Communication Studies Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Program Information
Communication Studies explores how we can best send and receive messages within individual relationships, in small and large groups and within and across cultures, whether in person or through various media. Students will gain skills based in research in the areas of speaking, listening, presenting, cultural differences, and conflict management that will help them thrive as competent communicators in their personal and professional relationships.
Program Outcomes
Graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of the various models of communication and how they are applicable to everyday life;
- Demonstrate an understanding of how context can impact communication in relationships, public speaking, or cross-cultural interactions;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the critical role of culture and diversity in communication, and demonstrate intercultural competency within and across cultures;
- Develop skills to effectively structure, organize, support, and deliver a message in various contexts; and
- Practice the skills necessary to develop and maintain healthy relationships in all walks of life.
Special Program Requirements
- These requirements apply to new students, and students who have been absent from this college one academic year or longer.
- At least one semester before you plan to graduate, complete an Application to Graduate.
- Student must obtain a grade of “C” or higher in each of the four required (12 credits) Communications courses.
- A total of 60 college level credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher are required for an Associate of Arts Degree.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in all Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses is required to complete the MnTC.
- 15 credits must be earned at Central Lakes College to be eligible for an Associate of Arts Degree.
- Classes may meet requirements for more than one goal area, but credit will not be awarded for any course twice.
Transfer Opportunities
The Communication Studies Transfer Pathway [AA] offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Arts degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Communication Studies bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing this pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State universities enter the university with junior-year status. All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field. Universities within the Minnesota State system participating in the Communication Studies Transfer Pathway include: • Metropolitan State University – BS • Minnesota State University, Mankato – BS • Minnesota State University, Moorhead – BA • Southwest State University, BA • St. Cloud State University – BA/BS • Winona State University – BA
Employment Statistics
For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below:
https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
Salary information from indeed.com

Program Course Requirements
Required Discipline Courses (12 credits)
COMM 1420 Interpersonal Communication OR
COMM 1422* Honors Interpersonal Comm (Goal 1), 3 cr
COMM 1430 Public Speaking (Goals 1,2), 3 cr
COMM 2420 Intercultural Communication (Goals 1,7A,7B) OR
COMM 2422* Honors Intercultural Comm (Goals 1,7A,7B) , 3 cr
COMM 2424 Small Group Communication (Goal 1), 3 cr
Required MnTC Courses
An A.A. degree requires a minimum of 40 credits, complete all ten goal areas and a cumulative 2.0 GPA for the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).
Goal 1 – Communications, 6-8 cr
ENGL 1410 Composition I (Goal 1) OR
ENGL 1420* Honors Composition I (Goal 1)
ENGL 1411* Composition II (Goal 1) OR
ENGL 1421* Honors Composition II (Goals 1,9)
Goal 2 – Critical Thinking**, Met with required course
Goal 3 – Natural Sciences, 6 cr
2 disciplines recommended, 1 lab course required
Goal 4 – Math/Logical Reasoning, 3-5 cr
Goal 5 – History/Social Behavioral Sciences, 9 cr
2 disciplines required, 3 recommended
Goal 6 – Humanities and Fine Arts, 9 cr
2 disciplines required, 3 recommended
Goal 7 – Human Diversity or Race, Power & Justice**, 1 course
Goal 8 – Goal Perspective**, 1 course
Goal 9 – Ethic and Civic Responsibility**, 1 course
Goal 10 – People and The Environment**, 1 course
Fitness for Life, 2 cr
HLTH or PHED Fitness for Life course
Student Success, 1-3 cr
CCST course
Electives, as needed to total 60 credits
*Denotes Prerequisites
**Many courses from Goals 1 – 6 also meet Goals 7 – 10. Credits count only once. Students are advised to select MnTC courses with multiple goal assignments whenever possible.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT – 60 CREDITS
Program Instructors
Photo | First Name | Last Name | Position | Department | Phone | Alt. Phone: | URL | wdt_ID | Details | |
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Aubrey | Beadell | Advisor | TRIOStudentSupportServices | (218) 855-8014 | aubrey.beadell@clcmn.edu | 1 | More details | ||
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Nick | O'Reilly | Occupational Skills Program College Lab Assistant | OccupationalSkills | 218-855-8077 | Nicholas.oreilly@clcmn.edu | 2 | More details | ||
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Kevin | Lomax | Automotive Lab Assistant | Automotive Faculty | 218-855-8000 | KLomax@clcmn.edu | 3 | More details | ||
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Jody | Flynn | Accessibility Services Assistant | Accessibility | 218-855-8056 | jody.flynn@clcmn.edu | 5 | More details | ||
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Deana | Bobzien | Instructor | CollegeCareerStudies - Mathematics - Supportive Services | 218-855-8339 | deana.bobzien@clcmn.edu | 7 | More details | ||
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Brianna | Rajkowski | Advisor | TRIOStudentSupportServices | 218-855-8228 | brianna.rajkowski@clcmn.edu | 8 | More details | ||
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Tajia | Anderson | PSEO Specialist | Admissions - CollegeCreditInHighSchool- PSEO | (218) 855-8079 | tajia.anderson@clcmn.edu | 10 | More details | ||
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David | Gray | Instructor | History | 218-855-8189 | david.gray@clcmn.edu | 14 | More details | ||
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Jim | Nagy | Adjunct Instructor | GraphicDesign | 218-855-8157 | james.nagy@clcmn.edu | 15 | More details | ||
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Brandon | Schneider | Instructor | HeavyEquipment | 218-894-5179 | brandon.schneider@clcmn.edu | 16 | More details | ||
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Natalia | DePauw | Director of Dual Enrollment | PSEO - CollegeCreditInHighSchool - Advising | 218-855-8263 | natalia.depauw@clcmn.edu | 18 | More details | ||
Amy | Disterhaupt | Admissions Specialist | Admissions | 218-855-8250 | amy.disterhaupt@clcmn.edu | 20 | More details | |||
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Nick | Heisserer | Dean of Brainerd Career & Technical Programs | Administration | 218-855-8067 | nick.heisserer@clcmn.edu | 21 | More details | ||
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Matthew | Krueger | Environmental Health and Safety Officer | Maintenance - Security - Safety | 218-855-8115 | matthew.krueger@clcmn.edu | 22 | More details | ||
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Mark | Lindquist | Instructor | Music | 218-855-8203 | mark.lindquist@clcmn.edu | 23 | More details | ||
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Jeremy | Goddard | Bookstore/Print Shop | Bookstore Supportive Services | 218-855-8146 | Jeremy.Goddard@clcmn.edu | 25 | More details | ||
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Sarah | Jennissen | Instructor | PracticalNursing | 218-894-5308 | sarah.jennissen@clcmn.edu | 26 | More details | ||
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Cash | Robinson | Academic Advisor | TRIOUpwardBound - Advising | 218-855-8035 | cash.robinson@clcmn.edu | 28 | More details | ||
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Ryan | Wright | Enrollment Representative | Admissions - CampusTours | 218-855-8013 | ryan.wright@clcmn.edu | 31 | More details | ||
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Steve | Wenzel | Instructor | PoliticalScience | 218-855-8073 | stephen.wenzel@clcmn.edu | 32 | More details | ||
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Julie | Woitalla | Instructor | NursingASDegree - PracticalNursing | 218-855-8168 | julie.woitalla@clcmn.edu | 33 | More details | ||
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Josh | Zaborowski | Upward Bound Advisor | TRIOUpwardBound - Assessment | 218-855-8032 | joshua.zaborowski@clcmn.edu | 35 | More details | ||
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Paul | Zimmerman | Instructor | Diesel Faculty | 218-894-5143 | paul.zimmerman@clcmn.edu | 36 | More details | ||
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Ed | Uhlenkamp | Instructor | FarmBusinessManagement | 218-894-5160 | edward.uhlenkamp@clcmn.edu | https://dynamicforms.ngwebsolutions.com/ShowForm.aspx?RequestedDynamicFormTemplate=32c40b45-028c-46d6-9f79-9c1edc503713 | 38 | More details | |
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James | Velde | Instructor | FarmBusinessManagement | 218-234-3981 | james.velde@clcmn.edu | https://dynamicforms.ngwebsolutions.com/ShowForm.aspx?RequestedDynamicFormTemplate=cff3bff4-005f-4f5c-82a8-4c6aed02c8e9 | 39 | More details |
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