Graduate Certificate
This interdisciplinary program focuses on the diverse cultures, histories, and literatures of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the political, economic and governmental systems within these regions.
The Graduate Certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
This program is designed for any UMD doctoral or master’s student who has research interests in Latin America and the Caribbean. The program provides a textured understanding of the Region and nurtures a multidisciplinary, cross-campus intellectual community centered on Latin American and Caribbean scholarship.
The 12-credit program consists of nine credits of core courses and three credits of electives. All students must take a three-credit Perspectives on Latin America and the Caribbean course (or an approved substitute), three credits of a specialized colloquium across three semesters (one-credit colloquium per semester), and a three-credit, self-guided praxis course emphasizing research or experiential learning, where students meet course requirements independently. Students will also seek approval to take a three-credit elective course that is significantly focused on Latin America, the Caribbean, and/or the Latinx Diaspora. This elective can be from any UMD department offering such a course.
By incorporating research and experiential learning, the program is intended to serve both students who wish to pursue an academic career in Latin American and Caribbean studies and students who wish to pursue a non-academic career in the private, not-for-profit, or government sectors. Regardless of their professional goals, students completing the program will be able to appreciate, theorize, and compare the diverse histories and societies of Latin America and the Caribbean in their political, cultural, and identity dimensions as they emerged from distinct pre-colonial, colonial, and postcolonial histories, as well as be able to consider contemporary realities of the Region from informed regional, comparative, and international perspectives.
To complete the LACS Graduate Certificate Program, students must demonstrate advanced proficiency in one of the (non-English) languages of the Americas: indigenous languages; creolized languages such as Haitian Creole; colonial languages -Spanish, Portuguese, French - or other languages considered by the program administration to be relevant to study of Latin America and the Caribbean. Proficiency may be certified through a language translation exam administered by an affiliate faculty member or through evidence of advanced-level coursework in the student’s indicated language. If done through coursework, students must have a grade of “B-” or better in an advanced-level course (students who receive a grade lower than a “B-” may repeat the course).
Program Requirements:
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LACS608 Course (Perspectives on Latin America and the Caribbean) 3-Credits
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LACS609 Course (Colloquium) a 3 credit course to be taken 1 credit per semester for 3 consecutive semesters (3-Credits)
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LACS688 Course (Experiential Learning in Latin American and Caribbean Studies) 3-Credits
or
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LACS689 Course (Research Praxis in Latin American and Caribbean Studies) 3-Credits
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One elective 3-credit course (students can choose any graduate course with a significant focus on Latin America and/or the Caribbean with approval by the LACS Director)
*A list of elective courses are provided each semester (including courses like: LACS 648 Special Topics).
Find additional information about LACS 688 and/or LACS 689.
Contact LACS' Director for additional information.
Application for Graduation (Graduation Application for an Additional Graduate Certificate to Your Current Admission's Program Only), visit the Graduate School's website
Certificate Graduate Students
Pedro Abelin Teixeira
PhD Student, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center
Government and Politics
Flavia Batista da Silva
PhD Student, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center
Government and Politics
Tatiana Chi-Miranda
School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Graduate Assistant II, Spanish and Portuguese
PhD Student, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center
4205 Jiménez Hall
College Park
MD,
20742
Karina De Sande
Graduate Assistant II, Spanish and Portuguese
PhD Student, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center
4205 Jiménez Hall
College Park
MD,
20742
Fernando Duran
Graduate Student, English
Graduate Student, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center
Sergio García Mejía
MSc Student, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Victor Hernandez Sang
Graduate Assistant and PhD Candidate, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center
Danielle Laplace
Graduate Student, The Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
PhD Student, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center
3121 Susquehanna Hall
College Park
MD,
20742
Gianinna Malatesta
Graduate Student II, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Graduate Assistant II, Spanish and Portuguese
PhD Student, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center
2215 Jiménez Hall
College Park
MD,
20742
Sofia Olivar
Graduate Assistant, School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies
MFA Student, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center
Scenic Design
Angela Pico Pinto
Graduate Student, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Graduate Assistant II, Spanish and Portuguese
PhD Student, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center
4205 Jiménez Hall
College Park
MD,
20742
Abigail Rosario
Graduate Student, Communication
PhD Student, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center