About Spanish

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. 

 In the United States, and particularly in California, knowing Spanish has become an essential and in many cases required skill for many jobs. Spanish is also one of the world’s major languages in business, diplomacy, global and international commerce, and literary and scientific research.  In our program, we offer a wide arrange of courses in Spanish language and cultures. We offer courses for both Spanish learners and for heritage language speakers.

Join us! Learn about the linguistic and cultural variety of the Spanish-speaking world.

Explore Potential Careers

Studying Spanish can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Secondary and Postsecondary School Teachers
  • Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Interpreters and Translators
  • Bilingual Book Editors
  • Journalism
  • Public Relations
  • Healthcare Services
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Business
  • International Relations
  • Construction
  • Food Industry
  • Agriculture
  • Judicial Services
  • Law Enforcement and Emergency Assistance
  • Education
  • Political Affairs
  • Counseling
  • Social Work
  • Advertising or Sales

Program Options 

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish.

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals.

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 1 (or SPAN 1A and SPAN 1B) Elementary Spanish (See Counselor)  5  
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4-6  
CSU GE Area E Lifelong Learning and Self-Development 3   
CSU GE Area D Social Sciences 3  

Total Units: 15-17 

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 2 (or SPAN 2A and SPAN 2B) Continuation of Elementary Spanish (See Counselor) 5  
CSU GE Area A3 Critical Thinking 3-4  
CSU GE Area B4 Math / Quantitative Reasoning 3-8  
CSU GE Area D Social Sciences 3  
CSU GE Area C1 Arts 3  

Total Units: 17-23 

Semester 3

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 3 (or SPAN 3A and SPAN 3B) Intermediate Spanish (See Counselor) 5  
Additional Major Requirement See Counselor 3  
CSU GE Area B1 Physical Science 3 - 6  
POLS 1 U.S. Government 3  

Total Units:  14-17

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 6 (or SPAN 6A and SPAN 6B) Continuation of Intermediate Spanish (See Counselor) 5  
CSU GE Area A1 Oral Communication 3  
CSU GE Area B2 Life Science 3-6  
CSU GE Area B3 Lab Activity (To Be Taken with Course from B1 or B2) 1  
CSU Graduation Requirement Group 2 See Counselor 3  

Total Units: 15-18

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 31A Intermediate Spanish for Bilingual Students 3  
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4-6  
CSU GE Area E Lifelong Learning and Self-Development 3   
CSU GE Area D Social Sciences 3  

Total Units: 16-18 

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 31B Intermediate Spanish for Bilingual Students 3  
CSU GE Area A3 Critical Thinking 3 - 4  
CSU GE Area B4 Math / Quantitative Reasoning 3-8  
CSU GE Area D Social Sciences 3  
CSU GE Area C1 Arts 3  

Total Units: 15-21 

Semester 3

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 32A Intermediate Spanish for Bilingual Students 3  
Additional Major Requirement-LIST A: SPAN 5 or SPAN 5S or SPAN 7 or SPAN 41 Advanced Spanish: Hispanic Culture and Civilization or Advanced Spanish: Hispanic Culture and Culture and Civilization or Intro. to Literature in Spanish or Culture and Civilization of Spain 3  
Additional Major Requirement-LIST B See Counselor 3  
CSU GE Area B1 Physical Science 3-6  
POLS 1 U.S. Government 3  

Total Units: 15-18

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 32B Intermediate Spanish for Bilingual Students 3  
Additional Major Requirement-LIST B See Counselor 3  
CSU Graduation Requirement Group 2 See Counselor 3  
CSU GE Area A1 Oral Communication 3  
CSU GE Area B2 Life Science 3-6  
CSU GE Area B3 Lab Activity (To Be Taken with Course from B1 or B2) 1  

Total Units: 16-19

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 1 (or SPAN 1A and SPAN 1B) Elementary Spanish (See Counselor)  5  
SPAN 10A or other additional major requirement  Beginning Conversational Spanish (See Counselor) 3  
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4-6  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ GE Area G1 Health Knowledge Requirement 2-3   
Degree Applicable Elective   3  

Total Units: 17-20 

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 2 (or SPAN 2A and SPAN 2B) Continuation of Elementary Spanish (See Counselor) 5  
SPAN 10B or other additional major requirement Continuation of Beginning Conversational Spanish (See Counselor)  3  
MATH 46, MATH 60 or 860, ET 108B, or ET 50, or PSYC 5, or ECON 5, or LALS 5, or PHIL 12A, or FIN 136M or higher math course (or equivalent) Math Graduation Requirement 3-8  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ GE Area D  Social and Behavioral Sciences Requirement 3  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  

Total Units: 17-22 

Semester 3

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 3 (or SPAN 3A and SPAN 3B) Intermediate Spanish (See Counselor) 5  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ GE Area C  Natural Science 3-6  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ GE Area F United States History and Government Requirement 3  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  

Total Units:  14-17

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 6 (or SPAN 6A and SPAN 6B) Continuation of Intermediate Spanish (See Counselor) 5  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ GE Area H Ethnic Studies, Women's and Gender Studies and LGBTQ Studies 3  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ GE Area G2 Physical Skills Requirement 1-3  

Total Units: 12-14

View Requirements in College Catalog

Required courses: SPAN 3 or SPAN 3A+3B

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 3 Intermediate Spanish 5  
or      
SPAN 3A Intermediate Spanish 3  
and      
SPAN 3B Intermediate Spanish 3  

Total Units: 5 - 6 

Choose at least 11 units from the following courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 1 Elementary Spanish 5  
or      
SPAN 1A Elementary Spanish 3  
and       
SPAN 1B Elementary Spanish 3  
SPAN 2 Continuation of Elementary Spanish 5  
or      
SPAN 2A  Continuation of Elementary Spanish 2  
and      
SPAN 2B Continuation of Elementary Spanish 3  
SPAN 6 Continuation of Intermediate Spanish 5  
or      
SPAN 6A Continuation of Intermediate Spanish 3  
and      
SPAN 6B Continuation of Intermediate Spanish 3  
SPAN 5 Advanced Spanish: Hispanic Culture and Civilization 3  
and      
SPAN 5S Advanced Spanish: Hispanic Culture and Civilization 3  
SPAN 7  Intro. to Literature in Spanish 3  
SPAN 22A Grammar Review and Composition 3  
and      
SPAN 22B  Grammar Review and Composition 3  
and      
SPAN 22C Grammar Review and Composition 3  
SPAN 10A Beginning Conversational Spanish 3  
SPAN 10B Continuation of Beginning Conversational Spanish 3  
SPAN 10C Intermediate Conversational Spanish 3  
SPAN 10D Continuation of Intermediate Conversational Spanish 3  
SPAN 41 Culture and Civilization of Spain 3  
and      
SPAN 42 LGBT Voices in Hispanic society 3  

Total Units: 11

Overall Total Units: 16 - 17 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Core courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
SPAN 31 Spanish for Heritage Speakers 1 5  
or      
SPAN 31A Spanish for Heritage Speakers 1A 3   
and      
SPAN 31B Spanish for Heritage Speakers 1B 3  
SPAN 32 Spanish for Heritage Speakers 2 5  
or      
SPAN 32A Spanish for Heritage Speakers 2A 3  
and      
SPAN 32B Spanish for Heritage Speakers 2B 3  
SPAN 5 Advanced Spanish: Hispanic Culture and Civilization 3  
or      
SPAN 7 Intro. to Literature in Spanish 3  

Total Units: 13 - 15 

Choose at least 3 units from the following courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
ANTH 11 Latin American Cultures and Societies 3  
ART 105 Ancient Art and Architecture of Latin America 3  
ART 106 Latin American Art History 3  
LALS 1 Latino/a Diaspora: The Impact of Latinos Living in the United States 3  
LALS 9 The Latin American and Latina/o LGBT Experience 3  
LALS 10 Latinas in the U.S./VOCES 3  
LALS 14 Diego Rivera; Art and Social Change in Latin America 3  
HIST 18A  The Colonial History of Latin America 3  
HIST 18B History of Latin America 3  
HIST 20 History of Mexico 3  
MUS 25 Music of Latin America and the Caribbean 3  
SPAN 5S Advanced Spanish: Hispanic Culture and Civilization 3  
SPAN 42 LGBT Voices in Hispanic society 3  

Total Units: 3 

Overall Total Units: 16 - 18

Transfer Options

The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. Start planning your transfer by exploring Spanish programs at the following institutions:

  • University of California
  • California State Universities 

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.