Academic Catalogs

Spanish, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T)

Banner Code: 1_AAT_SPAN

Control Number: 32737

Financial Aid Eligible


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

  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.

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 California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU General Education Breadth — Option 2) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC — Option 3).
  5. A minimum of 12 units in residence within the Coast Colleges (Orange Coast College, Golden West College and/or Coastline College).
Course Title Units
Required Courses
Core Courses
SPAN A180/A180HElementary Spanish 15
SPAN A185/A185HElementary Spanish 25
SPAN A280/A280HIntermediate Spanish 15
or SPAN A160 Spanish for Heritage Speakers 1
SPAN A285Intermediate Spanish 25
or SPAN A165 Spanish for Heritage Speakers 2
List A
Select one of the following:3-5
Chicana/o & Latina/o Experience and Success in Higher Education
Contemporary Ethnic America
Introduction to LatinX Studies
Ethnic Groups in the United States: Their Histories
The Ethnic Family
World History 1
Elementary French 1
Elementary French 2
Elementary Italian 1
Elementary Italian 2
Intermediate Italian 1
Intermediate Italian 2
Elementary Portuguese 1
Elementary Portuguese 2
Substitution Courses: 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 (Title 5 regulations). Courses may be selected from this list or List A.
Cultural Anthropology
Native American
Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
Art of the Ancient Americas
Intercultural Communications
Flamenco Dance 1
Flamenco Dance 2
Flamenco Dance 3
Latin Dance Styles I
Latin Dance Styles II
Latin Dance Styles III
Race, Culture, and Identity in Literature
Ethnic Groups in the United States: Their Histories
Introduction to Gender Studies
World Regional Geography
Regional Field Studies in Latin America
Cultural Geography
Introduction to Global Studies
The California Experience
Cross-Cultural Psychology
Health and Social Justice
Social Justice and Activism
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Race and Ethnicity
Current Topics in Spanish
Current Topics in Italian
Current Topics in French
Conversational French
Spanish Language and Culture Advanced Placement (AP) Exam score of 3 or higher6
Program Major Units 29-31
CSU or IGETC for CSU37-39
Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirementVaries
Total Minimum Units60

Program Sequence - CSU

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. 

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
SPAN A180
Elementary Spanish 1
or Elementary Spanish 1 Honors
5
CSU GE AREA A1- CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA A2- CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA E- CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units14
Semester 2
SPAN A185
Elementary Spanish 2
or Elementary Spanish 2 Honors
5
CSU GE AREA A3- CHOOSE ONE 3-4
CSU GE AREA B4- CHOOSE ONE 3-4
CSU GE AREA C1- CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units14-16
Year 2
Semester 1
SPAN A280
Intermediate Spanish 1
or Intermediate Spanish 1 Honors
5
HIST A170
History of the United States to 1876
or History of the United States to 1876 Honors
or History of the United States Since 1876
or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors
3
ADT LIST A COURSE- CHOOSE ONE 5
Elementary French 1
or Elementary Italian 1
 
CSU GE AREA B1 (no lab)- CHOOSE ONE 1 3
 Units16
Semester 2
SPAN A285 Intermediate Spanish 2 5
PSCI A180
American Government
or American Government Honors
3
CSU GE AREA F- CHOOSE ONE 3
ELECTIVE (CSU TRANSFERABLE) 2 1
CSU GE AREA B2 (with lab)- CHOOSE ONE 1 4
 Units16
 Total Units60-62
1

Lab can be taken with B1 or B2

2

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS

Program Sequence - IGETC 

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. 

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
SPAN A180
Elementary Spanish 1
or Elementary Spanish 1 Honors
5
IGETC GE AREA 1A- CHOOSE ONE 3
IGETC GE AREA 3A- CHOOSE ONE 3
ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 3
 Units14
Semester 2
SPAN A185
Elementary Spanish 2
or Elementary Spanish 2 Honors
5
HIST A170
History of the United States to 1876
or History of the United States to 1876 Honors
or History of the United States Since 1876
or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors
3
IGETC GE AREA 1B- CHOOSE ONE 3-4
IGETC GE AREA 2- CHOOSE ONE 3-4
 Units14-16
Summer
IGETC GE AREA 1C- CHOOSE ONE or ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 3
 Units3
Year 2
Semester 1
SPAN A280
Intermediate Spanish 1
or Intermediate Spanish 1 Honors
5
PSCI A180
American Government
or American Government Honors
3
ADT LIST A COURSE- CHOOSE ONE 5
Elementary French 1
or Elementary Italian 1
 
IGETC GE AREA 5A (no lab)- CHOOSE ONE 1 3
 Units16
Semester 2
SPAN A285 Intermediate Spanish 2 5
IGETC GE AREA 4- CHOOSE ONE 3
IGETC GE AREA 5B (with lab)- CHOOSE ONE 1 4
ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 2 1
 Units13
 Total Units60-62
1

Lab can be taken with 5A or 5B

2

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS