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 Latino/a/x 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 Latino/a/x 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 and Legal Aid
• Business/Marketing
• Human Relations
• Foreign Service
• Social Work

Major Maps

A LACLS Certificate resembles the Minor, but is designed for non-matriculated students. The certificate 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) 

• Guide: Latin American Caribbean and Latino/a/x Studies Certificate Curriculum

Advising

Contact the Director of LACLS, Professor Brianna Leavitt-Alcántara (leavitba@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 

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.

Students already pursuing a degree in any college at UC can add the certificate to their program. Be sure to submit a declaration of the certificate program using our online form.

Students not currently pursuing a degree may declare the certificate after establishing non-matriculated status.

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 cum 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, Pathways Advising and Student Success

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 cum.

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.

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).

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