First-Time First Year (FTFY)
A First-Time First Year applicant is any student applying directly from secondary school (high school) who has earned no college or university credit.
FTFY Applying with academic course work from outside the U.S. should:
Complete a high/secondary school curriculum which totals 12 years of primary-secondary education, and earn a graduation diploma or certificate
Complete high school curriculum with above satisfactory grades or marks which equals a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) on the 4.0 grading scale
Submit official high school transcript (academic record), showing all courses with grades or marks, and graduation diploma or certificate. Official transcript must be in the original language of issue. Submit certified English translations for non-English documents
English requirements
Submit official verification of English proficiency except where English is the applicant's native language and has attended for at least three years’ full time at an institution where English was the principal language of instruction
TOEFL score report with at least a minimum of 61 iBT. or
IELTS score report with at least a minimum of 6.0
Completion of GE Area A2 (Written Communication) with a grade of C- or better
Successful completion of Advanced Level - Sonoma State American Language Institute /Conditional Admission available
Successful completion of English Intensive Program - English Language School (ELS) Level 112 Certificate
Successful completion of Level 6 - UCLA Extension American Language Center
Successful completion of Level 5 - USC International Academy
The California State University (CSU) has temporarily suspended the use of ACT/SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses for the 2021-2022 academic year. This temporary change of admission eligibility applies only for the Fall 2021, Winter 2022 and Spring 2022 admission cycles.
The "a-g" score is a calculation now based upon your High School Grade Point Average and your Multi Factor score.
The High School Grade Point Average is based on courses taken during 10th through 12th grades which are "college preparatory." Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses taken in 11th and 12th grades with grades of C or higher are awarded an extra grade point.
If you are a Non resident applying to a non-impacted major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, you meet the eligibility requirements for Admissions.
If you are a Non Resident applying to an impacted major that requires minimum Multi Factor Score, your application will be subject to Multi Factor score. (If you do not meet impacted major criteria, you will be considered for an alternate major).
If you are a Non Resident and Graduate of a non-California High School with a GPA between 2.50 and 2.99, you will be ranked by using the score as indicated on the Multi Factor scoring chart.
The Communications major is an innovative, interdisciplinary program that prepares students for careers in the media or for advanced graduate study. Communication and Media Studies coordinates three distinct approaches to the media: practical application, historical study, and critical analysis. Practical application combines basic training in equipment operation, communication skills, production design, organizational skills, and professional internship. Historical study focuses on the evolution of the mass media and the relationship of the mass media to society. Critical analysis explores media ethics and the analysis and evaluation of specific mediated texts using qualitative and quantitative methods.
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Freshman Year: 30 Units
Fall Semester (14 Units)
COMS 160A - Humanities Learning Community Unit(s): 4 OR
COMS 162A - Humanities Learning Community Media Literacy Unit(s): 4
GE Area B4
GE Area A2
GE Area A1
Spring Semester (16 Units)
COMS 160B - Humanities Learning Community Unit(s): 4 OR
COMS 162B - Humanities Learning Community Media Literacy Unit(s): 4
GE Area B1
University Elective
GE Area D2
GE Area C1
Sophomore Year: 30 Units
Fall Semester (16 Units)
GE Area B2
GE Area D3
GE Area C2
University Elective
COMS 200 - Principles of Media Communication Unit(s): 4 OR
COMS 202 - Methods of Media Criticism Unit(s): 4
Spring Semester (14 Units)
GE Area D4
GE Area B3
GE Area D1
COMS Skill Course
Junior Year: 30 Units
Fall Semester (15 Units)
Upper-Division GE Area D5
Upper-Division GE Area E
Upper-Division University Elective
COMS 302 - Media Ethics and Law Unit(s): 4
Spring Semester (15 Units)
Upper-Division GE
GE Elective
COMS 301 - Media Theory and Research Unit(s): 4
COMS Outlet Course
Senior Year: 30 Units
Students must take in their senior year
Fall Semester (15 Units)
Upper-Division University Elective
Upper-Division University Elective
COMS 499 - Media Internship Unit(s): 1-4 (4 Credit(s) Required) *
COMS Outlet Course
Spring Semester (15 Units)
Upper-Division University Elective
COMS 402 - Senior Seminar Unit(s): 4 *
COMS Elective
COMS Outlet Course
Total Units: 120
