Certificate of Graduate Study: Latin American Studies

Our graduate certificate in Latin American Studies focuses on Latin American history, literature and culture. It includes courses in areas such as anthropology, history and political science. The advanced understanding you'll gain from this interdisciplinary approach will help you reach your scholarly and professional goals, and also expand your career options.

You can pursue the certificate if you're enrolled in a graduate program, or as a student-at-large. You should seek advising early in your graduate studies. Consult with both your graduate program director and the director of the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies.

Please note: The Center for Latino and Latin American Studies does not offer degrees. You will obtain any graduate degrees through your major department. Be sure to meet their requirements. Completion of the certificate will be noted on your transcript.

Requirements

You'll need to complete 12 hours of coursework. The courses must be taken in at least two different departments.

In addition to the courses below, you can enroll in any graduate-level special topics course or directed study focused on Latin America (with approval from the director of the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies).

One of the following (three credits):

  • ANTH 504 Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean
  • FLSP 556 Colonial Latin American Literature
  • FLSP 562 Seminar on the Cultures of Latin America
  • HIST 586 Inequality in Latin America
  • HIST 620 Reading Seminar in Latin American History
  • HIST 720 Research Seminar in Latin American History

Three of the following (nine credits):
View current program requirements

Graduate Course Schedule

Please check the NIU Schedule of Classes for the most up-to-date information.

Graduate Certificate in Latin American Studies Spring 2026 Graduate Courses
Course Number Course Name Instructor Day/Time Location Meeting Dates
ANTH 504 Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean TBD Monday
6-8:40 p.m.
Stevens Building 173 January 12 - May 8, 2026
ENGL 671 Postcolonial Literatures in English Reuven Pinnata Tuesday
6-8:40 p.m.
Reavis Hall 203 January 12 - May 8, 2026
FLSP 558 Spanish American Modernismo and Vanguardias: 1880-1945 Francisco Solares-Larrave Tuesday
6-8:40 p.m.
DuSable Hall 274 January 12 - May 8, 2026
MUSP 644 Afro-Cuban Percussion Benjamin Wahlund, Gregory Beyer, Rodrigo Villanueva Conroy Friday
2-3:30 p.m.
Music Building 153 January 12 - May 8, 2026

Mode of instruction for all courses subject to change. Please check the NIU Schedule of Classes for the most up-to-date information.

Contact Us

Center for Latino and Latin American Studies
Northern Illinois University
515 Garden Rd.
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-1531
latinostudies@niu.edu

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