May 03, 2024  
2024-2025 NOVA Catalog 
    
2024-2025 NOVA Catalog

Liberal Arts: Communication Studies Specialization, A.A.

Location(s): AL, AN, LO, MA, NOL, WO


CIP Code: 24.0103

NOVA Code: 6482

Purpose: This program is designed for students who wish to study speech communication at the college level or who wish to transfer to a four-year institution for a baccalaureate degree.

Transfer Information: Students are advised to work closely with the faculty and counseling staff for program and course scheduling. Electives should be chosen carefully to meet requirements of the transfer institution. The responsibility for proper course selection rests with the student.

Two Years


Total 13-14 credits


Total 15-16 credits


Total 16-17 credits


Total 16-18 credits


Total credits for the A.A. Degree in Liberal Arts with a Specialization in Communication Studies: 60-62 credits


Electives should be selected with advice of a counselor or academic advisor to meet the requirements of the transfer institution.

Placement testing determines initial foreign language level. Students who place directly into intermediate level foreign language or ASL may take any General Education course to meet the required number of credits. Waivers or credit by exam for previous experience is available for some languages. See the ‘World Language Credit and Waiver’ section of the [Credit for Prior Learning Manual]. Students must complete enough General Education Electives  courses to accumulate a minimum of 60 credits applicable to the Liberal Arts degree. 

2 Students who plan to take MTH 245  should take MTH 154  or MTH 161   first. Credit will not be awarded for both MTH 155  and MTH 245 , or for both MTH 261  and MTH 263 , or for both MTH 262  and MTH 264 . Students should consult with an advisor to ensure mathematics courses meet their intended transfer institution requirement.

Select any course listed under General Education Electives  or any course from footnote #6.

See humanities/fine arts courses listed under General Education Electives .

5 See social/behavioral science courses listed under General Education Electives . At least one class must be non-HIS course.

Select from the following: CST 100 , CST 110 , CST 114 CST 115 CST 126 CST 201 CST 227 , or CST 229 .

7 Any 200-level literature course with an ENG prefix satisfies this requirement.

8 Select any HIS course listed under social/behavioral sciences in General Education Electives .  A second HIS elective is not required if selected World Languages total more than 15 credits.

See physical and life science courses listed under General Education Electives .

10 Select any course listed under General Education Electives .