Arts, Communication Option, AA

Associate of Arts, Communication Option

The Associate of Arts degree cultivates 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 or the program contact to discuss all the options.

Contact Information
McKenna Vietmeier
Assistant Director
School of Communication
330-972-5657
mvietmeier@uakron.edu 

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

General Education Requirement36
Required Courses9
Communication Elective Courses15
Total Hours60

General Education Requirement1

Writing Requirement6
Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic Requirement3
COMM 105Introduction to Public Speaking 2, 33
Natural Science Requirement (with Lab) 47
Social Science Requirement6
Arts Requirement3
Humanities Requirement3
COMM 325Intercultural Communication 2, 3, 5, 63
General Education Elective 12
Total Hours36

Required Courses

COMM 101Introduction to Communication3
COMM 105Introduction to Public Speaking 2, 33
COMM 325Intercultural Communication 2, 3, 5, 63
Total Hours9

Communication Elective Courses

Communication Elective Courses (choose 5): You are allowed to take any 5 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.15
COMM 210Multiplatform Production
COMM 219Introduction to Public Relations
COMM 226Interviewing
COMM 227Non-Verbal Communication
COMM 228ZTV 7
COMM 230WZIP-FM 7
COMM 235Business and Professional Communication
COMM 245Argumentation and Advocacy
COMM 274Introduction to the Media Industries
COMM 307Principles of Social Media
COMM 324Interpersonal Communication
COMM 330Principles of Organizational Supervision
1

This degree requires that you take a minimum 36 credit hours of General Education courses.

2

A grade of C or better is required in order to graduate

3

This course meets both General Education and AA, Communication degree requirements.

4

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

5

This is a core course for a Communication Bachelor’s Degree

6

This class can also fulfill the US Perspectives requirement. 

7

This course can be repeated for up to 3 credits. 

Recommended Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
ENGL 111 English Composition I 3
COMM 101 Introduction to Communication 3
COMM 105 Introduction to Public Speaking 1 3
Mathematics, Statistics or Logic Requirement 3
Social Science Requirement 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
ENGL 112
or ENGL 222
 English Composition II
or Technical Report Writing
 3
Natural Science Requirement with Lab 2 4
Communication Elective 3 3
General Education Elective 2
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
2nd Year
Fall Semester
Humanities Requirement 4 3
COMM 325 Intercultural Communication 5 3
Social Science Requirement 3
Communication Electives 3 6
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Arts Requirement 4 3
Natural Science Requirement 3
Communication Electives 3 6
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours60

Policy Alert: By the end of your first 48 credit hours attempted, you must have completed your required General Education English, Mathematics, and Communication (Speech) requirements.

1

A grade of C or better is required in order to graduate

2

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

3

Communication Elective Courses (choose 5): 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.

4

It is recommended that a student choose one Art or Humanities course that also satisfies the Global Perspectives requirement.

5

This course meets both General Education and Communication degree requirements.