The Communication/Writing Option provides an excellent foundation for students who want to become professional writers for the mass media, business, government, scientific or technical fields or who are interested in careers in public relations, editing and publishing or website content. In addition to writing and communication courses, the program includes twelve credits of electives that enable students to explore subjects that might become an area of expertise, such as business, politics, health issues or fine arts. Most students who complete this program go on to four-year colleges and universities to earn a bachelor's degree. The Communication/Writing Option transfers seamlessly to University of Maryland University College (UMUC). Please check with academic advisors for transferability to University of Maryland College Park (UMCP).
Curriculum
Learning Foundations Overall Requirements
- All students must read English at an acceptable level in order to begin college-level courses. The college assesses two levels of reading proficiency as shown below. Both must be satisfied in order to enroll in college-level classes.
- Meet a basic reading standard by placement exam score by taking DVR-0051 or ESL-0105, or by exemption due to prior college coursework.
- Meet college-level reading standards by placement exam score, by taking DVR-0061 DVR-0071 or ESL-0106, or by exemption as a result of prior college coursework.
- The college assesses English writing proficiency at three levels as a prerequisite to enrollment in EGL-1010, the first college-level writing course. Those three levels are outlined below.
- Meet the minimum English proficiency requirement by placement exam score, by completing DVE-0009 or ESL-0102 or by exemption as a result of prior coursework.
- Meet intermediate level English proficiency requirements by placement exam score, by completing DVE-0011 or ESL-0201, or by exemption as a result of prior coursework.
- Meet pre-college level English requirements by placement exam score, by completing EGL-0100 or ESL-0202, or by exemption as a result of prior coursework.
- All students must satisfy the college's requirement for a solid foundation in mathematics. Students can document this foundation either with satisfactory placement test scores, with an exemption posted as a result of courses taken elsewhere, or with satisfactory performance in one or more developmental mathematics courses. In addition, all students must complete either PAS-1010 or PAS-1030 along with their first developmental math course.
- Meet the most basic arithmetic requirement by completing DLS-0011 or a satisfactory score on the placement test.
- Meet prealgebra requirements by completing DVM-0031 or with a satisfactory placement test score.
- Meet elementary algebra requirements by completing DVM-0071 or achieving a satisfactory placement score.
- Meet intermediate algebra requirements by completing MAT-0104 or by achieving a satisfactory placment test score.
- Complete either PAS-1010 or PAS-1030 in the same semester you take DVM-0031.
General Education - English Composition
- Complete EGL-1010 and EGL-1320.
General Education - Humanities Speech
- Take SPH-1050, SPH-1090 or SPH-1110.
General Education-Humanities Group 2 AA/AS
- Complete one of the following Humanities courses: ART-1010, MUS-1010, PHL-1010, PHL-1090 or THE-1010.
General Education - Mathematics
- Complete MAT-1120 or higher.
General Education - Lab Science
- Complete a 4-credit science course from the following: BIO-1010,1020,1080,1100,1110/1120,1130,1140,2050,2060,2100, CHM-1010,1020/1030, GEO-1010/1020, PHY-1010,1020,1570, PSC-1010/1020, 1050/1060, 1150, 1200, 1210
General Education - Science
- Complete one science course (3-4 credits) from BIO-1010,1020,1080,1100,1110,1130,1140,2050,2060,2100; CHM-1010,1020; GEO-1010; HRT-1010; NTR-1010,1100; PHY-1010,1020,1030,1570; PSC-1010,1050,1070,1150,1200,1210.
General Education - Social Sciences
- Take one History course. Select from HST-1310, 1320, 1370, 1410, 1430, 1510, 1530, 2160, 2230, 2470. In addition complete one additional social science course from the following list: ANT-1010, 1030; ECN 1000,1030, or 1040; GEO-1000 or 1010; POS-1000, 1010, or 1020; PSY-1010, 2010, 2030, 2040, 2070, 2080, 2130, or 2190; SOC-1010 or 2010; WMS-1010.
- COMPLETE ONE GENERAL EDUCATION HISTORY COURSE
- COMPLETE ONE ADDITIONAL SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE
Additional Gen Ed Social Sci/Humanities Course
- Take one additional general education course from the Social Science or Humanities areas. Select from the following: ANT-1010, 1030; ECN-1010, 1030, 1040; GEO-1000, 1010; HST-1310, 1320, 1370, 1410, 1430, 1510, 1530, 2160, 2230, 2470; POS-1000, 1010, 1020; PSY-1010, 2010, 2030, 2040, 2070, 2080, 2130, 2190; SOC-1010, 2010; ART-1010, 2700, 2710; MGT-2750; MUS-1010, 1050; PHL-1010, 1090, 1330; SPH-1010, 1050, 1090, 1110, 2750; THE-1010; WMS-1010; Any 2000-level EGL course except EGL-2150, 2160 or 2270; Any foreign language course.
General Education - Information Technology
- Take INT-1010 (formerly CIS-1010) unless exempted through examination or other proof of proficiency.
- Complete the required EGL and SPH courses:
General Electives - 12 Credits
- Complete two 2000-level Literature courses. Select from the EGL courses listed as General Education Humanities courses. Then take 6 credits of general electives from any subject except PED. EGL-2150 and EGL-2160 are recommended.