Undergraduate Program

Children in Rama Cay. Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua. © 2014 Ana Hernandez
Undergraduate studies leading to the bachelor of arts degree have been 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. For more information on study abroad programs, visit Texas Global.
We are LLILAS . . .
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"Paving Tradition," photo by Diana Hernández
Why major in Latin American Studies?
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.

LAS student Briza Maldonado displays her research poster
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 more than 30 academic departments and over 165 faculty across the university.
Scroll down to learn about funding opportunities from LLILAS.

LAS undergrad Gabriela Torres during a trip abroad
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.
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

Tanya Velazquez, Class of 2024, is a TV journalist
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
Undergraduate Forms
- Permission for LAS 379 (Independent Studies) (PDF, 54K)
- Permission for LAS 679HA or 679HB (use for either Thesis A or Thesis B) (PDF, 42K)
- Selected Study Abroad Programs in Latin America (PDF, 1.6MB)