Latinos are the fastest growing minority population in the United States, numbering between 50 and 60 million today. The interdisciplinary program allows students in many majors to complete their existing studies while also deepening knowledge about the experience of the Latin American and Caribbean diaspora in the U.S.

With demographic trends and the need to work with diverse groups, employers will appreciate your specialized training in Latino Studies. The certificate complements academic fields in Letters & Science (Spanish, Sociology, Anthropology, History, and Political Science among others) as well as professional fields such as Business, Criminal Justice, Health Science, Nursing, and Social Welfare. Latino Studies courses also count towards the major in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latin@ Studies.

Students will find answers to these questions:

• Who are Latinos?
• Why has the U.S. Latino population grown so rapidly in recent years? Which groups are growing the fastest?
• How have immigration policies affected population growth and change?
• How do Latinos engage in politics of their communities, states, and the nation?
• Why has their growth spurred so much electoral attention?
• What challenges do Latinos face in terms of racism, sexism, and discrimination?
• What contributions have Latinos made to US art, music, and literature?
• What is the history of Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans in the U.S. from the 1600s to the present?

A certificate in Latino Studies is similar to a minor, in that it demonstrates youve achieved substantial knowledge in this interdisciplinary area of study.

The mission of the multidisciplinary Certificate in Latino Studies is twofold:

1. To enable students to understand and evaluate the impact of Latinos on the history, culture, politics, and economy of the United States, and
2. To foster the development of new, critical approaches that enable students to transform their world views and apply sound principles in their professional and personal interactions.