Associate of Arts - Specialization in World Languages
Tacoma, USA
Associate of Arts
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 10,573 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* $22,408 including fees and on-campus housing
Key Summary
The Associate of Arts (DTA) degree with Specialization in World Languages provides the required preparation for successful transfer into a bachelor's degree program in World Languages at the Junior level. The Associate of Arts (DTA) degree is a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) degree.
The following course set fulfills the requirement of the Specialization in World Languages for the Associate of Arts (DTA) Degree. This specialization enables students to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in multiple languages, and to analyze, examine and explore oral and written communication using a variety of topics through authentic materials, in all major time frames.
The Specialization in World Languages prepares students for successful transfer at the junior level in a world language or related field at Washington State 4-year universities. This specialization is appropriate for students with preexisting language skills who are interested in developing communication skills in at least two languages (in addition to English) and in applying these in any career field or professional setting.
- Fall 2023 - Application Deadline (Aug 15) and Classes Start (Sep 25)
- Winter 2024 - Application Deadline (Nov 15) and Classes Start (Jan 3)
- Spring 2024 - Application Deadline (Feb 15) and Classes Start (April 1)
Specialization courses (10-30 credits)
Primary Language and Culture Foundation Sequence, 5-15 credits
- Completion of the sixth quarter course in modern language (other than English) is required.
- Students need to complete the courses in the sequence leading up to and including the sixth quarter course in accordance with their previous language experience.
- Students with significant backgrounds from secondary education, study abroad, heritage speakers, etc. should consult with the appropriate advisor from the World Language Department to be evaluated and placed in the appropriate level.
- The CLEP is accepted for placement and credit in Spanish and German.
TCC World language second-year classes offered:
- SPAN& 221 Spanish IV*
- SPAN& 222 Spanish V
- SPAN& 223 Spanish VI
* SPAN& 221 has a prerequisite of the first-year language sequence in Spanish (SPAN& 121, 122, 123). This prerequisite must be met, or a milestone must be granted for students who place into SPAN& 221 based on preexisting skills.
Secondary Language Foundation Sequence, 5-15 credits
- Completion of the third quarter course in modern language (other than English or the primary language selected above) is required.
- Students need to complete the courses in the sequence leading up to and including the third quarter course in accordance with their previous language experience.
- Students with significant backgrounds from secondary education, study abroad, heritage speakers, etc. should consult with the appropriate advisor from the World Language Department to be evaluated and placed at the appropriate level.
- The CLEP is accepted for placement and credit in Spanish and German.
TCC World language first-year classes offered:
- CHIN& 121 Chinese I
- CHIN& 122 Chinese II
- CHIN& 123 Chinese III
- GERM& 121 German I
- GERM& 122 German II
- GERM& 123 German III
- JAPN& 121 Japanese I
- JAPN& 122 Japanese II
- JAPN& 123 Japanese III
- SPAN& 121 Spanish I
- SPAN& 122 Spanish II
- SPAN& 123 Spanish III
Remaining Degree Requirements (60-80 credits)
- ENGL& 101 Composition I 5
- English Composition / Speaking Skills: Select 5 additional credits from the Communication section of the Approved Distribution Course List. ENGL 103 is recommended.
- Quantitative Reasoning Skills: Select 5 credits from the Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning section of the Approved Distribution Course List. 5
- Humanities: Fulfill the Associate of Arts (DTA) Humanities Distribution requirement. Up to 15 credits of World Languages may be applied toward this requirement, but they must be from two different languages and only 5 credits may be in 100-level World Languages courses. 0-5
- Social Sciences: Fulfill the Associate of Arts (DTA) Social Sciences Distribution requirement. 15
- Natural Sciences: Natural Sciences: Fulfill the Associate of Arts (DTA) Natural Sciences Distribution requirement. 15
- PE: Fulfill the Associate of Arts (DTA) Physical Education Distribution requirement. 3
- Distribution Electives: Fulfill the Associate of Arts (DTA) Distribution Electives requirement. Specialization courses may fulfill some or all of this requirement. 0-12
- General Electives: Other College-Level Electives: Fulfill the Associate of Arts (DTA) Other College-Level Electives requirement. Specialization courses may fulfill some of this requirement. 12-15
There are two major career paths for foreign language majors: the world language specialist, and other professions which are greatly enhanced by knowledge of a foreign language.
The world language specialist
For the world language specialist, thorough training in a foreign language is indispensable. He or she translates, interprets, or teaches in one or more foreign languages. Knowledge of the literature, culture, and history of the country or minority community in which the language is used gives the specialist awareness that goes considerably beyond basic communication. A few of the industries that require language specialists are:
- Educational institutions
- Diplomatic and government service
- Travel industry
- International business
Foreign languages + other professions
In many other professions, knowledge of one or more foreign languages greatly enhances employability. Many employers actively seek potential employees with second language skills. Examples include:
- Social services
- Health and medical services
- Business and trade
- The travel industry
- The legal profession
- Law enforcement