Program Overview

A Communication Studies Associate in Arts 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 their skills in verbal and 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 a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a Skyline College counselor for further information about 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. Some 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 must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses 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 CSU and UC campuses may have limitations on which major courses can be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.
    4. Certified completion of the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern.
    5. A minimum of 12 units must be completed in residence at Skyline College.


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 (6 units): Units
COMM C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking 3 units
COMM 130 Interpersonal Communication 3 units
List A: Select three courses (9 units) from the following: Units
COMM 127 Argumentation and Debate 3 units
OR
COMM 127C Argumentation and Debate 3 units
COMM 140 Small Group Communication 3 units
COMM 150 Intercultural Communication 3 units
COMM 170 Oral Interpretation I 3 units
COMM 172 * Forensics 1 - 3 units
JOUR 110 Mass Media and Society 3 units
List B: Select one course (3 units) from the following or any List A course not already used: Units
ENGL 110 Composition, Literature, and Critical Thinking 3 units
ENGL C1001 Critical Thinking and Writing 3 units
JOUR 120 Writing and Reporting for the Media 3 units
PSYC C1000 Introduction to Psychology 3 units
SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology 3 units
* Students who are taking COMM 172 to meet the List A or 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 the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)

Starting Fall 2025, the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) became the singular general education pathway for California Community College students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for transfer to both the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC).

Up to (6) 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 requirement of 60 CSU transferable units.

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