Spanish
Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) School of Modern Languages · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Languages are the key to the understanding and appreciation of value systems and social attitudes of different cultures. Furthermore, acquiring communication skills in other languages facilitates the exchange of ideas and transactions, and increases awareness, appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity.
The need for skills in other languages is evident on a daily basis. The global community has reached a level of human relations where languages skills are required for communication in all aspects of life. Whether for recreational purposes, business, or other endeavors such as politics, health, science, education, art, or government, learning another language is imperative.
On a practical level, learning a new language is an intellectual stimulus that helps the learner develop critical thinking and creative skills, while enhancing the individual’s participation in traveling, reading of literature, appreciation of music, fashion, cuisine, cinema, and even sporting events. And last, but not least, opportunities for employment and higher salaries increase when another language is mastered because it gives a bilingual or multilingual person an edge to compete in the global economy.
The Spanish language courses, as an integral part of the humanities program, prepare students for transfer to a university with strong second language skills and knowledge about the Spanish speaking culture.
In addition to careers in education and business, Spanish provides occupational opportunities in all areas in which it is advantageous to be bilingual in English and Spanish. This skill is especially useful in California. Knowledge of Spanish may complement careers such as foreign service officer, foreign correspondent, travel agent, teacher, international banker, lawyer, export and import employee, legal secretary, receptionist, nurse, interpreter, social worker, government employee and medical doctor.
The Associate in Arts for Transfer degree in Spanish provides students with the foundational knowledge necessary to make a successful transition into a Baccalaureate Degree at any of the CSU campuses. The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree offered at California Community Colleges. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a campus within the California State University (CSU) system in a similar major, although not necessarily to a specific campus. Students who complete an AA-T or AS-T are given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college major and will be given a special GPA advantage when applying to CSU impacted campuses or majors. Students who are planning to pursue an AA-T or AS-T are strongly advised to meet with a counselor for additional information about this transfer program. Visit https://icangotocollege.com/associate-degree-for-transfer for more information about these degrees.
Requirements
Associate Degree for Transfer Graduation Requirements
Complete all of the following:
- All Major Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or "P" in each course.
- Cal-GETC pattern.
- At least 60 CSU transferable semester units.
- Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework.
- A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Core | ||
| SPAN 101 | Beginning Spanish I | 5 |
| SPAN 102 | Beginning Spanish II | 5 |
| SPAN 103 | Intermediate Spanish I | 5 |
| orSPAN 146 | Intermediate Spanish for Native Speakers I | |
| SPAN 104 | Intermediate Spanish II | 5 |
| orSPAN 147 | Intermediate Spanish for Native Speakers II | |
| List A - Complete one course from the following: | ||
| ARBC 102 | Beginning Modern Standard Arabic II | |
| ARTH C1100 | Survey of Art from Prehistory to the Medieval Era | |
| orARTH C1100H | Survey of Art from Prehistory to the Medieval Era - Honors | |
| ARTH C1200 | Survey of Art from the Renaissance to Contemporary | |
| orARTH C1200H | Survey of Art from the Renaissance to Contemporary - Honors | |
| CHIN 102 | Beginning Chinese II | |
| CHIN 103 | Intermediate Chinese | |
| CHST 102 | The Chicano And Latino In U.S. History, From The 1960's To The Present | |
| CHST 113 | Introduction to Chicano/Mexican-American Literature | |
| CHST 114 | Borderlands Literature: U.S.-Mexico | |
| CHST 115 | Introduction To Mexican Literature | |
| CHST 121 | The Chicana And Other Latina Women | |
| COMM 235 | Argumentation and Debate | |
| orENG 111 | Critical Thinking and Composition Through Literature | |
| orENG 111H | Critical Thinking and Composition Through Literature, Honors | |
| orENGL C1001 | Critical Thinking and Writing | |
| orPHIL 111 | Critical Thinking and Writing in Philosophy | |
| ENG 232 | World Literature: 17th Century to Present | |
| FR 101 | Beginning French I | |
| FR 102 | Beginning French II | |
| FR 103 | Intermediate French I | |
| FR 104 | Intermediate French II | |
| GER 101 | Beginning German I | |
| GER 102 | Beginning German II | |
| GER 103 | Intermediate German I | |
| GER 104 | Intermediate German II | |
| HEBR 102 | Beginning Modern Hebrew II | |
| HIST 133 | History of Latin America | |
| HIST 135 | History of Mexico | |
| ITAL 102 | Beginning Italian II | |
| ITAL 103 | Intermediate Italian I | |
| ITAL 104 | Intermediate Italian II | |
| JAPN 102 | Beginning Japanese II | |
| JAPN 103 | Intermediate Japanese I | |
| JAPN 104 | Intermediate Japanese II | |
| SPAN 130 & SPAN 140 | Intermediate Spanish Conversation I and Intermediate Spanish Conversation II | |
| SPAN 132 | Introduction to Literary Analysis | |
| SPAN 139 | Contemporary Cultures Of Spain | |
| Total Units | 20.00 | |
- Refer to Substitution Courses for a list of approved course substitutions if a student places out of any Required Core course(s).
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. Course substitutions include any courses in List A not used to satisfy the List A requirement. Additional approved course substitutions include the following:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 103 | Introduction To Cultural Anthropology | 3-4 |
| orANTH 103H | Introduction To Cultural Anthropology, Honors | |
| ANTH 104 | Language and Culture | 3 |
| CHST 101 | Mexican-American (Chicano) History In The U.S. | 3 |
| COMM 151 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| ETHS 101 | The Immigrant Experience in the U.S. | 3-4 |
| orETHS 101H | The Immigrant Experience in the U.S., Honors | |
| ETHS 107/SOC 107 | Racism In America | 3 |
| FS 112C | Spanish and Latin American Film | 3 |
| GEOG 102 | Human Geography | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction To Sociology | 3-4 |
| orSOC 101H | Introduction to Sociology, Honors | |
| SOC 127 | Introduction to Women's Studies | 3 |
Students are advised to consult the CSU ADT Major & Campus Search database to determine which bachelor's degree programs offered by the CSU campuses are deemed similar to the AA-T in Spanish. Students are also advised to consult ASSIST (www.assist.org) and to meet with an academic counselor to discuss the best combination of courses to take for their AA-T to ensure they receive the admission benefits associated with it, and to meet the requirements of the transfer institution to which they are intending to transfer.
Learning Outcomes
- Communicate via oral, visual and written skills in the target language with high command.
- Exchange ideas and interact effectively with speakers of the target language.
- Discern and uphold the relevancy of cultural and linguistic diversity lived and expressed by the speakers of the target language.
Recommended Sequence
Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.
How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.