Graduate Certificate Programs in Latin American Studies

The Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies, established in 2012, offers graduate students the opportunity to expand their level of academic inquiry while at Princeton. By situating students within an engaged community of Latin American scholars, and participating in special seminars that take a deep-dive into the region, new insights and opportunities emerge.

Many such students prepare a generals field in Latin America, but that is not a requirement for the certificate.

Note: Students cannot be admitted to Princeton University through the Latin American Studies graduate certificate program since it is not a degree program.

The program is open to all Princeton University graduate students currently enrolled in any doctoral program in the humanities, social sciences, engineering, math or natural sciences.

Language: Advanced proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, or French (for students working on the Caribbean). Students can satisfy this requirement by completing a 200-level course taught in Spanish, Portuguese, or French, or taking a placement test at the relevant department or language program. Proficiency in an Indigenous language can also be used to fulfill the language requirement.

Two short-term (6-weeks each) graduate seminars may count as one full course if both have significant Latin American content.

Works-in-Progress: Students enrolled in the graduate certificate program are required to attend the work-in-progress series for at least four semesters. Certificate students are responsible for two formal contributions to the colloquium at any time in these four semesters: 1) present a dissertation chapter or a conference paper based on dissertation research and 2) serve as discussant on another graduate student work-in-progress.

Dissertation: Ph.D. students are expected to either 1) write a dissertation on a Latin American topic, or 2) write a dissertation that includes significant research on Latin America. Since the role of Latin American Studies differs across disciplines, the program will rely on the judgment of experts in the specific discipline to certify whether the significant research on Latin America requirement has been satisfied.

So, it functions like a hub or a nexus for bringing in quite disparate kinds of people and ideas, and bringing them all together. -Max Horder (Graduate Student, Anthropology, Princeton University).

You may apply for the certificate program at your convenience by using our brief online registration form.

Graduate Certificate in Latin American and Latinx Studies.

Students develop rich cross-cultural fluency in Latin American language(s) and culture and acquire specific knowledge the history, social conditions, political challenges, and or environmental issues affecting the region.

Graduate students in SP2 who have focused at least part of their academic training on Latin America and Latinxs are encouraged to document their specialization by earning a certificate in LALX in conjunction with their degree. The Certificate documents that the student has developed rich cross-cultural fluency in Latin American traditions and culture and acquired specific knowledge the history, social conditions, political challenges, or environmental issues affecting the region. Such recognition is expected to be valuable in academics, business, non-governmental organizations, and other institutions dealing with Latin America and Latinx in the U.S.

SP2 students may fulfill the certificate requirements by successfully completing five courses in the general area of Latin America and Latinx Studies.

MSW students also have the option of completing the LALS certificate through a combination of courses and field placement internship:.

Up to three of the five courses can be fulfilled through 225 hours at a qualifying field placement (for MSW students, in either their foundation or advanced year).

The remaining two courses will be those rostered by LALS or may be courses taken elsewhere on campus (including SP2) that have at least 30% of the graded content, but preferably dealing with Latin America or Latinx.

Students must also demonstrate proficiency in Spanish, French, Portuguese, or a less commonly taught language such as Yucatec Maya, Quechua, or Haitian Creole. Students may demonstrate proficiency in the following ways:.

Students are not guaranteed a field placement that qualifies for the certificate. Sample field placement sites include Congreso, Juntos, La Puerta Abierta, Norristown School, PICC, NSC, and HIAS.

To earn a graduate certificate at Washington University, a student must complete all courses required by their department maintain satisfactory academic progress fulfill all academic and residence requirements and file an Intent to Graduate. Graduate certificates are not standalone programs and are only available to current students in applicable graduate programs.

Note: Students must be enrolled in 9 graduate credits each semester to retain full-time status. As students complete their course work, if enrolled in fewer than 9 graduate credits, they must enroll in a specific Arts Sciences graduate course that will show 0 units but does count as full-time status. Students should connect with their department to ensure proper enrollment prior to Add Drop.

Minimum grade requirements: Students must obtain a minimum grade of B in graduate courses for them to count toward the degree (certificate). Students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

The graduate certificate is awarded concurrently with the PhD degree.

3 credits from one Latin American Studies program core course.

3 credits from one 500-level course from the Latin American Studies core program.

Students must have proven proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese in accordance with the guidelines established by the Romance Languages and Literatures.

Students must spend at least one summer abroad conducting research in Latin American Studies.

Students must participate actively in the Latin American Colloquium for at least one semester.

Established in 1990, the Center for Latin American Studies is an academic center in the Walsh School of Foreign Service offering graduate and certificate programs with a mission to provide and produce quality education, scholarship, and research on Latin America.

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The Community and Regional Planning (CRP) Program offers a unique dual degree program with the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS). Students learn the fundamental technical and conceptual skills necessary to effectively address planning issues while also studying the cultural, socioeconomic, and geographic challenges and opportunities characteristic of the region.

LLILAS affords students the opportunity to research many facets of the contemporary Latin American situation through its interdisciplinary approach to the study of the region. The program combines study in the fields of anthropology, economics, geography, government, and sociology as well as community and regional planning. CRP provides students with the skills necessary for working in community and regional development in Latin America, whether through the public, private, or nonprofit sector, and to address the urbanization and development issues at the forefront of contemporary policy concerns in Latin America.

The dual degree program is structured so that students admitted can earn a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies and a Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning degree simultaneously in three academic years. It is recognized, however, that some students may find it necessary to enroll for an additional semester or summer session in order to complete all requirements of the joint program.

A student must apply for admission to both the dual degree program in CRP and Latin American Studies (Dual Degree Code 6-59801). Students currently enrolled in either program may also apply for admission to the dual-degree program.

Students must complete 30 credit hours in Community and Regional Planning, either 30 or credit hours in Latin American Studies, depending on the plan selected, and 6 hours of elective CRP courses with Latin American content approved by the dual degree program advisers. The total credit hours required to complete the dual degree program ranges from 66-69 credit hours, depending on the plan selected.

Students may elect to write a thesis or professional report. One reader must represent Latin American Studies and the other will represent Community and Regional Planning. The Latin American Studies language requirement must be met during the first semester in the program.

Students in the Community and Regional Planning Program must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours of core courses.

Students may choose one of several Concentrations and either a Thesis or Report option:.

5 hours with Latin American content from the major discipline.

9 hours with Latin American content from the minor discipline.

6-hour thesis (LAS 698A and LAS 698B) in the major field on a Latin American CRP topic.

30 hours of Latin American Studies coursework selected from three disciplines (no fewer than 6 hours must be taken in each discipline).

3-hour report (LAS 398R) on a Latin American CRP topic taken in the last semester of study.

Students must also complete a minimum of 6 credit hours of CRP electives with Latin American content approved by the dual program advisers.

Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning.

The Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies enriches the disciplinary and professional training of students with a focused multidisciplinary curriculum of courses. The certificate is available to graduate students in all participating schools and departments who fulfill the following requirements within an existing degree program. CAS GRS departments likely to participate include Romance Studies, Sociology, History, Anthropology, Archaeology, History of Art Architecture, Earth Environment, International Relations, Music, Philosophy, and Political Science.

Students will demonstrate advanced knowledge of Latin America in at least two of six major disciplines (history, literature, politics, economics, culture, and social involvements) within an inter-American and global perspective.

Students must successfully complete at least 16 credits of coursework (four standard courses) in courses primarily focused on Latin America, with a minimum grade of B in each course.

Concentration requirement: At least three of the four courses must focus on a subregional or substantive area (e.g., Brazil, Mexico, comparative government, cultural archeological preservation, Latin American literature and the arts Latin American film).

Courses must be chosen from at least two departments or schools.

Students must demonstrate a high level of competence in either Spanish or Portuguese, including the capability to read, write, and speak the language with sufficient proficiency to understand and be understood. Students must pass this examination in order to complete the degree.

For students concentrating in subregions or topics where other languages are spoken (French, Haitian Creole, Maya, Náhuatl, etc), the Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies will arrange an assessment of reading proficiency based on a dictionary-aided, timed translation of a professionally relevant scholarly (or equivalent) document.

Note that this information may change at any time. Read the full terms of use.

Gain first-hand experience by studying in Latin America for a minimum of six weeks, taking courses the area, and deepening your language skills.

Learn the Latin American business environment, culture and language through this certificate program.

The LAB requires 21 credit hours for completion. These courses can be integrated as part of your regular business curriculum.

Aside from taking the necessary international business courses, earning the LAB certificate requires a Latin American international experience. You will also be required to demonstrate your ability to conduct business transactions in Spanish or Portuguese.

InternationalBusinessCourses: 12 hours Three of the 12 hours must be in your major another three hours must be IBUS 459 or an IBUS 489 course that focuses specifically on conducting business in Latin America.

Area Studies: 9 hours These nine hours of course work are taken outside of Mays and focus on the history, culture, politics and economic policies of Latin America. A list of acceptable courses can be found HERE.

Latin American Experience: 1 month minimum A study, exchange, internship or volunteer experience in a Latin American country.

Plan ahead: You can get started as early as your freshman year. Set up an appointment with the Center for International Business Studies (CIBS) in Wehner 230.

Complete before graduation: You must complete all requirements of the certificate program prior to graduation. To receive certificate recognition, apply during your graduating semester. The certificate program will be posted to the student transcript upon graduation from Mays Business School.

application for the certificatehere. CIBS will confirm your successful completion of the certificate requirements.

Check out our graduate student virtual events and programs.

Our students become well-rounded and knowledgeable U.S. Latinx communities and the history, politics, cultures and art of Latin America and the Caribbean. They go on to work in business, government, publishing, the arts and education.

AcademicsArts SciencesCertificate in Latin American Latinx Studies.

This certificate combines the study of Latinx communities in the United States with analysis of the history, politics, cultures and art of Latin America and the Caribbean. Students prepare to become working professionals who can better serve the growing Latinx population in the United States by understanding identity constructions among people in the nation and nearby countries.

Explore the commonalities and differences inside Latin America and between Latin American and Latinx cultures.

Gain an interdisciplinary education in a variety of areas of study, including political science, environmental studies, ethnic studies, cinema studies and moving image arts, women and gender studies, Spanish and Portuguese, anthropology and religious studies.

Broaden your employment possibilities in combination with the skills you learn in your major area of study.

Students are required to complete 18 credits of approved coursework, with 9 credit hours at the upper-division level. Students take a core course of Introduction to Latin American and Latinx Studies, and complete their additional credit hour requirements with electives in the following categories:.

: The graduate certificate program in Latin American Studies prepares students to apply their expertise in a range of national and international activities. The program offers a combination of in-depth understanding of the theoretical foundations applicable to international studies and relevant skills for engagement in applied work. The certificate is intended to complement a major course of study and better prepare students for work as practitioners in related government, development, and aid agencies, as well as in private and academic organizations. This certificate requires a minimum of 20 semester credit hours. The interdisciplinary nature of the program allows students to develop proficiency in the conceptual frameworks of Latin American Studies and to develop targeted proficiencies in areas of professional and or research interest.

Opportunities Upon Graduation : LAS alumni have pursued careers in teaching and consulting as well as working for governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations. over, graduates from our program have held key positions in corporations in the U.S. and in many have chosen to work for private organizations concerned with human rights and development.

Students must complete at least 3 of the following core courses in LAS.

HIST 5250: History of U.S. Latin American Relations (4.0HR).

HIST 5231: Latin American History: From Independence to the Present (4.0HR).

HIST 5230: Latin American History: The Colonial Era (4.0HR).

HIST 52 : The History of Modern Mexico (4.0HR).

GEOG 6350: Seminar in Regional Geography: Latin America (4.0HR).

POLS 5340: Government and Politics of Latin America (3.0HR).

A minimum of two semesters of a language is required. Students entering with language proficiency will not be required to fulfill the language requirement. This change is brought through adequate review and revision of the curricular components of the program. The change will not have any potential harm to other departments or schools.

Students should complete one year of one foreign language or equivalent courses.

SPAN 5110: Spanish for Graduate Reading Requirements I (1.0-4.0HR).

SPAN 5120: Spanish for Graduate Reading Requirements II (1.0-4.0HR).

SPAN 5210: Spanish for Graduate Reading Requirements II (1.0-3.0HR).

SPAN 5220: Spanish for Graduate Reading Requirements IV (1.0-3.0HR).

SPAN 5310: Spanish for Graduate Reading Requirements V (1.0-3.0HR).

SPAN 5320: Spanish for Graduate Reading Requirements VI (1.0-3.0HR).