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Communication Emphasis
View Catalog Details

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Contact: Danny CantrellTitle: Department ChairContact: dcantrell3@mtsac.edu
Career Outlook Communication Emphasis

Degree A8982
An emphasis in Communication provides the student with an understanding of communication strategies, reasoning, logic, and critical analysis as it relates to human interaction within multiple cultural contexts.

This degree requires the completion of General Education coursework plus the following:

Required Courses

AA-T/AS-T degrees are designed to facilitate transfer to four-year institutions. Mt. San Antonio College ranks in the Top 10 in transferring students to UC, CSU, and private universities. Please visit Counseling Services for information on how to transfer, workshops, activities, events, and advising.

Industry StatisticsJob Titles & Salaries
Select a related job title below to view demand & salary information
    • Public Relations Managers

      Public Relations Managers

      SOC Career Code: 11-2032.00

      Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $52.77

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $150,050.45
      Annual Job Openings
      847

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes

      Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes

      SOC Career Code: 13-1011.00

      Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $27.07

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $91,730.09
      Annual Job Openings
      883

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Farm Product Buyers and Purchasing Agents

      Farm Product Buyers and Purchasing Agents

      SOC Career Code: 13-1021.00

      Purchase farm products either for further processing or resale. Includes tree farm contractors, grain brokers and market operators, grain buyers, and tobacco buyers. May negotiate contracts.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $28.13

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $75,598.61
      Annual Job Openings
      4,883

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Wholesale and Retail Buyers

      Wholesale and Retail Buyers

      SOC Career Code: 13-1022.00

      Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $28.13

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $75,598.61
      Annual Job Openings
      4,883

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Fundraisers

      Fundraisers

      SOC Career Code: 13-1131.00

      Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $27.82

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $75,803.51
      Annual Job Openings
      1,273

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Public Relations Specialists

      Public Relations Specialists

      SOC Career Code: 27-3031.00

      Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $28.68

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $76,695.27
      Annual Job Openings
      3,284

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages

Certificate & Degree Details

Select a certificate below to expand details
  • Communication Emphasis

    Degree A8982
    An emphasis in Communication provides the student with an understanding of communication strategies, reasoning, logic, and critical analysis as it relates to human interaction within multiple cultural contexts.

    This degree requires the completion of General Education coursework plus the following:

    Required Courses

    Course Prefix Course Name Units
    Required Core7
    SPCH 1A
    Public Speaking (Required course)
    or SPCH 1AH
    Public Speaking - Honors
    or SPCH 2
    Survey of Communication Studies
    SPCH 26
    Interpersonal Communication
    or SPCH 26H
    Interpersonal Communication - Honors
    Choose eleven units from the following:11
    JOUR 100
    Introduction to Mass Communications
    JOUR 101
    Beginning Writing and Reporting for the Mass Media
    JOUR 102
    Intermediate Writing and Reporting for Mass Media
    JOUR 111
    Writing Broadcast and Web News
    PHOT 10
    Basic Digital and Film Photography
    R-TV 01
    Introduction to Electronic Media
    R-TV 11A
    Beginning Audio Media Production
    R-TV 19A
    Beginning Video Production
    R-TV 99
    Special Projects in Broadcasting and Entertainment Industry
    SPCH 1A
    Public Speaking
    or SPCH 1AH
    Public Speaking - Honors
    SPCH 2
    Survey of Communication Studies
    SPCH 3
    Voice and Diction
    SPCH 4
    Performance of Literature
    SPCH 6
    Group Communication
    SPCH 7
    Intercultural Communication
    or SPCH 7H
    Intercultural Communication - Honors
    SPCH 8
    Professional and Organizational Speaking
    or SPCH 8H
    Professional and Organizational Speaking - Honors
    SPCH 15
    Forensics: Fundamentals of Contest Speech and Debate
    SPCH 16
    Forensics: Individual Event Team
    SPCH 17
    Forensics: Debate Team
    SPCH 18
    Forensics: Reader's Theater Team
    SPCH 20
    Argumentation and Debate
    or SPCH 20H
    Argumentation and Debate - Honors
    SPCH 30
    Introduction to Communication Theory
    SPCH 99
    Special Projects in Speech
    For Area of Emphasis
    Total Units18

    Communication Website 

  • Communication Studies

    Humanities and Social Sciences Division
    Degree A0325

    Communication Studies is a broad-based discipline with foundational coursework in oral communication theory and skills development, augmented with course options that add dimension and depth to the student’s understanding of the discipline – such as interpersonal, group, organizational and intercultural communication, argumentation, journalism, forensics, and communication research methods.

    The degree program requires students to critically analyze information and arguments, select and research an appropriate topic and thesis, and logically organize the supporting material into a well-crafted presentation. Students will employ appropriate verbal and nonverbal delivery skills and visual aids to present a message to an audience in a conversational and confident manner; and formulate communication solutions to problems in a range of contexts. Students will create messages appropriate for diverse audiences and listeners and develop an improved understanding of themselves as communicators.

    To earn an Associate in Arts in Communication Studies for Transfer a student must complete 60 semester Units that are eligible for transfer to the CSU that consist of: IGETC pattern or CSU GE breadth and a major of at least 18 Units. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework to receive an associate degree for transfer and all courses in the major must be completed with a C or better. Students earning an associate degree for transfer will not be required to complete any other local graduation requirements.

    Required Courses

    Course Prefix Course Name Units
    Core Courses
    SPCH 1APublic Speaking4
    or SPCH 1AH Public Speaking - Honors
    List A
    Choose two courses from the following:6
    SPCH 6
    Group Communication
    SPCH 20
    Argumentation and Debate
    or SPCH 20H
    Argumentation and Debate - Honors
    SPCH 26
    Interpersonal Communication
    or SPCH 26H
    Interpersonal Communication - Honors
    List B
    Choose any two courses from the following or any one course not already used from List A:6-7
    JOUR 100
    Introduction to Mass Communications
    SPCH 2
    Survey of Communication Studies
    SPCH 4
    Performance of Literature
    SPCH 7
    Intercultural Communication
    or SPCH 7H
    Intercultural Communication - Honors
    SPCH 8
    Professional and Organizational Speaking
    or SPCH 8H
    Professional and Organizational Speaking - Honors
    SPCH 9
    Introduction to Persuasion
    SPCH 15
    Forensics: Fundamentals of Contest Speech and Debate
    SPCH 16
    Forensics: Individual Event Team
    SPCH 30
    Introduction to Communication Theory
    or SPCH 30H
    Introduction to Communication Theory - Honors
    List C
    Choose at least one course from the following or any one course not selected from List A or List B:3-4
    ANTH 5
    Cultural Anthropology
    or ANTH 5H
    Cultural Anthropology - Honors
    ENGL 1B
    English - Introduction to Literary Types
    or ENGL 1BH
    English - Introduction to Literary Types - Honors
    ENGL 1C
    Critical Thinking and Writing
    or ENGL 1CH
    Critical Thinking and Writing - Honors
    JOUR 101
    Beginning Writing and Reporting for the Mass Media
    PSYC 1A
    Introduction to Psychology
    or PSYC 1AH
    Introduction to Psychology - Honors
    SOC 1
    Introduction to Sociology
    or SOC 1H
    Introduction to Sociology - Honors
    SPCH 3
    Voice and Diction
    SPCH 17
    Forensics: Debate Team
    SPCH 18
    Forensics: Reader's Theater Team
    Total Units for Major19-21
    CSU General Education or IGETC Pattern 139-42
    Total Units60
    1

    Courses may be double-counted with either CSU-GE or IGETC.

    Communication Website 

How to Complete the Program

Guided Pathways

Program Guided Pathways

Contacts

Department Contact

Contact: Danny CantrellTitle: Department ChairContact: dcantrell3@mtsac.edu

Office Contact

Location: Building 26D-1220APhone: (909) 274-6310