Below is a sample academic plan that shows you how you can complete your Associate's Degree in two years. Your path may look different depending on your circumstances?for example, if you attend part-time, choose to take Intersession or Summer courses, or have earned prior credit (Credit for Prior Learning, Dual Enrollment, Transfer Credit). The plan includes four semesters, each with an average course load of 15 units, and follows the Plan 1 General Education pattern. You are required to meet with a counselor to set up a comprehensive education plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals.

The Associate in Arts Degree in Chicana/Chicano Studies provides a unique opportunity to serve and understand the Chicana/Chicano/Chican@/Chicanx/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx community.

The degree offers a curriculum that focuses on the Chicana/Chicano/Chican@/Chicanx/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx experience through critically analyzing issues distinct to race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, religion, spirituality, national origin, immigration status, ability, and/or age, and cultural expression within the historical and contemporary experiences of Chicanas/Chicanos/Chican@s/Chicanxs/Xicanas/Xicanos/Xicanxs in the United States proper, United States lower, and the Americas.  

This Associate in Arts Degree in Chicana/Chicano Studies introduces the field of Chicana/Chicano/Chican@/Chicanx/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx Studies. It is designed to acquaint students with the most significant social, political, economic, and historical aspects of the Chicana/Chicano/Chican@/Chicanx/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx experience in the United States.

A trans-disciplinary, multisectoral, and multidimensional approach will be employed to study Chicanas/Chicanos/Chican@s/Chicanxs/Xicanas/Xicanos/Xicanxs various experiences and their contributions to American society and culture. This degree will critically analyze the societal context in which the Chicana/Chicano/Chican@/Chicanx/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx have sought to maintain their culture and identity. 

This Associate in Arts Degree in Chicana/Chicano Studies primary purpose is to present the Chicanas/Chicanos/Chican@s/Chicanxs/Xicanas/Xicanos/Xicanxs narratives due to being excluded from the overall American experience, American identity, and American definition.

The degree provides insight into how Chicanas/Chicanos/Chican@s/Chicanxs/Xicanas/Xicanos/Xicanxs endured the "American Experience" based on hierarchy, oppression, racialization, ethnocentrism, Eurocentrism, and White supremacy and their continued resistance, social justice, liberation, progression, evolution, healing, resiliency, emphasizing agency and self-affirmation.

This Associate in Arts Degree in Chicana/Chicano Studies establishes a foundation in Chicana/Chicano/Chican@/Chicanx/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx Studies. 

Students shall learn key roles the Chicana/Chicano community has played in creating and shaping the United States from inception to present day.

Students will compare and contrast the various approaches and methodologies employed to study the experiences ofthe Chicana/Chicano community to correlate shortcomings and successes.

Students will unpack, dissect, comprehend, and apply the differences between cultural identifiers (i.e., Chicana/Chicano, American Mexican, Mexican American, Hispanic, et cetera).

Students shall demonstrate knowledge of the history and contemporary developments in the field of Chicana/Chicano Studies.

Students shall develop and foster research techniques founded on anti-oppressive,anti-racist, anti-colonial, anti-suppressive, and anti-repressive methodologies for participatory research within Chicana/Chicano communities.

Students will actively engage with anti-oppressive, anti-racist, anti-colonial, anti-suppressive, anti-repressive, self-determination, liberation, decolonization, sovereignty, and resiliency issues to create practices and movements founded on these ideals within Chicana/Chicano communities.

Students shall developan awareness of resistance, social justice, liberation, progression, evolution, healing, resiliency, emphasizing agency, and self-affirmation.

Students will apply a trans-disciplinaryapproach to the study of Chicana/Chicano communites.

Students shall analyze the impact of public policy on the Chicana/Chicano family, past and present.

Students will analyze and evaluate the social, cultural, and political concepts central to the experiences of the Chicana/Chicano community.

Program Map

GE General Education Course
M Major Course
E Elective Course
SI Summer/Intersession Course *
* Course is appropriate for Summer and Intersession, which are accelerated terms.

Getting Started

First Semester

15-16 units

Second Semester

16 units

Third Semester

15 units

Fourth Semester

16 units