Designated Emphasis in Latin American and Latino Studies

The Designated Emphasis in Latin American & Latino Studies (LALS) provides graduate students from other graduate programs at UCSC with opportunities for interdisciplinary study with faculty from across the campus. Completion of the program will be listed on the graduate degree as a Designated Emphasis.

Students wishing to pursue the Designated Emphasis in LALS should consult with their respective Graduate Program Coordinators and with their faculty advisors before submitting the Petition to Enroll. Students should declare their intent to undertake the DE prior to the execution of their Qualifying Exams. Graduate students are strongly encouraged to submit the application no later than the end of the third year.

Requirements for the Designated Emphasis

  • Committee Composition. The student must have a designated LALS advisor (DE advisor) from among the Latin American and Latino studies core or affiliated faculty. This advisor will be in addition to the faculty advisor from the student’s home department. The Latin American and Latino Studies advisor must serve on the student’s QE and/or dissertation committee.
  • Courses. Students must submit a course plan to the LALS Graduate Committee for approval to enroll in the DE. The student must take five graduate courses in Latin American and Latino Studies: the required LALS 200, one LALS course taught by a core LALS faculty member, and three courses with LALS content in any UCSC department taught by core, participating, or affiliated LALS faculty.

How to add the DE in Latin American and Latino Studies

Please download and complete the Petition to Enroll in the LALS Designated Emphasis and submit to lals-phd@ucsc.edu. Attach syllabi for any courses you plan to take outside of the LALS Department. The Graduate Program Coordinator will submit the petition to the LALS Graduate Committee for approval.

Students who have completed all requirements for the Designated Emphasis must submit the Designated Emphasis Completion Checklist to the LALS Graduate Program Coordinator via email (lals-phd@ucsc.edu). The checklist must be signed by your DE advisor and include a copy of your unofficial transcript. If you took different courses than what you listed on your original Petition to Enroll, you must attach syllabi of those courses for Graduate Committee approval. Once the completion checklist is approved, the Graduate Program Coordinator will confirm your DE with the Graduate Division so it will be listed on your degree.