About Latin American and Latino/a Studies

Explore the history, culture, and politics of Latin America and Latinos in the Americas. 

The Latin American and Latino/a Studies major is a program that offers courses in the Humanities, Ethnic Studies, Area Studies and Social Sciences. Through your courses you will deepen your understanding of the political, social, cultural and economic realities of Latin America and its people; and the intersections of race, class, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality within Latina/o experience in the United States and Latin America. Additionally, through the program you will complete your choice of more specialized courses allowing the major to reflect your individual interests and future goals.

Explore Potential Careers

The Latin American & Latino/a Studies program is designed for students who wish to pursue a specialization in Latino/a studies and for professionals in the public, private and nonprofit sector and/or who work with or wish to learn about Latino/a communities in the United States to further their career goals. 

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish. 

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals. 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4 - 6  
LALS 1 Latino/a Diaspora: The Impact of Latinos Living in the United States 3  
Additional Major Requirement  See Counselor 3   
GE Area G2 Physical Skills Requirement 1 - 3  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  

Total Units: 14 - 18 

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
MATH 46, MATH 60 or 860, ET 108B, or ET 50, or PSYC 5, or ECON 5, or LALS 5, or PHIL 12A, or FIN 136M or higher math course (or equivalent) Math Graduation Requirement 3 - 8  
LALS 10 Latinas in the U.S. / VOCES 3  
Additional Major Requirement  See Counselor 3  
GE Area G1 Health Knowledge Requirement 2 - 3  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  

Total Units: 14 - 20 

Semester 3 (Summer)

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
Degree Applicable Elective   3  

Total Units: 3

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
ANTH 11 Latin American Cultures and Societies 3  
HIST 18A or HIST 18B The Colonial History of Latin America or History of Latin America 3  
Additional Major Requirement  See Counselor 3  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  

Total Units: 15

 

Semester 5

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
GE Area A Communication and Analytical Thinking 3  
GE Area C Natural Sciences Requirement 3 - 6  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  

Total Units: 15 - 18

View Requirements in College Catalog

Required course:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
LALS 1  Latino/a Diaspora: The Impact of Latinos Living in the United States 3  

Total Units: 3 

Choose 9 units from the following courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
LALS 9 The Latin American and Latina/o LGBT Experience 3  
LALS 10 Latinas in the U.S./VOCES 3  
LALS 11 Drug Wars in the Americas 3  
LALS 13 Latin American & Latino/a Cross-Border Social Movements 3  
LALS 14 Diego Rivera; Art and Social Change in Latin America 3  
LALS 15 Latin American Workers in the Americas 3  
ART 106 Latin American Art History 3  
ANTH 11 Latin American Cultures and Societies 3  
HIST 21 History of the Mexican American/Chicano 3  
MUS 25 Music of Latin America and the Caribbean 3  
HIST 18B History of Latin America 3  

Total Units: 9

Overall Total Units: 12

Transfer Options

The Latin American & Latino/a Studies coursework you complete will fulfill transfer requirements to CSU, UC and other private universities.

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.