Latin American Studies, B.A.

The Latin American studies program at Saint Louis University offers a series of interdisciplinary courses designed to engage students with the history, politics, economics, literature and cultures of Latin America, a region of growing global strategic importance and a complex relation with the United States.

Curriculum Overview

The Latin American studies program at Saint Louis University offers a series of courses in economics, history, political science, business, sociology, public health, criminal justice, theology as well as languages, literature and culture studies designed to engage students with Latin America. The program exposes students to the methods, materials and tools of several academic areas that, with close mentoring, enable them to do their work from an interdisciplinary perspective, culminating in the senior inquiry course for the Latin American studies degree options.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Completion of one semester abroad and completion of at least 70 hours of community service during the semester in Latin America in coordination with the program director or Latin American studies mentor is also required for the major.

Careers

While a strong command of Spanish will make students an excellent job candidate in the U.S. job market, the program also prepares graduates to work in Latin American offices within government agencies, nonprofits and NGOs. It is also helpful when entering the fields of international trade and finance, foreign service, international law, immigration studies, journalism and Hispanic media and communications.

Admission Requirements

Freshman

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. Saint Louis University also accepts the Common App.

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file. College admission test scores (ACT or SAT) are used as an additional indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University and are used as qualifiers for certain University scholarship programs. To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the General Education Development (GED) test.

Begin Your Application

Transfer

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. 

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.

International Applicants

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. 

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://finaid.slu.edu.

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate general knowledge of Latin American and the ability to identify and write about issues of social justice in the region.
2. Graduates will be able to demonstrate particular knowledge of the Latin American country where she/he studied for a semester.
3. Graduates will be able to demonstrate  the ability to write and speak effectively on a research topic related to Latin America and/or the Latino US population.

Latin American Studies students must complete a minimum total of 33 credits for the major.

Non-Course Requirements

• Completion of one semester in a Latin American country (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador is the primary opportunity).
• Completion of at least 70 credits of community service during the semester in Latin America in coordination with the Program Director or LAS mentor in order to ensure that the community service is tied into coursework or the research for the Senior Inquiry in an interdisciplinary way.

Continuation Standards

All Latin American Studies major courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher in order to count for the major and for the student to continue in the major.

Bachelor of Arts Core Curriculum Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses [numbered below 1000]).
• Complete either the College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Core Curriculum Requirements
• Complete Major Requirements: minimum 30 credits required.
• Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate, and/or elective credits to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
• Courses listed under the intensive English program do not count toward graduation requirements.   EAP 1500 College Composition for International Students (3 cr), EAP 1900 Rhetoric & Research Strategies (3 cr) and EAP 2850 Nation, Identity and Literature (3 cr) count toward graduation requirements as equivalents to Department of English courses. In addition to those courses, six credits from EAP/MLNG courses at the 1000 level or higher may count toward graduation requirements
• Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s) and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate, or related elective credits.
• Complete Dept/Program specific academic and performance requirements.
• Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
• Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
• Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Program Notes

A minor in Spanish is required for Latin American studies majors. For the Spanish minor the sequence of courses will vary according to the student’s previous experience with the language and individual preferences.

A semester studying in Latin America is required. Students are advised to finish the SPAN 3### sequence before going abroad.

Students have several options to study abroad in Latin America: Argentina, Chile, Ecuador.

Some courses in the approved list of Latin American Studies fulfill core requirements.

SLU Latin American studies students generally complete a second major in Spanish and a third major in another discipline – for example, biology, international studies, psychology, sociology, communication, political science.