New Students
Welcome to LALS!
Start here if you are a:
- new first-year student
- junior transfer student
- continuing student changing your major to LALS
Have you decided which of our majors you are interested in? You can review all of the options and their requirements in the General Catalog. Some things you might consider:
- Would your educational and/or career goals include bilingualism as an asset or necessity? If so, our LALS BA with Language Intensive Concentration may be of interest to you
- Do you have an interest in political theory or sociology that you could explore in one of our combined majors?
- If you're considering a career in education, we'll also have a combined major with education beginning in Fall 2024, and starting in 2023-24, the LALS and Education Dept 4+1 Contiguous Bachelors Masters Pathway
We encourage you to reach out to lalsadvising@ucsc.edu or lalspeer@ucsc.edu or make an appointment on Navigate Slug Success if you would like to talk over the options with a program advisor.
Have you already decided which program you want to complete? We'd love to help you map out a plan to graduation with your required major courses. Reach out to lalsadvising@ucsc.edu or make an appointment on Navigate Slug Success.
All of our majors take LALS 1: Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies
Students tell us they love this course because it changes how they view the world! LALS 1 is offered in fall, winter, and summer, and we recommend jumping in as soon as you decide to major in LALS.
Junior transfer students should also take LALS 100. You can find information for transfer students here.
Opportunities in LALS
Our Undergraduate and Advising pages are full of information for LALS students. Are you curious about Undergraduate Research? Or Study Abroad? If you think you might want to take advantage of Global Learning opportunities, it's especially important to start early.
If you'd like to learn more about our Faculty, read about some of their recent work and projects on their profile pages or in the News, and then get ready to attend faculty Office Hours so you can make a connection.
Language and LALS
Second language is no longer a requirement for LALS majors, only for the Language Intensive Concentration, and the 2024 Combined major with Education. If you would like to take language instruction courses or courses taught in another language, here's some info for you:
- Students assess their language preparation through the Language Studies Program. Placement exams may be used to enroll in the appropriate language-instruction courses, or to help direct self-study, to prepare for enrollment in a course or study abroad (only some programs require proficiency).
- Contact the LALS Undergraduate Program Coordinator for more information.
