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Bachelor of Arts

Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies

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Obtain sophisticated knowledge of the remarkably diverse and rich Latinx experience

In this cross-disciplinary major, you’ll develop an advanced understanding and transnational appreciation of the evolving social, economic, political, and geographic histories of the Latin American experience in a vibrant, student-centered learning community. 

After graduation, Latin studies students often pursue careers in public service, media broadcasting, community development, foreign affairs, citizenship and immigration, and international business.

Program of Study

The LACS undergraduate program provides a unique education that prepares you to explore the major forces that shape and transform the lives and experiences of the people and communities throughout the Americas. 

You will have the unequalled opportunity to study how events and transformations in Latin America and the Caribbean influence the formation and development of Latinx communities of the United States, in areas including: 

  • Transnationalism, migration and immigration policies
  • Social movements and collective political action
  • Diaspora communities 
  • Culture, power and knowledge
  • The formation of identities 

In this interdisciplinary major, you will take classes in different academic fields, such as anthropology, sociology, women's studies, economics, political science, and geography and regional planning. This will uniquely prepare you to study what is interest to you from multiple perspectives. 

In addition, you will have opportunities for community-oriented research, community service and internships. You can also choose to study abroad in a number of Latin American and Caribbean countries. 

You must earn a minimum of 36 credits of coursework in the major.  Of these, 18 credits must be at or above the 300 level.

Required Courses 

  • Culture and Power in the Americas
  • Introduction to Theories and Research Methods in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies
  • One capstone seminar in Latin American, Caribbean, or Latina/o studies


Elective Courses

Choose nine additional courses in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino studies. Work with your advisor to design a cohesive curriculum that supports your personal interests and career goals.


Honors Program

Challenge yourself with more advanced work in the Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies Honors Program. As an honors student, you have the opportunity to complete an independent research project that you design in consultation with faculty mentors. If you're an outstanding student and meet eligibility criteria, you can apply for admission to the honors program after you have completed at least 12 credits of coursework at UAlbany.

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Options


You can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you’ll complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately. Choose to combine your Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies undergraduate degree with the following graduate programs:

combined

MA in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies
This master’s program advances your cultural competence and knowledge of the Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx populations with a focus on areas including globalization, community development, Mesoamerican anthropology, women's work and labor studies, socioeconomic inequalities, and Caribbean colonialism, resistance, and migration.


MS in Information Science 
This ALA-accredited master's program covers a broad range of interdisciplinary topics related to library science, information processing, information management and data analysis.

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Career Paths

Content

A bachelor's in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino studies prepares you to enter a wide range of careers. 

Our alumni hold positions in journalism, civil and human rights advocacy, community outreach, homeland security, and state and federal immigration services. Others pursue graduate studies in anthropology, labor studies, law, sociology, social welfare, and political science.

A number of graduates have successfully applied for international Fulbright English teaching assistantships and Peace Corps and AmeriCorps assignments outside of the United States.

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Student Learning Objectives


Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Bachelor of Arts
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the classic and contemporary scholarly sources on Latin America, the Caribbean, and immigrant and migrant populations from these territories in the United States.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the diverse countries, cultures, and races comprising Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the historic relationships among Latin American and Caribbean territories and Europe and the United States.

What Makes The University at Albany Great

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Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

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Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

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Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors
  • Acting
  • Africana Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Bioethics
  • Biology
  • Broadcast Meteorology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Studies
  • Cognitive Science
  • Communication
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal Justice Studies
  • Documentary Studies
  • East Asian Studies
  • Economics
  • Educational Studies
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity
  • English
  • Film Studies
  • Financial Market Regulation
  • Forensic Science
  • French
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Geography
  • Globalization Studies
  • Hebrew
  • History
  • Informatics
  • International Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese Studies
  • Journalism
  • Judaic Studies
  • Korean Studies
  • Latin American and Caribbean Studies
  • Law and Philosophy
  • Leadership
  • Legal Studies
  • LGBTQ Studies
  • Library and Information Science
  • Linguistics
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Medieval and Renaissance Studies
  • Music
  • Musical Theatre
  • Neuroscience
  • Organizational Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Portuguese
  • Pre-Education
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Russian and Eastern European Studies
  • Social Welfare Studies
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Sustainability
  • Theatre
  • Theatrical Design/Technology
  • Urban Studies and Planning
  • U.S. Latino Studies
  • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies