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Communication Studies

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Program Available at:

  • Brookhaven
  • Cedar Valley
  • Eastfield
  • El Centro
  • Mountain View
  • North Lake
  • Richland

Catalog Year 2022-2023 You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.

Degree Type Associate of Arts in Teaching

GPA Requirement Student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher

TSI Must be Complete

For more information, visit the Dallas College Speech Communication webpage and your success coach at your campus.

The guided pathway in Communication Studies begins with an Introduction to Human Communication and concludes with Business and Professional Communication. An Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in this pathway prepares students to transfer to a university to earn a bachelor's degree that opens the door to a career in employment fields including Communication Consulting, Strategic Communication, Management, Political Strategist, Public Relations, Teaching, Event Planning, Lobbying, News Anchor, Film Critics, Sales, Copywriters, Web Designers, Digital Consultants, Legal, Tourism, Community and Governmental Affairs.

This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing Communication Studies. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn an A.A., which will increase your chances of transfer to bachelor's-level programs. Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours (15 hours) required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See the catalog for official degree requirements.

This pathway fulfills the Dallas College Interstate Passport requirements. The Interstate Passport at Dallas College is awarded to students who have achieved lower-division general education learning outcomes in a set of approved courses that are recognized by all other colleges and universities participating. Please visit the Interstate Passpo​rt – Dallas College webpage for more information. Certain courses may not apply to the Passport block requirements.  See your success coach for more information.

Visit www.dcccd.edu/transfer and select “Transfer from Dallas College," to view more information about transferring to that institution. Speak with your success coach to choose courses that will help you to transfer to a specific university.

SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER MAP FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students. This is not an official program of study. See the catalog for official degree requirements.

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE MINIMUM: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

SEMESTER 1

ENGL 1301 – Composition I This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of “C" or higher.

HIST 1301 – United States History I This is a Core course.

MATH X3XX Core Elective* This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of “C" or higher.

PHED 1164 – Introduction to Physical Fitness and Wellness This is a Core course.

SPCH 1311 – Introduction to Speech Communication* This is a Core course.

* There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your success coach for a specific list.

SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your success coach to confirm your academic and career goals.
  2. Meet with your Journalism lead faculty/program coordinator to discuss your academic plans, opportunities for involvement in Student Media and career options for Communication majors.
  3. At the end of the semester, begin researching colleges and universities where you would want to transfer and major in Communication.  

​Total Hours: 13

SEMESTER 2

ENGL 1302 – Composition II This is a Core course.

SPCH 1321 – Business and Professional Communication This is a Core course.

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • HIST 1302 – United States History II* This is a Core course. OR
  • ​HIST 2301 – Texas History* This is a Core course.

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • SPCH 2333 – Discussion and Small Group Communication OR
  • SPCH 2341 – Oral Interpretation

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • ANTH 2351 – Cultural Anthropology* This is a Core course.
  • ECON 2301 – Principles of Macroeconomics* This is a Core course.
  • PSYC 2301 – General Psychology* This is a Core course. OR
  • SOCI 1301 – Introduction to Sociology* This is a Core course.

* There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your success coach for a specific list.

SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your success coach to request an official program of study audit and confirm or update your academic/career pathway and program of study.
  2. Ask your success coach about your options for transferring to a university to pursue a bachelor's degree.

Total Hours: 15

SEMESTER 3

LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE* This is a Core course.

GOVT 2305 – Federal Government This is a Core course.

SPCH 1315 – Public Speaking This is a Core course. 

FOREIGN LANGUAGE ELECTIVE**

CHOOSE ONE:     

  • ARTS 1301 – Art Appreciation* This is a Core course.
  • DANC 2303 – Dance Appreciation* This is a Core course.
  • DRAM 1310 – Theater Appreciation* This is a Core course.
  • HUMA 1315 – Fine Arts Appreciation* This is a Core course. OR
  • MUSI 1306 – Music Appreciation* This is a Core course.

* There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your success coach for a specific list.

** Foreign Language Elective: ARAB 2311, 2312; CHIN 2311, 2312; FREN 2311, 2312; GERM 2311, 2312; ITAL 2311, 2312; JAPN 2311, 2312; KORE 2311, 2312; PORT 2311, 2312; RUSS 2311, 2312; SGNL 2301, 2302; SPAN 2311, 2312

SEMESTER 3 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Begin applying to your top choice universities.
  2. Begin applying for Financial Aid and Scholarships. You can start the FAFSA in October for the next academic year. (i.e., in October 2022, you can complete the FAFSA if you plan to register for classes at a university Fall 2023)
  3. Check with your success coach for important deadlines and dates.

Total Hours: 16

SEMESTER 4

LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE*​ This is a Core course.

GOVT 2306 – Texas Government This is a Core course.

SPCH 1318 – Interpersonal Communication

FOREIGN LANGUAGE ELECTIVE**

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • ENGL 2326 – American Literature* This is a Core course. This is not an eligible Dallas College Interstate Passport block course.
  • ENGL 2331 – World Literature* This is a Core course. This is not an eligible Dallas College Interstate Passport block course. OR
  • PHIL 1301 – Introduction to Philosophy* This is a Core course.

* There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your success coach for a specific list.

** Foreign Language Elective: ARAB 2311, 2312; CHIN 2311, 2312; FREN 2311, 2312; GERM 2311, 2312; ITAL 2311, 2312; JAPN 2311, 2312; KORE 2311, 2312; PORT 2311, 2312; RUSS 2311, 2312; SGNL 2301, 2302; SPAN 2311, 2312

SEMESTER 4 ACTION ITEMS

  1. After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, meet with your success coach to apply for the Associate of Arts degree. 
  2. Sign up for commencement.
  3. Request final transcripts to be sent to the college or university to where you will transfer.
  4. Join the Alumni Network!

Total Hours: 16

DALLAS COLLEGE PATHWAY TOTAL: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS​

Updated July 25, 2025