society 2,3,8 |
3 |
| COMM215 Intercultural Communication 2,3 |
3 |
| COMM240 Persuasive Communication D,2,4,9 |
3 |
| COMP110 English Composition I A,2,10 |
3 |
| COMP111 English Composition II D,2,4,10 |
3 |
| COMT101 Introduction to Theatre 1 |
3 |
| MATH115 Elementary Statistics A,D,2,6 |
3 |
| SOCI110 Introduction to Sociology 2.3,8 |
3 |
| Cinema Elective: VACV141 or VACV142 1 | 3 |
| Social Science B | 3 |
| Electives F | 3 |
| Foreign Language and/or Literature B | 3 |
| College Level Science A,E,7 | 4 |
| Program Electives C (choose from list) | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours | 62 |
Program Electives (Select at least 12 credits):
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COMT103 Introduction to Acting |
3 |
| COMT106 Introduction to Improvisational Performance |
3 |
| COMT203 Acting II |
3 |
| COMT206 Improvisational Performance II |
3 |
| JOUR155 Advertising Copywriting |
3 |
| JOUR175 News Reporting and Writing D |
3 |
| MGMT145 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution |
3 |
| MKTG200 Advertising |
3 |
| MKTG220 Digital Marketing |
3 |
| MKTG230 Social Media Marketing |
3 |
| PSYC105 Introduction to Group Dynamics |
3 |
| VACV130 Media Scriptwriting D |
3 |
| VACV135 Video Studio Production I D |
3 |
| VACV137 Sound Design for Film and Video |
3 |
| VACV140 Digital Video Editing |
3 |
| VACV145 Filmmaking |
3 |
| VAPH110 Digital Photography Fundamentals |
3 |
| VAMM100 Digital Imaging |
3 |
| VAMM110 Web Design D |
3 |
| WMST110 Introduction to Gender Studies |
3 |
Recommended Semester Sequence
The recommended course sequence is designed for full-time students who average 15 credit hours per semester. Students may need more time to complete major requirements based on placement testing. This additional time will entail some adjustments to the sequence recommended.
First Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COLL101 College Success Seminar | 1 |
| COMM105 Interpersonal Communication 2,3 |
3 |
| COMP110 English Composition I A,2,10 |
3 |
| COMT101 Introduction to Theatre 1 |
3 |
| SOCI110 Introduction to Sociology 2,3,8 |
3 |
| Program Electives C (choose from list) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 16 |
Second Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COMM110 Effective Speaking A,4,5 |
3 |
| COMM111 Media and Society 2,3,8 |
3 |
| COMP111 English Composition II A,2,4,10 |
3 |
| MATH115 Elementary Statistics A,D,2,6 |
3 |
| Program Elective C | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
Third Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Cinema Elective: VACV141 or VACV142 1 | 3 |
| COMM101 Communication Theory |
3 |
| College Level Science A,E,7 | 4 |
| Foreign Language and/or Literature B | 3 |
| Program Electives C | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 16 |
Fourth Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COMM215 Intercultural Communication 2,3 |
3 |
| COMM240 Persuasive Communication D,2,4,9 |
3 |
| Social Science B | 3 |
| Program Electives C | 3 |
| Elective F | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
A Placement testing required.
B Consult the list of courses approved for this subcategory. Any course may be chosen.
C Consult the list of Program Electives.
D Course requires pre-requisites.
E Choose from BIOL101, BIOL181, CHEM101, CHEM121, PHYS106, SCIE103, SCIE104, SCIE105.
F Pre-college level courses do not meet this requirement.
1 Satisfies Arts/Humanities
2 Satisfies Critical Thinking
3 Satisfies Diversity
4 Satisfies Information Literacy
5 Satisfies Oral Communication
6 Satisfies Quantitative Literacy
7 Satisfies Scientific Literacy
8 Satisfies Social Sciences
9 Satisfies Technological Competence
10 Satisfies Writing