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Our Mission

Las Positas College is an inclusive, learning-centered, equity-focused environment that offers educational opportunities and support for completion of students' transfer, degree, and career-technical goals while promoting lifelong learning.

Journalism Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T)

About the Program

The Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer is based on the Transfer Model Curriculum for Journalism. Upon successful completion of the program requirements, students will have guaranteed admission to some California State University (CSU) campuses.The Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer provides students with a broad understanding of the principles, roles, techniques, and effects of media in society as well as experience in the application of these principles to the student media. The broad-based focus of the program serves to hone and refine students’ reading, writing, speaking, cultural literacy, and critical thinking skills, enabling them to succeed in an academic environment or in the workplace and providing specific hands-on skills.

Career Opportunities

The information on the Labor Market Index web site indicates that three areas, Editors, Reporters and Correspondents, and Writers and Authors, are especially well-served by a Mass Communications degree. In recent years, social media and online media have provided career opportunities for many Mass Communications graduates.

Program Outcomes

  • Upon completion of the AA-T in Journalism, students are able to develop a broad understanding of the principles, roles, techniques, and effects of media in society.
  • Upon completion of the AA-T in Journalism, students are able to prepare for careers in media and related fields.
  • Upon completion of the AA-T in Journalism, students have a broad college-level understanding of the principles, roles, techniques, and effects of media in society.

Completion Requirements:

  1. Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
    1. The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or CA State University General Education – Breadth Requirements.
    2. A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
  2. Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT’s) also require that students must earn a "C " (or "P'') or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.

Required Core: (9 units)

Course Number Course Title Units
JAMS 1 Introduction to Mass Communications 3
JAMS 11 Introduction to Reporting and Newswriting 3
JAMS 21A Express College Newspaper A 3

List A: Select One (3 Units)

Course Number Course Title Units
JAMS 3 Introduction to Public Relations 3
JAMS 12 Introduction to Photojournalism 3
  or  
PHTO 72 Introduction to Photojournalism 3
JAMS 21B Express College Newspaper B 3
JAMS 23 Multimedia Reporting 3

List B: Select Two (6-8 Units)

Course Number Course Title Units
CMST 4 Introduction to Communication Studies 3
CMST 46 Argumentation and Debate 3
ECON 1 Principles of Microeconomics 3
  or  
ECON 2 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
ENG 7 Critical Thinking and Writing Across Disciplines 3
HIST 7 US History Through Reconstruction 3
HIST 8 US History Post-Reconstruction 3
MATH 40 Statistics and Probability 4
PHIL 6 Introduction to Logic 3
  or  
PHIL 8 Logic and Argumentation 4
POLI 7 Introduction to American Government 4
POLI 20 Comparative Government 3
SOC 3 Introduction to Race and Ethnicity 3

Total Units for the Major: 18-20

Additional General Education and Elective Units: 40-42

Total Units: 60

See the Las Positas College California State University General Education-Breadth or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (for CSU) patterns for a listing of areas and courses. Double counting courses in GE and the major is permissible. The number of units that may be double counted will depend on the entry point to the degree program and the optional course(s) taken. Elective units are CSU transferable. Consult with an adviser or a counselor to plan the courses necessary to achieve your academic goal.