Program: Communication, AA - College of Southern Nevada

2024-2025 Catalog and Student Handbook

May 20, 2025

CODE: COM-AA | TOTAL CREDITS: 60 | FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY: Eligible

DEPARTMENT: Department of Communication

DESCRIPTION

The Associate of Arts in Communication is a general transfer program for students who plan to transfer to a baccalaureate-level institution. This program offers students a solid foundation in communication theory and extensive practice in application of communication skills. Our courses cover public speaking, interpersonal communication, group communication, intercultural communication, film criticism, survey of rhetorical studies, survey of communication studies, argumentation and debate, and a variety of special topics within the discipline.

ACADEMIC MAPS AND TRANSFER OPTIONS

Explore the link below for transfer pathways to various institutions.

Academic Maps: AA Communication

Student Learning Outcomes

Differentiate effective and appropriate communication choices as sender, receiver, and observer.
Describe the human communication process in a variety of contexts: interpersonal, public, group and mass.
Analyze and evaluate major theories of communication as they invent, research, organize, and deliver structured speeches, papers, or projects.
Operate equipment and technologies common to communication practices.
Apply critical analysis and logical thinking toward making informed, reasoned and equitable decisions.

General Education Requirements

TOTAL GENERAL EDUCATION CREDITS: 34

300-level and above courses cannot be used to satisfy GE requirements.
Courses with a B suffix (i.e. 100B) cannot be used to satisfy general education or degree requirements for Associate of Arts, Associate of Business, and Associate of Science degrees. B suffix courses may not be transferable within NSHE.

Mathematics (3 Credits)

^{NOTE: Your first college-level MATH course must be completed before reaching 30 total college-level credits.}

Recommended: MATH 120 or 120E.

English Composition (6-8 Credits)

^{NOTE: Your first college-level ENG course must be completed before reaching 30 total college level credits.}

Literature (3 Credits)

Recommended: ENG 223.

ENG 223 - Themes of Literature or above

Analytical Reasoning (3 Credits)

Recommended: PHIL 102.

Natural Science (6 Credits)

Six credits of coursework to include at least one laboratory experience.

ANTH 102 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology
or ANTH 110L - Biological Anthropology Lab
or any AST prefix course
or BIOL 101 - Biology for Non-Majors or above
or CHEM 105 - Chemistry, Man and Society or above
or any EGG prefix course
or any ENV prefix course
or GEOG 103 - Physical Geography
or GEOG 104 - Physical Geography Laboratory
or GEOG 117 - Meteorology/Climatology
or any GEOL prefix course
or HHP 123 - Introduction to the Human Body
or any PHYS prefix course

Social Science (9 Credits)

Each course must be from a different discipline.

Recommended: ECON 100 and PSY 101 and SOC 101.

any ANTH prefix course (except ANTH 102 and ANTH 110L)
or CRJ 104 - Introduction to Administration of Justice
or any ECON prefix course
or HHP 150 - Living Healthy and Well
or HHP 201 - Stress Management
or HHP 213 - Healthy Aging
or PHIL 135 - Introduction to Ethics
or PHIL 205 - Science and Religion
or PHIL 207 - Social and Political Philosophy
or PHIL 216 - Philosophy of Human Nature
or PHIL 244 - Bioethics
or PHIL 245 - Contemporary Moral Issues
or PHIL 246 - Philosophy of Law
or PHIL 249 - Environmental Ethics
or any PSC prefix course
or any PSY prefix course
or any SOC prefix course
or WMST 113 - Gender, Race, and Class

U.S. and Nevada Constitutions (4-6 Credits)

Recommend: HIST 100 or PSC 101.

Four Credit Options
HIST 100 - Historical Issues and Contemporary Society
or PSC 101 - Introduction to American Politics
Six Credit Options
HIST 101 - U.S. History to 1877
and HIST 102 - U.S. History Since 1877
or
HIST 101 - U.S. History to 1877
and HIST 217 - Nevada History
or
HIST 102 - U.S. History Since 1877
and HIST 111 - Survey of U.S. Constitutional History
or
HIST 111 - Survey of U.S. Constitutional History
and HIST 217 - Nevada History

Values and Diversity

^{All students MUST fulfill this requirement. Course chosen may also be used to fulfill the corresponding general education or special program requirements.}

COM 133 fulfills this requirement.

Major Requirements

TOTAL MAJOR REQUIREMENTS CREDITS: 26

Core Requirements (12 Credits)

COM Electives (14 Credits)

any COM prefix courses not already used to satisfy other degree requirements.

See an Academic Advisor or Counselor to select courses.