Communication Studies

Communication Studies

Pathway Overview

Program Pathways are a series of courses and experiences carefully selected to help you earn your credential and prepare for your career or university transfer. Program Pathway Maps guide you through quarter-by-quarter coursework, indicate when you’ll need to complete important steps, and describe popular careers in this pathway. Some course sequences or recommended courses can be customized or adjusted by speaking with an advisor.

Pathways


Program lengths are estimates, not guarantees. For the most current program information, please check with the program contact.

About the Communication Studies Pathway 

This pathway is designed to meet Associate in Arts degree requirements with an emphasis in communication studies. Students pursuing this pathway explore the complex world of communications, its dynamics, and its impact on contemporary societies and cultures. It also allows you to transfer at the junior level into a communications program at a four-year college or university.

This degree provides students with foundational knowledge in public speaking, media, digital communication, and human relations. In this pathway, you’ll take courses in public speaking, multicultural communication, and media communication and criticism. You’ll also learn how to assess the needs and preferences of readers, viewers, and listeners as well as communicate information to diverse audiences effectively, with specific goals in mind.

The career choices for communications professionals are incredibly diverse, mostly because so many industries rely on these workers to get their message across effectively to the media, the public and their other business interests. 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!

Transfer Programs Information Sessions

Come check out our Transfer Programs Information Sessions to learn more and ask questions about our programs. Learn more and sign-up! 

Information Sessions will cover the following information:

  • Overview of our campus community 
  • Benefits of attending South Seattle College 
  • How transfer degrees work 
  • Areas of Study and Program Pathways 
  • Student resources and funding opportunities 
  • Faculty Spotlights
  • How to get started

Associate Transfer Degrees

Associate Transfer Degrees: Two-year transfer degrees let you take your freshman and sophomore classes at Seattle Colleges for a fraction of the cost, and then transfer to a four-year university with the skills and confidence to succeed. Be sure to work with a transfer advisor at Seattle Colleges and the four-year institution you plan to attend.

Depending on your program pathway, you can earn either an Associate of Arts (AA-DTA), Associate in Business (AB-DTA), or Associate of Science (AS), Track 1 or Track 2. Learn more.

Program Pathway Map 

Program Pathways are a series of courses and experiences carefully selected to help you earn your credential and prepare for your career or university transfer.  Program Pathway Maps guide you through quarter-by-quarter coursework, indicate when you’ll need to complete important steps, and describe popular careers in this pathway.  Some course sequences or recommended courses can be customized or adjusted by speaking with an advisor.  

View Program Pathway Map

Career Opportunities

  • Advertising
  • Promotions
  • Social Media
  • Corporate Training
  • Broadcasting
  • Sales
  • Public Relations
  • Recruiting
  • Sportscasting
  • Customer Service
  • Event Planning

A bachelor’s degree or higher degree may be required for some careers listed above. For current employment and wage estimates, please visit the following online resources and search for the relevant occupational term:

Future Education Opportunities

Once you complete this Associate degree, additional education opportunities include:

  • A bachelor’s degree in communications or a related field at a four-year college or university.
  • A Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree at one of the Seattle Colleges. 

South Seattle College has direct transfer agreements with four-year institutions throughout Washington state, including University of Washington, Washington State University and Seattle University. Graduates from South have also transferred to out-of-state institutions.

Program and admissions requirements vary from college to college. Contact an advisor to create an educational plan tailored to transfer to the institution of your choice.

Length of Program

90 credits = 6 quarters if you take 15 credits* each term.

*Students who take 15 credits each quarter earn their degree faster, saving them time and money. Additionally, full-time students often qualify for more financial aid and earn more money over their lifetime because they complete their schooling faster. Meet with an advisor to build your education plan!  

Which Quarter Can I Begin?

Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer.

Class Times/Delivery Modes?

Most courses are offered M-TH, M/W, or T/TH during the daytime (between 8-1:30 p.m.) on-campus, online, or in hybrid (part on-campus, part online) format. We also offer some evening courses twice-a-week and science courses may include afternoon labs (between 1-4 p.m.). For the most recent class times, visit the online class schedule.

Approximate Costs Each Quarter

Tuition………………………………………………………….........………….............…………....$1550

Books, supplies, and miscellaneous fees……………………………....................$200

Tuition based on WA resident rates. Rates for international students and non-residents may vary.

Did you know that the average student at South spends three hours applying for financial aid and gets more than $4000 per year? 

To apply for financial aid, including grants and scholarships you don’t have to pay back, visit South’s Financial Aid Department for details.