Communication Studies 2.0
Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) Communication · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Overview
Whatever their age, social position, or occupation, people communicate. Humans spend more time engaged in speaking and listening than virtually any other activity. Communication is as important as it is pervasive—success or failure often depends on how well we express ourselves and understand others. Recognizing this fact, the Communication Department offers a wide range of courses to help students become more skillful, aware communicators. The department’s curriculum focuses on communication in a variety of settings—interpersonal, small group, organizational, presentational, via mass media and between cultures and nations. Courses are also available in argumentation and debate, communication theory and research methods. Communication students will have the opportunity to gain practical and theoretical knowledge about human communication, develop their communication skills, and showcase their proficiency by participating in various projects through their classes. The Communication Department strives to foster an inclusive and welcoming learning experience for all, and develop in our students a deep value of diversity, equity, and inclusion which they will take into their lives and careers outside of our college.
The AA-T in Communication Studies 2.0 provides students with the foundational knowledge in communication to make a successful transition into a Baccalaureate Degree in Communication at any of the CSU campuses. The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree offered at California Community Colleges. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a campus within the California State University (CSU) system in a similar major, although not necessarily to a specific campus. Students who complete an AA-T or AS-T are given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college major and will be given a special GPA advantage when applying to CSU impacted campuses or majors. Students who are planning to pursue an AA-T or AS-T are strongly advised to meet with a counselor for additional information about this transfer program. Visit the I Can Go to College site for more information about these degrees.
Requirements
Associate Degree for Transfer Graduation Requirements
Complete all of the following:
- All Major Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or "P" in each course.
- Cal-GETC pattern.
- At least 60 CSU transferable semester units.
- Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework.
- A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Core | ||
| COMM C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| orCOMM C1000H | Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors | |
| COMM C1004 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| orCOMM 121H | Interpersonal Communication, Honors | |
| List A - Complete three courses from the following: | 9-13 units | |
| CHIN 102 | Beginning Chinese II | |
| orFR 102 | Beginning French II | |
| orGER 102 | Beginning German II | |
| orITAL 102 | Beginning Italian II | |
| orJAPN 102 | Beginning Japanese II | |
| orSPAN 102 | Beginning Spanish II | |
| COMM 101 | Introduction to Communication | |
| COMM 141 | Small Group Communication | |
| COMM 151 | Intercultural Communication | |
| COMM 171 | Mass Media and Society | |
| COMM 235 | Argumentation and Debate | |
| ENG 103 | Critical Thinking and Reading | |
| orENG 111 | Critical Thinking and Composition Through Literature | |
| orENG 111H | Critical Thinking and Composition Through Literature, Honors | |
| orENGL C1001 | Critical Thinking and Writing | |
| orPHIL 111 | Critical Thinking and Writing in Philosophy | |
| orPHIL 205 | Introduction to Logic | |
| GDP 110 | Media Design | |
| JOUR 122A | The Channels: Newswriting and Editing | |
| JOUR 190/PHOT 190 | Photojournalism | |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| orPSY 150 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | |
| orSOC 125 | Introduction to Statistics in Sociology | |
| List B - Complete one course from the following: | 3-5 units | |
| Any course not taken in List A | ||
| ANTH 103 | Introduction To Cultural Anthropology | |
| COMM 161 | Communication in Organizations | |
| COMM 180 | Oral Communication for Leadership and Social Change | |
| COMM 200 | Rhetoric of Pop Culture | |
| COMM 288 | Communication Research Methods | |
| COMM 289 | Communication Theory | |
| ENGL C1002 | Introduction to Literature | |
| JOUR 101 | Reporting/Writing I | |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | |
| orPSYC C1000H | Introduction to Psychology - Honors | |
| SOC 101 | Introduction To Sociology | |
| orSOC 101H | Introduction to Sociology, Honors | |
| Total Units | 18.00-24.00 | |
Important Note: This AA-T in Communication Studies 2.0 replaces the old AA-T in Communication Studies which was deactivated effective Fall 2024. New students beginning at SBCC in Fall 2024 or after need to complete the AA-T in Communication Studies 2.0 requirements. Students with catalog rights prior to Fall 2024 are advised to consult the CSU ADT Major & Campus Search database to determine which bachelor's degree programs offered by the CSU campuses are deemed similar to the each of the two versions of the AA-T in Communication Studies. Students are also advised to consult ASSIST (www.assist.org) and to meet with an academic counselor to discuss the best combination of courses to take for their AA-T to ensure they receive the admission benefits associated with it, and to meet the requirements of the transfer institution to which they are intending to transfer.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze and critically evaluate communication practices, messages and outcomes in various contexts (e.g., interpersonal, intercultural, small group, public and professional communication, and mass media).
- Apply strategies for improved communication effectiveness in oral, written and/or presentation contexts.
- Read, evaluate and report on communication research.
- Evaluate the benefits and challenges of diverse communicative practices of people living in a global/multicultural society.
- Explain the ethical dimensions of communication.
Recommended Sequence
Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.
How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.