Journalism
Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T) Journalism · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
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
Program Learning Outcomes
- Analyze a complete news product and understand why stories were chosen for inclusion.
- Find and pitch both news and feature stories.
- Conduct numerous interviews to obtain factual information.
- Write a complete story using proper structure, style and grammar, and havethe story published.
- 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.
- Collaborate in developing, designing, and completing a multi-media project and post it to the web.
Requirements
Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements
The following is required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:
- Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
- Minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors require a higher GPA. Consult with a counselor for more information.
- Completion of a minimum of 18-semester units in the major as detailed in the Degree and Certificate section of this catalog. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C (or “P”) or better.
- Certified completion of the Cal-GETC/Breadth.
- 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 A180 | Introduction to Mass Communications | 3 |
| JOUR A110 | News Writing and Reporting | 3 |
| JOUR A115 | Student Newspaper I | 4 |
| List A - Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| JOUR A116 | Multi-Media Reporting and Producing | |
| JOUR A117 | Feature Writing | |
| orENGL A117 | Feature Writing | |
| JOUR A185 | Photojournalism | |
| CMST A185 | Public Relations | |
| orBUS A185 | Public Relations | |
| List B - Select two of the following or not taken from List A: | 6-8 | |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| orPSYC A160 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | |
| CMST A220 | Essentials of Argumentation | |
| ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
| orECON C2001H | Principles of Microeconomics - Honors | |
| orECON C2002 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| orECON C2002H | Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors | |
| ENGL C1001 | Critical Thinking and Writing | |
| orENGL C1001H | Critical Thinking and Writing - Honors | |
| orENGL A109 | Critical Reasoning and Writing for Science and Technology | |
| ETHS A100 | Contemporary Ethnic America | |
| HIST C1001 | History of the United States to 1877 | |
| orHIST C1001H | History of the United States to 1877 - Honors | |
| HIST C1002 | United States History since 1865 | |
| orHIST C1002H | United States History since 1865 - Honors | |
| PHIL A155 | Introduction to Logic | |
| orPHIL A220 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic | |
| orMATH A220 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic | |
| PHOT A110 | Photography with a Smartphone: Theory and Practice | |
| PHOT A123 | Introduction to Digital Photography | |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | |
| orPOLS C1000H | American Government and Politics Honors | |
| PSCI A185 | Comparative Politics | |
| Total Major Units | 19-21 | |
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) | up to 34 | |
| Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirement | Varies | |
| Total Degree Units | 60 | |
- Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.
Program Sequence - Cal-GETC
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.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Units |
|---|---|
| JOUR A110 | News Writing and Reporting |
| JOUR A115 | Student Newspaper I |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 1A- CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 2- CHOOSE ONE | 3-4 |
| Units |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| CMST A180 |
| POLS C1000or POLS C1000H |
| ADT LIST A COURSE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 2 |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 1B- CHOOSE ONE |
| ELECTIVE (UC/CSU TRANSFERABLE) 3 |
| Summer |
|---|
| ELECTIVE (UC/CSU TRANSFERABLE) 3 |
Year 2
| Semester 1 |
|---|
| HIST C1001or HIST C1001Hor HIST C1002or HIST C1002H |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 1C- CHOOSE ONE |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 3A- CHOOSE ONE |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 5A (no lab)- CHOOSE ONE 4 |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| ADT LIST B COURSE- CHOOSE TWO (See Requirements) 5 |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 5B (with lab)- CHOOSE ONE 4 |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 6- CHOOSE ONE |
| ELECTIVE (UC/CSU TRANSFERABLE) 3 |
- 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.
- ADT List A courses are only CSU transferable. If planning on transferring to UC, 60 transferable total units are required.
- 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.
- Lab can be taken with 5A or 5B.
- If List B Requirements have been met by Cal-GETC GE Area selections, take elective units to meet minimum 60 transferable units.