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Latin American Studies

Major in the College of Liberal Arts

The undergraduate program in the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS) is interdisciplinary in nature and seeks to provide students with an understanding of Latin America in all its aspects.

In keeping with the Liberal Arts tradition, LLILAS seeks to foster in its undergraduate students the ability to write cogently and think critically, and to acquire fourth-semester proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese.

Undergraduate studies leading to the bachelor of arts degree are designed to provide both a broad-based knowledge of Latin America through the core curriculum required of all majors, and an opportunity for each student to pursue a more specialized area of interest.

Declaration Requirements

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Prospective University of Texas at Austin students should visit UT Admissions to learn about the application process and how to declare a major.

How to Declare

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Undergraduates currently enrolled at UT who wish to declare a Latin American studies major must first meet with a Latin American studies advisor. There is no formal application process. For more information, visit the student affairs page on how to declare a major.

Required Courses

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Visit the Latin American Studies degree plan to see all required courses for the Latin American Studies major in the College of Liberal Arts. For additional information, view major requirements and Latin American Studies course descriptions.

Specializations

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All Latin American studies majors must declare a concentration.

Possible concentrations include such areas as:

  • Anthropology
  • Art History
  • Brazilian Studies
  • Economics
  • History
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • And many others

In addition, Latin American studies offers an honors program.

Personality

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  • Do you want to know more about our neighbors in this hemisphere?
  • Are you inquisitive and open to new things?
  • Do you like to travel?

If so, you may wish to pursue the Latin American Studies major. Latin American Studies is your opportunity to learn about this fascinating region. With our generous endowment, much of which is dedicated to undergraduate travel in Latin America, you may also have the opportunity to receive funding to study there.

Skills

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Latin American studies majors, like all Liberal Arts students, are trained to think critically. Additionally, Latin American studies students learn to appreciate and develop sensitivity to cultures beyond our borders. Many acquire proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese, which are important assets for jobs in, or related to, Latin America. Many of our majors go on to graduate school or find employment in international companies, non-governmental organizations, the Foreign Service, and the Peace Corps.

MAJOR ≠ CAREER

Your major does not always determine your career path. Many graduates pursue careers outside their field, depending on their interests and experiences.

EXPERIENCE + DEGREE = CAREER

It’s not just your major that matters! Make yourself marketable by gaining a variety of experiences in college. Read a few inspiring stories by professionals whose experiences led to great careers.

Contact a Texas Career Engagement career counselor today to find out how you can turn your major into a career.