Mass Communications/Media Studies, Associate in Arts Degree
Banner Code: 1_AA_MCOM
Control Number: 03966
Financial Aid Eligible
The Orange Coast College Associate in Arts in Mass Communication/Media Studies provides students with skills to understand the role of media institutions, analyze and create media texts, and evaluate the mass media landscape from a cultural, economic, and rhetorical perspective.
Program Outcomes
- Students will be able to access, analyze, evaluate and create media texts.
- Students will be able to understand the historical, economic, cultural, and aesthetic influences on media industries and media institutions.
Associate in Arts Degree Requirements
- UNIT REQUIREMENT - 60 UNITS, with at least a 2.0 grade point average. At least 12 of the units must be earned at OCC, with a minimum of one course taken for a letter grade. At least 3 units in an advanced course from the program must be completed at OCC. A student must be enrolled at the time of application for graduation. Units earned at an accredited college or university on a credit/no credit basis will be counted toward the degree requirements of the college, to a maximum of 15 units.
- MAJOR REQUIREMENT - Complete the AA major requirements.
- MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT - Demonstrate competence in mathematics by either obtaining a satisfactory grade (grade of “C” or better or “pass”) in a mathematics course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra as demonstrated by prior coursework, or by demonstrating competency that is comparable through the completion of a college-level math course that has Intermediate Algebra as a prerequisite: Psychology A160 or Math A100 or higher, with the exception of Math A220.
- GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT - Students may choose to complete Option 1 (OCC AA GE), Option 2 (CSU GE), or Option 3 (IGETC) to satisfy the general education requirement. See the General Education Patterns section of this catalog for more information.
- GLOBAL AND MULTICULTURAL REQUIREMENT (Required for AA degree only) Some of the courses listed in this requirement can also be used to meet General Education Requirements. Courses that are repeatable for credit can only be used once in this area. - Select one or more courses from the following totaling 3 units: Anthropology A100*, A100H*, A102*, A190*, Art A108*, Communication Studies A155*, Counseling A107*, A107H*, Dance A130*, A133*, A135*, A137*, A138*, Early Childhood A126, English A152*, A173*, Ethnic Studies A100*, A150*, Fashion A125, Food, and Nutrition A185, Geography A185*, History A101*, A110*, A141, A142, A145,* A150*, A151*, A152*, A161*, A161H*, A162*, A162H*, Philosophy A120*, Psychology A105*, Religious Studies A110*, A120*, A140*, A150*, A160, Sociology A100*, A100H*, A115*, A150*, A190* *Denotes courses that fulfill CSU GE Breadth and/ or IGETC requirements.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| CMST A180 | Introduction to Mass Communications | 3 |
| CMST A240 | Media Literacy | 3 |
| JOUR A110 | News Writing and Reporting | 3 |
| Restricted Electives | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9-10 | |
| Public Relations | ||
| Film As Literature | ||
| Student Newspaper I | ||
| Multi-Media Reporting and Producing | ||
| Photojournalism | ||
| Principles of Advertising | ||
| Introduction to Photography | ||
| Introduction to Digital Photography | ||
| Program Major Units | 18-19 | |
| AA General Education Option 1, 2, or 3 | Varies | |
| Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirement | Varies | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
Program Sequence
These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Units | |
| ENGL A100 | Freshman Composition | 3 |
| CMST A180 | Introduction to Mass Communications | 3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA E2 - CHOOSE ONE 1 | 1 | |
| RESTRICTED ELECTIVE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 2 | 3-4 | |
| Select one of the following or satisfy Math competency (completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better): | 3-4 | |
| Intermediate Algebra 3 or Combined Elementary and Intermediate Algebra |
||
| Units | 13-15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| JOUR A110 | News Writing and Reporting | 3 |
| CMST A240 | Media Literacy | 3 |
| PSCI A180 or PSCI A180H |
American Government or American Government Honors |
3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA B with lab - CHOOSE ONE 4 | 4 | |
| AA Global/Multicultural Requirement - CHOOSE ONE 5 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Summer | ||
| OCC ASS GE AREA D2 - CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| Units | 3 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| OCC AS GE AREA C2 - CHOOSE ONE 6 | 0.5-4 | |
| OCC AA GE AREA D3 - CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| HIST A170 |
History of the United States to 1876 or History of the United States to 1876 Honors or History of the United States Since 1876 or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors |
3 |
| RESTRICTED ELECTIVE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) or ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 7 | 3-4 | |
| RESTRICTED ELECTIVE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) or ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 8 | 3-4 | |
| Units | 12.5-18 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| OCC AA GE AREA E1 - CHOOSE ONE 1 | 0.5-4 | |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 9 | 15 | |
| Units | 15.5-19 | |
| Total Units | 60-71 | |
| 1 | OCC AA GE AREA E requires a minimum of 3 units to include one course from E1 and one course from E2 |
| 2 | Major restricted electives - three (3) total courses required |
| 3 | Math A030 or higher OR take 3-4 degree applicable elective units if math competency was met through completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better; *100-level Math courses satisfy AA Math Requirement and OCC AA GE AREA A2 |
| 4 | OCC AA GE AREA B - 4 units required if taken with lab; 6 units required if lecture only courses |
| 5 | OCC AA Global/ Multicultural required if not already taken in other GE areas, refer to AA Graduation Requirement webpage |
| 6 | OCC AA Area C requires a minimum of 3 units to include one course from C1 and one course from C2 |
| 7 | Can choose any degree applicable units if PHOT A120 (but NOT A120H) was used for AA GE Area C2 |
| 8 | Can choose any degree applicable units if PHOT A123 was used for AA GE Area C2 |
| 9 | VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS |