Home Page
Home Page

University of Montana Catalog 2025-2026

Associate of Arts (A.A.) - Communication Studies

General Associate Degree Requirements

Additional requirements for graduation can be found on the Degree/Certificate Requirements for Graduation page

Unless otherwise noted in individual program requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula is required for graduation. Please see the Academic Policies and Procedures page for information on how your GPA is calculated.

Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of an associate degree program must be completed with a grade of C- or better unless a higher grade is noted in the program requirements.

Online Program Option

This program may be completed in an online format. Students interested in pursuing an online degree or certificate program are strongly encouraged to contact the offering department to discuss specific program and course modalities and create a plan of study with an academic advisor. The course requirements listed below may not be consistently offered via online delivery.

Associate of Arts - General A.A.; Communication Studies Concentration

The Associate of Arts degree has the following general requirements. Students must:

  • Complete all of the university's general education requirements with the exception of the language requirement and the advanced writing requirement.
    • All courses taken to satisfy general education requirements must be taken for a traditional letter grade and must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
  • Complete a minimum of 60 credits.
  • Earn a minimum cumulative institutional GPA of 2.0.
  • Complete at least 30 of the total 60 degree credits at Missoula College or UM-Missoula.

Missoula College students are limited to enrolling in lower-division (100- and 200-level) courses only. 

In addition, to receive to Associate of Arts with a concentration in Communication Studies, a student must complete the concentration requirements listed below. 

Course Requirements

Some courses required for the Associate of Arts with a concentration in Communication Studies satisfy multiple Perspectives or GER Categories; visit with your advisor for more information.

Core Courses
Complete all of the following courses:
COMX 111AIntroduction to Public Speaking3
COMX 115SIntroduction to Interpersonal Communication3
COMX 140LIntroduction to Visual Rhetoric3
COMX 220SIntroduction to Organizational Communication3
or COMX 240H Introduction to Rhetorical Theory
M 115Probability and Linear Mathematics3
Statistics
Complete one of the following courses: 3-4
Psychological Statistics
Social Statistics
Introduction to Statistics
Communication Studies Elective
Complete 6 credits in two directed elective courses. Directed electives must be approved by student's advisor. 6