Graduate Certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies

The University of South Florida's international programs educate and train students to prepare them for positions in the changing global economy, culture and polity. The Latin American and Caribbean region is just "next door." It is also the United States' most important import and export market, surpassing trade flows with the European Union. In addition, it is an area of enormous cultural and ecological diversity and cultural creativity. The need to understand this rapidly changing and expanding area of the "other" America is fundamental for those who are interested in conducting business in the region, who are involved with security issues, or who wish to engage in artistic contemplation.

This certificate, offered through ISLAC, provides students with the opportunity to benefit from lectures by distinguished writers and scholars and to travel to various locations under the Study Abroad credit course. Students can apply up to 12 hours of the credit earned through the certificate to the master's program.

For more information, please visit http://gradcerts.usf.edu/certinfo.asp?ccode=XLS

Credit towards graduate degree: Up to 12 hours of certificate course credits may be applied to a graduate degree with departmental approval

Transfer credit: Courses may be accepted contingent upon departmental approval.

Standardized tests: Standardized tests are not required.

Admission requirements: Applicants must hold an earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
International students must provide certified proof of a degree equivalent to the U.S. bachelor's degree.

Application process (there is no deadline for application to the Graduate Certificate Program)
For more information and instructions on how to download an application, click here.
In addition, to the application forms please submit:

Official transcripts
A resume
A 250-word letter of interest stating your objectives in pursuing this course of study

Registration process: First, consult with the certificate program advisor and obtain an electronic course permit if necessary.
Then go to http://usfonline.admin.usf.edu/, the link to OASIS, USF's on-line registration system. Follow directions given on-line.

Tuition and fees: Fees parallel that of standard graduate-level courses. Please visit http://usfweb2.usf.edu/pfs/tuition_cost.htm

Financial aid: Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for financial aid. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at 813-974-4700 for exceptions and the names of private lenders.

Time limit: This certificate should be completed within six (6) semesters.

Required: 15 credit hours.
Students must take at least 3 credits from each of the following three groups: one from Group A, one from Group B, and one from Group C.
GROUP A -- Graduate LACS course in Anthropology, Sociology, Criminology, or History (LAH)
Examples:
ANG 5937 - Culture of Mexico and Central America (3)
HIS 6925 - History of Cuba (3)
-
GROUP B -- Graduate LACS course in Government and International Affairs, Geography, Economics, or Public Health
Examples:
CPO 5934 - Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Democracy and New Political Movements (3)
PHC 6934 - Infectious Diseases in Developing Countries (3)
-
GROUP C -- Graduate LACS course in Humanities, Literature, Religion, or Arts
Examples:
SPN 5525 - Modern Spanish American Civilization (3)
HUM 6465 - Latin American Arts and Letters since 1942/Age of Revolution (3)
ART 6940 - Survey of Cuban Art (3)
REL 6938 - Religions of Cuba (3)
-
Students must take six (6) additional credits from any of the above groups, A, B or C, or must take
LIS 5937 - Spanish/Latin American Web Resources (3)
and/or an approved USF study abroad credits in Latin America and and/or the Caribbean.

Language Requirements
Students must also demostrated language proficiency through one of the following:
1. Relevant course work
2. Placement test
3. Native fluency

Sample of Courses Offered

Please note these courses may not be available for the present semester. For a current list of available courses please visit course listing page (menu on the left).

ANG 6163 Topics in Mesoamerican Archeology (3) AS ANT
ANG 6165 Topics in South American Archeology (3) AS ANT
ANG 6198 Regional problems in Methods of public Archeology (3) AS ANT (*)
CPO 5934 Selected Topics in Comparative politics (3) AS POL (**)
ISS 5934 Selected Topics (1-3) AS AFA (**)
CPO 6091 Seminar in Comp politics (3) AS POL
FRW 5755 African and Caribbean Literature (3) AS WLE
GEA 6405 Seminar in Latin American and Caribbean Geography (3) AS GPY
HUM 6465 Studies in Latin American Arts and Letters (3) AS HUM (***)
INR 5012 Globalization (3) AS POL
INR 6007 Seminar in international Relations (3) AS POL
LAS 6936 sec 901 Latin American and Caribbean Studies Seminar (3) AS INT
LAS 6936 sec 902 Latin American and Caribbean Studies Seminar (3) AS INT
SPN 6845 History of the Spanish Language (3) AS WLE
SPN 5525 Modern Spanish American Civilization (3) AS WLE (+)
SPN 5567 Modern Spanish Civilization (3) AS WLE (+)
SPW 5135 Colonial Spanish American Literature (3) AS WLE (+)
SPW 5355 Spanish American Drama and Poetry (3) AS WLE (+)
SPW 5387 Spanish American Prose (3) AS WLE (+)
SPW 5465 19 th Century Literature (3) AS WLE
SPW 5934 sec 901 Spanish American Fantastic Lit (3) AS WLE
SPW 5934 sec 902 Hispanic women Writers (3) AS WLE
SPW 6775 Caribbean Literature (3) AS WLE

* Examples include: Chiefdoms (3) AS ANT
Mesoamerican Archeology (3) AS ANT

** Examples include:
Race/Ethnic/Nation/Comparative (3) AS ISS

*** Examples include:
Latin American Arts and Letters since 1492 / Age of Revolution (3) AS HUM\
Latin American Arts and Letters “20 th Century Central America: Voices of Dissent” (3) AS HUM

+A review of the syllabus of these courses will be of importance in order to know if these courses belong to LACS.

For more information, please visit http://www.grad.usf.edu/programs/programinfo.asp?pcode=LASAS-M.A.

Paula Lezama
Associate Director and Academic Advisor
(813) 974-2962
plezama@usf.edu