Spanish Program

Bakersfield College offers an Associate in Arts (AA) degree in Spanish. This program is designed to provide students with a foundation in the Spanish language, as well as an understanding of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. The program includes courses in grammar, composition, conversation, literature, and culture. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in cultural activities that will enhance their language skills and understanding of the Spanish-speaking world. This degree prepares students for further study in Spanish or for entry-level careers that require proficiency in the language.

What is Spanish?

Spanish is a Romance language that originated in the Iberian Peninsula and is now spoken as a first language by over 460 million people worldwide. It is the official language of Spain, most Latin American countries, Equatorial Guinea, and the Philippines. Spanish is known for its musicality, and it has contributed significantly to the fields of literature, art, and culture. It uses the Latin alphabet and is written from left to right. Spanish has many dialects, which can vary significantly in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar, but the standard form of Spanish is based on the dialect spoken in the region around Madrid, known as Castilian Spanish.

Is Studying Spanish Right for Me?

An Associate of Arts degree in Spanish can benefit a wide range of individuals who have an interest in the Spanish language and culture. For instance, individuals who are planning to pursue a career in fields such as international business, healthcare, education, social work, or law enforcement may benefit from this degree as it can enhance their communication skills and cultural competence in Spanish-speaking contexts. Additionally, individuals who plan to travel, study abroad, or engage in cross-cultural experiences may find the degree useful in developing their language proficiency and understanding of the Spanish-speaking world. Overall, anyone who wants to improve their Spanish language skills and cultural knowledge can benefit from an Associate of Arts degree in Spanish.

There are several key traits and skills that can make someone a good fit for studying Spanish, including:

An interest in language learning and appreciation for diverse cultures.
Strong communication skills
Good memory and attention to detail
Curiosity and open-mindedness
Dedication and persistence
Creativity and flexibility
Patience and empathy

Overall, a combination of linguistic, cognitive, and socio-cultural skills and traits can make someone a successful Spanish learner and a culturally competent global citizen.

Spanish Degree

Spanish Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer

Collapse All

Non-Heritage Speaker Track

Students should register in the Spanish course according to the following scenarios:

Spanish B1

The student has never taken Spanish before.
The student has taken two years of high school Spanish.
Spanish is not spoken at home.

Spanish B2

The student successfully completed Spanish B1 at Bakersfield College and received a grade of 'C' or better.
The student successfully completed the first semester of Spanish at a college or university.
The student has taken at least four years of high school Spanish and passed with a grade of 'C' or better.

Spanish B3

The student successfully completed Spanish B2 at Bakersfield College and received a grade of 'C' or better.
The student has taken four years of high school Spanish and passed with a grade of 'C' or Better.
The student has successfully completed one year of Spanish at a college or university.

Spanish B4

The student successfully completed Spanish B3 at Bakersfield College and received a grade of 'C' or better.
The student has taken three semesters of Spanish at a college or university.
The student took the A.P. Spanish Language Exam and received a score of 3, 4 or 5.
The student lived in a Spanish speaking country and studied at a high school level in that country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I test out of a lower level Spanish class or classes?

The students who feel they don't need to take Spanish B1 and B2 but want the units for those courses are encouraged to take the CLEP test in the Assessment Office at Bakersfield College.

How does the CLEP test show on the student's transcripts?

CLEP looks like an additional transcript for the student. It lists the subjects/courses on the transcript and how many units the student will receive for the specific CLEP test the student took.

Please note, when transferring to colleges/universities, they may not grant the same credits that BC granted for the CLEP.

When can I take the CLEP test?

CLEP exams are given on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. It is recommended that you register one week in advance. Seating is limited.

The CLEP exams are 1½ hour and by appointment only.

Cost for the CLEP: Fees for each exam:

$25.00 payable to Bakersfield College at the time of registration by check or money order.
$85.00 payable to CLEP the day of the exam by check, money order or credit card
CLEP set a fee of $10.00 to cover the processing and handling of the optional essays for: Freshman College Composition, English Literature, Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, and American Literature. This fee must be paid in advance.

Additional Requirement

The unit total for the required Spanish Language ADT portion of the degree is 16 units. An additional 3 unit course must be taken from the following courses:

Course #	Course Name	Units
ENGL B24	Latino/a Literature	3.0
HIST B30A	Early Chicano History	3.0
HIST B30B	History of Chicanos in the Southwest	3.0
HIST B33	Latin American History	3.0
SOCI B36	Sociology of the Chicano	3.0
SOCI B45	Minority Relations	3.0

Heritage Speaker Track

The Department of Foreign Languages now offers tracks for heritage speakers. The following guidelines should help students to be placed in the right course. These guidelines will allow students to take the course that best suit them.

Spanish B35 (4 units)

Spanish is the language predominantly spoken at home.
The student understands spoken Spanish.
The student speaks Spanish most of the time or sometimes. Sometimes Spanish and English are blended.
nbsp; The student can read enough in Spanish to get the main ideas and meaning in the reading.
The student needs to learn grammar and spelling and develop vocabulary.
The student attended some years of elementary or secondary education in a Spanish speaking country.
The student has the consent of the instructor or counselor.

Spanish B36 (4 units)

The student has taken Spanish B35 and received a grade of 'C' or better.
The student passed an exam containing the material covered in Spanish B35, or took Spanish B1 and B2 and passed with a grade of 'C' or better.
The student has the consent of the instructor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I test out of a lower level Spanish class or classes?

Students who feel they don't need to take Spanish B1 and B2 but want the units for those courses are encouraged to take the CLEP test in the Assessment Office at Bakersfield College. Students can take the CLEP and receive 8 credits of Spanish that will cover SpanB1 and Span B2. HOWEVER, the CLEP must be taken and passed before completion of any higher level course to receive credit.

How does the CLEP test show in the student's records?

CLEP looks like an additional transcript for the student. It lists the subjects/courses on the transcript and how many units the student will receive for the specific CLEP test the student took.

Please note, when transferring to colleges/universities, they may not grant the same credits that BC granted for the CLEP.

When can I take the CLEP test?

CLEP exams are given on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. It is recommended that you register one week in advance. Seating is limited.

The CLEP exams are 1½ hour and by appointment only.

Cost for the CLEP: Fees for each exam:

$25.00 payable to Bakersfield College at the time of registration by check or money order.
$85.00 payable to CLEP the day of the exam by check, money order or credit card
A fee of $10.00 has been set by CLEP to cover the processing and handling of the optional essays for: Freshman College Composition, English Literature, Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, and American Literature. This fee must be paid in advance.

Spanish Associate of Arts for Transfer (AAT) - Heritage Speaker Track

Placement: Spanish for Heritage Speakers Span35

Students can take the CLEP and receive 8 credits of Spanish that will cover Span B1 and SpanB2. HOWEVER, the CLEP must be taken and passed before completion of any higher level course to receive credit.

Suggested PATH

Take and Pass the CLEP test for Spanish before taking a higher level Spanish course.
Enroll in Spanish for Heritage Speakers B35 and pass with a C or better.
Enroll in Spanish for Heritage Speakers B36 and pass with a C or better.

Additional Requirement

The unit total for the required Spanish Language ADT portion of the degree is 16 units. An additional 3 unit course must be taken from the following courses:

Course #	Course Name	Units
ENGL B24	Latino/a Literature	3.0
HIST B30A	Early Chicano History	3.0
HIST B30B	History of Chicanos in the Southwest	3.0
HIST B33	Latin American History	3.0
SOCI B36	Sociology of the Chicano	3.0
SOCI B45	Minority Relations	3.0

Paying For Education

You CAN Afford BC

Don’t let finances get in the way of your goals. Get help paying for college costs like tuition, books, or sometimes even the rent with a variety of financial aid options to help you reach your educational and career goals.

I Can Afford College

Spanish Careers

An Associate in Arts in Spanish can open a variety of career paths in which Spanish language skills and cultural knowledge are valued. Some examples of careers that may be available to graduates with an associate degree in Spanish include:

Bilingual customer service representative
Interpreter or translator
Language teacher or tutor
International business or trade specialist
Cultural ambassador or program coordinator
Social worker or community outreach coordinator
Healthcare professional, such as a nurse or medical assistant
Law enforcement officer or legal assistant
Travel or tourism industry professional
Freelance writer or journalist.

In addition, an Associate of Arts degree in Spanish can serve as a foundation for further studies in Spanish or related fields, such as literature, linguistics, cultural studies, or education, which can lead to more advanced career opportunities in academia, research, or specialized fields. Overall, the skills and knowledge gained through an associate degree in Spanish can be valuable in a variety of industries and contexts, where intercultural communication and global awareness are essential.

Transfer Pathways

Graduates with an Associate in Arts in Spanish for Transfer from Bakersfield College may choose to continue their education at a university to earn a 4-year degree. Students with an Associate in Arts for Transfer degree “are guaranteed admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and given priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to their community major” (Bakersfield College Catalog, Educational Options). See your Counselor and/or a Transfer Specialist for specific questions, options, and opportunities.

Academic Department: Foreign Language

Career & Learning Pathway: Arts, Communication, and Humanities (ACH) Pathway

Courses: Spanish (SPAN)

Meet with a Counselor

Take the right classes to meet your education and career goals. Create your Comprehensive Student Education Plan (CSEP) with your Counselor or Ed. Advisor.
Call (661) 395-4421.

Counseling and Advising

Not sure about your career path?

Take the career quiz to discover the perfect career based on your personality type and interests.

Career Quiz

Spanish Program

What is Spanish?

Is Studying Spanish Right for Me?

Spanish Degree