grad minors

The graduate minor offers rigorous training in Latina/Latino Studies theories and methodologies to graduate students who wish to incorporate Latina/Latino Studies into their degree work. The LLS graduate minor is open to all students on campus, regardless of major, and involves a minimum of 12 hours, which includes LLS 577 and 2 other graduate level courses. LLS 577 Perspectives in LLS is offered every other Fall semester.

Requirements  Apply for a graduate minor

Our Program

The graduate minor provides students with a theoretical and methodological foundation and a firm background in the history and culture of Latinas and Latinos in the United States from the perspective of the humanities, the social sciences, and other fields. The program will allow students to assess how historical and cultural processes affect Latina/os in contemporary society. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary nature of the program will provide students, whether or not they focus their graduate studies on Latina/o Studies, with the breadth of research and approaches taken by scholars in the field.

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Organizers of the 2024 Graduate Student Conference
Organizers of the 2024 Graduate Student Conference

Teaching and Research Opportunities

Graduate students serve as teaching assistants for LLS 100: Introduction to Latina/o Studies and other courses, such as, LLS 279: Mexican-American History. Students also have the opportunity to work closely with LLS faculty as research assistants. They also play a vital role in the department by serving on various LLS committees, such as the programming and curriculum committee, and presenting their research through the LLS Workshop Series. Our graduate students also organize a graduate student conference that brings in scholars from across disciplines and the country.

Meet our faculty  Meet our affiliate faculty

Community

Latina/Latino Studies operates as an intimate community where students have opportunities to engage with faculty, staff, and their peers in multiple ways. The majority of our classes hold 30 students or less, allowing for a more personal experience between teacher and student. Our department frequently organizes activities such as conferences, lectures, and colloquia, which not only benefit our students, but also enhance scholarly discussions of Latina/o communities on campus. La Casa Cultural Latina, the Latina/o cultural center on campus, is also another great resource to connect with Latina/o students on campus.

Many of our graduate students serve as mentors to our undergraduate students, participating in programs, such as the LLS Major Symposium and hosting workshops on applying to graduate school. Their guidance is invaluable to undergraduate students, especially those who plan to pursue graduate studies.

Graduate students have found an intellectual home away from home in LLS. Students often create study groups that sustain them intellectually and personally and allows them to create connections with other students. 

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