Latin American Studies

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OFFICE: Arts and Letters 377
TELEPHONE: 619-594-1104
WEBSITE: http://latinamericanstudies.sdsu.edu

Faculty:

Latin American Studies is administered by the Latin American Studies Committee. 

Faculty assigned to teach courses in Latin American Studies are drawn from disciplines across the campus and reflect the expertise of faculty research in and on Latin America.

Director: Pérez, Ramona L., Professor of Anthropology (B.A., San Diego State University; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Riverside)

Associate Director: Bartel, Rebecca C., Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, Associate Director (B.A., Canadian Mennonite University, Canada; M.A., Universidad de los Andes, Columbia; Ph.D., University of Toronto, Canada)

Undergraduate Adviser: Guzman, Robert. Lecturer, Latin American Studies. (B.A., University of Texas RGV; M.A. University of North Texas; ABD in Ed.D. San Diego State University)

Committee:

Ayala, Guadalupe (Public Health), Ben, Pablo (History), Blanco, Alda (Spanish), Bosco, Fernando (Geography), Brodine, Stephanie (Public Health), Colvin, Roddrick (Public Affairs), Crespo, Noe (Public Health), Cueva Chacón, Lourdes (Journalism and Media Studies), Flanigan, Shawn (Public Affairs), Godoy, Marquet (Spanish), Maher, Kristen (Political Science), Martín-Flores, José Mario (Spanish), Mayes, Arion (Anthropology), Nericcio, William (English and Comparative Literature), O’Brien, Cheryl (Political Science), Quintana, Penelope (Public Health), Robb Larkins, Erika (Anthropology and Sociology), Schmitz Weiss, Amy (Journalism and Media Studies), Talavera, Gregory (Psychology), Vasconcelos, Ricardo (Portuguese), Welsh, Megan B. (Public Affairs)

Lecturers:

Alfaro, Victor Clark (Latin American Studies)

Beltrán, Carlos Figueroa (Latin American Studies)

Calvario, Velma V. (Latin American Studies)

Castañeda, Alejandra (Latin American Studies)

Guzman, Roberto (Latin American Studies)

Trujillo, Angelina (Latin American Studies)

Wysocki, David J. (Latin American Studies)

Undergraduate Information

The Major

The major in Latin American Studies is a multidisciplinary program designed to provide an effective understanding of the cultures, histories, societies, economies, and governments of Latin America, offering basic education and training for business or professional careers that require specialized knowledge of this exciting and diverse area of the world.

A major in Latin American Studies provides a multitude of career opportunities. Employment possibilities exist not only in the United States and Latin America, but also throughout the world. Graduates can apply their specialization to service in international organizations, government positions, and in nongovernmental organizations at the local, regional, state, and federal levels. Numerous employment situations can be found in the private sector especially in the local San Diego/Tijuana border region where organizations and corporations have significant interests in Latin America and the border region. Those students who wish to share their knowledge of Latin America through teaching can continue in their studies through teacher credential programs and at the graduate level. A major in Latin American Studies opens many avenues in the choice of a career.

High school students preparing to enter this program should include in the high school course of study not less than three years of study in one language other than English, preferably Spanish or Portuguese. Proficiency in either of these languages is indispensable to a successful career in this area of study.

Advising

All College of Arts and Letters majors are urged to consult with their department adviser as soon as possible. Students are required to meet with their department adviser within the first two semesters after declaration or change of major.

Graduate Information

Admission to Graduate Study

Step 1. Submit Program Application on Interfolio by the appropriate deadline date on the Center for Latin American Studies website.

The MA, MA/MPA or MA/MBA Program applications require the following items:

• A personal statement of your research interests and professional goals should be submitted through Interfolio.

• Three letters of recommendation
  Applicants must provide names and email addresses for recommenders. Recommenders will be invited to complete the recommendation electronically.

• Resume

The application consists of forms, document attachments, and confidential letters of recommendation. Refer to this Applicant Guide for step-by-step instructions for completing the Interfolio program application.

You can also find updates, tips, and answers to FAQs here. If you have any technical issues completing this application, please contact Interfolio. For all other questions, please visit the program website for additional information.

Step 2. Apply on Cal State Apply.

All applicants must fill out an online application on Cal State Apply and pay the required $70 nonrefundable application fee. Once you have submitted the Cal State Apply application, an SDSU RedID number will be assigned to you. Your RedID will allow you to track the status of your application through my.SDSU.

Step 3. Submit Official Transcripts and Test Scores to the Graduate Admissions Office.

After you have submitted the Cal State Apply application and have received your RedID, you will need to send official test scores and transcripts to the Graduate Admissions Office. You can view full instructions on the Graduate Admissions page.

You must provide the following:

• Electronic transcripts are acceptable. Please ensure that you indicate this preference when making your request. If you are required to provide an email address to send the secure online document to SDSU, please use transcriptsforsdsu@sdsu.edu.

• Official transcripts must have been issued within the last year from all U.S. colleges and universities attended. Transcripts received with print dates older than one year will not be accepted.

• If you previously attended SDSU, you need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance. Hard copy transcripts for SDSU coursework are not required.

• Students with an International degree must submit a record of all academic coursework and proof of degree, both in the original-language. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified literal English translation. Please see the Graduate Admissions Steps to Apply page for more information.

Plan ahead! No late scores will be accepted. GRE scores (and if applicable, TOEFL) must be sent directly from ETS - Institution Code: 4682

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the requirements that applicants for graduate study at SDSU submit scores for the GRE are suspended for the Fall 2023 admissions cycle.

If you have any questions about the application process, contact Lia Wesson, Center for Latin American Studies Admissions Coordinator, by email lwesson@sdsu.edu or phone (619) 594-1104.

Important Links

• Latin American Studies Student Organization (LASSO)

• SDSU Class Schedule

• SDSU Catalog

• Graduate and Research Affair

Advising

Master of Arts in LAS and Master in Public Health

Complete this step through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) application.

• Your application information will be shared with the SDSU Department of Latin American Studies through SOPHAS. Do not apply to the Department of Latin American Studies separately.

If you have any questions about the MA/MPH application process, contact Brenda Fass-Holmes, School of Public Health Admissions Coordinator, by email bholmes@sdsu.edu or phone (619) 594-4492.

Programs

• Latin American Studies Minor
• Latin American Studies, B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Latin American Studies, M.A.

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