The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in
the order
in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in
a semester, you
should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below.
Some courses have
been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” . Should you need (or want) to take
classes
in the summer and/or winter intersessions,
the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed
schedule of
the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate
Degree”. If
you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only
required to take
the courses marked “Program Requirement” .
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you
decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer)
require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program
Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” , be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
Santa Monica College offers language development courses in American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Linguistics, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish. Many colleges/universities offer baccalaureate degrees in various languages and linguistics. This program is intended to prepare students for transfer into the study of French, German, Italian, or Hebrew.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Lower division major preparation for transfer into French, German, Hebrew, Italian, or Russian
Icon Key
-
Gateway Course
-
Program Requirement
-
General Education
-
Appropriate for Intersession
-
Available Online
-
Global Citizenship
NOTE: This is a general transfer map that outlines courses required by most institutions. It is highly recommended that you meet with an academic counselor for educational planning, as major requirements vary by institution.
NOTE: This transfer and/or degree program utilizes Cal-GETC as the required General Education pattern. If you started college before Fall 2025, you MAY be able to use either CSU GE or IGETC. You should meet with a counselor to discuss which general education pattern is appropriate for you.
Semester 1
15 Units
This course introduces the students to basic vocabulary and fundamental sentence structures in the present and past. Pronunciation, grammar and everyday vocabulary are stressed as indispensable tools for comprehension and expression. French customs, culture and everyday life are also highlighted. The course is taught in French except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
The course is designed to give students the ability to understand, speak, read and write simple German. Primary goals are to introduce beginning students to basic structures of the German language by developing vocabulary and a command of idiomatic expressions; to familiarize students with sentence structure through written exercises and short compositions; to give students a basic foundation in German history and culture; and to interest students in traveling to German-speaking countries.
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course teaches the primary fundamentals of classical and modern Hebrew. Grammar and pronunciation, as well as reading and writing skills are developed. The approach is modified audio-lingual utilizing both spoken and written Hebrew. Examples are taken from traditional sources and modern Israeli culture and customs.
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
Using the communicative approach, this course stresses the fundamentals of pronunciation, grammar, practical vocabulary, useful phrases, and the ability to understand, speak, read, and write simple Italian. Using fundamental sentence structures in the present and past tenses, students practice speaking and holding simple conversations in class and writing compositions. Lectures and discussions are included covering geography, customs and culture in Italy. The course is conducted in Italian except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course provides students with basic vocabulary and fundamental sentence structures in the present and past tenses, using the nominative, locative and accusative and genitive case of nouns and pronouns. Basic listening and reading comprehension is developed, and students engage in conversation, make oral presentations, and write brief compositions. Significant geographic, historical, literary and contemporary political, social and cultural issues are also introduced.
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
STAT C1000 (or MATH 54) or MATH 21 recommended
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 2 Course
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research.
- Prerequisite: ENGL 21B or
- Prerequisite: ENGL 22
- Prerequisite: ESL 19B or
- Prerequisite: Group A on the Placement Test
- 1A: English Composition
- A2 - Written Communication
- Area IV-A: Language and Rationality (Group A)
This class is designed for students who are either undecided about their educational or career goals, validating their decisions, or seeking to transition into a new career. Students are guided through a process that focuses on their individual interests, skills, personality and values to aid in the selection of a major, determine a career direction and develop career goals. Students will relate their self-assessment information to possible college major and career choices. Decision-making models and goal setting techniques are examined and will be used to develop short and long term education and career plans.
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
Cal-GETC Area 3A Course 3 units

Semester 2
15-17 Units
This course completes the basics of the language further stressing pronunciation, grammar and everyday vocabulary as indispensable tools for comprehension. It also includes simplified readings highlighting French customs, culture, and everyday life. This course is taught in French except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.
- Skills Advisory: FRENCH 1
- 3B: Humanities
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course is a continuation of German 1 with additional stress on conversation, reading, and essential grammatical elements. Aspects of German culture and history are covered as well.
- Skills Advisory: GERMAN 1
- 3B: Humanities
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course completes instruction in the essential fundamentals of the Hebrew language. Reading, writing, pronunciation, and advanced grammar are taught. Examples are taken from both traditional sources and modern Israeli culture and customs.
- Skills Advisory: HEBREW 1
- 3B: Humanities
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course is a continuation of Italian 1 and completes the elementary grammar. The course stresses the fundamentals of pronunciation, grammar, practical vocabulary, useful phrases, and the ability to understand, speak, read, and write simple Italian. Using fundamental sentence structures in the present and past tenses, students practice speaking and holding simple conversations in class and writing compositions. The course includes the reading of simplified texts with emphasis on oral expression and further study of Italian history and culture. The course is conducted in Italian, except in the case of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.
- Skills Advisory: ITAL 1
- 3B: Humanities
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This continuation of Russian 1 increases basic vocabulary and introduces students to sentence structures, including the past and future tenses in both imperfective and perfective verb aspects, and completes the cases (adding genitive, instrumental, and dative cases, including plural forms. Basic listening and reading comprehension are developed, and students engage in conversations and write brief compositions using all tenses and cases. It includes reading excerpts from modern Russian sources (online newspapers and magazines) and discussing significant geographic, historical, literary, and contemporary political, social and cultural issues is continued and developed. This course is taught in Russian except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.
- Skills Advisory: RUSS 1
- 3B: Humanities
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
In this course, students receive instruction in critical thinking for purposes of constructing, evaluating, and composing arguments in a variety of rhetorical forms, using primarily non-fiction texts, refining writing skills and research strategies developed in ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing (or C-ID ENGL 100) or similar first-year college writing course.
- Prerequisite: ENGL 1
- 1B: Critical Thinking-English Composition
- 3B: Humanities
- A3 - Critical Thinking
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
US HIST course recommended for CSU graduation requirement
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 4 Course
Cal-GETC Area 1C Course 3 units
Transferable Elective Course 1-3 units
Semester 3
15-17 Units
This course reviews French grammar emphasizing idiomatic construction and expressions. Discussions are based on selected readings from contemporary French literature.The course is taught in French except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.
- Skills Advisory: FRENCH 2
- 3B: Humanities
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course reviews German grammar, emphasizing idiomatic construction and expressions. Discussions and interpretations are based on selected readings from German literature and a variety of cultural topics.This course is taught in German except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.
- Skills Advisory: GERMAN 2
- 3B: Humanities
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course covers the linguistic, cultural and historical elements that are essential for acquiring Hebrew language at the intermediate level. Class discussions, writing assignments and tests are based on a variety of literary,cultural and historical readings and materials. This course provides an in depth review of the Hebrew grammar, verb system, idioms and vocabulary. Students develop more sophisticated and structurally advanced writing skills. This course is taught in Hebrew except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.
- Skills Advisory: HEBREW 2
- 3B: Humanities
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course is a review of Italian grammar with special emphasis on idiomatic constructions and expressions. It includes the study and reading, in and out of class, of selected passages from Italian literature. Basic literary analysis and vocabulary building are developed using the selected readings. Emphasis is also placed on the use of learned structures in compositions. This course is conducted in Italian except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.
- Skills Advisory: ITAL 2
- 3B: Humanities
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
Transferable Elective Course 3 units
Transferable Elective Course 1-3 units
FRENCH 8, GERMAN 8, HEBREW 8, ITAL 8 or RUSS 8 recommended
Cal-GETC Area 6 Course 3 units

POLS C1000 ( or POL SC 1) recommended for CSU graduation requirement
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 4 Course
Semester 4
15-16 Units
This course stresses the finer grammatical points, idioms, and vocabulary used every day and in literature. The course is highlighted by intensive and extensive reading and discussion and interpretations of more advanced German works on literature, philosophy, and culture. This course is taught in German except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.
- Skills Advisory: GERMAN 3
- 3B: Humanities
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course continues the review of functional French grammar with emphasis upon idiomatic constructions and expressions. Discussions are based on selected readings from contemporary French literature. This course is taught in French except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.
- Skills Advisory: FRENCH 3
- 3B: Humanities
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course covers the linguistic, cultural and historical elements that are essential for acquiring Hebrew language at the high intermediate level. Class discussions, writing assignments and tests are based on a variety of films and readings from diverse literary genres. This course provides an in depth review of the Hebrew grammar, verb system, idioms and vocabulary. Students refine their writing skills. This course is taught in Hebrew except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.
- Skills Advisory: HEBREW 3
- 3B: Humanities
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course reviews and refines grammatical concepts covered in the previous levels and further explores other moods and tenses such as the compound tenses, the imperative mood and indirect discourse. Culture, literature, vocabulary enhancement, and conversation are core elements of the curriculum. The course increases awareness of the Italian culture, history, literature, geography, and customs, including socio-political practices and cultural artifacts through reading and writing assignments, as well as oral presentations. It is taught in Italian except in cases of extreme difficulty as determined by the professor. It prepares students for literature and civilization classes. The prerequisite for this course is comparable to four years of high school Italian.
- Skills Advisory: ITAL 3
- 3B: Humanities
- 6A: Languages other than English (UC Requirement Only)
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
Transferable Elective Course 3 units
Transferable Elective Course 2-3 units
FRENCH 9 recommended for French Language majors
LING 1 recommended