Latino Studies
Overview
Latino studies programs teach students about the lives of people who come to the US and Canada from Spanish-speaking countries.Latino studies programs include topics such as:
- History
- Economics
- Politics
- Sociology
- Customs and culture
- Mexican-Americans
- Cuban-Americans
Schools
Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in Latino studies. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.
Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in Latino studies. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.
Several universities offer graduate degrees in Latino studies. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- American Studies
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Ethnic Studies
- History
- Humanities
- Latin American Studies
- Social Sciences, General
- Sociology
- Spanish Language and Literature
Related Careers
Careers to Consider
- Anthropologists
- Archivists
- Curators
- Geographers
- High School Teachers
- Historians
- Market Research Analysts
- Museum Technicians and Conservators
- Political Scientists
- Sociologists
- University and College Teachers
- Writers
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Ancient Civilizations
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Humanities
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
- Second Language
- Sociology
- US Ethnic and Gender Studies
- World Area Studies
- World Geography
- World History
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree and good grades. You also need to submit letters of recommendation and a personal statement.
Your bachelor's degree should be in this program of study or a related major such as ethnic studies, sociology, or US history. If it isn't, you should take several courses that are related to race, ethnicity, and cultural studies.
Additional requirements at many schools include:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
- Academic writing sample
- Related work or volunteer experience
You should also be able to demonstrate proficiency in Spanish.
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Anthropology
- Comparative Politics
- Cultural and Ethnic Relationships
- Economics
- Human Geography of Latin America
- Introduction to Latin America in a World Context
- Introduction to the Barrio
- Latin American and Caribbean Studies
- Latino Art
- Latino Community Studies
- Latino History
- Latino Literature
- Political Systems
- Psychology
- Public Policy
- Race, Class, and Gender among Latinos
- Race Relations in America
- Research Methodology
- Sociology
- Spanish
- US History
Graduate Program Courses
Course work in graduate programs varies. However, the outline of a typical graduate curriculum looks like the following:
- Core courses
- Comprehensive oral and written exams (doctoral degree only)
- Thesis and thesis defense (master's degree only)
- Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree only)
Things to Know
Some schools offer programs in a specific type of Latino Studies such as Chicano studies, Puerto Rican studies, and Cuban-American studies.
Colleges that do not have separate programs in Latino studies may offer elective courses as part of a major in interdisciplinary studies or liberal arts.
Schools
King-Snohomish Area
Green River College
- Hispanic Studies (Transfer)
Spokane Area
Eastern Washington University
- Race & Culture Studies
Tacoma Area
Evergreen State College, The (Tacoma Campus)
- Literature
West Side Area
Evergreen State College, The
- Language Studies
- Literature
Yakima Area
Yakima Valley College
- Chican@ Studies Pre-Major