Affordable
Quality education should not put you in the red. The cost of attending Irvine Valley College is very low compared to the private, UC, and CSU systems.
Communication is the most important skill that students will need to be successful across their careers. Every class in the department offers students the ability to develop their professionalism and collaboration skills in a variety of situations from the workplace to their own interpersonal relationships.
Whether it is persuasion for your career or clarity for your interpersonal relationships, classes in Communication Studies will train you to be an effective communicator. Among the many classes offered, students may take classes in argumentation and debate, group communication and leadership skills, intercultural communication, interpersonal communication, and communication fundamentals. Moreover, students may perfect their communication skills by participating on the nationally recognized Speech and Debate Team.
Program Length
On average a full-time student would spend four semesters completing the courses in Communication Studies. For added flexibility, the department offers several of it’s courses as 8-week classes in addition to full-term classes so that students have the ability to complete multiple courses within a single semester.
Transfer Options
Courses offered through the program meet transfer requirements for general education, and they may be applied toward an Associate in Arts degree in Communication Studies for Transfer or the Associate in Arts degree with a major in communication studies. With communication being such a desirable skill for employers, students can continue to study in a related field at a number of universities.
Program Specific Support
Students may enhance the knowledge learned in the communication classroom by participating in Speech and Debate. IVC’s team is one of the most respected and accomplished teams in the nation, competing against colleges and universities throughout the United States. Over the past 15 years, the team has placed in the top three at 12 state championships, while winning 12 league championships. Since 2000, the team was crowned the national champions in the community college division of the National Parliamentary Debate Association 11 times. The team also has an international reputation and has hosted international debate teams from throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa on 21 occasions. The team has traveled several times to China for debate demonstrations, competition, and study abroad programs, as well as competed in the International Forensics Association in Berlin, Germany.
Transfer, Degrees and/or Certificates
Sample Academic Plans
Semester 1
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| MATH 10* | Introduction to Statistics | 2A & Major | 3 |
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundalmentals | 1C & Major | 3 |
| Arts | Arts GE Course | 3A | 3 |
| Transfer Elective | UC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99) | 1-3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 2 | College Writing 2 - Critical Thinking | 1B | 4 |
| COMM 9 | Intercultural Communication | 4 & Major | 3 |
| PSYC 1 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 & Major | 3 |
| Humanities | Humanities GE Course | 3B | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies / Ethnic Studies GE Course | (IGETC Area/Major) | 7 | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 2 or COMM 3 | Persuasion or Argument and Debate | 3 | |
| COMM 5 | Interpersonal Communication | Major | 3 |
| Biological Science | Biological Science GE Course | 5B | 3 |
| Biological Science Lab | Science Lab GE Course | 5C | 1 |
| Transfer Elective | UC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99) | 3 | |
| Transfer Elective | UC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99) | 2-3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOC 1 | Introduction to Sociology | 4 & Major | 3 |
| Physical Science | Physical Science GE Course | 5A | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities | Arts or Humanities GE Course | 3A or 3B | 3 |
| Transfer Elective | UC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99) | 3 | |
| Transfer Elective | UC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99) | 3 |
- Students can take Math 10 or any other math course that meets the UC transfer math requirement in IGETC GE Area 2A.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | A2 | 4 |
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundamentals | A1 & Major | 3 |
| MATH 10* | Introduction to Statistics | B4 | 3 |
| Arts | Arts GE Course | C1 | 3 |
| Learning & Self Development | Lifelong Learning and Self Development GE Course | E | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Critical Thinking GE Course | A3 | 3-4 |
| COMM 3 | Argumentation and Debate | Major | 3 |
| COMM Major | Communication major course from List B | Major | 3 |
| HIST 20 or HIST 21 | American History Course | D | 3 |
| Life Science | Life Science GE Course | B2 | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 5 | Interpersonal Communication | Major | 3 |
| COMM 10 | Group Dynamics and Leadership | Major | 3 |
| COMM 106 A/B/C** | Forensic Activity | Major | 1-2.5 |
| Humanities | Humanities GE Course | C2 | 3 |
| Physical Science | Physical Science GE Course | B1 | 3 |
| Science Lab | Physical Science Lab | B3 | 1 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM Major | Communication Major Course from List B | Major | 3 |
| COMM 106 A/B/C** | Forensic Activity | 1-2.5 | |
| PS 1 | American Government | D | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities | Arts or Humanities GE Course | C1 or C2 | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies | Ethnic Studies GE Course | F | 3 |
| Transfer Elective | CSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199) | 2 |
- Students can take Math 10 or any other math course that meets the CSU transfer math requirement in CSU GE Area B4.
- Students can transfer a maximum of 3 units in Comm 106 A/B/C.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| MATH | Math GE Course | 2 | 3-5 |
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundamentals | 1B & Major | 3 |
| Lifelong Health* | Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course | 9 A/B/C | 1 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 3 | Argumentation and Debate | 1C | 3 |
| COMM 5 | Interpersonal Communication | 7 & Major | 3 |
| Social Sciences | Social Sciences GE Course | 4 | 3 |
| Cultural Diversity | Cultural Diversity GE Course | 5 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 | |
| COMM 106 A/B/C | Forensic Activity | Major | 1 or 2.5 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 2 | Persuasion | Major | 3 |
| COMM 9, 10 or 30 | Various Communication Major Courses | Major | 3 |
| American Institutions | American Institutions GE Course | 8 | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | Natural Sciences GE Course | 3 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 | |
| COMM 106 A/B/C | Forensic Activity | Major | 1 or 2.5 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 9, 10 or 30 | Various Communication Major Courses | Major | 3 |
| Humanities | Humanities GE Course | 6 | 3 |
| Lifelong Health* | Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course | 9 A/B/C | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 | |
| COMM 106 A/B/C | Forensic Activity | 2.5 |
- Take one course from two different categories among GE areas 9A, 9B, and 9C. Please refer to the AA GE pattern for details.
*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.
AA = Associate of Arts | AS = Associate of Science | AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer | AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer | COA = Certificate of Achievement | COC = Certificate of Completion | COP = Certificate of Proficiency | = Fast Track Career Path
Explore Careers
Not sure if Communication Studies is the right fit?
Exploratory Interest Area
Explore Communication Studies while still working toward your academic goals.
Talk with a Counselor
Speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.
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