Latin American Studies
Latin American Studies is part of the International & Area Studies program and is designed for students who want to focus their studies on the culture and society of the following subregions: South America, Central America, Southern Cone, Amazonia, or the Caribbean.
Programs Offered:
*Latin American Studies majors (not minors) are required to achieve intermediate level of any two modern foreign languages related to the area (e.g., Portuguese 3 or 11B; Spanish 5 or 7; an indigenous language of Latin America, e.g., Quechua, Nahuatl, Zapotec, through that level).
Watch our Information Session recording to learn about Latin American Studies and our other International & Area Studies majors & minors.
Latin American Studies Major
The Latin American Studies Major consists of 6 preparation courses, the language requirement, and 12 Upper Division classes. Students in the major have options to study abroad, participate in research, and complete internships associated with their major. Some students choose to double-major with other programs on campus, and several choose to add a minor.
Latin American Studies Major Requirements Worksheet
Quick Facts:
How to Declare the Major:
Students can declare the major after completing all of the preparation courses with a 2.0 GPA (including at least a grade of "C" or better in the International & Area Studies 1 course), and one year of language.*
*When declaring the Latin American Studies major, completion of the elementary year of the foreign language is acceptable (i.e. Spanish 3).
Note: Completion of the intermediate year of the foreign language must be completed by graduation in order to fulfill all preparation requirements. Latin American Studies majors are required to achieve intermediate level of any two modern foreign languages related to the area (e.g., Portuguese 3 or 11B; Spanish 5 or 7; an indigenous language of Latin America, e.g., Quechua, Nahuatl, Zapotec, through that level).
Latin American Studies Minor
Left: Women in Peru, Right: Brazil
The Latin American Studies Minor, which is part of the International & Area Studies IDP, is designed for students who wish to augment their major with concerted study of the history, culture, and society of Latin America from an interdisciplinary and modern perspective.
Latin American Studies Minor Requirements Worksheet
To Declare the Minor, please click here.
Adam Moore, Chair, International & Area Studies Michael Thies, Interim Chair
Robin L. H. Derby, Ph.D., History Patrick C. Heuveline, Ph.D., International Institute, Sociology Jennifer Jung-Kim, Ph.D., Asian Languages & Cultures Namhee Lee, Ph.D., Asian Languages and Cultures Adam D. Moore, Ph.D., Geography, International Institute Helen M. Rees, Ph.D., Ethnomusicology Bonnie Taub, Ph.D., Community Health Sciences, Anthropology Kevin B. Terraciano, Ph.D., History Dov Waxman, Ph.D., International Institute, Political Science
Our Students
The Academic Programs offered through the UCLA International Institute allow students to focus on a particular area of study - either a specific geographic area, or a global comparative and issue-oriented approach - through a variety of disciplines across campus. The Institute also offers its own courses taught by core teaching faculty under the following subject areas: African Studies, Global Health, Global Studies, International & Area Studies, International Development Studies, International Migration Studies, and Latin American Studies.
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Our Alumni
Alumni of the UCLA International Institute Academic Programs live across the globe, and are involved in a multitude of fields, including the education, government, cultural, nonprofit, health, legal and business sectors and international affairs. Below are a few bios of our alumni.
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ACADEMIC COUNSELING
For 2024-2025 we will be offering virtual and in-person advising support.
Please Note: During Oct - Nov 24 we will be having limited appointments. We encourage you to read our FAQs and program websites. If you still have questions or concerns, you may contact us at undergrads@international.ucla.edu (please include your name & UID).
We strive to provide holistic and comprehensive support to our students through one-on-one advising, workshops, and events that focus on academic and professional planning, exploration of research, internship opportunities, and experiences abroad.
Yumi Kinoshita
Academic Advisor
Undergraduate Counselor
Karina Barrera
Undergraduate Advisor
We can assist you with:
Contact Us
Please include your name and UID in all emails.
Email us if you need accommodations for same day or outside office hours appointments.
✉ Undergraduate Advising: undergrads@international.ucla.edu
✉ Graduate Advising: idpgrads@international.ucla.edu
Current UCLA undergraduate students can make an advising appointment with Karina at Academic Counseling - Barrera, Karina.
If you're not a UCLA student, please e-mail us at the corresponding email as noted above.
Bunche Hall 10256 & 10254 (10th floor)
Mailing Address: Academic Advisor UCLA International Institute Academic Programs Office of Academic Advising 10256 Bunche Hall, Mail Code 148703 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1487
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