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Communication Studies, Associate in Arts

Overview

Narrative

Advertising, politics, journalism, public relations - a career in any of these diverse fields can be exciting and fulfilling. And it can start with a degree in Communications Studies from Northampton.

Northampton's Communications Studies program offers courses that are commonly taken during the first two years of a bachelor's degree in the field. Working closely with your advisor, you can plan a schedule that will prepare you for entry to a four-year college.

With a BA, you can look forward to employment opportunities in a wide range of areas, including health care, the performing arts, education, the media, radio and TV broadcasting and more. Even if you don't plan to go into a specific communications-related field, a communications degree will help you be more versatile and flexible in your work. You may also find that you can change career paths with ease.

Our program is available at NCC's Bethlehem and Monroe campuses. Courses are primarily offered in the daytime.

Features

Our program provides a well-rounded background in communication and general education that will prepare you to transfer to a four-year university. In addition to the general education core requirements, the program requires 12 hours of communication studies courses. To suit your future plans, a variety of electives in the communications field allow you to customize your studies in key areas such as mass communications, technology, business, and the performing arts. Finally, the program requires you to take specific courses in fields that have impacted communication studies, such as sociology and psychology.

Career Potential: Media, Advertising, Performing Arts Health Care, Politics Radio-TV/Broadcasting, Public Relations, Business/Marketing, Social/Human Services, Education, Journalism

Outcomes

Graduates of the program will:

  • Transfer to a four-year college or university.
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of, and ability to think critically about, communication in theory and practice.
  • Demonstrate effective use of communication skills and experience to be an effective group member and/or leader.
  • Adapt communication skills to a variety of audiences and contexts.
  • Communicate effectively within a culturally diverse society.

Courses

First Semester

CMTH102Speech Communication

3 credits

ENGL101English I

3 credits

PSYC103Introduction to Psychology

3 credits

MATHMathematics Elective (QL)

3 credits

Elective +

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15

Second Semester

CMTH214Interpersonal Communication

3 credits

ENGL151LEnglish II

3 credits

SOCA103GPrinciples of Sociology

3 credits

Science Elective (SCI)

4 credits

Elective +

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:16

Third Semester

CMTH215Intercultural Communication

3 credits

CMTH231Small Group Communication

3 credits

Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time Elective (SIT)

3 credits

Arts and Humanities Elective (AH)

3 credits

Elective +

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15

Fourth Semester

CMTH230GIntro to Communication Theory

3 credits

Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time Elective (SIT)

3 credits

Mathematics (QL) or Science (SCI) Elective

3/4 credits

Electives +

6 credits

Total Credit Hours:15-16

+Electives must be selected from those courses which are AA eligible or those below:

Mass Communication

CMTH104Mass Media and Society

3 credits

CMTH126The Communication Arts

3 credits

CMTH220Introduction to Film

3 credits

CMTH225GScriptwriting

3 credits

JOUR101Journalism and Society

3 credits

JOUR102News Editing

3 credits

JOUR103Newswriting

3 credits

JOUR203Writing for Public Relations

3 credits

Business

BUSA101Introduction to Business

3 credits

BUSA115Intro to International Business

3 credits

BUSA131Principles of Marketing

3 credits

BUSA137Principles of Selling

3 credits

BUSA152Business Law I

3 credits

Performing Arts

CMTH105Public Speaking

3 credits

CMTH110Introduction to the Theatre

3 credits

CMTH111Acting I

3 credits

CMTH212Acting II

3 credits

CMTH211GPlays: Classical to Contemporary

3 credits

ENGL211GPlays: Classical to Contemporary

3 credits

CMTH206Directing

3 credits

CMTH189Stage Voice and Movement

1 credits

Communication Technology

ARTA130Intro to Web Site Design

3 credits

ARTA170Computer Graphics

4 credits

ARTA171Desktop Publishing

4 credits

CMTH115Technical Theatre and Design

3 credits

CMTH117Stagecraft

3 credits

CMTH180Multimedia Production

3 credits

CMTH182Multimedia Graphics & Animation

3 credits

Total Credit Hours: 61-62