Journalism AA-T Degree

College of the Desert’s Journalism program offers an Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer, also called the Journalism AA-T Degree.  Students earning this degree are well prepared for career fields in radio and television broadcasting, newspaper and magazine writing and production, motion picture, television and video production. The program is designed to train students how to write, report and think critically. The study of Journalism covers the collection, writing, editing and presentation of news or news articles in the media. It is designed to train graduates to be ethical, objective, and critical writers, with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue careers working for newspapers, magazines, broadcast stations and publishing outlets in the online community, and any setting that involves the relaying and reporting of information.

The Journalism AA-T degree is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major.This AA-T degree requires students to complete 60 CSU transferable units including completion of CSU GE or IGETC and 18-19 units in the major with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. Title 5 requires that students must earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. There are no additional graduation requirements. Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

Course Code Title Units
Required Core CoursesUnits
MC 001Introduction to Mass Media3
J 003ANews Reporting & Writing3
J 004ABasic Newspaper & Internet Production3
List A
Select one course from the following: (3 units)
MC 005Introduction to Public Relations3
J 004BIntro to Newspaper & Internet Editing and Design3
J 006Introduction to Multimedia Storytelling3
J 007Introduction to Photojournalism3
List B
Select two courses from the following: (6-7 units)
ART 030ABeginning Black & White Photography3
COMM 025Argumentation and Debate3
ECON 001Principles of Macroeconomics3
or
ECON 002Principles of Microeconomics3
PHIL 010General Logic3
PS 001Introduction to Government3
PS 002Introduction to Comparative Governments3
SOC 003Fundamentals of Statistics3
or
MATH 014Statistical Methods4
SOC 004Sociological Analysis& Critical Thinking3
Required Subtotal18-19
Select one of the following: 137-39
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 transferable units) 2
DEGREE TOTAL60

Please refer to Associate Degree for Transfer (SB 1440).