Communication Studies Degree for Transfer

 

Description

The Associate in Arts in Communication Studies for Transfer Degree 2.0 is designed to prepare students to continue studies toward a B.A. degree in Communication Studies, assist students in transferring to a California State University (CSU), or for entry level into a variety of career options that require competent and ethical communication skills.

The purpose of the Program is to equip students with the skills to communicate effectively in a variety of situations, both in future educational and career environments, while fostering awareness and sensitivity to diversity. Students who pursue advanced Communication degrees enjoy a multitude of career opportunities ranging from Public Relations Managers, Human Resources Specialists, Retail Managers, Politicians, Lawyers, College Professors, and numerous options in Mass Communications such as radio and television. Communication courses focus on how people use messages to generate meaning within and across various contexts, cultures, and channels.

The degree guarantees transfer to a California State University (CSU) as a junior.

See Taft College’s Transfer Center. Our Transfer Admission Guarantees include many other schools. Check with your Counselor to see if this degree can transfer to other four-year schools.

 

Earnings Potential

An associate degree in media and communications offers a salary potential of $25,390 at five years, based on five-year studies of graduates by California Community Colleges. This does not reflect salaries with a four-year degree.1

Many career options are possible with a wide range of salaries. These careers typically require a four-year degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary is $60,000 for communication careers; and $70,300 for media and communications careers. The median annual salary is $72,270 for speechwriters (writers, authors); $69,780 for public relations specialists; and $151,160 for lawyers.2

1 California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. Salary Surfer. https://salarysurfer.cccco.edu. Accessed 3 May 2025.

2 “Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2024. www.bls.gov/ooh. Accessed 28 May 2025.

 

Program Requirements

To earn an Associate in Arts in Communication Studies for Transfer Degree (AS-T), students must complete all course requirements with a minimum grade of “C” in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis; and must complete the General Education Breadth pattern for CSUs with an overall grade point average of 2.0.

Total Units Required for Major: 18

Required Core (6 units)
COMM C1000 - Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM 1530 - Interpersonal Communication

List A: Select three courses (9 units)
COMM 1507 - Small Group Communication
COMM 1510 - Introduction to Mass Communication
COMM 1520 - Argumentation and Debate
COMM 1590 - Introduction to Persuasion (New in Spring 2026)
(Any course articulated as lower division preparation in the Communication, Communication Studies major at CSU, 3 units)

List B: Select one course (3 units)
PSYC C1000 - Introduction to Psychology
SOC 1510 - Introduction to Sociology
PHIL 1520 - Critical Thinking
COMM 1550 - Sports Broadcasting (New in Spring 2026)
ENGLISH 1600 - Critical Thinking, Literature, and Composition
(Any CSU transferrable Communication Studies course)

Additionally, students shall be deemed eligible for transfer into a CSU baccalaureate program when the student meets both of the following requirements:

  1. Complete a minimum of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the CSU, including both of the following:
    1. The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education Breadth Requirements.
    2. A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
  2. Obtain a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

 

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