About Our Program

A major or minor in Latin American Studies is an excellent complement to any other major program. Latin America is the location of major US trade partners, and Latin American immigrants constitute the largest segment of market growth in the US, including in the major economic markets of Boston, California, New York, Chicago, Texas, and Florida. This makes the LAS major a great companion to a business degree. In this world, business majors and M.B.A. graduates with a Latin American studies background have a comparative advantage in the world market, as large corporations seek executives with a better understanding of the region's complex social, cultural and economic issues.

Why Latin American Studies?

Latin American Studies is a gateway to the region and its cultures, politics and history. The major in Latin American Studies can be studied on its own, providing knowledge about a region valuable for employers across different fields and industries. Focusing on Latin America allows students to engage with one of the most fascinating historical trajectories in the world, with diverse cultures where the traditional and the modern are always negotiating, and with the opportunity to participate in vibrant business, intellectual and political scenes. Latin America is a region at the forefront of policy reform, embedded in the complex networks of global economics, development, social engagement and cultural expression. Because of the region’s importance, the LAS major provides key skills for today’s jobs.

upcoming
events

Ana Gallego Cuiñas Talk at WU

Literature as Commodity: Professor Ana Gallego Cuiñas, “Cultura literaria latinoamericana y mercado del libro en el siglo 21 (editoriales, ferias y festivales)”

upcoming
events

Curtis Marez lecture at WU

Professor Curtis Marez, "Farmworkers in the Visual Field: Racial Capitalism and Farmworker Representation"

Study Abroad Programs

Latin America offers an increasing number of study-abroad and fellowship opportunities. At Washington University, we have in place in-house programs in Chile, Mexico and Ecuador, with other countries forthcoming. Some of our students apply to other programs and fellowships with environmental, political and social organizations in the region. NGOs and institutions such as Fullbright, Comexus, the Ford foundation, Human Rights Watch and Greenpeace have a strong presence in Latin America, and students with a Latin American background have a wide array of fellowship and internship opportunities in them.

Learn more about our Study Abroad Programs