LACS welcomes Cornell undergraduates in all fields of study who are interested in studying and conducting research in Latin America to apply for the Latin American studies minor. 

Language Requirement

Proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese can be demonstrated in one of two ways: 

1. By passing a Romance Studies Department CASE language proficiency test at a Q++ level. Language proficiency tests are only available at the beginning of each semester, so please plan accordingly. Before taking the CASE exam, you need to take the COLLT (Cornell On-Line Language Test) for Spanish. Questions? Email Sam Lupowitz.
   -OR-
2. Successfully completing SPAN 2095 (or one Spanish course at a higher level if you tested out of 2095) or PORT 2010 or 2020 language course. (FLAC courses count towards the 15 elective credits below but not the minor's language requirement.)

Elective Courses

In addition to the language requirement, minor candidates must complete a minimum of 15 credits in approved Latin American studies elective courses (listed as LATA in the Cornell course catalog). Students must earn a B or higher in these courses. 

1. Selected courses must represent at least two different departments. LATA 4000 does not count toward this requirement.
2. Students must complete at least one advanced level course in Latin American studies (3000-4000 level). LATA 4000 does not count toward this requirement.
3. We don't require, but highly recommend, at least one semester of participation in the LATA 4000 (LACS Seminar Series).

If you would like to petition for a course or a study abroad semester to count towards the minor, please contact LACS to share the course syllabus.

While students may earn both the Latin American studies minor and Caribbean studies minor, no more than two overlapping elective courses may count toward both. Learn more about our Caribbean studies undergraduate minor and Latin American studies graduate minor. 

How to Apply

If you wish to start working towards your minor or have already completed the requirements, please click the “apply” button below. Fill out the online application form as fully as possible, even if you haven't completed all required coursework.

If you have questions, reach out to lacs@cornell.edu to set up an appointment. 

Apply

LATA/LSP 4000/6000

Learn more about Latin America and the Caribbean in a course that will also help you work toward achieving the Latin American and Caribbean studies minor.

This course encourages students to attend lectures, LACS public issue forums, Latin American or Caribbean films, and other campus events. This course is available in both the fall and spring semesters (FA20/SP21). Featuring guest speakers, the class will explore topics in anthropology, art, economics, history, literature, government, and sociology of U.S., Latino, and Latin American contexts.

The class will meet once at the beginning of the semester before you attend a broad range of events that are directly related to Latin America and the Caribbean or Latino Studies. After each event, you will write a summary of what you have learned from the event. 

As part of the Consortium for Advanced Studies Abroad (CASA), Cornell University offers study-abroad programs in Argentina, Chile, and Cuba. CASA member institutions are ten leading research universities, including Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Pennsylvania, and Vanderbilt University.

Global Cornell Opportunities for Education Abroad in Latin America and the Caribbean

Below are at-a-glance education abroad offerings and deadlines. Each program is hyperlinked to a website with more information. Faculty and students should also feel free to direct students to the Office of Global Learning's Education Abroad team with any questions.

View more study abroad opportunities on the Education Abroad website.