# Journalism (A.A.-T Degree for Transfer)

Santa Ana College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Journalism and Media Studies

Source: https://sac.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/34297/34898/36130/34925/35927

Program Code: SAC.CMSD.AAT

Program Control Number: 32148

The Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer (A.A.-T in Journalism**)** prepares students to move into the CSU system leading to a baccalaureate degree in Journalism, and then into careers in daily reporting, media editing, writing, Web-based multimedia reporting, visual reporting, photography, print and digital design, public relations, advertising, radio, digital media, and television writing and production. Please consult a counselor regarding specific course requirements for your transfer institution. Completion of the Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer (A.A.-T in Journalism) degree also provides guaranteed admission with junior status to the CSU system, although does not guarantee admission to a specific campus or major. Upon completion of the Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer, students will be able to define and execute newsgathering strategies; write articles under deadline; edit their own and others’ articles for proper spelling, grammar, and AP style; define relevant news content; gather news information weekly; and assess legal and ethical media issues at the final level of a traditional lower division Journalism sequence. Through news production, students will demonstrate proficiency in developing effective designs and layouts for story presentation; develop news stories through written, visual, audio, video or other multimedia formats; determine the best format –print, multimedia, visual —for telling basic news stories; build a portfolio that demonstrates a range of storytelling formats and styles; and navigate content management software used to create online publications.

**Requirements for all Associate Degrees for Transfer:**

1.  Completion of 60 semester CSU transferable units.
2.  Completion of the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC). The CSU-GE (California State University General Education Breadth) or IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) pattern may be used in some cases; please see a counselor for details.
3.  Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of at least a 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework.
4.  Minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major. If the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis the "P" must be equal to a "C" or better.
5.  Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units in the major or area of emphasis.

**Learning Outcome(s):**

1.  1\. Students will apply the basic principles of journalism such as accuracy, fairness, and public service 2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications and be able to discuss the legal and ethical underpinnings of U.S. Mass Media 3. Students will research news stories using a variety of sources and evaluate the accuracy of information sources.

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Required Core Courses:** | | 10 |
| JAMS 105 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| JAMS 121 | Reporting and Writing the News | 3 |
| JAMS 123A | Multimedia News Production | 4 |
| **List A: select 1 course from the following:** | | 3-4 |
| JAMS 102 | Multimedia Storytelling | 3 |
| JAMS 210 | Public Affairs Reporting | 3 |
| JAMS 103 | Introduction to Visual Communications | 3 |
| JAMS 150 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 |
| JAMS 160 | Introduction to Photojournalism | 3 |
| or PHOT 160 | Introduction to Photojournalism | 3 |
| JAMS 123B | Intermediate Multimedia News Production | 4 |
| **List B: select 2 courses from the following:** | | 6-8.5 |
| PHOT 180 | Beginning Photography | 3 |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| or STAT C1000H | Introduction to Statistics - Honors | 4 |
| or STAT C1000E | Introduction to Statistics | 4.5 |
| or PSYC 210 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 4 |
| CMST 100 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 |
| ECON C2002 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| or ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| or POLS C1000H | American Government and Politics - Honors | 3 |
| POLT 201 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| ENGL C1003 | Critical Thinking and Writing through Literature | 4 |
| or ENGL C1003H | Critical Thinking and Writing through Literature - Honors | 4 |
| or ENGL C1001 | Critical Thinking and Writing | 4 |
| or ENGL C1001H | Critical Thinking and Writing - Honors | 4 |
| PHIL 111 | Introductory Logic | 4 |
| CMST 140 | Argumentation and Debate | 3 |
| CNSL 144 | Reasoning and Problem Solving | 3 |
| or PHIL 110 | Critical Thinking | 4 |
| or PHIL 110H | Honors Critical Thinking | 4 |
| or CAR 150 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| JAMS 222 | Writing Across Media | 3 |
| or DM 130 | Broadcasting for News & Sports | 3 |
| or JAMS 201 | Visual Reporting | 2 |
| or DM 191A | Layout Design | 3 |
| JAMS 111 | Media, Race and Gender | 3 |
| **Total** | | **19-22.5** |