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 for more information: .

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.

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 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
Part-time

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
			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
or	or	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in or ) or (B/better in ) or (C in & Corequisites: or or or ) or (C/better in & Corequisites: or or or ). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in or ),or (B/better in ) or (C in & Corequisites: or or or ) or (C/better in and Corequisites: or or or ).	Critical course Gateway course	FYC or FYC	3
or	or	No requisites or Prerequisites: Spanish-speaking or permission of Department or Division.	Critical course Gateway course		0–4
or	or				1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .		FYC or FYC	3
or or	or or	Prerequisites: (A grade of "C" or better in or ), or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or two years of high school Spanish, or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	OR Exempt by assessment		0–4
				SQ	4
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [( or ) and ( or or or or or )] or a grade of B or better in or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor.		L	0–3
or or	or or			SB or SB or SB	0–3
			recommended for students who are 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
		Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in , or , or , or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	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	3
			Recommend or 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
		Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in , or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	OR Exempt by assessment May be used as a required course for AC in Language Studies	G	0–4
or	or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or permission of Instructor. or No requisites		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	3
			Recommend AFR/ASB/, , or for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in Language Studies	SB	3
or	or			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
or	or	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in or ) or (B/better in ) or (C in & Corequisites: or or or ) or (C/better in & Corequisites: or or or ). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in or ),or (B/better in ) or (C in & Corequisites: or or or ) or (C/better in and Corequisites: or or or ).		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
or	or				1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .		FYC or FYC	3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [( or ) and ( or or or or or )] or a grade of B or better in or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor.		L	0–3
			recommended for students who are 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
			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	4
			Recommend or 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
or or	or or			SB or SB or SB	3
				HU	3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	No requisites or Prerequisites: Spanish-speaking or permission of Department or Division.	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
or or	or or	Prerequisites: (A grade of "C" or better in or ), or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or two years of high school Spanish, or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	OR Exempt by assessment		0–4
				CS	3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
		Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in , or , or , or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	OR Exempt by assessment	G	0–4
or	or			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
			Recommend AFR/ASB/, , or for students intending to earn the Academic Certificate in Language Studies	SB	3
		Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in , or permission of Department or Division. Completion of prerequisites within the last three years is required.	OR Exempt by assessment. May be used as a required course for AC in Language Studies	G	0–4
or	or	No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or permission of Instructor.		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
Foreign Language Teaching Methods
Geography of Latin America
History of Mexico
Music in Latin America and the Caribbean
Introduction to Linguistics
Hispanic Heritage in the Southwest

Select a minimum of six (6) credits taught in Spanish
Beginning Spanish Conversation I
Beginning Spanish Conversation II
Health Care Spanish I
Health Care Spanish II
Spanish for Educational Settings I
Spanish for Educational Settings II
Spanish for Medical Interpretation I
Spanish for Medical Interpretation II
Spanish for Business Communication
Intermediate Spanish Conversation I
Intermediate Spanish Conversation II
Advanced Spanish Conversation I
Advanced Spanish Conversation II
Spanish and Spanish-American Film I
Spanish and Spanish-American Film II
Spanish Civilization
Advanced Spanish I
Advanced Spanish II
Volunteerism for Spanish: A Service Learning Experience (any suffixed course)
Special Projects (any suffixed course)
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/ Ethnic Relations in the United States OR
Race and Ethnic Relations

Intercultural Communication in Everyday Life
Elements of Intercultural Communication
Traditional and Modern Japanese Culture
Psychology and Culture

Any AHU Arabic Humanities course(s)
Any ARB Arabic course(s)
Any ASL American Sign Language course(s)
Any CHI Chinese course(s)
Any FLA Foreign Language Acquisition course(s)
Any FRE French course(s)
Any GER German course(s)
Any GRK Greek course(s)
Any HBR Hebrew course(s)
Any HEB Hebrew course(s)
Any IPP Interpreter Preparation Program course(s)
Any ITA Italian course(s)
Any ITA Italian Humanities course(s)
Any JPN Japanese course(s)
Any LAT Latin course(s)
Any NAV Navajo course(s)
Any NVH Navajo Humanities course(s)
Any PIM Pima course(s)
Any POR Portuguese course(s)
Any RUS Russian course(s)
Any SLC Studies in Language and Culture course(s)
Any SPA Spanish course(s)
Any SPH Spanish Humanities course(s)
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 for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .

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.

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