Certificate Programs

Graduate Certificate in Latino and Latina Studies

Latino and Latina Studies focuses on cultural production and political and socioeconomic experiences of people inculcated within mainland US experiences, self-identifying as Latinx. The LATS graduate certificate will examine this enduring and dynamic population that crosses and re-crosses borders constructed by geography, linguistics, class, race, and gender. This program of study is designed to accommodate a range of voices and multiple manifestations of Latino and Latina identity and cultural expression in historical and contemporary contexts to fill in this vital but often overlooked component of our national identity and discourse. Students pursuing a LATS graduate certificate are expected to obtain language competence in Spanish before completing the program, though they do not need to meet this requirement when applying for the certificate. Students may satisfy this requirement by completing SPAN 3303, or any other course with a higher number taught in Spanish, or an oral or written exam administered by the Program.

Any student enrolled in a graduate program at Vanderbilt is eligible to apply for the Certificate in Latino and Latina Studies. Acceptance in the program requires the approval of the student’s primary adviser and CLACX’s Gretchen Selcke. Graduate courses successfully completed at Vanderbilt University prior to admission to the program may be counted toward the certificate requirements with the approval of the director of the program. An undergraduate course may be substituted for a graduate course required by the program’s curriculum with the approval of the director of the program and the Graduate School.

A certificate in Latino and Latina Studies is awarded with either the M.A. or Ph.D. degree upon fulfillment of the following requirements: (1) Completion of at least 12 (M.A.) or 15 (Ph.D.) credit hours of interrelated course work across two or more disciplines. Two courses, LATS 3201/5201 or English 3658/LATS 3658 and LATS 5961, are required. Remaining courses must be taken in at least two different disciplines outside of students’ home department, with no more than two courses (6 credit hours) coming from any one discipline. We strongly encourage students take as wide a range of courses as possible appropriate to the student’s program of study and forming an intellectually cohesive whole, are required. Up to six credit hours of specifically named required courses from a student’s primary degree program may count toward the certificate. Courses must be approved for credit by the CLACX director of graduate studies. One course (3 credit hours) may be satisfied through an independent study with a faculty member affiliated with the Latino and Latina Studies program, with the approval of the Assistant Director of CLACX. Completion of two papers or projects demonstrating the application of concepts related to Latino and Latina studies framework or methodology to research, teaching, or fieldwork.

Students wishing to enroll must complete the online forms through the Graduate School portal.

Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies

CLACX offers graduate students enrolled in different departments and schools at Vanderbilt the opportunity to complete a Certificate in Latin American Studies. The Certificate allows students to document their specialization in the region and proficiency in a relevant language.  The LAS Certificate also encourages graduate students to study outside of their disciplinary specialization. Students wishing to enroll must complete the online forms through the Graduate School portal.

• Download a PDF document of the LAS Graduate Certificate guidelines.
• View the LAS Course List  for options that count towards a Latin American Studies certificate.

LAS Certificate Requirements for A & S Graduate Students:

• Complete 12 credit hours of related graduate-level coursework on Latin America, with at least 6 credit hours coming from outside the primary field of focus.
• Demonstrate conversational or reading proficiency at the intermediate-mid level in either Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian or an indigenous Latin American language.
• Participate in five extracurricular activities sponsored by CLACX and submit a reflection paper for each event.

LAS Certificate Requirements for Peabody Graduate Students:

A certificate in Latin American studies is awarded to M.Ed. and Ph.D. students in the Peabody College of Education upon completion of: 6 hours of course work related to Latin America, a project connected to Latin American issues/data, and the demonstration of language competence at the intermediate-mid level.