Kick-start your communication studies degree at SCC with our Communication Studies transfer degree.
Our program is designed to provide you with general education and specialized coursework to help you transfer to earn a bachelor's degree in a communication studies field.
Program location
Why Communication Studies at SCC?
Learn a relevant skill set: The most sought-after skills employers want are communication, leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills – all of which you'll learn at SCC.
Experience real-world learning opportunities: Learn by doing through participating in a campus-wide service project, visiting an ecovillage, and participating in Toastmasters International.
Transfer smoothly: Our program is strategically crafted to seamlessly transfer to four-year institutions, ensuring you can continue your educational journey without any roadblocks.
Save money: We believe in making quality education accessible to all. Our tuition is a fraction of 4-year colleges. Start here and finish there to cut the cost of your degree in half.
Skills You'll Learn
- Learn the art of persuasive communication
- Develop effective public speaking skills
- Cultivate strong interpersonal communication abilities
- Analyze and critically assess media messages
- Navigate conflict with confidence using proven resolution techniques
- Harness the power of digital media for effective communication
Common transfer colleges & universities
- University of Iowa
- University of Northern Iowa
Where this degree can take you
- Public Relations Specialist
- Social Media Manager
- Marketing Coordinator
- Human Resources Specialist
- Event Coordinator
Contact Us
West Burlington Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 208-5155
Text: (319) 250-7144
Email: admissionswb@scciowa.edu
Keokuk Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 313-1923
Text: (319) 220-3266
Email: admissionskeo@scciowa.edu
The transfer major in Communication examines the ways in which verbal and nonverbal communication impact the meaning of messages in different contexts, cultures, and relationships. Students will study and practice the communication skills necessary for rewarding personal, professional, and civic endeavors. The knowledge and skills offered in this degree prepare students for transfer and advanced degrees in the field of communication and more.
Summary Sheet
The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.
Curriculum Sequence
| Fall Semester I | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SDV-108 | The College Experience | 1 |
| ENG-105 | Composition I | 3 |
| COM-140 | Introduction to Mass Media | 3 |
| ZZZ-SOC | Social Science Course | 3 |
| SPC-112 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| ZZZ-HUM | Humanities Course | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 16 |
| Spring Semester I | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ENG-106 | Composition II | 3 |
| ZZZ-SOC | Social Science Course | 3 |
| SPC-122 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Take Course(s) Totaling at Least 4 Credits | ||
| ZZZ-LAB | Lab Science Course | 3-5 |
| Take one 3 Credit Course | ||
| ZZZ-MAT | Mathematics Course | 3-4 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 16 | |
| Fall Semester II | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SPC-120 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| SOC-110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| ZZZ-HUM | Humanities Course | 3 |
| Take one 3 Credit Course | ||
| ZZZ-ELE | Elective Course | 3-5 |
| Take one 3 Credit Course | ||
| ZZZ-MSC | Math or Science Course | 3-5 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | |
| Spring Semester II | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ZZZ-SOC | Social Science Course | 3 |
| SPC-132 | Group Communication | 3 |
| ZZZ-HUM | Humanities Course | 3 |
| Take Course(s) Totaling at Least 4 Credits | ||
| ZZZ-ELE | Elective Course | 3-5 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 13 | |
SDV-108 - The College Experience
|
Lecture: 1 |
Credit: 1 |
This course is designed to empower new students to successfully transition to college. Students will learn academic success skills, strategies for personal development and exploration, college culture and expectations, and how to access college resources and services.
ENG-105 - Composition I
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
A study of the principles of writing. Emphasis on rhetoric, mechanics and development of expository patterns: narration, description illustration, comparison/contrast, classification, process and cause/effect. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: Meet minimum test score requirements.
COM-140 - Introduction to Mass Media
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
See www.iowacconline.org for more information.
ZZZ-SOC - Social Science Course
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Courses fulfilling the Social Science requirement address the behavior of humans as individuals and groups. These courses cover the academic disciplines of economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Social Science courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
SPC-112 - Public Speaking
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery and audience analysis.
ZZZ-HUM - Humanities Course
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Courses fulfilling the Humanities requirement address human history, languages, literature, philosophy, and the arts. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Humanities courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
ENG-106 - Composition II
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
A continuation of study of the principles of writing begun in ENG-105. Emphasis is placed on persuasive writing, critical analysis and the MLA research paper. Time will also be spent exploring print and electronic research sources and learning effective research strategies. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: ENG-105, with a minimum grade of C-.
ZZZ-SOC - Social Science Course
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Courses fulfilling the Social Science requirement address the behavior of humans as individuals and groups. These courses cover the academic disciplines of economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Social Science courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
ZZZ-LAB - Lab Science Course
|
Lecture: 2-4 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 3-5 |
Courses fulfilling the Lab Science requirement incorporate hands-on experimentation and observation by students in the study of science. Any science course of 100-level or above including laboratory credit from the disciplines of biology, chemistry, physics, physical science, science, or environmental science can fulfill this requirement. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
ZZZ-MAT - Mathematics Course
|
Lecture: 3-4 |
Credit: 3-4 |
Courses fulfilling the Mathematics requirement address the properties and relationships of numbers, formulas, and operations, as well as the real world application of these concepts to analyze data. Any mathematics course of the 100-level or above can fulfill this requirement. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
SPC-122 - Interpersonal Communication
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Emphasizes group problem-solving, semantics and communication exercises leading toward better working relationships between individuals. Areas covered for this course would be language theory, nonverbal communication, perception theory, listening, group process and influences.
ZZZ-ELE - Elective Course
|
Lecture: 2-4 |
Lab: 0-2 |
Credit: 3-5 |
Any course of 100-level or higher from Arts and Sciences or Career Technical Education can be used to fulfill an Elective. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
SPC-120 - Intercultural Communication
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
This course emphasizes communication theory across cultures, including identifying the cultural foundations of beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviors. Interactive assignments are used for the purpose of recognizing commonalities across cultures, developing a multicultural perspective, identifying and appreciating other cultural orientations and recognizing and assigning cultural explanations of specific behaviors.
ZZZ-MSC - Math or Science Course
|
Lecture: 2-4 |
Lab: 0-2 |
Credit: 3-5 |
Courses fulfilling the Math or Science requirement address quantitative and/or scientific reasoning skills. Any course of 100-level or above from mathematics or a science discipline can fulfill this requirement. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
SOC-110 - Introduction to Sociology
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
An analysis of social organization (or the social order). This course deals with the nature of sociology as a science, the original nature of man, the socialization of the individual, the development of groups and group behavior, the nature of culture and culture patterns, the organization of institutions, the nature of social order, the organization of human stratification and examination of major social processes. Special emphasis is placed upon the American cultural patterns.
ZZZ-HUM - Humanities Course
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Courses fulfilling the Humanities requirement address human history, languages, literature, philosophy, and the arts. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Humanities courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
ZZZ-SOC - Social Science Course
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Courses fulfilling the Social Science requirement address the behavior of humans as individuals and groups. These courses cover the academic disciplines of economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Social Science courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
SPC-132 - Group Communication
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Group Communication will examine how people effectively and ineffectively use communication in a variety of small groups including work teams, discussion groups and decision-making bodies. Topics of concentration include the principles and processes of small group communication, individual roles in groups, leadership, group climate, decision making, problem solving and conflict resolution. Prerequisite: SPC-101 or SPC-112.
ZZZ-ELE - Elective Course
|
Lecture: 2-4 |
Lab: 0-2 |
Credit: 3-5 |
Any course of 100-level or higher from Arts and Sciences or Career Technical Education can be used to fulfill an Elective. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
ZZZ-HUM - Humanities Course
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Courses fulfilling the Humanities requirement address human history, languages, literature, philosophy, and the arts. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Humanities courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
Jennifer Neumann - Professor - Speech
Email: jneumann@scciowa.edu
BA, University of Northern Iowa
MA, University of Northern Iowa
Jenna Dunlap - Associate Professor - Speech
Email: jdunlap@scciowa.edu
BA, Western Illinois University
MA, Western Illinois University
MS, Western Illinois University