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Associate of Science in General Education,
Concentration in Spanish

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NO Residency

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NO Group Work

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100% Online Learning

Overview

Through this concentration, students can improve their Spanish language skills and their marketability in various professions. The coursework focuses on increasing students’ spoken and written fluency and their cultural competency for working with Spanish-speaking populations.

Students can enter directly into the concentration at the 300 Level if they have extensive experience with the Spanish language, either through their personal life or previous studies. Those at the beginner or intermediate level can take prerequisite courses SPN 100, SPN 101, and/or SPN 200 at NU. Placement can be established through prior coursework, testing options as described in the NU catalog, or an oral interview with SoALS faculty.

Degree Requirements 

The Concentration in Spanish requires four courses at and above the 300-level for a total of 18 quarter units. Required courses include SPN 303 and SPN 304. Students then choose two electives, one of which must be in Spanish.

Placement into prerequisite courses or directly into the concentration can be established through prior coursework at the high school or college level, testing options as described in the NU catalog, or an oral interview with SoALS faculty in the case of extensive personal experience speaking Spanish.

Course Details

Total Requirements for the Concentration

  • 4 courses;18 credit hours

Requirements for the Concentration

  • 2 courses; 9 credit hours

Prerequisite: SPN 200 Prerequisite can be waived through prior coursework, testing options as described in the NU catalog, or an oral interview with SoALS faculty.

Virtual exploration of the Spanish-speaking world. Students are immersed in the target language through interactive communicative tasks as they engage in an online journey through cultures and communities of Latin America and Spain. Designed to develop cross-cultural competence and appreciation of the diversity of contemporary and past ways of life in these regions.

PrerequisiteSPN 200 Prerequisite can be waived through prior coursework, testing options as described in the NU catalog, or an oral interview with SoALS faculty.

Students hone professional communication skills in Spanish. Integration of speaking, listening, reading, and writing practice into job-related tasks performed in the target language. Cultural learning focused on workplaces in the Spanish-speaking world, as well as cultural sensitivity within the workplace in the US. Options provided for students to tailor their learning to their chosen future profession.

Elective Courses in Spanish

  • 1 course; 4.5 credit hours

Students will need to select at least one course in Spanish from the list below as part of the Spanish Concentration.

PrerequisiteSPN 303; SPN 304

Films and documentaries from and about the Spanish-speaking world serve as the basis for lectures, discussions, and class projects. Diverse topics will be explored along with a range of socio-cultural issues. This course also introduces strategies of cultural analysis. All coursework will be in Spanish, with some theoretical readings in English.

This course provides English-speaking students the necessary tools for communication with Spanish speakers in the work place.

Elective Courses in English

  • 1 course; 4.5 credit hours

Students will need to select one elective course in English from the list below as part of the Spanish Concentration.

An examination of the basic cultural differences generally encountered in the workplace. Special emphasis is given to cross-cultural communication in the workplace.

PrerequisiteENG 102

Introduction to Latin American history and culture focusing on diversity of Latin American societies and their multicultural heritage. Topics include colonialism and indigenous societies, growth of plantation and mining economies, enslavement of Africans, struggle for independence, distribution of political power, recurrence of popular rebellion, and artistic and cultural life.

PrerequisiteENG 240 and LIT 100

Examination of important representative works by U.S. Latino writers and theoretical approaches relevant to studying that literature. Emphases may vary in different sections.

PrerequisiteENG 240 and LIT 100

This course will provide students with a hemispheric perspective to the study of the literatures of the Americas. The readings will come from a variety of prominent 20th century U.S. and Latin American literary texts. All works will be read in English translation.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Use Spanish language skills effectively (listening, speaking, reading, writing) for daily life, travel, and workplace related tasks at a level equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Low.
  • Produce projects in Spanish related to student’s chosen future profession.
  • Demonstrate a greater understanding of the diversity of contemporary and past ways of life in the Spanish speaking world, including workplace culture.
  • Analyze cultural artifacts and manifestations from Latin American, Spanish, and US Latino communities.
Program Disclosure

Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.

Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.

NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.

All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.

National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.