Communication Studies

Strong Communication Is Important to Career Success

Our Communication Studies program will teach you how to communicate effectively with individuals and groups using a variety of methods and approaches. You will learn written, oral and public speaking communication skills; study conflict resolution and dialogue promotion; investigate diverse cultures’ communication methods; develop project organization and completion techniques; and solve communication issues associated with various forms of media. During the program, you are encouraged to explore other areas of interest relevant to communication while also learning how other academic disciplines can provide insight into your communication studies.

The Communication Studies program leads to the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree. The program gives students a concentration in the field of communication studies with a liberal arts foundation. The program is primarily intended for students seeking transfer to a four-year institution, although some graduates may plan on immediately entering the work force as communications professionals.

Career Options

Careers

Find your path.

Editor – est. salary $70,952
Public Relations Specialist – est. salary $68,903*
Reporters and Correspondent – est. salary $44,267

 

**EMSI Data, 2018; Philadelphia County, PA; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.
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Courses and Completion Sequence

The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Communication Studies degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 101 - English Composition I 3 credits Communication Studies majors should complete ENGL 101, ENGL 102, college Mathematics, CIS 103, a Cultural Analysis and Interpretation course, ENGL 116, and ENGL 115 in the first 24 credits. Writing/Research/Info Lit 1
ENGL 116 - Interpersonal Communication 3 credits   Oral Communication/
Creative Expression
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra or
MATH 137 - Geometry for Design or
MATH 150 - Introductory Data Analysis or
MATH 161 - Precalculus I		 3 credits For appropriate transfer credit, math courses should be chosen in consultation with an advisor.
MATH 161 is recommended for students pursuing STEM interests.
Prerequisite for FNMT 118 and MATH 150: FNMT 017 or FNMT 019 completed or FNMT 118 (or higher) placement.
Prerequisite for MATH 161: FMNT 118 with a grade of "C" or better.
A second math course is recommended for transfer		 Quantitative Reasoning
CIS 103 - Computer Applications & Concepts 3 credits   Technological Competency
FYE 101 - First Year Experience or
other General Elective		 3 credits Directed electives and general electives should be chosen in consultation with an advisor based on student's academic and career goals, as well as specific requirements of transfer institutions Social Science

Must earn a grade of "C" or better in all courses and earn at least a 2.0 GPA

  • This program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a bachelor's degree program after earning their associate's degree
  • Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate's degree in two years
  • Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper 3 credits Critical Course Writing/Research/Info Lit 2
BIOL 106 - General Biology I or
BIOL 108 - Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology or
CHEM 105 - Inquiry into Chemistry or
CHEM 110 - Introductory Chemistry or
other Lab Science		 4 credits   Scientific Reasoning
ENGL 107 - Society and Mass Communications 3 credits   Major Course
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking 3 credits   Major Course
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology or
ANTH 112 - Cultural Anthropology		 3 credits Prerequisites for 200-level social science course required in the fourth semester Cultural Analysis and Interpretation

Must earn a grade of "C" or better in all courses and earn at least a 2.0 GPA

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 117 - Group and Team Communication 3 credits    
ENGL 118 - Intercultural Communication 3 credits    American/Global Diversity
ENGL 221 - Survey of American Literature: From the Beginnings to the Civil War or
ENGL 222 - Survey of American Literature: From the Civil War to the Present or
ENGL 245 - World Literature: From Antiquity to 1500 or
ENGL 246 - World Literature: From 1500 to the Present or
ENGL 250 - Survey of African American Literature: From Colonization to the Harlem Renaissance or
ENGL 251 - Survey of African American Literature: From the Harlem Renaissance to the Present or
ENGL 260 - Women in Literature		 3 credits   Interpretive Studies
MATH 150 - Introductory Data Analysis or
MATH 161 - Precalculus I or
ECON 112 - Statistics I or 
Other General Elective **		 3 or 4 credits Students planning to transfer are advised to take a MATH class above FNMT 118 (incl. ECON 112) as a general elective A second MATH course is recommended for transfer  

ENGL 114 - Introduction to Speech Communication or
ENGL 120 - Voice and Articulation or
ENGL 122 - Writing for Mass Media or
ENGL 131 - Acting I or
ENGL 132 - Acting II or
ENGL 137 - Introduction to Theater or
ENGL 205 - Creative Writing or
ENGL 271 - The Language of Film or
ENGL 272 - Topics in Film Study or
ENGL 282 - Scriptwriting or
ENGL 283 - Nonfiction Writing: Memoir and Literary Journalism **

 3 credits Prerequisites:
For ENGL 114: ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently 
For ENGL 122, ENGL 271, and ENGL 272: ENGL 101
Students getting the Creative Writing Certificate should take ENGL 205		 Directed Elective

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 214 - Communication Theory 3 credits Course is usually only offered in Spring semester Major course
Directed Elective (choose two)**:
ENGL 114 - Introduction to Speech Communication or
ENGL 120 - Voice and Articulation or
ENGL 122 - Writing for Mass Media or
ENGL 131 - Acting I or
ENGL 132 - Acting II or
ENGL 137 - Introduction to Theater or
ENGL 205 - Creative Writing or
ENGL 271 - The Language of Film or
ENGL 272 - Topics in Film Study or
ENGL 282 - Scriptwriting or
ENGL 283 - Nonfiction Writing: Memoir and Literary Journalism **		 6 credits   Directed Elective
ANTH 202 - Gender Roles in Cross-Cultural Perspective or
PSYC 202 - Human Sexuality or
PSYC 215 - Developmental Psychology or
SOC 212 - Sociology of Marriage and Family  or
SOC 231 - Social Problems		 3 credits    
General Elective** 3 credits In consultation with an advisor, students should choose general electives based on their academic and career goals, as well as specific requirements of transfer institutions.

Students planning to transfer should strongly consider taking a Math class above FNMT 118 as a general elective		 General Elective
General Elective** 3 credits In consultation with an advisor, students should choose general electives based on their academic and career goals, as well as specific requirements of transfer institutions.

Students planning to transfer should strongly consider taking a Math class above FNMT 118 as a general elective		 General Elective
  • Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
  • Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
  • Finalize your transfer plans:
  • Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
  • Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College’s general education requirements is also available.

View the College Catalog for More Information

Featured Career

Public Relations Specialist

Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.

Median Salary
$68,903 

Number of Jobs
1,682
in the region
10 Year Job Outlook
+7.5%
in the region

Typical Tasks

  • Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
  • Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
  • Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.
  • Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
  • Study the objectives, promotional policies, or needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies that will influence public opinion or promote ideas, products, or services.

How well does it pay?

New workers generally start around $39,279. Normal pay for Public Relations Specialists is $68,903 per year, while highly experienced workers can earn as much as $121,627.

View Other Career Options

Program Information

Communication Studies

Degree Type:

Associate in Arts (A.A.)

Credits Needed to Graduate:

61

Online Learning Availability:

60% or Greater

Related Programs:

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