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.
School of Arts & Communication: Communications Office
Hicks 125 • Phone (215) 968-8425
Curriculum Code: 1120
Embark on a fulfilling career path with our Communication Studies program, designed to equip you with a robust understanding of communication, media, and technology. This program lays the groundwork for advanced study and careers in public relations, advertising, journalism, broadcasting, and beyond. You will sharpen your oral and written communication skills, explore intercultural communication and conflict resolution, and analyze the evolving relationship between technology and media. Our dedicated advisors and career coaches are committed to assisting you explore other areas like social media, marketing, event planning, and public affairs, ensuring you are well-prepared for the professional world or further academic pursuits.
Graduates of this program can:
- create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context;
- describe basic theories and principles of human communication;
- apply communication theories for developing and maintaining a variety of relationships;
- communicate effectively within a culturally diverse society;
- describe the role that media plays in developing world views in our global environment.
Degree Course Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COLL101 Orientation to College | 1 |
| COMM101 Communication Theory |
3 |
| COMM105 Interpersonal Communication 2,3,8 |
3 |
| COMM110 Effective Speaking A,4,5 |
3 |
| COMM111 Media and Society 2,3,8 |
3 |
| COMM215 Intercultural Communication 2,3 |
3 |
| COMP110 English Composition I A,2,10 |
3 |
| COMP111 English Composition II D,2,4,10 |
3 |
| SOCI110 Introduction to Sociology 2.3,8 |
3 |
| VAMM100 Digital Imaging |
3 |
| OR | |
| VAGD101 Layout and Basic Typography |
3 |
| Art and Humanities H | 3 |
| Mathematics A,D,F,6 | 3/4 |
| Social Science B | 3 |
| Electives G | 6 |
| Foreign Language and/or Literature B | 3 |
| College Level Science A,E,7 | 4 |
| Program Electives C (choose from list) | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours | 62/63 |
Program Electives (Select at least 12 credits):
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COMT101 Introduction to Theater 1 |
3 |
| COMT103 Introduction to Acting 1 |
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 2,8 |
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 |
3 |
| VACV137 Sound Design for Film and Video |
3 |
| VACV140 Digital Video Editing |
3 |
| VACV141 The Art of Independent Cinema |
3 |
| VACV142 The Art of Theatrical Cinema 1 |
3 |
| VACV145 Videography |
3 |
| VAGD101 Layout and Basic Typography |
3 |
| VAPH110 Digital Photography Fundamentals |
3 |
| VAMM100 Digital Imaging |
3 |
| VAMM110 Web Design |
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 Orientation to College | 1 |
| COMM105 Interpersonal Communication 2,3,8 |
3 |
| COMP110 English Composition I A,2,10 |
3 |
| COMM111 Media and Society 2,3,8 |
3 |
| Mathematics A,D,F,6 | 3/4 |
| Program Elective C (choose from list) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 16/17 |
Second Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COMM101 Communication Theory |
3 |
| COMM110 Effective Speaking A,4,5 |
3 |
| COMP111 English Composition II D,2,4,10 |
3 |
| VAMM100 Digital Imaging |
3 |
| OR | |
| VAGD101 Layout and Basic Typography |
3 |
Program Elective C (choose from list)
| 3 |
|
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
Third Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COMM215 Intercultural Communication 2,3 |
3 |
| SOCI110 Introduction to Sociology 2.3,8 |
3 |
| Art and Humanities H | 3 |
| College Level Science A,E,7 | 4 |
Program Elective C (choose from list)
| 3 |
|
| Total Credit Hours | 16 |
Fourth Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Foreign Language and/or Literature B | 3 |
| Social Science B | 3 |
Program Elective C (choose from list)
| 3 |
|
| General Electives G | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
A Placement testing required.
B Consult the list of courses approved for this subcategory. Any course may be chosen.
C Choose from COMT101, COMT103, COMT106, COMT203, COMT206, JOUR155,
JOUR175, MGMT145, MKTG200, MKTG230, PSYC105, VACV130, VACV135,
VACV137, VACV140, VACV141, VACV142, VACV145, VAGD110, VAMM100,
VAMM110, WMST110.
D Course requires pre-requisites.
E Choose from BIOL101, BIOL181, CHEM101, CHEM121, PHYS106, SCIE103, SCIE104, SCIE105.
F Choose from MATH101, MATH115, MATH120, MATH122, MATH125, MATH140.
G Pre-college level courses do not meet this requirement.
H Choose from COMT101, HIST114, VAGD190, VAFA 194, VAPH196.
1 Satisfies Arts/Humanities
2 Satisfies Critical Thinking
3 Satisfies Cultural Competency
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