About CLAS
The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) at the University of Arizona hosts an outstanding faculty with particular strengths in Mexico, Brazil, Environmental Studies, Border Studies, Indigenous Studies, and Women’s Studies.
The program is administered within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences by the Center for Latin American Studies, which coordinates a broad range of instructional, research and outreach activities relating to Latin America.
The program’s excellence was recognized in 2000 and 2003 (in collaboration with its counterpart at Arizona State University) by the repetition of a three-year instructional and outreach grant under the U.S. Dept. of Education Title VI Foreign Language and Area Studies Program, maintaining its competitive status in relation to the nation’s top Latin American Studies programs. This year, CLAS at University of Arizona is the recipient of a U.S. Dept. of Education Title VI grant allowing for the expansion of the Latin American Studies undergraduate program.
With over 100 affiliated faculty and more than 120 courses, the program offers BA and MA degrees, along with a PhD minor. MA students have the option of completing joint degrees with Public Administration, Public Health or Law. In the near future, CLAS is hoping to offer a dual Latin American Studies/Journalism MA degree.
MA graduates have found a wide range of employment in government, business, and non-profit organizations; and pursued PhDs in prestigious programs at Tulane University, University of Minnesota, University of Michigan, Rutgers University and the University of Arizona. The BA and MA degrees offer students flexibility through a multi-disciplinary focus, feature award-winning faculty, and are anchored within a strong and personable advising framework.
The University of Arizona is located in Tucson, Arizona in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, only 65 miles from the Mexican border. The Tucson region reflects strong cultural and economic ties to Latin America, especially Mexico, with many Spanish speaking residents and a range of arts, business and non-governmental organizations oriented to Latin America.
The University of Arizona is a major research university that has a strong commitment to excellence in both graduate and undergraduate education in addition to serving the local community. While the Latin American Studies faculty and courses are based throughout the university, the core staff and outreach center are housed in the Marshall Building, conveniently located across Park Avenue from the main campus and near the University restaurant and shopping district.
Visitor parking is available at several nearby parking garages. Please see our Center map for parking facilities near the Marshall Building.
