Spanish Language Courses
The Spanish Language Program offers a sequence of courses designed to help students develop communicative skills in Spanish while learning about Spanish-speaking countries and Spanish-speaking communities in the United States. Courses are offered at the elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels, with options that may include in-person, online, and hybrid formats.
Find Your Spanish Level
Start Building Your Foundation in Spanish
Elementary Spanish I – 4 units (SPN 001, 002, 003)
The Spanish 1–3 series is based on a communicative curriculum that helps students develop basic skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing in Spanish. Students engage in interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes of communication while learning about Spanish-speaking countries and Latino communities in the United States.
Strengthen Your Communication Skills
Intermediate Spanish I – 4 units (SPN 004, 005, 006)
The Spanish 4–6 series is based on a communicative curriculum that helps students develop intermediate skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing in Spanish. Students continue engaging in interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes of communication while exploring Spanish-speaking countries and Latino communities in the United States.
Advance Your Spanish Through Critical Study
Advanced Spanish I – 4 units (SPN 101A & 101B or SPN 109A & 109B)
Advanced Spanish courses invite students to examine social, cultural, literary, and linguistic topics related to Spanish-speaking communities. Students continue expanding their Spanish language abilities while studying issues such as language contact, culture, literature, and Spanish in the United States.
View basic course descriptions in the UC Riverside General Catalog
How and When Courses Are Offered
Our program strives to offer Spanish courses in flexible modalities that support students’ diverse learning needs and schedules.
Flexible Formats for Different Student Schedules
Spanish courses may be offered in several formats, including in-person, online synchronous, online asynchronous, and hybrid formats. Course availability and format may vary by quarter.
Plan Your Spanish Course Sequence
Our courses are offered throughout the academic year and summer, with course levels varying by quarter. Students should review the current Schedule of Classes for the most up-to-date offerings and speak with an academic advisor when planning their language sequence.
Course Availability by Quarter
| Quarter | Courses Typically Offered |
|---|---|
| Fall | SPN 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 101A, 101B, 109A, 109B |
| Winter | SPN 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 101B, 109A, 109B |
| Spring | SPN 001, 002, 003, 004, 006, 101A, 109A, 109B |
| Summer | SPN 001, 002, 003, 004 |
Enrollment, Placement, and Course Progression
Find the Right Starting Point
Students with prior high school Spanish who are entering UCR without college-level Spanish credit or an approved equivalent course must complete the placement process before enrolling. Students who have not studied Spanish before should complete the placement exam survey. To enroll in SPN 002 or higher, students must meet the prerequisite through placement, a grade of C- or higher in the previous course, or an approved equivalent course completed at another institution.
Understanding Grades, Credit, and Advancing to the Next Level
Students have the option to take Spanish courses for a letter grade or for Satisfactory/No Credit. It is recommended that students take Spanish courses for a letter grade. Students taking a course Satisfactory/No Credit should confirm the grade basis with their advisor.
Letter Grade
Students who wish to continue to the next Spanish level must earn a C- (70) or higher. Students completing a foreign language requirement need a letter grade C (74) or higher.
Satisfactory/No Credit
Students need to earn a C (74) or higher for Satisfactory credit. You must also satisfactorily complete the courses’ final assessments.
Questions?
If you have questions about degree requirements, course planning, or how Spanish courses apply to your academic program, please contact your academic advisor.