Communication Associate of Arts

My Academic Plan

Courses are displayed to show the fastest path to your degree and should be completed in the order listed. If you are unable to complete all courses listed in a semester, complete as many courses in this sequence as your schedule allows. If you have questions or concerns about your MAP, please see your Pathways Advisor.

Program Description

This program is designed for students wanting to earn an Associate of Arts degree (AA) by completing their first two years at a community college, and who plan to transfer to a university to complete the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication. However, it should be noted that some students also transition directly and successfully into the workforce with their Communication AA. The field of Communication Studies, including all of the COM courses offered at our institution, explores a range of human communication contexts from public speaking, to interpersonal conversation, to work groups and teams, to co-cultures, to the media, to communication with ourselves, and many others. This program introduces students to the study and application of Communication, and includes courses that are common to four-year institutions in Colorado. Career paths for Communication degree holders include law, politics, teaching, business/non-profit, advertising, marketing, journalism, communication/social media directors, public relations, sales, and others.

Students intending to transfer to Colorado State University-Ft. Collins as a Communication Studies major should contact an advisor immediately. Students intending to transfer to other public universities in Colorado should follow the MAP below. 

Learn more about this program.

First Semester

COM 115Public Speaking

3

ENG 121English Composition I: GT-CO1

3

GT- AHAny Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) Course

3

ELECTIVE Any Approved Elective List Course

3

GT- MA1MAT 120 or Any GT-MA1

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Second Semester

COM 125Interpersonal Communication: GT-SS3

3

ENG 122English Composition II: GT-CO2

3

GT- SSAny Social Sciences (GT-SS) Course

3

ELECTIVE Any Approved Elective List Course

3

GT- HI1Any History (GT-HI1) Course

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Third Semester

COM 220Intercultural Communication: GT-SS3

3

COM 217Group Communication: GT-SS3

3

GT- SC1Any Science (GT-SC1) Course

4

GT- AHAny Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) Course

3

ELECTIVE Any Approved Elective List Course

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Fourth Semester

GT- SC1/2Any Science (GT-SC1/2) Course

3

REQUIRED COM 209/225 or Any COM Course

3

REQUIRED Any GT-SS or Any GT-HI1 Course

3

REQUIRED Any GT-SS or Any GT-HI1 Course

3

ELECTIVE Any Approved Elective List Course

2

Total Credit Hours:14

Total Credit Hours: 60

Important Program Notes:

Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), you may complete ENG 121 (GT-CO1) and ENG 122 (GT-CO2) OR ENG 122 (GT-CO2) and a gtPathways-approved CO3 course (GT-CO3).

Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), additional COM courses beyond the 4 courses (COM 115, COM 125, COM 217, and Any COM prefix course) identified in the Additional Required Courses section of the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement may not count toward the Communication major at the receiving 4- year institution. See explanation in Limitations section of the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement.

You must take COM 217 in either Semester 3 or Semester 4. COM 217 is offered at Westminster Campus in fall semester and is offered at Boulder County Campus and Larimer Campus in spring semester. If you do not take COM 217 in Semester 3, you should take COM 209 or COM 225 or COM 130depending on campus offerings.

Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), you must take two gtPathways Natural & Physical Science courses (GT -SC1, GT-SC2). One of these courses must have the required laboratory (GT-SC1).

If you take more credits in mathematics and science than are listed, it will reduce the 11 credits of electives needed. You must complete 60 credits to earn your Associate of Arts degree. You should not exceed 62 credits. You may want to check with your advisor to monitor your completion progress and select your electives.