Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Spanish

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Spanish provides the first two years of a four year curriculum for the student who plans to transfer to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. Academic Certificates (AC) in Language Studies and in Spanish Language and Culture are also available.

Details

Field of Interest
Culture and Society
Degree Type
Associate in Arts (AA)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Spanish (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8129
Total credits required
60-64
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

This program is intended to align with the following university requirements:

ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Spanish, BA

ASU (New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences), Spanish, BA

NAU, Spanish, BA

U of A, Spanish, BA

Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information: ASU .

Students may qualify to enter higher level Spanish courses by placement or may qualify to exempt out of taking any Spanish courses by assessment. Students wishing to earn credit for any course of which they are exempt by assessment should take the CLEP examination.

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn
  • Ask and answer questions, give instructions and commands, and maintain conversations in the past, present, and future.
  • Demonstrate comprehension of authentic written and oral passages that include detailed descriptions and narrations in the past, present, and future.
  • Employ the writing process to provide detailed descriptions and narrations in the past, present, and future.
  • Apply critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate information, including authentic cultural products.
  • Apply knowledge of cultural norms, values, beliefs, and regional variations to settings where the target language is used.
  • Compare and contrast target cultures and the students` native culture(s).
  • Use linguistic concepts to describe basic differences and commonalities of various languages.
  • Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career Statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$68,050
Interpreters and Translators
$37,840
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
$55,180

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
RE Restricted Electives Complete requirements in the subplan that best aligns with academic and professional goals. If academic and professional goals do not align with any of the subplans below, select elective courses in consultation with an Academic, Faculty, or Program Director. 1–4
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course Gateway course FYC or FYC 3
SPA101 or
SPA103		 Elementary Spanish I or Elementary Spanish for Spanish Speakers I Critical course Gateway course 0–4
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
SPA102 or
SPA104 or
SPA111		 Elementary Spanish II or Elementary Spanish for Spanish Speakers II or Fundamentals of Spanish OR Exempt by assessment 0–4
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Small Group Communication SB or SB or SB 0–3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry COM225 recommended for students who are CRE101 exempt L 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SPA201 Intermediate Spanish I OR Exempt by assessment G 0–4
RE Restricted Electives Complete requirements in the subplan that best aligns with academic and professional goals. If academic and professional goals do not align with any of the subplans below, select elective courses in consultation with an Academic, Faculty, or Program Director. 1–4
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application CS 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Recommend SPH241 or SPH245 for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in Language Studies HU 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SPA202 Intermediate Spanish II OR Exempt by assessment
May be used as a required course for AC in Language Studies 		G 0–4
ENG213 or
SLC201		 Introduction to the Study of Language or Introduction to Linguistics HU, SB or HU, SB 3
RE Restricted Electives Complete requirements in the subplan that best aligns with academic and professional goals. If academic and professional goals do not align with any of the subplans below, select elective courses in consultation with an Academic, Faculty, or Program Director. 0–4
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences Recommend AFR/ASB/CCS202, COM163, COM263 or SOC241 for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in Language Studies SB 3
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
RE Restricted Electives Complete requirements in the subplan that best aligns with academic and professional goals. If academic and professional goals do not align with any of the subplans below, select elective courses in consultation with an Academic, Faculty, or Program Director. 1–4
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry COM225 recommended for students who are CRE101 exempt L 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
RE Restricted Electives Complete requirements in the subplan that best aligns with academic and professional goals. If academic and professional goals do not align with any of the subplans below, select elective courses in consultation with an Academic, Faculty, or Program Director. 1–4

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Recommend SPH241 or SPH245 for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in Language Studies HU 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Small Group Communication SB or SB or SB 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SPA101 or
SPA103		 Elementary Spanish I or Elementary Spanish for Spanish Speakers I Critical course Gateway course OR Exempt by assessment 0–4
RE Restricted Electives Complete requirements in the subplan that best aligns with academic and professional goals. If academic and professional goals do not align with any of the subplans below, select elective courses in consultation with an Academic, Faculty, or Program Director. 0–4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SPA102 or
SPA104 or
SPA111		 Elementary Spanish II or Elementary Spanish for Spanish Speakers II or Fundamentals of Spanish OR Exempt by assessment 0–4
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application CS 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SPA201 Intermediate Spanish I OR Exempt by assessment G 0–4
SQ or
SG		 Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General SQ or SG 4

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences Recommend AFR/ASB/CCS202, COM163, COM263 or SOC241 for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in Language Studies SB 3
SPA202 Intermediate Spanish II OR Exempt by assessment.
May be used as a required course for AC in Language Studies 		G 0–4
SLC201 or
ENG213		 Introduction to Linguistics or Introduction to the Study of Language HU, SB or HU, SB 3

General Electives

Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

Restricted Elective Selections

Subplan 1: Academic Certificate in Spanish Language and Culture (6243N) *Note: This certificate may/may not be offered at each college.
Credits: 9
Select a minimum of three (3) credits taught in English
FLA240 Foreign Language Teaching Methods
GCU223 Geography of Latin America
HIS145 History of Mexico
MHL156 Music in Latin America and the Caribbean
SLC201 Introduction to Linguistics
SPH245 Hispanic Heritage in the Southwest

Select a minimum of six (6) credits taught in Spanish
SPA115 Beginning Spanish Conversation I
SPA116 Beginning Spanish Conversation II
SPA117 Health Care Spanish I
SPA118 Health Care Spanish II
SPA119 Spanish for Educational Settings I
SPA120 Spanish for Educational Settings II
SPA205 Spanish for Medical Interpretation I
SPA206 Spanish for Medical Interpretation II
SPA217 Spanish for Business Communication
SPA225 Intermediate Spanish Conversation I
SPA226 Intermediate Spanish Conversation II
SPA235 Advanced Spanish Conversation I
SPA236 Advanced Spanish Conversation II
SPA241 Spanish and Spanish-American Film I
SPA242 Spanish and Spanish-American Film II
SPA251 Spanish Civilization
SPA265 Advanced Spanish I
SPA266 Advanced Spanish II
SPA282++ Volunteerism for Spanish: A Service Learning Experience (any suffixed course)
SPA298++ Special Projects (any suffixed course)
SPH298++ Special Projects (any suffixed course)

Subplan 2: Academic Certificate in Language Studies (6237N) *Note: This certificate may/may not be offered at each college.
Credits: 6-10
Select six to ten (6-10) additional credits from the lists below
AFR/ASB/CCS202 Ethnic Relations in the United States OR
SOC241 Race and Ethnic Relations

COM163 Intercultural Communication in Everyday Life
COM263 Elements of Intercultural Communication
JPH245 Traditional and Modern Japanese Culture
PSY132 Psychology and Culture

AHU+++ Any AHU Arabic Humanities course(s)
ARB+++ Any ARB Arabic course(s)
ASL+++ Any ASL American Sign Language course(s)
CHI+++ Any CHI Chinese course(s)
FLA+++ Any FLA Foreign Language Acquisition course(s)
FRE+++ Any FRE French course(s)
GER+++ Any GER German course(s)
GRK+++ Any GRK Greek course(s)
HBR+++ Any HBR Hebrew course(s)
HEB+++ Any HEB Hebrew course(s)
IPP+++ Any IPP Interpreter Preparation Program course(s)
ITA+++ Any ITA Italian course(s)
ITH+++ Any ITA Italian Humanities course(s)
JPN+++ Any JPN Japanese course(s)
LAT+++ Any LAT Latin course(s)
NAV+++ Any NAV Navajo course(s)
NVH+++ Any NVH Navajo Humanities course(s)
PIM+++ Any PIM Pima course(s)
POR+++ Any POR Portuguese course(s)
RUS+++ Any RUS Russian course(s)
SLC+++ Any SLC Studies in Language and Culture course(s)
SPA+++ Any SPA Spanish course(s)
SPH+++ Any SPH Spanish Humanities course(s)
TRS+++ Any TRS Translation and Interpretation course(s)

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • G = Global Awareness
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=16456338).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Arts (AA) in Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Spanish