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 complete the associate degree, including:
Core and support courses for the major (30 units total)
Completion of one of the following general education patterns:
Foothill College General Education
Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth)**
Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)**
Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)***
* Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.
** Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information.
*** Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.
Note: A grade of "C" (or "P") or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Refer to the Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Degree Requirements page for complete information about graduation requirements and catalog rights.
Core and Support Courses
Core Courses
| ONLINE COURSE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 1A renumbering to COMM C1000 effective Fall 2025 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 5 |
| or COMM 1AH renumbering to COMM C1000H effective Fall 2025 | Honors Introduction to Public Speaking | 5 |
| COMM 2 | Interpersonal Communication | 5 |
| COMM 10 | Gender, Communication & Culture | 5 |
| or COMM 12 | Intercultural Communication | 5 |
Support Courses (15 units)
Select 15 units from the following
| ONLINE COURSE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 1B | Argumentation & Persuasion | 5 |
| COMM 3 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 5 |
| COMM 4 | Group Discussion | 5 |
| COMM 5 | Mass Communication | 5 |
| COMM 55 | Career & Leadership Communication in the Global Workplace | 5 |
| Total Units | 30 |
For a complete list of degree requirements, please visit Communication Studies 2025-2026 in Degrees & Certificates.
Based on the 2025 - 2026 degree program.