Why study Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino/a/x Studies?

Why Study LACLS?

Latin America and the United States have always been intertwined – through people, politics, economies, cultures, and environments. Those historic connections will only intensify in future years in an increasingly globalized world. Today, the diverse and growing Latinx community represents almost 20% of the total U.S. population, with new growth concentrated in the South, Midwest, and Northeast. Understanding Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx cultural perspectives, language, and history is increasingly vital for students pursuing careers in education and social work, medicine and public health, business and marketing, human resources, law and advocacy, and politics and international relations. As an interdisciplinary program with over 20 faculty across multiple departments and colleges, LACLS provides students with a flexible curriculum tailored to their interests and a broad range of valuable skills and knowledge.

Career Possibilities

In addition to being well prepared for graduate, law, or medical schools, graduates of the LACLS program pursue careers in:

• Teaching & Education
• Medicine & Public Health
• Public Policy & Advocacy
• Law & Legal Aid
• Business/Marketing
• Human Relations
• Foreign Service
• Social Work

Majoring in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino/a/x Studies

The LACLS Major consists of 36 credit hours and a flexible curriculum which can be tailored to student interests and professional goals. In addition to other requirements, LACLS majors must complete a minor, certificate, or double major in an affiliated discipline. The Major’s flexible curriculum allows students to design programs of study that best prepare them for their unique professional goals. All LACLS majors should consult with the program director when they declare their major.  

1. Required (6 Credit Hours)
   • History 1020/LAS 2001 -- Latin American History/Intro to Latin American Studies
   • Applied Skills Course (Language, Methods, Service Learning, Practicum, depending on Concentration, for example Span 2015 or 2016, Span 1025 for Educators, Anth 4072 Ethnographic Methdos, Soc 3022 Methods in Social Research)
2. Anthro, History, Geography, and/or Politics (6 Credit Hours)
3. Language, Literature, and/or Gender Studies (6 Credit Hours)
4. Partial Coverage Courses (6 Credit Hours)
5. Electives (9 Credit Hours drawn from Categories 2 & 3. One partial coverage course may be applied with approval from advisor)
6. 3 Credit Hours for Capstone Project

Minoring in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino/a/x Studies

A LACLS Minor consists of 18 credit hours and a flexible curriculum which can be tailored to student interests and professional goals. The Minor’s flexibility allows students to design programs of study that best prepare them for their unique professional goals.

1. Required (6 Credit Hours)
   • History 1020/LAS 2001 -- Latin American History/Intro to Latin American Studies
   • Applied Skills Course (Language, Methods, Service Learning, Practicum, depending on Concentration, for example Span 2015 or 2016, Span 1025 for Educators, Anth 4072 Ethnographic Methdos, Soc 3022 Methods in Social Research)
2. Anthro, History, Geography, and/or Politics (3 Credit Hours)
3. Language, Literature, and/or Gender Studies (3 Credit Hours)
4. Electives (6 Credit Hours drawn from Categories 2, 3, and/or Partial Coverage Courses) 

Major Maps

• Guide: LATIN AMERICAN CARIBBEAN and LATINO/A/X STUDIES

Advising

Contact the Director of LACLS, Professor Mauricio Espinoza (espinojm@ucmail.uc.edu). 

Special Programs

Study Abroad

Studying Abroad offers students an opportunity to practice and learn language skills in real world settings and to explore Latin American societies and cultures first hand. UC offers multiple opportunities for students to Study Abroad in Latin America, including Exchange Programs, Faculty-Led Programs, External Programs, and Co-Op Programs. Visit UC International for more information.

UC also offers students opportunities to live and work in Latin America through the Go Global Career Education program. This program helps students find International Co-ops, Study Tours, and International Experiences as well as explore funding opportunities.

Internship Opportunities

Internships prepare students for professional success by providing valuable work experience, skills, and networking possibilities. LACLS students are encouraged to work in at least one internship. Academic credit can be obtained, including credit for the Capstone Requirement, with prior permission from the LACLS Program Director. On completion of the internship, the workplace supervisor must submit a letter of evaluation to the LACLS Program Director.

See UC Internships for more information.

INROADS provides competitive scholarships to off pay for internships.

Service Learning Opportunities

The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures offers several programs for service learning opportunities in which students interact with various communities while using their language skills. For more information see https://www.artsci.uc.edu/departments/rall/undergrad/service-learning.html.

Research

Research experience is especially important for students interested in pursuing graduate study as well as students interested in a variety of professional fields such as marketing and public policy. For more information about undergraduate research and competitive grants to fund research projects, see UC Undergraduate Research and Taft Research Center Student Awards.

Admission Requirements

Freshmen applicants, please visit the Admission Requirements page for more information.

Transferring to UC Requirements

Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus student who was admissible directly from high school and has 2.0 GPA cumulative and a 2.0 in the most recent institution.

Students who were not admissible directly from high school must have:

• 24 semester (36 quarter) hours earned
• at least a 2.0 GPA cumulative

For more information, Transfer and Transition Advising Center.

Transfer students should apply using our transfer student online application.

Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Admission to A&S is generally available for any on-campus student who was admissible directly from high school and has 2.0 GPA cumulative.

Students who were not admissible directly from high school must have:

• 24 semester (36 quarter) hours earned
• at least a 2.0 GPA cumulative

International Student Requirements

Visit UC’s International Admissions page for undergraduate students.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the UC College of Arts and Sciences, students must:

• Earn at least 120 credits. This can include transfer credit, AP credit and free electives, but does not include preparatory coursework. Students who have met all other degree requirements must continue earning credit until the total number of their earned hours comes to at least 120.
• Attain a 2.0 grade point average for all courses taken at the University of Cincinnati.
• Be in good academic standing, that is, not on either academic probation or disciplinary probation or suspension.
• Complete the residency requirement by earning at least 30 credits after matriculating into the college.
• Complete all of the requirements of at least one major (see major requirements above).
• Complete the College Core Requirements.
• Submit an application for graduation to the registrar's office by their posted deadline.

Application Deadlines

While midyear admission is possible, fall semester is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that semester. Applicants to the UC College of Arts and Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree-seeking students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in French West, 2nd Floor). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).

Accreditation