Undergraduate Certificate

Students take four required courses and select three other courses from an approved list to address their individual areas of interest. In addition, all students must demonstrate competence in either Spanish, Portuguese, or another language with permission.

The Undergraduate Certificate strengthens the intellectual breadth and depth of Maryland students, especially those majoring in fields that are identified as possessing particular importance for the State of Maryland, such as STEAM, multilingualism, multicultural education, healthcare, and sustainability. The Certificate nurtures a globally-conscious citizenry and grows a well-trained, professional workforce prepared to succeed in areas such as international business and finance, marketing, communications, ecological and environmental studies, government and diplomacy, law, development, education, literary arts and cultural expression.

A Certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies will:

• Provide students with the opportunity to pursue personal interests and personalize their course of study. The program offers a great deal of flexibility and choice in electives and projects.
• Develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the history, geography, society, politics, economics, language and literature, and contemporary issues facing Latin America and Caribbean, through a range of coursework and methodological approaches
• Provide insight into the region's particularly complex relationship with the United States and the globalized world.
• Foster awareness of the fastest growing minority in the United States (2010 Census).
• Enhance the academic preparation of students majoring in social sciences, international relations, international business, foreign language education, and complement the studies of many disciplines.
• Strengthen employment possibilities by adding expertise in Latin America and Caribbean to a student's credentials. The certificate is noted on students' transcripts, and demonstrates a specialization beyond the general knowledge acquired through a major, which is attractive to potential employers.

LACS alumni have gone on to work in:

International law, International business, Global health, Education in the U.S. and abroad, Foreign Service, Latin American and Caribbean embassies and Government organizations.