Program Overview

An Associate in Arts in Communication Studies for Transfer (AA-T) from Skyline College is intended for students who are interested in transferring to a California State University (CSU) campus with a major in Communication Studies, or similar major. The program is designed to examine and evaluate human communication across and within various contexts for the purpose of increasing cultural and interpersonal communication competence. Specifically, students will work to strengthen and develop skills in verbal communication, nonverbal communication, critical thinking, research, conflict management, and ethics. The program includes multiple areas of communication, including public speaking, interpersonal communication, small group communication, intercultural communication, and argumentation and debate.



Students completing an AA-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU campus that accepts the AA-T will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor's degree. This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or university or a college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a Skyline College counselor for further information on university admissions and transfer requirements. A grade of "C" or better, or "Pass" if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, is required for each course applied to the major. Major course requirements may also be applied to meet general education requirements.

To earn an AA-T degree, students must meet the following requirements:

  1. Complete a minimum of 60 CSU transferable units;
  2. Earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework;
  3. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis. Students should consult with their counselor before enrolling in a major course on a Pass/No Pass basis, as some CSUs may have limitations on which major courses can be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.
  4. Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth (CSU GE Breadth) or the Intersegmental General Education Curriculum (IGETC) pattern.
  5. A minimum of 12 units must be completed in residence at Skyline College.

Advising Note: Students planning to transfer to a CSU (California State University) campus MUST complete an Oral Communication (COMM) course (CSU Minimum Admissions Requirement). Oral Communication courses are noted in the following GE areas: CSU GE (Area A1) or IGETC (Area 1C).



Note: Students do not need to complete the Skyline College Associate Degree requirements. For further information, please consult a Skyline College counselor.

Program Requirements

Required Core Course Units
COMM 110 Public Speaking 3 units
List A: Select two courses from the following: Units
COMM 127 Argumentation and Debate 3 units
COMM 130 Interpersonal Communication 3 units
COMM 140 Small Group Communication 3 units
List B: Select 6 units from the following or any List A course not already used: Units
COMM 150 Intercultural Communication 3 units
COMM 172 * Forensics 1 unit
JOUR 110 Mass Media and Society 3 units
List C: Select one course from the following or any List A or List B course not already used: Units
ANTH 110 Cultural Anthropology 3 units
COMM 160 Gender and Communication 3 units
ENGL 110 Composition, Literature, and Critical Thinking 3 units
OR
ENGL 165 Composition, Argument and Critical Thinking 3 units
JOUR 120 Writing and Reporting for the Media 3 units
PSYC 100 General Psychology 3 units
SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology 3 units
* Students who are taking COMM 172 to meet the List B requirement will need to take the course a total of 3 times to meet the required 3.0 units.
Total Required Major Units: 18

General Education - certified completion of one of the following:

  • California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE Breadth),

OR

  • Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern.

Advising Note: Students planning to transfer to a CSU (California State University) campus MUST complete an Oral Communication (COMM) course (CSU Minimum Admissions Requirement). Oral communication courses are noted in the following GE areas: CSU GE (Area A1) or IGETC (Area 1C).

Up to (3-9) major course units may be double counted to apply to meet general education requirements. This degree does not require the Skyline College Associate Degree requirements.

Elective courses: If applicable, additional courses to meet the minimum 60 CSU transferable units requirement.

Please refer to Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Requirements for more information.