Communication Studies Transfer Pathway Associate of Arts

Program Overview:

The Communication Studies Transfer Pathway AA offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Arts degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Communication Studies bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing this pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State universities* enter the university with junior-year status. All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field.

Program Outcomes:

Upon completion of the Communication Studies Transfer Pathway program at RCTC, students will achieve the following outcomes:

Select appropriate communication choices for specific audiences.
Demonstrate effective listening skills in diverse settings.
Utilize strategies to reduce communication apprehension.

Additional Information:

All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field.

*Universities within the Minnesota State system include:

Metropolitan State University – Professional Communication, BA
Minnesota State University, Mankato – Communication Studies, BS
Southwest Minnesota State University – Communication Studies, BA
St. Cloud State University – Communication Studies, BA; Communication Studies Supplementary, BA; Communication Studies Interdepartmental, BA
Winona State University – Communication Studies, BA

COMMUNICATION STUDIES TRANSFER PATHWAY AA

60 TOTAL CREDITS

MINNESOTA TRANSFER CURRICULUM (MnTC)/GENERAL REQUIREMENTSS (44 CREDITS)

GOAL 1: COMMUNICATION (11 CREDITS)

COMM 1114 – Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 cr)
ENGL 1117 – Reading and Writing Critically I (4 cr)
ENGL 1118 – Reading and Writing Critically II (4 cr)

GOAL 2 is fulfilled when all other MnTC goals for this plan are completed.

GOAL 3: NATURAL SCIENCES (6 CREDITS)

A minimum of two courses with a lab from two different areas that meet MnTC Goal 3

GOAL 4: MATHEMATICS/LOGICAL REASONING (3 CREDITS)

Credits from MnTC Goal 4

GOAL 5: HISTORY AND THE SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (9 CREDITS) Recommended: COMM 1110 – Introduction to Mass Communication (3 cr) OR COMM 1337 – Social Media (3 cr)

GOAL 6: HUMANITIES AND THE FINE ARTS (9 CREDITS) Recommended: COMM 1125 – Oral Interpretation (3 cr)

GOAL 7: HUMAN DIVERSITY, RACE, POWER, AND JUSTICE IN THE UNITED STATES (3 CREDITS)

COMM 1130 – Interpersonal Communication (3 cr)

GOAL 8: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE (3 CREDITS)

COMM 2100 – Intercultural Communication (3 cr)

FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE (1 CREDIT) FYEX 1000 – College Success Strategies (1 cr)

HEALTH/PHYSCIAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (3 CREDIT) Any combination of Health courses (1110, 1111, 1114, 1132, 2126) and/or Physical Education courses (numbered 1100-1199)

PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS (3 CREDITS) COMM 2130 – Team/Small Group Communication (3 cr)

ELECTIVES (9 CREDITS) Any course numbered above 1000

RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCES

FULL-TIME

Semester 1 (14 CREDITS)COMM 1130, ENGL 1117, FYEX 1000, MnTC Goal 4, MnTC Goal 6
Semester 2 (16 CREDITS)COMM 1114, ENGL 1118, Elective, HLTH/PHED Course, MnTC Goal 3 with lab
Semester 3 (15 CREDITS) COMM 2100, COMM 2130, Elective, MnTC Goal 3 with lab, MnTC Goal 5
Semester 4 (15 CREDITS) COMM 1110 OR COMM 1337, COMM 1125, Elective, MnTC Goal 7, MnTC Goal 8

PART-TIME

Semester 1 (14 CREDITS)COMM 1130, ENGL 1117, FYEX 1000
Semester 2 (16 CREDITS)COMM 1114, MnTC Goal 4, MnTC Goal 6
Semester 3 (6 CREDITS) COMM 2100, MnTC Goal 5
Semester 4 (15 CREDITS) ENGL 1118, Elective
Semester 5 (14 CREDITS)COMM 1130, MnTC Goal 3 with lab
Semester 6 (16 CREDITS)COMM 1110 OR COMM 1337, Elective
Semester 7 (15 CREDITS) MnTC Goal 3 with lab, MnTC Goal 7, MnTC Goal 8
Semester 8 (15 CREDITS) COMM 1125, HLTH/PHED Course, Elective

Course descriptions can be found at: RCTC course descriptions