Knowing Spanish gives one the power to successfully communicate with the people of twenty-one Spanish-speaking countries, as well as 20 million Spanish speakers in the United States. After English, Spanish is the most studied language in Europe and Asia as well. In today’s business world, Spanish is widely used as a valuable tool of communication for commercial transactions in the global market. It is one of the five official languages in the United Nations.

The benefit for students completing an Associate in Arts in Spanish for Transfer Degree is that the California State University (CSU) system is required by CEC section 66747 to “guarantee admission with junior status to any community college student who meets all of the requirements”.

CSU is required to grant priority admission for a student with this associate degree “to his or her local [CSU] campus and to a program or major that is similar to his or her community college major or area of emphasis, as determined by the [CSU] campus to which the student is admitted.”

A student admitted under this article shall receive priority over all other community college transfer students, excluding community college students who have entered into a transfer agreement between a community college and the California State University prior to the fall term of the 2012-13.

This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer outside of the locally defined CSU service area or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a Southwestern College counselor for admission requirements specific to an intended transfer university.

Program Student Learning Outcome: • Initiate, sustain and close a variety of uncomplicated communicative tasks in the target language, and handle social situations in a culturally sensitive and collegial manner.