Communication Studies Degrees & Certificates
Programs and Courses to Suit Your Goals
Communication Studies
Communication Studies - Certificate of AchievementDetails for Certificate of Achievement - Communication Studies
Students earning the communication studies certificate of achievement learn the fundamentals of the discipline, which includes public speaking, group communication, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, mass communication, argumentation and critical thinking. This program helps students communicate effectively in their academic and work environments.
Communication Studies - Associate in ArtsDetails for Associate in Arts - Communication Studies
De Anza's A.A. degree in Communication Studies provides a foundational understanding of the discipline and a breadth of coursework that can transfer toward a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies. Students develop knowledge and skills in expressing ideas verbally and non-verbally; learn to interpret, advocate and critically debate ideas; work productively in teams and groups; examine the role of culture in communication; and demonstrate the communication skills necessary to engage in personal, professional, civic and social relationships.
Communication Studies - Transfer MapDetails for Transfer Map - Communication Studies
A transfer map is a suggested schedule of courses to take each quarter, if you are planning to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree in a particular subject. These maps were created to help you get a solid footing in the subject and stay on track with courses commonly required by CSU or UC schools, but they do not guarantee your admission to any university. It’s important that you work with a counselor or academic adviser to determine exactly which classes you need to reach your particular goal.
Communication Studies 2.0 for Transfer - Associate in Arts-TransferDetails for Associate in Arts-Transfer - Communication Studies 2.0 for Transfer
The Communication Studies major consists of courses appropriate for the Associate in Arts in Communication Studies 2.0 for Transfer degree, which provides a foundational understanding of the discipline, a breadth of coursework in the discipline, and preparation for transfer to any CSU that accepts the Transfer Model Curriculum (TMC). The Associate in Arts in Communication Studies 2.0 for Transfer is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies (or an approved similar major) at a CSU campus. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU campus that does accept this degree will be required to complete no more than 60 (semester) 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 not part of the CSU system. In all cases, students should consult a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.
Communicative Disorders - Transfer MapDetails for Transfer Map - Communicative Disorders
A transfer map is a suggested schedule of courses to take each quarter, if you are planning to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree in a particular subject. These maps were created to help you get a solid footing in the subject and stay on track with courses commonly required by CSU or UC schools, but they do not guarantee your admission to any university. It’s important that you work with a counselor or academic adviser to determine exactly which classes you need to reach your particular goal.
In addition to the programs listed above, you may be able to apply courses in this department toward General Education requirements.
You can check the course offerings in the college catalog against the following lists of GE requirements
- California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
- De Anza College General Education/Breadth Requirements for A.A./A.S. Degree
These requirements may be subject to change. Always confirm the requirements for your specific program.
To learn about other academic programs at De Anza and their requirements, visit the college Degrees & Certificates page. For information about applying for your certificate or degree, visit the Apply for Degrees and Certificates page.
Why should I get a degree or certificate?
There are two primary reasons to earn a degree or certificate.
- First, De Anza is not simply a stepping stone to more education, but it is an institution of higher learning, and a degree or certificate is a permanent and verifiable record of the effort and accomplishments of our students here
- Second, this permanent and verifiable record of your achievements may prove beneficial (more so than “have attended college” or “have taken classes”) for transfer applications and job placements.
What is the difference between these degrees and certificates?
The simplest way to think about them is in tiers, each tier indicating slightly higher mastery of the material and also each tier requiring slightly more requirements. Each degree and certificate will meet different goals, so the choice of which one to get depends on your planned academic and career path.
- The first tier is the certificate of achievement, and it indicates a strong level of proficient skills in Communication Studies.
- The second tier is the Associate’s of Arts for Transfer, which is an A.A. degree that is designed specifically to prepare students for transfer to a Communication Studies program at a California State University campus
- The third tier is the Associate’s of Arts, which is an A.A. degree that is designed for broader appeal to any college, any discipline of study, or any workplace who my value such degrees.
Can I get more than one
Definitely! Each Degree & Certificate communicates a different thing to a different parties, so they are not exactly identical; collect them all! It is generally recommended, though, that you apply and receive them in order of requirement (earn and apply for the certificate, then keep going and earn and apply for an AAT, then continue further and get the AA)
Do I need to “declare” that I am working towards a degree or certificate?
"Declaring" a major is not mandatory to earn a degree or certificate, but there are some perks and benefits to doing so. Speak to your academic counselor about it!
When should I start working on earning a degree or certificate?
The earlier the better! The Certificate of Achievement requires four Communication Studies courses, several of which also meet other General Education Requirements, so strategic planning will allow you an opportunity to earn the certificate while working towards any education plan without much extra effort. Both of the A.A. degrees require a bit more coursework, so extra time may be needed for planning your course requirements; we recommend meeting with a Communication Studies professor and a counselor at least 1 year before your planned graduation. But also, its never a bad time to reach out to us with questions.
What is the “specialty area” and why do I need one?
Communication Studies is very wide-ranging academic discipline, and scholars in the discipline will often focus their work in a particular specialty area; the National Communication Association describes several specialty areas on their website. In order to earn an Associate’s of Arts in Communication Studies (just the A.A., not the A.A.T.), students are required to demonstrate their level of mastery in the Communication Studies discipline by applying their knowledge of communication to a field that they are passionate about or interested in pursuing. See the Associate of Arts page for more details on how to complete the specialty area requirement.
How do I apply for a degree or certificate?
Meet all the requirements and fill out the forms. :-) Admissions & Records will walk you through the steps to Apply for a Degree or Certificate.