Why Pursue a Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies
UT San Antonio’s Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies is a 15 semester credit hour concentration available to degree-seeking students who have been admitted to any institutional graduate program, as well as non-degree seeking graduate students who meet all the requirements outlined in the UT San Antonio Graduate Catalog. In order to ensure that students obtain a multidisciplinary perspective on Latin America, it is required that the courses be housed in at least two different departments, with at least 6 semester credit hours outside the student’s home department. This allows students to individualize their program of study to meet their specific interest areas, while ensuring thematic breadth across disciplines. It is strongly encouraged to have basic proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese.
Earn a Master's Degree
Are you ready to take your career and academic journey to the next level? Combine this program with another eligible certificate to earn a master’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies!
Choose from 35+ other disciplines (like creative writing, Mexican American studies, teaching English as a second language and more). Take advantage of the opportunity to customize your degree to align with your professional and educational goals.
Admission & Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through the UT San Antonio Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UT San Antonio Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UT San Antonio by the appropriate application deadline.
For international students, please note that student visas are not issued at UT San Antonio for non-degree-seeking students, including certificate programs. For more information, visit our international students admission page.
| Latin American Studies (Certificate) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Required Degree | Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution. | |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours | |
| Transcripts* | Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English | |
| Credential Evaluation | Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from FCSA or any NACES-approved credential evaluation agency. | |
| English Language Proficiency | 79 TOEFL iBT / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100 For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026: We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 4.0. |
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| *Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University. | ||
Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.
| Latin American Studies (Certificate) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing on Admission Decision: Completed applications will be reviewed for admission on a rolling basis. Decisions generally will be made and sent to applicants within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving the application. | |||
| Application Deadlines for: | Priority | International | Domestic |
| Spring 2026 | November 1 | December 1 | |
| Summer 2026 | May 1 | May 1 | |
| Fall 2026 | June 1 | August 1 | |
| Spring 2027 | November 1 | December 1 | |
| Summer 2027 | May 1 | May 1 | |
Funding Opportunities
ResourcesCareer Options
UT San Antonio prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below are based on data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Graduate Certificate program in Latin American Studies is a 15-credit hour concentration available to graduate students who have been admitted to any UTSA graduate program.
This Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies offers a combination of advanced and multidisciplinary coursework designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the theoretical foundations of Latin American cultures and civilizations, including exposure to relevant skills for engaged applied work. International study experiences in Latin America are strongly recommended.
This certificate will be particularly valuable for M.A. and Ph.D. students in the Social Sciences, Humanities, Public Policy or Medicine who are interested in applying their targeted proficiencies and skills in Latin America and the international arena. It will also enhance their employment credentials in government, non-profit, educational and international settings.
Earning the Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies will require completion of 5 graduate courses (a total of 15 credits) related to Latin America or Latinos in the U.S. At least two of the graduate classes must be taken outside of their main area of study, fostering a interdisciplinary understanding of the topic.
The program consists of 15 credits and can be completed in two or three semesters.
Students in Latin American Studies use their degree in a variety of careers, including: Public Policy/Non-Profit Management, Government, Medical Humanities/Public Health, Law, Education, Journalism and/or Business.
Credits may be able to transfer to a full degree program depending on the program’s admission requirements.
