Academic Catalogs

Journalism, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T)

Banner Code: 1_AAT_JOUR

Control Number: 32179

Financial Aid Eligible


The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (Senate Bill 1440, now codified in California Education Code sections 66746-66749) guarantees admission to a California State University (CSU) campus for any community college student who completes an “associate degree for transfer,” a newly established variation of the associate degrees traditionally offered at a California community college. The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Students completing these degrees (AA-T or AS-T) are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a [articular campus or major. In order to earn one of these degrees, students must complete a minimum of 60 required semester units of CSU-transferable coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Students transferring to a CSU campus that does not accept the AA-T or AS-T will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree (unless the major is a designated “high unit” major). This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admissions and transfer requirements

Program Outcomes

  1. Analyze a complete news product and understand why stories were chosen for inclusion.
  2. Find and pitch both news and feature stories.
  3. Conduct numerous interviews to obtain factual information.
  4. Write a complete story using proper structure, style and grammar, and have the story published.
  5. Assess their own strengths, weaknesses, and omissions in writing news and feature stories or taking photographs for publication and be able to adjust future performance in light of their self-assessments.
  6. Collaborate in developing, designing, and completing a multi-media project and post it to the web.

Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements

The following is required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:

  1. Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
  2. Minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable courseworkWhile a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors require a higher GPAConsult with a counselor for more information.
  3. Completion of a minimum of 18-semester units in the major as detailed in the Degree and Certificate section of this catalogAll courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C (or “P”) or better.
  4. Certified completion of the Cal-GETC/Breadth.
  5. A minimum of 12 units in residence within the Coast Colleges (Orange Coast College, Golden West College and/or Coastline College).
Course Title Units
Required Courses
CMST A180Introduction to Mass Communications3
JOUR A110News Writing and Reporting3
JOUR A115Student Newspaper I4
List A - Select one course from the following:3
Multi-Media Reporting and Producing
Feature Writing
Photojournalism
Public Relations
List B - Select two of the following or not taken from List A:6-8
Introduction to Statistics
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Essentials of Argumentation
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Critical Thinking and Writing
Critical Reasoning and Writing for Science and Technology
Contemporary Ethnic America
History of the United States to 1876
History of the United States Since 1876
Introduction to Logic
Introduction to Symbolic Logic
Photography with a Smartphone: Theory and Practice
Introduction to Digital Photography
American Government and Politics
Comparative Politics
Total Major Units19-21
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) 1up to 34
Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirement Varies
Total Degree Units60
1

Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.

Program Sequence - Cal-GETC

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. 

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
JOUR A110 News Writing and Reporting 3
JOUR A115 Student Newspaper I 4
Cal-GETC GE AREA 1A- CHOOSE ONE 3
Cal-GETC GE AREA 2- CHOOSE ONE 3-4
 Units13-14
Semester 2
CMST A180 Introduction to Mass Communications 3
POLS A180
American Government and Politics 1
or American Government and Politics Honors
3
ADT LIST A COURSE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 2 3
Cal-GETC GE AREA 1B- CHOOSE ONE 3-4
ELECTIVE (UC/CSU TRANSFERABLE) 3 3
 Units15-16
Summer
ELECTIVE (UC/CSU TRANSFERABLE) 3 3
 Units3
Year 2
Semester 1
HIST A170
History of the United States to 1876 1
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
Cal-GETC GE AREA 1C- CHOOSE ONE 3
Cal-GETC GE AREA 3A- CHOOSE ONE 3
Cal-GETC GE AREA 5A (no lab)- CHOOSE ONE 4 3
 Units12
Semester 2
ADT LIST B COURSE- CHOOSE TWO (See Requirements) 5 6-8
Cal-GETC GE AREA 5B (with lab)- CHOOSE ONE 4 4
Cal-GETC GE AREA 6- CHOOSE ONE 3
ELECTIVE (UC/CSU TRANSFERABLE) 3 4
 Units17-19
 Total Units60-64
1

American Institutions Requirement - CSU Graduation Requirement; or choose one course from Cal-GETC Area 4.  This recommended selection also fulfills one of two List B selections.

2

ADT List A courses are only CSU transferable. If planning on transferring to UC, 60 transferable total units are required. 

3

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS. Not all courses are UC transferable. Please check with your counselor to ensure you have enough transferable units for your transfer goal.

4

Lab can be taken with 5A or 5B.

5

If List B Requirements have been met by Cal-GETC GE Area selections, take elective units to meet minimum 60 transferable units.