Undergraduate Programs in Chicano/Latino/Latin American Studies
Are you ready to expand your education beyond the classroom and across borders? The Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS) is here to help you take that step.
| Academic Options | Coursework |
|---|---|
| BA in Latino/Latin American Studies (LLS) | Read the Catalog Information |
| Minor in Chicano/Latino Studies (CLS) | Read the Catalog Information |
| BGS concentration in LLS | Read the Catalog Information |
Why study Latino/Latin American Studies?
The major in Latino/Latin American Studies (LLS) prepares students with a comprehensive understanding of Latino and Latin American peoples, societies and cultures. Students learn about multiple issues related to Latinos and Latin Americans which include:
- Urban growth
- Education
- Economic
- Racial and ethnic disparities
- The environment
- Political mobilization
- Human rights
- Migration
- Language shifts
- Cultural creations
Employers and post-graduate programs today seek to recruit students with the kind of integral knowledge an LLS degree provides. Students can easily double major in Spanish, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences and more, which allows them to double up on skills to effectively participate in their communities and the labor market.
What can I do with my Latino/Latin American Studies degree?
A major in Latino/Latin American Studies and a minor in Chicano/Latino Studies offer transnational, interdisciplinary, and comparative programs of study of the social, economic, political, and cultural forces shaping the experience of Latino and Latin American societies in the United States and throughout the Americas.
Coursework in the Latino/Latin American Studies major prepares undergraduate students for a wide variety of career options. A major in Latino/Latin American Studies (LLS) or a minor in Chicano/Latino Studies (CLS) may be particularly useful to those students planning a career in which Latino and Latin American issues are central: public service, education, law, health, counseling, and business are but a few examples.
Moreover, the major and minor serve more than just a specific Latino constituency, as the impact of demographic and social trends are reflected in the lives of non-Latinos. We encourage students to declare Latino/Latin American Studies as a double major as well.
Majoring in Latino/Latin American Studies or minoring in Chicano/Latino Studies can provide excellent training for a variety of careers, such as:
| Immigration, Human Rights, and Civil Rights Law |
| Non-Profit Management |
| Community Outreach, Services, and Organizing |
| Government |
| Business and Corporate Sectors in Areas with Target Demographics |
| Education and Health in Areas with Target Demographics |
| Art, Graphic Design and IT Sectors Seeking to Employ Graduates whose Creativity is Informed by Cross-Cultural and Transnational Skills |
Major in Latino/Latin American Studies
A major in Latino/Latin American Studies requires 30 credit hours.
Six (6) of those consist of hours earned through the completion of LLS 1000 and either LLS 1010 or 1020.
Three (3) hours are earned through the completion of Senior Project (LLS 4990) or by a course pre-approved by the OLLAS director. This course also fulfills the college’s third writing course requirement.
The remaining 21 hours are earned through the completion of approved Latino/Latin American Studies courses and a Research Methods course (see the following list).
The following Research Methods courses also fulfill the college’s quantitative literacy requirement:
- CJUS 2510
- SOC 2130
- SOC 2510
- PSCI 2000
- PSCI 3000
- PSYC 3130
- PSYC 3140 (or other courses approved by the academic adviser or director)
A maximum of nine (9) hours taken within a single department may be counted toward the major.
Not included in the 30 credit hours: All students must complete 16 hours of Spanish or Portuguese (also fulfills Arts and Sciences language requirement). Students whose primary major is in a college other than Arts and Sciences must complete at least two semesters in Spanish or Portuguese.
Read more on the OLLAS Advising, Staff and Selected Program Information Flat Sheet
Minor in Chicano/Latino Studies
A minor in Chicano/Latino Studies (CLS) requires 18 hours. The minor may be secured by completing one of the CLS introductory courses, LLS 1010 or 1020.
Twelve (12) of the 18 hours must also be taken at the 3000-4000 level among the approved courses. A maximum of nine (9) hours taken within a single department may be counted toward the minor. Successful completion of at least the first-year introductory Spanish courses is strongly recommended. A minimum grade of “C-” is required in each course counted by the student toward the CLS program.
Read more on the OLLAS Advising, Staff, and Selected Program Information Flat Sheet
Love Your LLS Major!
OLLAS Grade Appeals
For information about appealing a grade in an LLS course, please read the OLLAS Grade Appeals Procedures.