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Children in Rama Cay. Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua. © 2014 Ana Hernandez

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Fall 2026 Undergraduate Courses
 

Check out selected Latin American Studies course offerings in a variety of disciplines, including history, culture, film & music, Indigenous languages, and a special offering from the fall 2026 Tinker Visiting Professor.

Click to view Fall 2026 Undergrad Courses


Some courses are cross-listed with other disciplines. Contact your adviser for more information.

 

 

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College of Liberal Arts

Tanya Velazquez, LLILAS Class of 2024, is a bilingual multimedia journalist


Time-limited financial offer!

 

$1,500 targeted scholarship available to eligible undergrads who:

  • Declare the Latin American Studies (LAS) major before August 31

  • Enroll in LAS 301 for Fall 2026 

  • Double majors welcome!

Read more to learn how the interdisciplinary Latin American Studies major might be a perfect fit for you!

Already have a major? Scroll down to see how History and IRG majors can easily add LAS. We also welcome double majors from other disciplines.

Contact Senior Academic Adviser Freddy Sanchez to learn more.

Fall 2026 Undergraduate Courses


Check out selected Latin American Studies course offerings in a variety of disciplines, including history, culture, film & music, Indigenous languages, and a special offering from the fall 2026 Tinker Visiting Professor. Some courses are cross-listed with other disciplines. Contact your adviser for more information.

Click to view Fall 2026 Undergrad Courses

 

Double Major News 


Latin American Studies majors can now pursue a double major in either History or International Relations & Global Studies (IRG) with few extra courses! Learn more about the double major below.

Contact Freddy Sanchez, LAS Undergraduate Adviser, at freddy.sanchez@austin.utexas.edu to learn how easy it is to combine LAS with one of these majors.

  • LAS and History Double Major

    What if you could turn your degree into a powerful global specialization—with just a few extra courses?

    The Department of History and the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS) have strengthened their collaboration to make it easier to pursue a double major in History (HIS) and Latin American Studies (LAS).

    Will this be complicated? — Probably not. You are likely already on your way!

    Several courses are already cross-listed between HIS and LAS. For example:

    • LAS 301 (Introduction to Latin American Studies) = HIS 306N (Key Ideas and Issues in Latin America)
    • LAS 366 (Topics in Latin American History) overlaps with multiple HIS courses
    • Up to 12 additional LAS credits can be fulfilled through History coursework 


    Bottom line: You may only need 3–4 additional courses to complete a double major.

    Advantages of a double major in LAS and HIS

    • Gain a competitive edge for careers in education, law, government, NGOs, and international fields
    • Deepen your regional expertise in a highly relevant part of the world
    • Access exclusive funding and opportunities 


    Funding & Opportunities

    LLILAS offers a wide range of scholarships and awards every year, including:

    • Davidson Scholarship
    • Elio King Excellence Endowment
    • Lozano Long Travel Scholarships (Study Abroad)
    • Undergraduate Academic Scholarships
    • E.D. Farmer Fellowships
    • Academic Excellence Award (COLA)
    • Francisco J. Garza Endowment
    • IBC Bank Foundation Fund
    • Sherzer Latin American Studies Scholarship
    • Jordan Family Foundation Scholarship
    • Indigenous Language Scholarships (FLAS)
    • LLILAS Benson Community Engagement Award


    Explore all funding options.

    In addition, LLILAS offers:

    Get Started – We strongly encourage you to reach out to Freddy Sanchez, LAS Undergraduate Adviser, at freddy.sanchez@austin.utexas.edu to explore how easy it is to add this double major.

    Take advantage of this opportunity to expand your academic profile and open new doors. Your second major might be closer than you think!

  • IRG (International Relations & Global Studies)

    What if you could turn your degree into a powerful global specialization—with just a few extra courses?

    The International Relations & Global Studies program and the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS) have strengthened their collaboration to make it easier to pursue a double major in IRG and Latin American Studies (LAS).

    Will this be complicated? — Probably not. You are likely already on your way!

    • The LAS major requires 27 credit hours, while IRG requires 48 credit hours.
    • Many IRG courses can count toward LAS requirements.


    Bottom line: With careful planning, you may be able to complete the double major with little additional coursework.

    Advantages of a double major in LAS and IRG:

    • Gain a competitive edge for careers in education, law, government, NGOs, and international fields
    • Deepen your regional expertise in a highly relevant part of the world
    • Access exclusive funding and opportunities 


    Funding & Opportunities

    LLILAS offers a wide range of scholarships and awards every year, including:

    • Davidson Scholarship
    • Elio King Excellence Endowment
    • Lozano Long Travel Scholarships (Study Abroad)
    • Undergraduate Academic Scholarships
    • E.D. Farmer Fellowships
    • Academic Excellence Award (COLA)
    • Francisco J. Garza Endowment
    • IBC Bank Foundation Fund
    • Sherzer Latin American Studies Scholarship
    • Jordan Family Foundation Scholarship
    • Indigenous Language Scholarships (FLAS)
    • LLILAS Benson Community Engagement Award


    Explore all funding options.

    In addition, LLILAS offers:

    Get Started – We strongly encourage you to reach out to Freddy Sanchez, LAS Undergraduate Advisor, at freddy.sanchez@austin.utexas.edu to explore how easy it is to add this double major.

    Take advantage of this opportunity to expand your academic profile and open new doors. Your second major might be closer than you think!

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College of Liberal Arts

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LAS major information and funding news

Questions? Contact us:
 

Freddy Sanchez, Senior Academic Adviser

Professor Sandro Sessarego, Undergrad Faculty Adviser

Apply to UT Austin with the Common App (first-year and transfer students)

 

College of Liberal Arts

Tanya Velazquez, LAS Class of 2024, is a TV journalist

Why choose LAS?

 

  • Build Your Own Major across 30+ departments
  • Gain Global and Regional Expertise
  • Prepare for diverse careers in fields such as law, education, history, media, cultural studies, the arts, linguistics, NGOs, business, government, political science, geography, health, technology, environmental fields, and more!

Undergraduate studies leading to the bachelor of arts degree in Latin American Studies is designed to provide a general, broad-based knowledge of Latin America through an interdisciplinary program.

Please consult with Freddy Sanchez, Senior Academic Adviser, for major requirements and course planning. In many cases, study abroad at a Latin American university can be included in the degree program. 

Why choose LAS?

  • Global Knowledge in the Job Market

    Latin American Studies (LAS) prepares students for a rapidly evolving job market that demands adaptable thinkers with a global knowledge base who are capable of cross-cultural collaboration. Through the LAS major, students engage a broad spectrum of global phenomena with intellectual rigor and flexibility.

    Students gain:

    • Deeper understanding of the links between global and local politics and economies.
    • Regional expertise through interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives.
    • Understanding of vital transnational themes like climate change, indigeneity, economic development, community activism, the media, security, democracy, immigration, and human rights. 
  • Advantages of LAS

    Because it is interdisciplinary, Latin American Studies gives students flexibility and better access to the full resources of the university than can be had within the confines of a single department.

    Courses provide a core foundation in the humanities, social sciences, communications, and the arts. Our program integrates 30+ academic departments and some 180 faculty across the university.

    Scroll down to learn about funding opportunities from LLILAS.

  • Funding and Financial Opportunities

    Each academic year, the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies awards over $100,000 to deserving undergraduates (the majority to Latin American Studies majors). The funds include merit- and needs-based scholarships.

    View LAS major information and funding news

    Other Awards

    • 10 study abroad scholarships for Latin America annually 
    • Yearly prize for Best Honors/Capstone Thesis, open to all LAS majors
  • What jobs do LAS majors get?

    Latin American Studies majors graduate with a broad range of highly marketable skills that prepare them for virtually any profession, as well as for graduate school.

    Common career paths for LAS majors:

    •      International organizations
    •      Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
    •      News and international media     
    •      Law
    •      Education and academia     
    •      Government service     
    •      International business
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College of Liberal Arts

"Paving Tradition," photo by Diana Hernández

Latin American Studies (LAS) prepares students for a rapidly evolving job market that demands adaptable thinkers with a global knowledge base who are capable of cross-cultural collaboration. Through the LAS major, students engage a broad spectrum of global phenomena with intellectual rigor and flexibility.

Students gain:

  • Deeper understanding of the links between global and local politics and economies.
  • Regional expertise through interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives.
  • Understanding of vital transnational themes like climate change, indigeneity, economic development, community activism, the media, security, democracy, immigration, and human rights. 
College of Liberal Arts

LAS undergrad Gabriela Torres during a trip abroad

Each academic year, the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies awards over $100,000 to deserving undergraduates (the majority to Latin American Studies majors). The funds include merit- and needs-based scholarships.

Other Awards

  • 10 study abroad scholarships for Latin America annually 
  • Yearly prize for Best Honors/Capstone Thesis, open to all LAS majors
  • Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowships (FLAS), a U.S. Department of Education grant that provides training in less-commonly-taught foreign languages or area studies

Undergraduate Program Staff

For questions about the undergraduate major in Latin American Studies, please contact our staff:

Faculty Adviser
Professor Sandro Sessarego
Contact: sandrosessarego@austin.utexas.edu

Senior Academic Adviser
Freddy Sanchez
Contact: freddy.sanchez@austin.utexas.edu
Freddy Sanchez

Admissions information

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