Online Degrees & Certificates

AA in Communication Studies

Program Description

The Communication Studies department offers a wide variety of courses and special programs to meet the needs of our students. Whether you aspire to become a communication specialist, enhance your marketability in the workplace, or improve your people skills, our faculty and advisers can help you identify the right program to meet your needs. Coursework involves collaboration, presentation, listening, cross-cultural understanding, rhetorical analysis, argumentation, and professional communication. The program includes application of these foundational principles in a collaborative and supportive environment.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers rated oral communication as the highest among attributes necessary in achieving professional success. More and more businesses and occupations prefer to hire employees who possess strong communication skills. When evaluating applicants, four-year institutions look favorably upon students with strong backgrounds in communication. Effective communication skills assist in individual development and enhancement of human relations.

Learn more about the program on the Communication Studies website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to identify patterns of communication in a variety of contexts.

Students will be able to utilize appropriate methods of communication in critical thinking and/or communication situations.

Career Opportunities

Communication Studies students often find careers in mass media, corporate training, consulting, advertising/marketing, education, law, sales, human resources, healthcare, social media, government, telecommunications, social services, public relations, and political campaigning.

Award Type(s)

AA = Associate in Arts Degree

Units Required

Major: 30

Additional Information

Note: If the student is interested in a concentration in either Rhetoric or Intercultural Communication, please see a Communication instructor for advisement.

Online Courses for Communication Studies

The courses listed BELOW are offered as online courses at least once every two years. Please see the Class Schedule for verification.

• For a complete listing of online courses offered during the current quarter, visit Online Course Information.
• If you need any additional degree information or confirmation, please contact the Counseling Division.

NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Associate Degree Requirements

A minimum of 90 units is required* to include:

Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)

Core courses (15 units)

Support courses (15 units)

*Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.

Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses

Support Courses (15 units)

Select 15 units from the following

For a complete list of degree requirements, please visit Communication Studies 2023-2024 in Degrees &  Certificates.

Based on the 2023 - 2024 degree program.