Declare the Latin American Studies Major

 

Declaring the Major

Click on the blue link above to request to declare the major. You must have all the major preparation coursework completed (click here to view the major worksheet). For the foreign language requirement, you can declare the major with only the elementary language level completed. Note that students must be in good academic standing (2.0 overall GPA) and have a 2.0 major prep GPA in order to be admitted into the major. All preparation coursework grades must be posted (not in-progress) before submitting the request to declare the major. 

 

Interested in Switching to Latin American Studies?

Students admitted to UCLA with a different major can apply to switch into Latin American Studies. Please contact our Advising Office for individual details.

 

Interested in Double Majoring with Latin American Studies?

With careful planning, students can elect to double major with Latin American Studies and a different major. Please contact our Advising Office to set up an individual appointment to review your academic plan.

 

Incoming UCLA Students

Incoming freshmen and transfer students may enter UCLA as a Pre-Latin American Studies major. Students can be officially changed to Latin American Studies once they complete the preparation coursework for the major. 

Incoming Transfer Students:

Transfer students interested in the Latin American Studies major should complete as many preparation courses prior to coming to UCLA as possible, leaving only I A Std 1 to be taken at UCLA during their first Fall Quarter (unless taken during a prior summer term at UCLA). Please review Assist.org and UCLA's Admissions page as needed.

 

Please contact the I A STD Academic Counseling Office if you have any further questions.

To be admitted to the minor, students must:

  •  Be in good academic standing (minimum 2.00 GPA overall) 
  • Have completed all preparation courses for the minor with a minimum GPA of 2.00 in these courses
  • Have completed 45 units
  • Be able to complete the requirements within their Time to Degree*

*If adding a minor, students must still prioritize their major to ensure that they are able to graduate within their Time to Degree. If students are unable to graduate within their approved time, they may be ineligible for a UCLA degree. Students should consult with an academic advisor in the College if their academic program changes or they encounter challenges that prevent them from finishing on time.

Note: Minor declaration requests may take up to two weeks. You will be notified via email. We appreciate your patience.

Fill out the online petition (below) to declare the Latin American Studies Minor.

Petition to Declare a Minor



WELCOME to UCLA! 

The International Institute is home to a diverse transfer population, including international, non-traditional, first-generation, and parenting students. Transfer students admitted to UCLA with ANY major are eligible to apply to our majors.


NEW STUDENT SESSIONS

Please make sure you sign up for New Student Session and attend the Departmental Counseling session to learn about major requirements and suggested courses. If you are unable to attend New Student Session, please contact our office at undergrads@international.ucla.edu. Please note, if you cannot attend, you will be allowed to enroll in classes starting in mid-September.


FUTURE UCLA APPLICANTS

In addition to reviewing Assist.org and UCLA's Admissions page, please review our website and familiarize yourself with our programs.

Transfer students should complete as many major preparation courses prior to coming to UCLA as possible, leaving only International & Area Studies 1 to be taken at UCLA during their first Fall Quarter (unless taken during the prior summer term at UCLA). 


CURRENT UCLA STUDENTS

Check out our Transfer Student Handbook and let us know if you have questions!

The UCLA Transfer Center connects incoming transfers to the university and provides resources and events to ease the transition to UCLA. Visit the Transfer Center in 128 Kerckhoff Hall or connect with them on Instagram (@bruintransfers) or Facebook (UCLA Transfer Students). Current Transfers are eager to meet you!

Apply to join the Transfer Mentor Program! Each incoming Transfer student will be placed into a group with other incoming transfers and one continuing transfer mentor.


INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

If you hold an F1 visa and/or attended high school where instruction was not in English, the foreign language requirement for the major may be waived. Please check with your major counselor at orientation. 
 


ADVISING

For any questions about our majors, please contact our Advising Office at undergrads@international.ucla.edu or sign-up for an appointment on Karina's or Yumi's calendar. 

Please note: questions about course transferability will only be addressed once transcripts are posted.

 

 

Foreign Language Requirement for Latin American Studies Major

The Latin American Studies Major at UCLA requires students to complete the intermediate level of TWO foreign languages spoken in Latin America. For Spanish, completion of Spanish 5 is acceptable. 

Note about Portuguese: The completion of either Portuguese 3 or Portuguese 11B is acceptable. Portuguese 11A and 11B is an accelerated Portuguese track. If you are unsure about taking the 1-2-3 series or the 11A-11B series, please contact our Advising Office.

Note: Students minoring in Latin American Studies do not have to complete a language requirement.

Acceptable Languages:

The Latin American Studies Major accepts: Portuguese (either 3 or 11B), Spanish (5 or 7B), Quechua, and Nahuatl. For other language requests, please contact the Latin American Studies Advising Office.


Exemptions:

You may be exempted from the Foreign Language requirement for the following reasons:

  • Completion of a Language Placement Test. Spanish and Portuguese Placement Tests are offered through the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. A score of a 5 on the placement test will pass the major requirement. You must take the Placement Test, not the Exemption Test, for the major.
    Note, successful completion of the Exemption Test will only waive the requirement for the College Foreign Language requirement, which equates to Spanish 3. For clarification, please contact our Advising Office.
  • AP Test credit can be accepted depending on the AP score. Please contact our Advising Office.
  • International Students from a Spanish or Portuguese speaking country may be exempt. Please contact our Advising Office.
  • Students who attended a high school were the primary language of instruction was in Spanish/Portuguese may be exempt. Please contact our Advising Office.


When declaring the Latin American Studies major, completion of the elementary year of the foreign language is acceptable (i.e. Spanish 3). Completion of the intermediate year of the foreign language must be completed by graduation in order to fulfill all preparation requirements.

 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:

  • Major, pre-major, and minor questions and petitions to declare (I A STD & Global Health)
  • Educational planning and course sequencing
  • Course petitions and substitutions
  • DARS updates for major/minor
  • Enrollment questions for I A STD and Global Health courses
  • Contract courses (I A STD 195CE & 198A/B/C, GH 199)
  • Exploration of research, Departmental Honors, internship/career opportunities, and study abroad
  • Graduation checks

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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