Northern Illinois University
Center for Latino and Latin American Studies
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The minor in Latino and Latin American studies provides students with detailed knowledge of the Latino experience in the United States as well as Latin American civilization, enriches the general educational experience of students, and offers several practical applications. It prepares future teachers to lecture in Latino and Latin American studies and provides them with knowledge of the cultural heritage of their Latino students. The minor also provides other future professionals with the knowledge to maximize their job performance in regions with Latino populations. Latino students enrolled in the minor also acquire a broader understanding of their history and culture. The eighteen semester hours required for the minor must come from at least two departments, with no more than twelve semester hours from one department. Students participating in the Latino/Latin American Studies minor may apply up to nine semester hours from their major toward the minor.

Student Testimonials

"I'm an immigrant from Guatemala and first generation college student graduating with my B.A. in Sociology with a minor in LATS and Spanish. My future plan is to attend Law School. My LATS minor will help me connect better with my Latin community in my future endeavors." by Melanie Higueros Lopez ’24

"I'm graduating with a bachelor's in Communicative Disorders and a minor in LATS. I chose the LATS minor to better understand diverse cultures, which will help me treat diverse clients in the future." by Nevin Runge ’24

"My LATS minor has helped me see how wonderful unity is and how it could help me in my career. I want to work in a non-profit organization after I graduate, one that helps people from around the world, but with the main focus of immigration. Mostly because I want people to not feel alone on a journey. Not only have I felt at home at NIU, but I have felt at home in the minor as well." by Lorena Nava-Moyotl ’24