Michelle Foley November 20, 2020 7 Academic Tips and Info,College Lists

List of All U.S. Colleges with a Latin American Studies Major

The Latin American Studies Major (LAS) covers the diverse disciplines of economics, sociology, political science, and more through the Latino lens. Be careful not to confuse this field with Latino Studies, however; that field covers the U.S. Hispanic’s story alone, while LAS critically examines Latin America’s holistic history.

The Latin American Studies student picks up a set of close reading, critical thinking, and analytical skills, preparing them for a diverse set of job prospects. Many graduates go into academia, journalism, business, politics, diplomacy or law.

Interested in this major? Here, we’ll break down which schools offer LAS and what to look for in a program.

Overview of the Latin American Studies Major

LAS majors should expect to take a few introductory LAS classes, at least a few of them seminar-style. Additionally, many universities have a foreign language requirement for the major, typically Spanish or Portuguese. Afterwards, students choose from a wide range of electives to round out their education. They often choose a concentration within a specific subject area, the offerings of which will vary from school to school.

Successful LAS students are deeply intrinsically motivated by a love for sociology and literature. Since LAS is a social study, it may be a good option for those interested in social study-based areas like geography, history, culture, politics, and economics. Prepare for close reading, writing, analysis, and discussion; many B.A. programs require a senior thesis. Many, but not all, have a personal connection to the major through being Latinx themselves. 

After graduation, LAS majors might have a harder time finding a job immediately as they might with, say, a computer science degree. Still, their degree, oftentimes paired with graduate school, may still prove an asset to a job seeker. 

The academic world compels many LAS grads: many seek Ph.D.’s and Master’s degrees to become teachers and professors in their specialized fields. They may teach English or Spanish to nonnative speakers, or even Latin American Studies itself. Similarly, they may become translators, interpreters, or counselors. An advanced degree can propel a student into a career as a therapist, professor, lawyer, and more, but a LAS undergraduate education will provide you with a unique foundation for your career.

LAS grads drawn to service may work for nonprofits or similar organizations which cater to Latino communities. Finally, this major could prepare students for a career in the international realm. Those in the military, travel, and international sales business may find their cultural, and oftentimes linguistic, fluency a strong asset.

What to Look for in a College as a Latin American Studies Major

Native Speaker Professors and TAs

University LAS programs often place great importance on gaining at least intermediate fluency in traditionally Latin languages, like Spanish and Portuguese. Bi or trilingualism is near-essential in the workforce, as your degree will likely land you in many situations in which you will be in close contact with people from Latin American countries.

Native-speaking educators will not only have a deep understanding of your target language, but also of how it operates within its cultural context. They are likely to have excellent pronunciation, as well as a strong understanding of the social norms within their native country.

If you’re looking for strong letters of recommendation for grad school, these educators can prove a vital asset. They’re fantastic people to build strong relationships with, but remember that teachers of any background can be wonderful ones, native speaking or not.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Given the importance of cultural fluency in this major, studying abroad is not only an enjoyable, but also a practical, experience. Being fully immersed in the culture and language of any of Latin America’s 33 countries will give students a deeper understanding of Latin America. This is especially essential for students who plan to take on international and travel-based careers.

Archival Research Resources

Many prominent LAS programs require that students complete a senior research thesis within a specific subject area to finish off their major requirements. Universities are places to learn, not only in the classroom, but in your own self-motivated endeavors. Luckily, many contain vast libraries and ancient archives to supplement your research. Columbia, for example, grants students access to New York Public Library, New York University, and Cornell University.

List of All U.S. Colleges With the Latin American Studies Major

What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?

No matter your major, you must be academically comparable to previous years’ admits to be a competitive college applicant. Most selective schools use the Academic Index, a complex tool based on your grades, test scores, and class rankings, to evaluate academic aptitude and filter out students who don’t meet their standards.

The qualitative aspects of your application, like your essays and extracurriculars, are your place to show who you are and demonstrate fit with your chosen schools and majors. 

Prospective Latin American Studies majors may showcase and expand their passion for the topic through joining or starting culturally Latino clubs and organizations. Additionally, they may self-teach or tutor languages like Spanish and Portuguese, both commonly spoken in Latin America. 

More broadly, you may consider pursuing social studies-based extracurriculars in high school. Even activities like Model UN or Mock Trial can develop the communication skills you’ll need in your undergraduate career.

If you’re struggling to figure out where you match up to other applicants, we recommend using our free Chancing Engine. Unlike other solely stats-based chancing calculators, ours considers much of your entire profile, including both your quantitative stats and qualitative extracurriculars.