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Program Details

Liberal Arts: Communication Studies Major, A.A.

Associate of Arts
Northern Virginia Community College

Purpose:


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Transfer Degree
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Northern Virginia Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Liberal Arts: Communication Studies Major, A.A.
60
Liberal Arts / Communication Studies, AA
60
648-02 Plan GPA/Cum GPA 2025-26
60
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 45 credits may be applied to this program.
SDV Requirement
1
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
English Requirements
9
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 112
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 200 level Literature
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Math Requirements
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
May substitute any higherlevel mathematics course. See transfer requirements. Credit will not be awarded for both MTH 262 and MTH 264
MTH 154 or Higher
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CST Requirement
18
CST 100
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
CST 114
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CST 115
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CST 126
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
ENG 121, CST 115, CST 221, and CST 228 are acceptable alternatives. Refer to the Transfer Virginia Guide for guidance on your transfer institution.
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CST 229
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
ENG 121, CST 115, CST 221, and CST 228 are acceptable alternatives. Refer to the Transfer Virginia Guide for guidance on your transfer institution.
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CST 201
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HIS Requirement
3
HIS elective
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
World Language Requirements
12
World Language
12
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
101, 102, 201, 202 language level required Languages available: Arabic, Chinese, French, Germany, Japan, Russian, Spanish
Social/Behavioral Science Elective Requirement
3
Social/Behavioral Science Elective
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
student may select from ECO 150, ECO 201, ECO 202, GEO 210, GEO 220, PLS 135, PLS 140, PLS 241, PSY 200, SOC 200, SOC 211, SOC 268.
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
Physical or Life Science Elective with Lab Requirements
4
Physical or Life Science Elective with Lab Elective
4
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
BIO 101, BIO 102, CHM 101, CHM 111, CHM 112, ENV 121, ENV 122, GOL 105, GOL 106, PHY 100, PHY 202, PHY 241, and PHY 242.
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Humanities/Fine Arts Requirement
6
Humanities/Fine Arts Electives
6
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Elective should be selected with advice of a counselor or academic advisor to meet requirements of the transfer institution. This elective is not required if World Languages total more than 15 credits.
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
HUM requirement
1
HUM 298
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript.
Credit for Prior Learning NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Northern Virginia Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
43891
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online
Eastern Shore Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate in Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies MajorAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Fine Arts MajorAssociateAssociate of Art2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Mountain Empire Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
New River Community CollegeAssociate of Art in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
New River Community CollegeAssociate of Art in Liberal Arts-Fine Arts MajorAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
New River Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal Arts-Visual Communication Design MajorAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Piedmont Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal Arts DegreeAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Arts - Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate of Art Degree in Liberal Arts Major in ArtAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts - Major in TheatreAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal Arts - Major in MusicAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal Arts DegreeAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree Fine Arts MajorAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community CollegeAssociate in Arts Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal Arts Theatre MajorAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal Arts, Communication MajorAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
25-1199.00Postsecondary Teachers, All OtherAll postsecondary teachers not listed separately.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 60 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Liberal Arts: Communication Studies Major, A.A. at Northern Virginia Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $225 Per Credit $13,500 $0 $13,500
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.
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