2024-2025 Catalog 
  
    Apr 28, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog

Communication Studies (CTD2-AA), A.A.

Location(s): Ferris Main Campus


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Associate of Arts

Communication is at the heart of everything we do. This program helps you get at both the why that is and the how of doing it well. This discipline dates back to the Ancient Greeks drawing upon the study of persuasion as well as some anthropology, psychology and sociology-applying those theories of human communication behavior to our personal and professional lives. Students take foundational courses in public presentation, group dynamics, interpersonal communication and communication theory. Once they have completed these core courses, students may then choose nine hours of electives suited to their own interests. Additional coursework includes social media and digital communication, intercultural communication, organizational communication, communication ethics, and leadership, just to name a few.

Program Outcomes


  1. Analyze critically the communication discipline and its central questions.
  2. Apply communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts.
  3. Create and analyze ethical messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to accomplish communicative goals (self-efficacy).

Admission Requirements


New Student Admission Requirements


  • 2.50 High School GPA (on a 4.00 scale)
  • Minimum Composite ACT Score of 17/SAT 900, Math ACT Score of 15/SAT 400, English ACT 14/SAT 450

Transfer Student Admission Requirements


  • 2.00 College GPA (on a 4.00 scale)
  • An English and Mathematics course.

University Requirements - 33 to 35 Credits Required


First Year Seminar Requirement (FSUS 100 or Equivalent) - 0 to 1 Credit Required


All First-Time-In-Any-College Freshmen (FTIACs) must complete a one-credit FSUS 100  course, or its equivalent. Additional information and the definition of FTIAC for FSUS purposes can be found in the: Ferris State University Academic Affairs FSUS Policy

University General Education Requirements - 33 to 34 Credits Required


Courses in this section are required to satisfy the University General Education Requirements for an associate degree. The University General Education requirements can be found on the: Ferris State University General Education Requirements Webpage

Communication Competency - 9 Credits Required (or Their Equivalent) (3 Credits Met in College Requirements)


Quantitative Literacy Competency - 3 to 4 Credits Required (or Their Equivalent)


Natural Sciences Competency - 6 Credits Required


Two courses are required with a minimum of 6 credits: must have at least one lab course.

Culture Competency - 9 Credits Required


Three courses are required with a minimum of 9 credits: must be from two different disciplines and have at least one 200 level or higher course.

Self and Society Competency - 9 Credits Required


Three courses are required with a minimum of 9 credits: must be from two different disciplines, have at least one 200 level or higher course, and at least one Self and Society Foundation course. Recommended COMM 365  or COMM 366 .

College Requirements - 27 Credits Required


Major Courses - 21 Credits Required


Electives - 6 Credits Required


The credits required may vary depending on courses taken.

In order to graduate with an associate degree, a student must have a minimum of 60 credits. The electives required for each student may vary depending on courses taken. Based on how a student meets the programmatic requirements, they may need more or less than 6 credits of elective courses to meet the required 60 credit minimum.

Notes


  • Students who return to the university after an interrupted enrollment, not including summer semester, must normally meet the requirements of the curriculum which are in effect at the time of their return, not the requirements which were in effect when they were originally admitted.
  • Credit Variance - Credits required may vary based on course placement, prerequisites, etc. If you have questions, contact your advisor.

Graduation Requirements


In order to graduate from Ferris State University, students must meet both University and Programmatic Graduation Requirements.

University Graduation Requirements


These are the minimum graduation requirements for an associate degree at Ferris State University:

  • All requirements as specified in the University Requirements section must be met.
  • A minimum of 60 credits must be earned.
  • A 2.00 or higher cumulative Ferris State University GPA is required.
  • A minimum of 15 credits must be earned from Ferris State University to meet the Residency requirement.

Programmatic Graduation Requirements


These are the additional graduation requirements mandated by the program:

  • All requirements as specified in the College Requirements section must be met.
  • A minimum grade of C must be earned in each Communication (COMM) and English (ENGL) course.

Suggested Semester Layout


Consult Advisor to Approve Your Customized Plan in MyDegree

First Year


Fall Courses


Total Credits: 12-13

Spring Courses


Total Credits: 15-17

Second Year


Fall Courses


Total Credits: 15

Spring Courses


  • Natural Sciences Competency Credit Hours: 3-4
  • Culture Competency Credit Hours: 3
  • COMM Elective Course Credit Hours: 3
  • COMM Elective Course Credit Hours: 3
  • Elective Course Credit Hours: 3
Total Credits: 15-16

Contact Information


Dr. Kristi Scholten
(231) 591-3675
[email protected]

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