Policy Statement - 17-16 Spanish: Certificate in Professional and Conversational Competence for Spanish Heritage Speakers

Certificate in Professional and Conversational Competence for Spanish Heritage Speakers   This policy statement was recommended by the Academic Senate on April 6, 2017 and approved by the President on June 6, 2017.

 

Program Description

 

The “Certificate in Professional and Conversational Competence for Spanish Heritage Speakers” provides students with advanced speaking and writing skills to improve their professional preparation and competitiveness.

 

Degree Requirements:

 

The “Certificate in Professional and Conversational Competence for Spanish Heritage Speakers” is open to all students who identify or are identified as heritage speakers of Spanish. The certificate requires between 12 (Option 2) and 15 (Option 1) units (of which 9 have to be at the upper-division level) of coursework depending on the student’s demonstrated language competence in Spanish.

 

This certificate program can only be pursued in combination with a degree program

and is not a “stand-alone” program.

 

OPTION 1

For students who have not taken SPAN 250 (or its equivalent course at another institution). Because SPAN 250 is a 6-unit course, the total number of units for the Certificate is 15. 

 

Requirements (15 units)

 

Take the following courses:

 

SPAN 250 Spanish for Bilinguals (6)

Prerequisite: Near native speaker oral skills and GE Foundation requirements (or concurrent enrollment in at least one Foundation course).

 

SPAN 315 Professional Conversation for Spanish Heritage Speakers (3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 200, 201B, 250 or equivalent.

 

Take a minimum of 6 units from the following selection of courses:

 

SPAN 335A Business Spanish (3)

Prerequisites: SPAN 300 (6 units) or consent of instructor.

 

SPAN 335B Business Spanish (3)

Prerequisites: SPAN 300 or consent of instructor.

 

SPAN 423 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics (3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 300 or consent of instructor.

 

SPAN 461 Introduction to Translation and Interpretation (3)

Prerequisites: SPAN 300 with a "B" or better or instructor's consent.

 

SPAN 465 Consecutive Interpretation II (3)

Prerequisites: SPAN 461 or consent of instructor.

 

Any one of these 6 units of electives can be substituted with a 3-unit internship course (SPAN 494) only after the undergraduate advisor in Spanish approves a proposal that contains a Spanish language component.  

 

OPTION 2

For students whose existing language competence places them at the upper-division level. Upper-division level standing can be demonstrated by the following:

 

For high school students with an AP score of 4 or 5

 

For transfer students who have completed the equivalent of SPAN 250, or SPAN 200, or SPAN 201B at another institution.

 

For students who can demonstrate, via the departmental placement test, that their language competence is above the courses listed under B.

 

Requirements (12 units)

 

Take the following course:

 

SPAN 315 Professional Conversation for Spanish Heritage Speakers (3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 200, 201B, 250 or equivalent.

 

Take a minimum of 9 units from the following selection of courses:

 

SPAN 335A Business Spanish (3)

Prerequisites: SPAN 300 (6 units) or consent of instructor.

 

SPAN 335B Business Spanish (3)

Prerequisites: SPAN 300 or consent of instructor.

 

SPAN 423 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics (3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 300 or consent of instructor.

 

SPAN 461 Introduction to Translation and Interpretation (3)

Prerequisites: SPAN 300 with a "B" or better or instructor's consent.

 

SPAN 465 Consecutive Interpretation II (3)

Prerequisites: SPAN 461 or consent of instructor.

 

Any one of these 9 units of electives can be substituted with a 3-unit internship course (SPAN 494) only after the undergraduate advisor in Spanish approves a proposal that contains a Spanish language component.  

 

To complete the certificate requirements, students have to take an outside standard-based language assessment online: Avant Spanish Heritage Language (SHL) Test. Students must take this test at least once for the certificate but are encouraged to take it at the beginning and end of their coursework related to the certificate. See: https://avantassessment.com/shl

 

EFFECTIVE: Fall 2018

 

Campus Code (PBAC):   RGR_CT04PB

Campus Code (UGRD):  RGR_CT04UG

Career: UD & GRAD

College: 28

 

PS 17-16