Undergraduate Certificate in Latin American Studies
The Certificate in Latin American Studies requires 21 credit hours of Latin American and/or Caribbean area studies courses with a grade of "C" or better. All course work on Latin America and the Caribbean, including courses in the major and/or minor, may count toward the Certificate. Upon graduation, completion of the Certificate is listed on the student’s transcript and an official certificate is issued by the Center for Latin American Studies. A student may complete both a Minor and a Certificate in Latin American Studies.
The 21 credit hours for the Certificate are distributed as follows:
- 3 credit hours of LAS 4935 Undergraduate Seminar in Latin American Studies. Students may repeat LAS 4935 for an additional 6 credit hours, if the topics vary. (LAS 6938 may be taken in the place of LAS 4935 with the professor's permission.)
- 6 credit hours of core courses with 100% Latin American content outside the major and distributed in an interdisciplinary manner.
- 12 credit hours of courses with Latin American content including courses in the major. Up to 9 hours can be electives (25% Latin American content).
Spanish language courses above 2240, Portuguese courses above 3243 and Haitian Creole courses above 2201, may count as electives for the Certificate.
Foreign Language Requirements
Minor and Certificate students are required to have at least intermediate level proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole. The language requirement may be met in one of two ways:
- Coursework: Successful completion of SPN 2240, POR 3242 or 3243, or HAI 2201.
- Examination: An Advanced Placement score of 4–5, with approval, or a SAT II score of 700. (For Spanish only.)
The Spanish SAT II exam is frequently offered by the Office of Instructional Resources (OIR). See the OIR bulletin board in 1012 Turlington Hall or call 392-0371 for more information.
Bilingual speakers of Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole must demonstrate proficiency by written or oral examination. For Portuguese evaluation, contact Dr. Elizabeth Ginway in 152 Dauer Hall (392-2016 ext. 232, eginway@rll.ufl.edu). For Haitian Creole evaluation, contact Professor Benjamin Hebblethwaite in 170 Dauer Hall (392-2016 ext. 229, hebble@rll.ufl.edu). For Spanish evaluation, contact Dr. Efraín Barradas in 364 Grinter Hall (392-5235, barradas@rll.ufl.edu).
Spanish language courses at the 2000-level, Portuguese courses at the 3000-level and Haitian Creole courses at the 2000-level may count as electives for both the Minor and the Certificate.
Language courses taken on study abroad programs may count as electives and/or core courses for the Minor or Certificate with prior approval of the Undergraduate Coordinator.