Latin American Studies Certificate

Certificate Name and Number: Latin American Studies Certificate – CTLAMG

Department(s)/Unit(s): Latin American Studies, Center for International Studies

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring

Enrollment Eligibility: Current degree-seeking student or non-degree status

Certificate Overview: Through a combination of interdisciplinary courses with core Latin America content and language courses, the Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies will advance students’ critical knowledge of the region and their ability to apply their professional expertise to a range of national and international activities involving Latin America.

The graduate certificate program in Latin American Studies is intended to complement current Ohio University graduate students’ course of study or enrich non-degree students’ professional portfolio. Its combination of interdisciplinary courses with core Latin America content (at least 12 credit hours) and language courses (8 credit hours or evidence of proficiency) offers its students critical knowledge of Latin American history, current issues, and culture. This certificate requires a minimum of 20 semester credit hours. Students admitted in the program with intermediary level Spanish or Portuguese may opt out of the language courses and complete coursework with core content courses only.

Certificate Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to synthesize core area concepts and theories and acquire the skills to apply and evaluate these concepts to global opportunities and challenges.
Students will be able to develop effective written and oral communication skills, characterized by the ability to write and present in the styles and forms that are acceptable in the professional world and/or for research in international studies.

Opportunities upon Completion: The Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies prepares its students for jobs in government, development, and aid agencies, as well as in private and public academic institutions and organizations.

Completion Requirements: Students must complete a minimum of 20 credit hours to graduate, and are expected to take at least 4 credit hours (or 1 course) every semester.

Take at least 3 courses, from a minimum of two different disciplines, to complete 12 credit hours. Select from:

ANTH 5660: Cultures of the America
ANTH 5670: South American Prehistory
ANTH 5700: Mexican/Central American Prehistory
ANTH 5830: Culture of Latin America
BIOS 5440: Tropical Disease Biology
ECON 5740: Economics of Latin America
GEOG 5350: Geography of Latin America
GEOG 6350: Seminar in Latin America
HIST 5000: Atlantic History
HIST 5230: Colonial Latin American History
HIST 5231: Modern Latin American History
HIST 5232: History of Brazil
HIST 5233: History of Modern Mexico
HIST 5250: History of U.S-Latin American Relations
HIST 5270: Slavery in the America
HIST 6902: Colloquium in Latin American History
POLS 5340: Government and Politics in Latin America
POLS 5360: Government and Politics in Brazil
POLS 5755: Latinos and Politics
SPAN 5349: Spanish American Civilization and Culture
SPAN 5457: History of the Spanish Language
SPAN 5513: Survey of Spanish American Literature I
SPAN 5514: Survey of Spanish American Literature II
SPAN 5517: Themes in Spanish American Prose
SPAN 5518: Contemporary Spanish American Literature

Complete 2 courses of Spanish or Portuguese, for at least 6 credit hours. Select from: PORT 5110, 5120, 5180, 5190 or SPAN 5110, 5120, 5210, 5220, 5310, 5320. (Students entering with language proficiency should complete additional courses from the list of core courses to fulfill the 20-hour graduate requirement.)

Financial Aid Eligibility Information:

Non-degree-seeking students enrolled in this certificate are not eligible for federal financial aid.
Current degree-seeking students may use federal financial aid only for 1) coursework fulfilling requirements of their degree, including required elective hours, or 2) coursework toward a second financial aid-eligible program.
Students receiving federal financial aid may not take courses for this certificate unless they are also enrolled full-time (9 hours) in their degree program during the same academic term. Financial aid may be used for courses that count toward both degree requirements and the certificate.

Admission Requirements: Non-degree seeking students interested in completing the Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies must apply through the graduate college website and will be accepted if they meet the following criteria:

Bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited college or university;
Ability to manage graduate studies, as evidenced by a written statement of purpose, a CV indicating the applicant’s education and work experience; and three letters of recommendation;
Satisfactory completion of undergraduate or graduate courses with a minimum 2.0 (C) grade point average as reflected on official transcripts.

International Students: This certificate program alone may not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this certificate. However, this certificate can be completed during any Ohio University graduate program, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to that degree program.