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Latino Studies

A powerhouse of Latino thought and advocacy at The University of Texas at Austin, fearlessly upholding the mission of ethnic studies by creating space to explore and understand the lives of Latinos in the U.S. while using our knowledge and resources to support Latino communities everywhere. 

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Latino Research Institute

The mission of the Latino Research Institute is to provide the infrastructure for the creation and dissemination of quality information about issues affecting Latino populations in the region, state, and nation. 

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Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS)

Serving Texas and the nation as a leader in the intellectual development of Mexican American and Latina/o studies. Faculty and students affiliated with CMAS study the cultural practices, historical development, and socioeconomic conditions of Mexican American and Latina/o communities.

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Newsletter

Three units. One mission. One newsletter.

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MALS Graduation 2024 

Felicidades to the 2024 graduating class of the Department of Mexican American Latina/o Studies!

These outstanding scholars are now headed out into the world to make a difference. If you missed the graduation ceremony, you can access the recording below.

Be advised: you will want to have a stash of tissues nearby! There wasn't a dry eye in the house on the big day. 

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fall 2025 courses

Check out our ISSUU catalog for descriptions on the variety of MALS courses you can take during the Fall 2025 semester!

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The mals 10TH ANNIVERSARY MURAL IS COMPLETE!

There's a brand new vibe in the Latino Studies office space and it comes with the completion of the MALS 10th Anniversary community mural! We've spent the 2024-25 academic year commemorating a decade of emboldened scholarship in the Department of Mexican American & Latina/o Studies (MALS) and the mural represents our purpose and permanence on UT campus. Artists-in-Residence Cindy and Ernesto Hernández installed this beautiful artwork this semester with the help of UT Austin students.

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Enter the student lottery to help paint the anniversary mural

Left to right: Ernesto, Onyx, Xyon, Cindy, and Karma

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fearless scholarship.  

In the 1960s, Mexican American student activists at the University of Texas at Austin agitated for the creation of an academic program that reflected their lives, experiences, and ways of knowing. From their efforts, in 1970, UT created the Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS), with Américo Paredes named its first director. Over the past fifty years, UT has become an important scholarly center for Mexican American, Chicano/a/x, and Latino/a/x Studies. It wasn’t until 2014 that the University granted us an independent major, Mexican American and Latina/o Studies. In addition to both major and minor undergraduate degrees, the department is one of only a few in the country to offer a Latino Studies doctoral degree. The department continues to grow and distinguish itself through emboldened scholarship that challenges traditional narratives and embraces a dynamic understanding of the Latino experience.

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Undergraduate Program

Students' personal experiences are a vital part of the process by which our courses redress the omissions of textbooks and finally let communities of color be seen and heard.

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Graduate Program

Prepare graduates not only for careers in the arts, advocacy and related professions in which advanced knowledge of Mexican American and Latina/o studies is crucial. 

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Resources

From co-sponsorship to commonly requested forms to scholarships, we offer several ways to support our faculty and students.

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Contact Us

Mexican American and Latina/o Studies

The University of Texas at Austin

210 W. 24th Street, GWB 2.102, Mail Stop F9200

Austin, Texas 78712

Karma R. Chávez

karma.chavez@utexas.edu

Phone: 512-471-4557 | Fax: 512-471-9639