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Journalism AA-T Degree

This degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a CSU/UC. This program is designed to train students in the writing, reporting, and critical thinking skills required for jobs in the news media or to transfer to a four-year institution\'s journalism program. Other than the required core, the courses you choose to complete will depend to some extent on the selected CSU for transfer.  Students wishing to transfer to other non-CSU universities need to meet with a CRC counselor.

Total Units:
62

First Year

Semester 1

15 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
JOUR 300
Newswriting and Reporting
3
F, S
JOUR 310 1
Mass Media and Society
3
F(O), S(O), Su
Cal-GETC Area 4
CalGETC Area 1A-English Composition
3
Recommend meeting with a counselor
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 1A
CalGETC Area 5A-Physical Science or 5B-Biological Science
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 5A
Any Transferrable Elective 2
3
F, S, Su

1 Also listed as RTVF 300.

2 Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

Semester 2

16 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
JOUR 410
College Media Production I
3
ENGL C1000
F, S
STAT C1000E
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
4
F(O), S(O), Su(O)
Cal-GETC Area 2
3 units from List A 1
3
See List A
See List A
CalGETC Area 1C-Oral Communication
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 1C
CalGETC Area 6-Ethnic Studies
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 6

1 Suggestion-ENGWR 302 from List A.

Year 2

Semester 3

15 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
JOUR 411
College Media Production II or
3
JOUR 410; Advisory: JOUR 300, 355, 404, or PHOTO 302
F, S
JOUR 351
Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques
3
S
3 units from List A 1
3
F, S, Su
CalGETC Area 1B-Critical Thinking1
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 1B
CalGETC Area 3A-Arts
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 3A
CalGETC Area 4-Social & Behavioral Sciences 2
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 4

1 Suggestion-JOUR 320, POLS 301 from List A. Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

2 Select a non-JOUR course to meet IGETC Area 4.

Semester 4

16 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
CalGETC Area 3B-Humanities
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 3B
CalGETC Area 5B-Biological Science or 5B-Biological Science (not taken in Semester 3)
3
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 5B
CalGETC Area 5C-Physical/Biol Lab
1
F, S, Su
Cal-GETC Area 5C
Any Transferable Elective 1
3
F, S, Su
Any transferable elective 2
3
Any Transferable Elective 3
3
F, S, Su

^You must have passed the prerequisite course(s) with a “C” or better; Corequisite must be taken during the same semester; Advisory means it is recommended but not required to enroll in the course.

*(O) = online available  (P) = partially online


1 Suggestion-JOUR 351, COMM 363 from List A. Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

2 Suggestion-ECON 302 or ECON 304 from List A. Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

3Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

List A-a minimum of 6 units from the following:

Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
JOUR 320
Race and Gender in the Media
3
F
COMM 311
Argumentation and Debate
3
ENGL C1000
F, S
COMM 363
Introduction to Communication Theory
3
F(O), S, Su(O)
ECON 302
Principles of Macroeconomics or
3
F(O), S(O), Su(O)
ECON 304
Principles of Microeconomics
3
F(O), S(O), Su(O)
ENGL C1001
Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking
3
ENGL C1000
F(P), S(P), Su(P)
PHOTO 302
Beginning Digital Photography
3
F, S
POLS C1000
Introduction to Government: United States
3
F(O), S(O), Su
POLS 302
Comparative Politics
3
S, Su(O)
STAT C1000E
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
4
F(O), S(O), Su(O)

Career Options/Outlook:

There are many different career opportunities in this field. For example, a journalist with advanced degrees collects and analyzes facts about newsworthy events by interview, investigation, or observation; reports and writes stories for newspapers, news websites, magazines, television, or radio. Journalists receive assignments or evaluate leads and tips to develop story ideas, research a story\'s background information to provide complete and accurate information, arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story, report news stories for broadcast or publication online and/or in print. Journalism skills are also essential to work as a public relations specialist. Career opportunities require more than an associate degree. 

A sample of reported job titles:

Staff writer, news reporter, television news reporter, web writer/editor/producer, television anchor, sports reporter, public information officer, public relations representative, television news producer, content editor, digital media producer, social media producer, magazine editor.

Projected job openings in California (2020-2030):

540

Projected growth in California (2020-2030):

9% growth

Median Salary in California with advanced degree (2021):

for 2023 - $90,770

Transfer notes:

Please meet with a counselor for specific transfer course evaluation or transferring to a specific 4-year institution.

General Education (GE):

Non-specified GE courses identified by CRC or Cal-GETC Area without pre- or co-requisites can be taken at any semester.

Honors option:

The CRC Honors Program is designed specifically for academically accomplished students and for students with the potential for high achievement. Students who complete 15 units or more in honors-designated courses will earn special recognition as an Honors Scholar, a distinction that may entitle the student to guaranteed transfer and scholarship opportunities at select transfer colleges and universities.

About this program map:

This program map represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan customized to meet your needs. This map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.

Zero Textbook Costs (ZTC):

The Zero Textbook Costs designation and logo are added to any course that provides free access to all required instructional materials. These are typically shared with students through Canvas. Courses that are designated as ZTC may still require students to purchase supplemental materials such as lab coats, a calculator, art supplies, etc. See full definitions and searching tips on the Zero Textbook Costs page of the college website.

Catalog Year: 2025-2026

Published April 29, 2025

Counselor Contact: Mike Chappell  | Faculty Contact: Rubina Gulati

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