Whatcom Community College
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Communication Studies Pathway
This pathway assumes:
- You will be a full-time student.
- You will start in the fall.
- You are ready to take 100- and 200-level classes.
If not, you can still complete the pathway! You will just need to make adjustments. Talk with your advisor to customize your plan.
COMMUNICATION STUDIES, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS & SCIENCES (AAS/DTA) (90 CREDITS)
Follow this recommended pathway to earn the AAS/DTA degree and prepare for a university major in communication studies. Or you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for course suggestions.
Quarter 1
CMST& 101 Introduction to Communication (5 credits)
| Description | This course surveys theories and research from the field of Communication Studies. Students will explore a variety of areas of specialization within the field of Communication Studies, such as: Interpersonal, Intercultural, Small Group, Organizational and Public Address. This course will inform both those students interested in improving communication skills in general, as well as a beginning Communication Studies student. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101. |
| Course Attributes |
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HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: your humanities course must be in a subject other than communication studies.
Career exploration: Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals.
Career exploration: Learn about careers in communications as part of CMST& 101.
Action item: Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan.
Action item: Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
Quarter 2
CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication (5 credits)
| Description | Designed to introduce students to basic interpersonal communication theory. Emphasis on topics such as functions of communication, self-concept, perception, conversation skills, relationship development and maintenance, self-disclosure, listening, and conflict management strategies. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL&101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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or CMST& 220 Public Speaking (5 credits )
| Description | This course is designed to provide students with basic theories and skills essential to public speaking. Topics include audience analysis, assessing research, organizing ideas and modes of delivery. Students will learn how to analyze their own and others' speeches. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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or CMST& 230 Small Group Communication (5 credits )
| Description | This course provides students with a comprehensive survey of small group communication theory and practice. Upon finishing the course students will understand how groups function and how they can adapt their communication behaviors to enhance group effectiveness and satisfaction. Emphasis is on communication skills including conflict management, problem solving, decision making, participant observation, leadership, listening and group presentations. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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or CMST 245 Introduction to Organizational Communication (5 credits )
| Description | Formerly CMST 145. This course surveys theories and research from the field of organizational communication. A variety of topics are explored (e.g., leadership, communication ethics, interviewing, professional presentations, managing difficult conversations) with a focus on assessing and demonstrating communication competency within the organizational/workplace setting. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits)
| Description | Surveys the knowledge and methods of the discipline of psychology. Emphasis include an overview of current knowledge in major areas of psychology, accessing and assessing information about behavior, skills inscientific reasoning and critical thinking. (SS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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MATH& 107 Math In Society (5 credits)
| Description | Formerly MATH 125. Exploration of mathematical concepts with emphasis on observing closely, developing critical thinking, analyzing and synthesizing techniques, improving problem solving skills, and applying concepts to new situations. Core topics are probability and statistics. Additional topics may be chosen from a variety of math areas useful inour society. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 088 or MATH 099 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
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Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Compare the different communications majors at universities you're interested in.
Career exploration: Start keeping a portfolio of your best work.
Quarter 3
CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication (5 credits)
| Description | Designed to introduce students to basic interpersonal communication theory. Emphasis on topics such as functions of communication, self-concept, perception, conversation skills, relationship development and maintenance, self-disclosure, listening, and conflict management strategies. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL&101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or CMST& 220 Public Speaking (5 credits )
| Description | This course is designed to provide students with basic theories and skills essential to public speaking. Topics include audience analysis, assessing research, organizing ideas and modes of delivery. Students will learn how to analyze their own and others' speeches. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or CMST& 230 Small Group Communication (5 credits )
| Description | This course provides students with a comprehensive survey of small group communication theory and practice. Upon finishing the course students will understand how groups function and how they can adapt their communication behaviors to enhance group effectiveness and satisfaction. Emphasis is on communication skills including conflict management, problem solving, decision making, participant observation, leadership, listening and group presentations. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or CMST 245 Introduction to Organizational Communication (5 credits )
| Description | Formerly CMST 145. This course surveys theories and research from the field of organizational communication. A variety of topics are explored (e.g., leadership, communication ethics, interviewing, professional presentations, managing difficult conversations) with a focus on assessing and demonstrating communication competency within the organizational/workplace setting. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
LAB SCIENCE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: your humanities course must be in a subject other than communication studies.
Career exploration: Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action item: Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Quarter 4
CMST 225 Intercultural Communication (5 credits)
| Description | This course explores the concepts, principles and skills for developing intercultural communication competence between and among those from diverse cultural contexts. Focus is on the importance of culture in everyday life and the ways in which culture interrelates with and affects the communication process. (SS,Hwg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 and completion of one of the following CMST& 101, 210, 220 or 230 |
| Course Attributes |
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SOCIAL SCIENCE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
SCIENCE from suggested list below or click for complete list ( 5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: your social science must be in a subject other than communication studies.
Action item: Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5
CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication (5 credits)
| Description | Designed to introduce students to basic interpersonal communication theory. Emphasis on topics such as functions of communication, self-concept, perception, conversation skills, relationship development and maintenance, self-disclosure, listening, and conflict management strategies. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL&101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or CMST& 220 Public Speaking (5 credits )
| Description | This course is designed to provide students with basic theories and skills essential to public speaking. Topics include audience analysis, assessing research, organizing ideas and modes of delivery. Students will learn how to analyze their own and others' speeches. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or CMST& 230 Small Group Communication (5 credits )
| Description | This course provides students with a comprehensive survey of small group communication theory and practice. Upon finishing the course students will understand how groups function and how they can adapt their communication behaviors to enhance group effectiveness and satisfaction. Emphasis is on communication skills including conflict management, problem solving, decision making, participant observation, leadership, listening and group presentations. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or CMST 245 Introduction to Organizational Communication (5 credits )
| Description | Formerly CMST 145. This course surveys theories and research from the field of organizational communication. A variety of topics are explored (e.g., leadership, communication ethics, interviewing, professional presentations, managing difficult conversations) with a focus on assessing and demonstrating communication competency within the organizational/workplace setting. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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COMPOSITION click for list (5 credits)
MATH/SCIENCE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Action item: Apply to graduate by week 3 of this quarter.
Quarter 6
CMST 250 Survey of Communication Theory (5 credits)
| Description | This course is a survey of major theories in the field of Communication Studies. These theories have roots in both humanities and social/behavioral sciences, and include interpersonal, organizational, rhetorical, ethical and intercultural theories. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the field, how theory is developed, theory building, and application of theory through data collection and analysis. (H,SSwd) (effective Winter 2025) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 and any CMST or CMST& course |
| Course Attributes |
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or any ELECTIVE click for list (5 credits)
SOCIAL SCIENCE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
ELECTIVE click for list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: your social science must be in a subject other than communication studies.
Action item: Attend the spring job fair.
Course Suggestions
Humanities
- ART 107 Art in world cultures
- DRMA& 101 Intro to theatre
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- MUSC& 105 Music appreciation
- MUSC 110 Intro to world music
- PHIL& 101 Intro to philosophy
- PHIL 140 Intro to world religions
Social sciences
- ANTH& 206 Cultural anthropology
- GEOG& 200 Human geography
- HIST 124 Environmental history of the United States
- POLS& 203 International relations
- PSYC 211 Social psychology
- SOC& 101 Intro to sociology
Sciences
- BIOL& 100 Survey of biology
- BIOL& 175 Human biology with lab
- ENVS& 101 Intro to environmental science with lab
- GEOL& 101 Intro to physical geology