Latin American Studies

What Is Latin American Studies ?

Effective Autumn 2009, the college will significantly change the A&S core requirements. Continuing students should consult their new degree audits for changes until the information below can be updated!

Latin American studies is an interdisciplinary program concentrating on the study of the languages, cultures, economies and politics of the countries of Latin America.

Success Factors

Students need to be genuinely interested in Latin America, willing to travel in the area and willing to gain full or partial command of Spanish and/or Portuguese. Latin American studies majors generally wish to work in Latin America or in career opportunities in the U.S. dealing with Latin America.

Career Possibilities

Graduates of this major are employed as:

• International affairs attorneys
• Journalists with foreign publications
• Peace Corps recruiters
• Specialists for nonprofit organizations
• Trade/investment specialists
• Federal government officials

Additional career options are listed on the Career Development Center's Web site. 

Major Details

Latin American studies is an interdisciplinary major that explores the languages, cultures, economies and politics of the countries of Latin America. Latin American studies majors take courses in Spanish, Portuguese, economics, political science, literature, history, geography, women's studies, anthropology and other areas of study to gain a wide range of approaches to the history and cultures of these countries. The multidisciplinary approach allows students to acquire a variety of analytical tools and look at issues and problems from multiple perspectives.

Students majoring in Latin American studies combine a proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese with a wide range of courses that represent a variety of approaches to Latin America. In the final year, students design a program for in-depth study, focusing on individual interests within the field of Latin American studies, culminating in a senior paper or project.

McMicken College's flexible degree requirements allow for and highly encourage students to pursue multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.

• Anthropology
• Communication
• Economics
• Environmental studies
• Geography
• History
• International affairs
• Mathematical sciences
• Philosophy
• Political science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Women's studies

Minor Details

To earn a minor or certificate in Latin American studies, students need 36 credit hours from the list of core courses. Courses should be taken in at least four departments and colleges, depending on career goals and interests. Students also need to complete nine hours of Spanish beyond the A&S requirement.

Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

*Needed to fulfill A&S college requirements as outlined in the A&S checklist. Approved course lists are also available at the A&S Office of Student Affairs and Advising (102 McMicken Hall).

Special Opportunities

Students in the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, Tri-state location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Special Programs

The increasing Latino population in the United States and the importance of the Latin American markets for the U.S. economy create a great opportunity for students majoring or minoring in Latin American studies. U.S. companies and corporations are taking more into consideration the Latino and Latin American population for their marketing plans, production strategies and growth projections. The health and educational systems in the U.S. are addressing the presence of more than 40 million Latinos in the U.S., their health problems and their educational needs.

For all these reasons, the country needs professionals who know and understand the Hispanic culture, who have a communicative command of the Spanish language and who are acquainted with their history, their societal customs and their aspirations. The program in Latin American studies will address these issues and will prepare students to compete and excel in the new U.S. society and the global community. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the study-abroad programs UC offers in Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for this program vary based on the relative strength of test scores, class rank and GPA. Please see the Freshman Class Profile for this major in the Quick Facts sidebar on this page for the range of academic credentials typically accepted into this program. Test scores in the lower range may be acceptable with higher class rank and/or GPA. Freshmen applying to this program should also have completed the following state of Ohio articulation requirements with no more than two units missing:

• English (4 units)*
• College-preparatory mathematics (3 units)*
• Science (2 units)
• Social science (2 units)
• Foreign language (2 units)*
• Fine arts (1 unit)
• Additional college-prep subjects (2 units)

*McMicken College of Arts & Sciences does not allow units missing from these areas.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was not in any of the UC colleges must apply to the Office of Admissions. Applicants in this category must submit transcripts for all secondary school and college-level work. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all college-level work is required for admission consideration. Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus applicants who have received the associate degree from an accredited college or university and whose cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.

Although midyear, off-campus transfer students are not able to participate in priority registration in the quarter prior to their enrollment, they are included in the summer registration period prior to their fall quarter enrollment.

Changing Major Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was as a degree student in one of UC’s other colleges can apply directly to the A&S college office. Admission to A&S is generally available for any on-campus students who have:

• at least a 2.0 GPA in all college-level courses (both at UC and at other institutions),
• successfully completed two quarters of English Composition or its equivalent, and
• gained credit for a college-level mathematics course.

Further details on individual programs are available online or in the A&S Office of Undergraduate Affairs and Advising (102 McMicken Hall).

Additional information regarding transfer students is available in the McMicken College Bulletin.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to meeting the university general education requirements, the requirements listed in the college bulletin are common to all potential graduates of the college, whether they are pursuing the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, or bachelor of interdisciplinary studies degree.

Application Deadlines

UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning in late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, the fall is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that quarter. Applicants to Arts & Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in McMicken 102). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree  from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).