Communication Studies Pre-Major

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Summary

Prepare for a major in Communication Studies by taking recommended courses to fulfill the requirements of a transfer degree.

Communications studies encompasses a broad range of areas of human communications including interpersonal, small group, public speaking, mass media and multicultural communication. It uses theory and tools to analyze the differing contexts of communications and how social, political and media-based influences shape those contexts. Students explore how communication both shapes and is shaped by society and develop knowledge of the globalized and digitized dynamics of contemporary communication.

The Associate in Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) is part of Shoreline’s General Transfer program and is designed to meet the first two years of requirements of most four-year degrees.

Completion Award
Associate of Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement
Length of Study
90 Credits
Starting Quarter
Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Location
On Campus

This program option is designed to support Shoreline’s general education outcomes: 

  • Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning:  Students will demonstrate college-level skills and knowledge in applying the principles of mathematics and logic. 
  • Communication Skills:  Students will read, write, speak in, and listen to college-level English. Effective communication incorporates awareness of the social nature of communication and the effects of ethnicity, age, culture, gender, sexual orientation, and ability on sending and receiving oral, non-verbal, and written messages. 
  • Multicultural Understanding:  Students will demonstrate understanding of issues related to race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, and culture and the role these issues play in the distribution of power and privilege in the United States. 
  • Information Literacy:  Students will access, use, and evaluate information in a variety of formats, keeping in mind social, legal, and ethical issues surrounding information access in today’s society. 
  • General Intellectual Abilities:  Students will think critically within a discipline, identify connections and relationships among disciplines, and use an integrated approach to analyze new situations. 
  • Global Awareness:  Students will demonstrate understanding and awareness of issues related to, and consequences of, the growing global interdependence of diverse societies by integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines. Students will describe how social, cultural, political, and economic values and norms interact.
  1. Describe differences and similarities in how people across the globe experience social, cultural, economic, or political systems.
  2. Examine the interactions between societies and individuals.
  3. Apply methods of a specific discipline to interpret an expression of the human experience.
  4. Identify methods scientists use to explain aspects of the natural world.
  5. Use scientific laboratory practices within a field or discipline to investigate a scientific concept.
In addition to the outcomes above, students will gain the skills and knowledge included in Shoreline Student Learning Outcomes (SSLOs): Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity & Social Justice, Information Literacy, and Quantitative & Symbolic Reasoning.

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Graduates of Communication Studies can be found in a variety of fields such as academia, media production, human and public relations, journalism, health occupations, non-government organizations, politics, marketing, sports and music industries and publicity. Potential employers include: federal, state and local government agencies, public advocacy organizations, private foundations, non-profit organizations, labor unions, industries and corporations.

Estimated Tuition & Fees

(does not include additional program or course fees, books, or supply costs)

Per Quarter
2023-2024		 WA-Resident Non-WA resident,
US citizen, &
Eligible non-citizen
On Campus		 Non-WA resident
Non-US citizen¹		 Non-WA resident, US citizen
Online Only
1 credit $145.17  $245.71  $339.54 $162.51
5 credits $673.85  $1,176.57  $1,645.70  $760.55
12 credits (full-time) $1,462.52  $2,476.40 $3,422.10  $1,637.76
15 credits $1,641.05 $2,667.59  $3,624.45 $1,819.05

¹ Includes all International Students, both on campus and overseas online

Additional Fees
Approximately $20 - $120 per quarter, depending on courses selected

Ways to pay for school

Federal aid, scholarships, grants, and more are available to help you pay for school.

Next Steps

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