Communication: Associate in Science (AS) (2036)
If you’re a natural wordsmith or people-person, and you enjoy finding ways to communicate messages, express ideas and engage with others, the field of communications might be the right fit for you. The Communication Associate in Science (AS) program at HACC can lead you to a rewarding career in three different concentration areas. As you receive your associate's degree, you have the option of transferring your credits to a four-year school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in your chosen concentration.
What can I do with this in the workforce?
When you first enroll in the Communication program at HACC, you will select a specific concentration based on your interests. Our two-year program and concentration options give you the basic communication skills you need to work in:
- Human Communication: You may find a job in customer service, advertising sales, audience and market research, government and more.
- Public Relations: You may find a job planning, developing and executing communication plans for organizations (pamphlets, press releases and/or newsletters).
- Journalism: You may find job writing, reporting and editing, photography and videography at newspapers, magazines, television, radio and on-line publications.
The diversity of career paths in the communications field leads to exciting opportunities that you can pair with your own interests. HACC can help you choose the concentration that best suits your passions and goals. Our Communications program is the right path for students who:
- Enjoy thinking critically
- Are interested in communicating verbally or through the written word
- Are perceptive to other people’s reactions and emotions
- Know how to connect with different audiences
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What is HACC’s program like?
Our Communication program prepares you for careers or further education in the field of communication. you select the specific concentration of your interest and then work closely with your intended transfer institution to select your courses. If you choose to only complete our associate's program then you will have the basic skills needed to enter the workforce in a variety of fields related to communication. We can help you determine your career goals and choose your classes accordingly. By enrolling in our program, our experienced professors teach students how to:
- Transfer into four-year colleges and/or universities to earn a baccalaureate degree in one of three concentrated areas: human communication, public relations and journalism
- Employ the communication skills necessary to engage in diverse personal, professional, civic and social relationships
- Express their ideas in oral and written messages that are coherent, persuasive and ethical
- Analyze significant issues in the history, theory and criticism of human and mass communication
- Apply appropriate technology to the creation and dissemination of messages
- Work with constituencies in ways that reflect an understanding of communication theory
- Employ professional behaviors within their respective fields of study
What classes will I take?
- View summaries of every course at HACC by browsing our class schedules database.
- Review our program guide (pdf) to view a list of required courses, recommended course sequencing and program competencies.
- Browse our advising checksheet (pdf), which is also an excellent tool to help you personalize your course load each term and manage your overall advancement through our programs.
Can I transfer my credits to a four-year college or university?
Affordably YOURS, our two-year degree program is a transfer program. We designed our programs to be flexible enough to transfer to a wide variety of four-year colleges and universities with no loss of credit. If your intended transfer school participates in Pennsylvania’s statewide college credit transfer system, you will be able to begin at the junior level. Our programs also transfer well to schools outside of the statewide system. However, each individual college has its own unique program. We encourage you to select a four-year school as soon as possible. This will allow you to learn the transfer college’s program requirements so you can take the proper classes at HACC.
We also encourage you to select your specific concentration area as quickly as possible when you enroll at HACC. We can then help you communicate with your transfer school to ensure you correctly coordinate the courses you take.
Our various transfer options for communication include:
Where can I complete this program?
The complete program can be completed at the Harrisburg Campus and through Virtual Learning. In addition, the Human Communication concentration can be fully completed at the Lancaster and York Campuses by taking courses through Virtual Learning. This concentration is also available to complete at the York Campus by taking some courses through Virtual Learning. The Public Relations and Journalism concentrations can also be fully completed at our Lancaster and York campuses by taking some courses through Virtual Learning.
Does HACC offer scholarships?
Yes! The HACC Foundation offers approximately 200 scholarships. We encourage Communications students to learn more about eligible scholarships at hacc.edu/scholarships.
When can I apply?
If you are interested in pursuing an associate degree in Communications from HACC, you can enroll in classes for the spring, summer and fall. Submit your application anytime on our website.
To ensure you apply for the correct program, please include the program code 2036 with your application and the sub-major code for the concentration of your interest.
How can I learn more?
Our Communications program lays the foundation for a fast-paced career in a variety of exciting areas. We encourage you to contact Brenda Eppley at bceppley@hacc.edu, interim department chair, or an admissions counselor to learn more about our program, concentrations and transfer options.
