The Department of Chicana(o) & Latina(o) Studies (CLS) is an interdisciplinary field of study that takes a critical approach to understand social (in)justice, power relations, community, and global dynamics. Students are trained intensively to hone critical thinking, writing, analysis, and speaking skills-all of which our students utilize in their future careers and/or graduate school endeavors. Our mission is to train students to engage in inquiry, analysis, and action in regards to the lives, history, politics, education, art, and culture of Chicana/o/x, Latina/o/x, Afro-Latina/o/x and Indigenous people living in the U.S. To do so, CLS offers a solid foundation of expertise in the following focus areas:

1. Educación y Salud,

2. Migrations & Transborder Studies,

3. Jotería & Muxerista/Feminista Studies, and

4. Social and Cultural Movimientos. 

Students with a degree in Chicana(o) & Latina(o) Studies pursue careers in a variety of industries including, but not limited to public health, politics, education, nonprofit work, journalism, law, business, and the arts.

The program includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies, a minor in Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies, and a Masters of Arts degree in Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies. The department also offers minors in Central American Studies and Mesoamerican Studies.

The total number of units for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies is 120 to 136 units. The Core Courses total 39 units.

The Bachelor of Arts degree is available in three options: 

Option 1, the General Program, requires 12 units, is intended for students interested in interdisciplinary study of Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x experiences. 

Option 2, Elementary Subject Matter (ESM) Waiver, requires 68 units, is for students interested in pursuing a K-8 teaching credential after their bachelor’s and would allow them to waive the CSET: Multiple Subjects exam through an approved set of completed accredited academic coursework.  

Option 3, the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ESM, Degree and Credential Completion Option [Multiple Subject] , requires 97 units, is intended for those students who want to earn their K-8 teaching credentials while earning their bachelor’s.