Arts, Communication Option, AA
Associate of Arts, Communication Option (202001AA)
Contact Information
Dr. Katie Cerrone
Program Coordinator
Leigh Hall 412
330-972-2574
kc24@uakron.edu
Program Information
The Associate of Arts degree cultivates in students the habit of life-long learning through a diverse curriculum and teaches students to think critically and creatively about their perceptions of ideas, events and people. This degree is designed to position the student for successful employment, career advancement or more focused study in Communication at the baccalaureate level.
Career Information
There are many careers a student can pursue with an Associate of Arts degree. For additional information please visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov or visit the UA Career Center.
Bachelor Degree Program
Students earning an Associate of Arts - Communication Option can “step up” to the Bachelor of Arts in Communication or other degrees offered at The University of Akron. Meet with your academic advisor to discuss all the options.
The following information has official approval of the The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (Stellic) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor. Transfer students should consult their Advisor to identify courses that are equivalent.
Requirements
Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirement | 34 | |
| Required Courses | 17 | |
| Communication Elective Courses | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
General Education Requirement
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Writing Requirement | 6 | |
| Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic Requirement | 3 | |
| COMM 105 | Introduction to Public Speaking 1, 8 | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities Requirement 7 | 9 | |
| Natural Science Requirement (with Lab) 3 | 7 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 34 | |
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 101 | Introduction to Communication 4 | 3 |
| COMM 219 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 |
| or COMM 274 | Introduction to the Media Industries | |
| or COMM 360 | Theories of Rhetoric | |
| COMM 228 | ZTV 6 | 1 |
| or COMM 230 | WZIP-FM | |
| or COMM 232 | Buchtelite | |
| COMM 245 | Argumentation 4 | 3 |
| COMM 325 | Intercultural Communication 8 | 3 |
| Beginning Language I 5 | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 17 | |
Communication Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Elective Courses (choose 3): You are allowed to take any 3 courses listed below but it is strongly recommended that you choose courses from the same area. Only 200 level courses are required to complete the degree. However, 300 level courses may be used for electives if you choose to take them. | 9 | |
| Communication Research 4 | ||
| Public Relations Electives | ||
| Principles of Social Media | ||
| Introduction to Public Relations | ||
| Public Relations Writing | ||
| Public Relations Publications | ||
| Media Studies Electives | ||
| Multiplatform Production 4 | ||
| Introduction to the Media Industries | ||
| Legal Issues in Media | ||
| Newswriting Across the Media | ||
| Topics in Media Production | ||
| Basic Audio & Video Editing | ||
| Strategic Organizational Communication Electives | ||
| Interviewing | ||
| Non-Verbal Communication | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Persuasion | ||
| Communication Theory | ||
| Small Group Communication | ||
| Theories of Rhetoric | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
- 1
A grade of C or better is required in order to graduate
- 2
You must complete 32 credit hours in your first year to meet the prerequisite for HIST 210 Humanities in the Western Tradition from Ancient Times to 1500 and HIST 221 Humanities in the World since 1300
- 3
Seven hours of science are required. A majors-track course in the natural sciences from the Ohio Transfer Module can substitute for a General Education Natural Science course
- 4
This is a core course for a Communication Bachelor’s Degree
- 5
SLPA 101 American Sign Language I may be taken in place of Beginning Language I.
- 6
Students who do not wish to participate in a co-curricular activity may instead take one additional 3 credit elective from the list of Communication Elective Courses.
- 7
It is recommended that a student choose one Art or Humanities course that also satisfies the Global Diversity requirement.
- 8
This course meets both General Education and Communications degree requirements.
- 9
This degree requires that you take a minimum 36 credit hours of General Education courses.
Recommended Sequence
| 1st Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| ENGL 111 or ENGL 110 | English Composition I or English Composition I + Workshop | 3-4 |
| COMM 105 | Introduction to Public Speaking 1 | 3 |
| COMM 101 | Introduction to Communication 5 | 3 |
| Mathematics, Statistics or Logic Requirement | 3 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 112 or ENGL 222 | English Composition II or Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| COMM 219 | Introduction to Public Relations or Interpersonal Communication or Introduction to the Media Industries or Theories of Rhetoric | 3 |
| COMM 228 | ZTV 7 or WZIP-FM or Buchtelite | 1 |
| XXXX 101 | Beginning Language I 6 | 4 |
| Natural Science Requirement with Lab 3 | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 2nd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| COMM 325 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| Humanities Requirement 8 | 3 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
| Communications Electives 4 | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| COMM 245 | Argumentation | 3 |
| Arts Requirement 8 | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities Requirement 8 | 3 | |
| Natural Science Requirement 3 | 3 | |
| Communications Electives 4 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 60-61 | |
Policy Alert: By the end of your first 48 credit hours attempted, you must have completed your required General Education English, Mathematics, and Communications (Speech) requirements.
- 1
A grade of C or better is required in order to graduate
- 3
Seven hours of science are required. A majors-track course in the natural sciences from the Ohio Transfer Module can substitute for a General Education Natural Science course
- 4
Communication Elective Courses (choose 3): You are allowed to take any 3 courses listed below but it is strongly recommended that you choose courses from the same area. Only 200 level courses are required to complete the degree. However, 300 level courses may be used for electives if you choose to take them.
- 6
SLPA 101 American Sign Language I may be taken in place of Beginning Language I.
- 7
It is recommended that a student choose one Art or Humanities course that also satisfies the Global Diversity requirement.
- 8
This course meets both General Education and Communications degree requirements.