Communication Studies (AA)
Award: Associate of Arts Degree
No. of credits required: 60
For more information: Contact Dean Kim Davis at, 443-412-2291, kidavis@harford.edu or Admissions, 443-412-2109.
Program Description
Students of this program will develop an understanding of core communication concepts and apply them in a wide variety of many different careers, relationships, and settings. Because skilled communicators are highly desired by business and industry, students may go on to hold a variety of positions in a wide range of fields and/or to a four year Communication Studies Degree Program.
Students will have knowledge of foundational theories of communication; prevailing communication research paradigms; roles and functions of communication in interpersonal, group, and public contexts; and the impact and ethics of communication in a diverse and global society. Students will also have the ability to think critically; conduct and evaluate communication research; communicate effectively in interpersonal, group, and public contexts; and create and deliver effective and ethical messages via oral, print, and electronic modes.
Program Goals
Upon completion of the Communication Studies AA Degree Program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate ethically and effectively with others in a variety of oral and written contexts and situations.
- Demonstrate the application of communication theories in various life situations.
- Monitor, analyze, and adjust personal communication behavior.
- Demonstrate intercultural sensitivity.
Transfer Information
Students should be aware that each transfer institution has unique curricular requirements. Certain transfer institutions, for example, may require foreign languages. To facilitate transfer, students should consult with an academic advisor early in their studies at HCC and before selecting elective courses. Students earning this degree are able to transfer all credits to Towson University and earn their B.A. of communication at Towson University Northeast.
Employment Information
The ability to communicate is one of the most highly sought skills by employers. The 2022 National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) survey of 151 top employers found that the knowledge and skills taught in Communication courses, including the ability to verbally communicate with others, the ability to create and/or edit written documents, and the ability to work as a team, are essential to being hired regardless of one’s major. See also the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report for the field of Communications.
Degree Requirements
Recommended Course Sequence
| First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CMST 101 | Speech Fundamentals (GI) | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (GE) | 3 |
| Behavioral/Social Science Elective (GB) | 3 | |
| Mathematics Elective (GM) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CMST 105 | Interpersonal Communication (GI) (D) | 3 |
| ENG 216 | Business Communications | 3 |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology (GB) | 3 |
| Biological/Physical Science Elective (GS) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| CMST 200 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| PHIL 205 | Ethics (GAH) | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities Elective (GAH) | 3 | |
| Behavioral/Social Science Elective (GB) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| CMST 230 | Nonverbal Communication | 3 |
| CMST 210 | Group Communication and Leadership (GAH) | 3 |
| Biological/Physical Lab Science Elective (GL) | 4 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
General Education Degree Requirements
Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:
Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)
Part-Time Progression Plan
The part-time progression plan for programs of study has been developed as a helpful example for students to guide their academic journey. This plan outlines a likely sequence of courses and milestones over three years to help students visualize their academic path. It is important to note that this progression plan is based solely on the core requirements outlined in the approved program of study and does not include any additional requirements. Each student’s experience may vary based on their specific interests, course availability, and academic history. Therefore, students are encouraged to work closely with their academic advisor.
Recommended Part-Time Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | |
| CMST 101 | Speech Fundamentals (GI) | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (GE) | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Select a Behavioral/Social Sciences Elective (GB): | 3 | |
| History of the United States I (GB) (GAH) | ||
| History of the United States II (GB) (GAH) | ||
| Introduction to Sociology (GB) | ||
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| CMST 105 | Interpersonal Communication (GI) | 3 |
| Select a Mathematics Elective (GM): 1 | 3-4 | |
| Contemporary Mathematics (GM) | ||
| Introduction to Finite Mathematics (GM) | ||
| Introduction to Statistics (GM) | ||
| ENG 216 | Business Communications | 3 |
| Credits | 9-10 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Select from Arts/Humanities Elective (GAH): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Philosophy (GAH) | ||
| Visual and Performing Arts Survey (GAH) | ||
| Elementary Spanish I (GAH) 2 or Elementary French I (GAH) |
||
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CMST 200 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology (GB) | 3 |
| Select a Biological/Physical Science Elective (GS): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Astronomy (GS) | ||
| Nutrition (GS) | ||
| Earth Science (GS) | ||
| Credits | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHIL 205 | Ethics (GAH) | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| CMST 210 | Group Communication and Leadership (GAH) | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Select a Biological/Physical Lab Science Elective (GL): | 4 | |
| Fundamentals of Biology (GL) | ||
| General Biology I (GL) | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Science (GS) and Environmental Science Laboratory (GL) 3 |
||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CMST 230 | Nonverbal Communication | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Select a Behavioral/Social Science Elective (GB): | 3 | |
| Physical Geography (GB) | ||
| Human Geography (GB) | ||
| Race, Class & Gender in the United States (GB) | ||
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 60-61 | |
- 1
Students who select a four-credit mathematics general education course should consult their advisor about a possible one-credit waiver where applicable.
- 2
Select the appropriate language for transfer.
- 3
Students must take both ENV 111 Introduction to Environmental Science (GS) and ENV 112 Environmental Science Laboratory (GL) to satisfy the biological/physical lab science general education requirement.
General Education Degree Requirements
Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:
Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)