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Communication Studies

If you want to improve your speaking and listening skills, or you want to turn your strong communication skills into a career, a degree in Communication Studies could be right for you.

In this program, you’ll take courses in public speaking; Interpersonal Communication, Gender Communication and Cultural Communication; and debate and argumentation. You’ll also study the role of communication in organizations and in a profession. This two-year program prepares you to transfer to a four-year school with a major or minor in communication studies, drama or radio/television.

Whether you want to work in public relations, human resources, theatre or broadcasting, this program can prepare you for a range of professional opportunities. It’s also excellent background for human services, legal, political and business careers.

What You’ll Learn

  • Demonstrate clear, organized, and audience-centered oral communication in a variety of communication and presentation contexts using credible research from a variety of sources
  • Compose clear, organized, and well-supported written communication
  • Apply active listening principles in a variety of communication contexts
  • Demonstrate an ability to communicate with persons of different cultural backgrounds by recognizing their value patterns, communication styles, and the impact of identity on communication
  • Synthesize small group communication and leadership theories to participate effectively in a group
  • Demonstrate flexibility in approaching the same problem/issue from different perspectives
  • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of solutions, conclusions, and approaches to problems or issues

You and your advisor will use this program map as a starting point to create a personal education plan customized to your needs. We meet you where you are and help you reach your goals.
Need more details? Check out the degree worksheet for the AA-DTA degree and work with your advisor to make sure you’re ready to transfer in Communication Studies. Course descriptions and course learning outcomes can be found in our online catalogue.

Program Map for

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Total Credits: 90

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CMST& 101
Introduction to Communication
5
GUID 105
Student Success
2
Choose 1 course from:
MATH& 107
Math in Society
5
MATH& 146
Introduction to Statistics
5
PHIL& 120
Symbolic Logic
5
Choose 1 course from:
HLTH 101
Health and Wellness
3
HLTH 104
Stress Management
3
HLTH 174
First Aid
3
PE 170
Introduction to Physical Education
3
Total Credits
 
15

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CMST& 210
Interpersonal Communication
5
ENGL& 101
English Composition I
5
Choose 1 course from:
ANTH& 100
Survey of Anthropology
5
ANTH& 206
Cultural Anthropology
5
PSYC& 100
General Psychology
5
SOC 221
Race and Ethnic Relations
5
SOC& 201
Social Problems
5
Total Credits
 
15

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CMST 227
Intercultural Communication
5
Choose 1 course from:
ASTR& 101
Introduction to Astronomy
5
BIOL 110
Insects and People
5
CHEM& 110
Chemical Concepts w/Lab
5
GEOL& 101
Intro to Physical Geology
5
PHYS 100
Introductory Physics
5
Choose 1 course from:
ART& 100
Art Appreciation
5
DRMA& 101
Introduction to Theater
5
FILM 141
Introduction to Film
5
FILM 224
Contemporary Global Cinema
5
MUSC 106
History of Popular Music
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
Choose 1 course from:
ANTH& 205
Biological Anthropology
5
ASTR& 100
Survey of Astronomy
5
CHEM 116
Reactions: Our Actions and Inactions
5
GEOL 116
Environmental Geology
5
Choose 1 course from:
ASL& 121
American Sign Language I
5
CMST 226
Gender Communication
5
CMST 229
Argumentation and Advocacy
5
CMST& 220
Public Speaking
5
FRCH& 121
French I
5
JAPN& 121
Japanese I
5
JOURN 110
Mass Media
5
SPAN& 121
Spanish I
5
Choose 1 course from:
ANTH& 100
Survey of Anthropology
5
ANTH& 206
Cultural Anthropology
5
PSYC& 100
General Psychology
5
SOC& 101
Introduction to Sociology
5
SOC& 201
Social Problems
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
Choose 1 course from:
ENGL 247
American Multicultural Literature
5
HUM& 101
Introduction to Humanities
5
PHIL 110
Introduction to Ethics
5
PHIL& 101
Introduction to Philosophy
5
PHIL& 115
Critical Thinking
5
Choose 1 course from:
ECON 100
Fundamentals of Economics
5
ECON& 202
Macro Economics
5
HIST& 137
US History 2
5
POLS& 202
United States Government
5
POLS& 203
International Relations
5
Choose 1 course from:
CMST 226
Gender Communication
5
CMST 229
Argumentation and Advocacy
5
CMST& 220
Public Speaking
5
JOURN 110
Mass Media
5
Total Credits
 
15

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
Choose 1 course from:
DRMA& 101
Introduction to Theater
5
ENGL& 102
Composition II
5
FILM 141
Introduction to Film
5
HUM& 101
Introduction to Humanities
5
Choose 1 course from:
GEOL& 100
Survey of Earth Science
5
MATH& 107
Math in Society
5
MATH& 146
Introduction to Statistics
5
PHIL& 120
Symbolic Logic
5
Choose 5 credit from:
ART 101
Fundamentals of Drawing
4
DRMA 108
Theatre Production
1 - 5
MUSC 145
Concert Band
1 - 3
PE 187
Cross Training
2
PHOTO 101
Introduction to Photography
5
Total Credits
 
15

Maximum estimated costs for completing this program

  • Tuition

  • Resident

    $
    9,245
  • Non-Resident

    $
    11,459
  • International

    $
    21,146
  • Books

    $
    2,647
  • Course Fees

    $
    204
  • Institutional Fees

    $
    1,511

  • The amounts listed for tuition and lab & course fees reflects a maximum estimated cost and may be lower based on courses selected.
  • The amount listed for books is a maximum estimated cost based on the price of new textbooks purchased during the previous school year. Costs may be lower based on student choices and availability (used books vs new, rental vs purchase).
  • For more information about costs, visit our page How Much Does It Cost?

  • Suzie Heimbigner
    Suzie Heimbigner
    Humanities Pathway Specialist
    Suzie.Heimbigner@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3403
  • Linda Beane-Boose
    Linda Beane-Boose
    Dean of Humanities
    B.A., The College of Wooster; M.A., Ph.D., University of Illinois; Additional studies, Harvard Institutes for Higher Education
    Linda.Beane-Boose@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3455

  • Khalil Islam-Zwart
    Khalil Islam-Zwart
    Communication Studies Instruct
    B.A., M.A., Eastern Washington University; Additional studies, Washington State University
    Khalil.Islam-Zwart@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3267
  • Larry Massey
    Larry Massey
    Communication Studies Instruct
    B.G.S., Gonzaga University; M.A. University of Washington; additional studies, University of Washington
    Larry.Massey@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3518
  • Craig Rickett
    Craig Rickett
    Communication Studies Instruct
    B.A., Northwest Nazarene College, Idaho; M.A., Southern Nazarene University, Oklahoma
    Craig.Rickett@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3608
  • Darlene Rickett
    Darlene Rickett
    Communication Studies Instruct
    A.B., Speech, Bethany Nazarene College; M.A., Education, Bethany Nazarene College
    Darlene.Rickett@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3308
  • Nicole Ridnour
    Nicole Ridnour
    Instructor
    Nicole.Ridnour@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3888
  • Nancy Schmidt
    Nancy Schmidt
    Instructor
    Nancy.Schmidt@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-599-3503
  • Micaela Schone
    Micaela Schone
    Instructor
    Micaela.Schone@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3373
  • Jenni Spencer
    Jenni Spencer
    Communication Studies Instruct
    B.A., Washington State University; M.A., University of New Mexico
    Jenni.Spencer@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3210
  • Mary Stover
    Mary Stover
    Instructor
    Mary.Stover@scc.spokane.edu
    509-279-6033

Have a question? Let's hear it.

Jenni Spencer

Faculty
jenni.spencer@sfcc.spokane.edu

Suzie Heimbigner

Pathways Specialist
suzie.heimbigner@sfcc.spokane.edu
509-533-3403
Building 24, Office 108C