Spanish

Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T) Foreign Languages · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog

The Associate in Arts in Spanish for Transfer Degree is an excellent way to develop communicative as well as analytical and critical thinking skills. It can provide a basis for understanding cultural differences thus preparing graduates for a variety of careers in a multicultural world. The ability to communicate and interact with others is more and more vital with growing global interdependence and technological connectivity. Students who complete the AA-T can develop careers in number of fields, such as anthropology, business, diplomatic services, economics, education, healthcare, linguistics, literature, political science, and sociology. While teaching has traditionally been the principal area of employment, other careers including interpreting, translating, publishing, international commerce, tourism, public relations, and research, are just some of the many possible paths graduates can follow.

The department offers courses from the beginning to intermediate levels. All courses are designed to develop students' proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing, as well as to provide a general overview of the cultures related to the Spanish-speaking world. While the AA-T core specifies four required levels of Spanish, students placing in higher levels are not required to complete the lower-level courses. Rather, they take additional units from a list of approved substitution courses to reach the minimum units in the major.

Students graduating with an AA-T Degree are well-positioned to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in a similar major within the California State University system with 60 units of upper-division coursework. Students who complete the AA-T are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, though not to a particular campus or major. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework and a minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major. While a minimum 2.0 is required for CSU admission, some majors may require a higher GPA. Please consult a counselor for more information.

Program Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Recognize and produce the Spanish language in the four primary areas of communication: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
  2. Demonstrate a better understanding and appreciation of the cultures related to the Spanish language by comparing and contrasting them with the student’s own culture(s).
  3. Use current technologies to further develop language and cultural competencies.
  4. Students will be eligible and prepared for admission (SB 1440 and Education Code 66746) to California State University system schools.

Requirements

Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements

The following is required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:

  1. Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
  2. Minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors require a higher GPA. Consult with a counselor for more information.
  3. Completion of a minimum of 18-semester units in the major as detailed in the Degree and Certificate section of this catalog. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C (or “P”) or better.
  4. Certified completion of the Cal-GETC/Breadth.
  5. A minimum of 12 units in residence within the Coast Colleges (Orange Coast College, Golden West College and/or Coastline College).
CourseTitleUnits
Required Courses
SPAN A180Elementary Spanish 15
orSPAN A180HElementary Spanish 1 Honors
SPAN A185Elementary Spanish 25
orSPAN A185HElementary Spanish 2 Honors
SPAN A280Intermediate Spanish 15
orSPAN A280HIntermediate Spanish 1 Honors
orSPAN A160Spanish for Heritage Speakers 1
SPAN A285Intermediate Spanish 25
orSPAN A165Spanish for Heritage Speakers 2
Required Core (Substitution Courses) 15 Units Maximum
ANTH A100Cultural Anthropology
orANTH A100HCultural Anthropology Honors
ANTH A102Native American
ANTH A190Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
ART A114Art of the Ancient Americas
CMST A155Intercultural Communications
DANC A135Flamenco Dance 1
DANC A147Flamenco Dance 2
DANC A247Flamenco Dance 3
DANC A116Latin Dance Styles I
DANC A155Latin Dance Styles II
DANC A165Latin Dance Styles III
ENGL A152Race, Culture, and Identity in Literature
orENGL A152HRace, Culture, and Identify in Literature Honors
ETHS A150Ethnic Groups in the United States: Their Histories
HIST A150Ethnic Groups of the United States: Their Histories
GNDR A100Introduction to Gender Studies
GEOG A100World Regional Geography
orGEOG A100HWorld Regional Geography Honors
GEOG A101
GEOG A185Cultural Geography
GLST A101Introduction to Global Studies
HIST A140The California Experience
PSYC A190Cross-Cultural Psychology
orPSYC A190HCross-Cultural Psychology Honors
PUBH A203Health and Social Justice
SJS A102Social Justice and Activism
SOC A100Introduction to Sociology
orSOC A100HIntroduction to Sociology Honors
SOC A150Introduction to Race and Ethnicity
Spanish Literature and Culture Advanced Placement (AP) Exam score of 3 or higher
Spanish Language and Culture Advanced Placement (AP) Exam score of 3 or higher
SPAN A199Current Topics in Spanish
ITAL A199Current Topics in Italian
FREN A190Conversational French
FREN A199Current Topics in French
List A - Select one course from the following:3.0 - 5.0
FREN A180Elementary French 1
orFREN A180HElementary French 1 Honors
GRMN A180Elementary German 1
GRMN A185Elementary German 2
HIST A161World History 1
orHIST A161HWorld History 1 Honors
Program Major Units23-25
General Education Breadth Cal-GETC: 3431
Transfer elective units needed to satisfy 60-unit degree requirement6-4
Total Units60
  1. Breadth unit total reflects courses in major program used to double count in General Education Breadth - 3 units (Area 3B).
  2. If a student places out of any core course(s) and is not awarded units for that course, the student will need to take additional units to compensate for the course/units required to reach at least 18 total units in the major

Program Sequence - Cal-GETC

Program Sequence - Cal-GETC

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Year 1

Semester 1 Units
SPAN A180or SPAN A180H Elementary Spanish 1or Elementary Spanish 1 Honors
Cal-GETC GE AREA 1A- CHOOSE ONE 3
Cal-GETC GE AREA 3A- CHOOSE ONE 3
Cal-GETC GE AREA 6 - CHOOSE ONE 3
Units
Semester 2
SPAN A185or SPAN A185H
HIST C1001or HIST C1001Hor HIST C1002or HIST C1002H
Cal-GETC GE AREA 1B- CHOOSE ONE
Cal-GETC GE AREA 2- CHOOSE ONE
Summer
Cal-GETC GE AREA 1C- CHOOSE ONE

Year 2

Semester 1
SPAN A280or SPAN A280H
POLS C1000or POLS C1000H
ADT LIST A COURSE- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements)
Cal-GETC GE AREA 5A (no lab)- CHOOSE ONE 5
Semester 2
SPAN A285
Cal-GETC GE AREA 4- CHOOSE ONE
Cal-GETC GE AREA 5B (with lab)- CHOOSE ONE 5
ELECTIVE (UC/CSU TRANSFERABLE) 5
  1. Satisfies Cal-GETC GE AREA 3B
  2. American Institutions Requirement - CSU Graduation Requirement; or choose one course from Cal-GETC Area 3B or 4
  3. American Institutions Requirement - CSU Graduation Requirement; or choose one course from Cal-GETC Area 4
  4. Lab can be taken with 5A or 5B
  5. VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS. Not all courses are UC transferable. Please check with your counselor to ensure you have enough transferable units for your transfer goal.

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