About the Center

About the Center

As a Title VI National Resource Center supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) is nationally recognized as one of the top Latin American Studies programs in the country.

Student-Centered Programs

We foster an interdisciplinary learning experience, with an emphasis on language immersion. Our faculty are deeply engaged with students in the classroom, in the field, and through community outreach. We offer:

  • B.A. and M.A. in LAS
  • Dual M.A. (Law, Journalism, Public Health, and Public Administration)
  • Study Abroad programs in Guatemala, Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico
  • Tinker Foundation scholarships for summer fieldwork in Latin America
  • FLAS fellowships for students interested in Portuguese and Indigenous languages

Interdisciplinary Research

CLAS has eight core faculty and 150 affiliated faculty from 42 colleges, schools, and research institutes. Our faculty are at the forefront of public debate on a variety of critical contemporary Latin American topics. We contribute to innovative policy solutions through our regional networks. Our expertise includes:

  • Human rights, migration, and the U.S.-Mexico border
  • Race, identity, and politics in Brazil
  • Environment, development, and health
  • Violence and peacebuilding
  • Indigenous peoples, gender, and social movements

Outreach in the Community

We are dedicated to educating the Tucson community and beyond about the history, politics, and culture of Latin America. We provide:

  • Teacher training programs and curriculum development for K-12 schools
  • Programming and collaborations with Latin American colleagues and institutions across the country
  • Support for strong collaborations with Latin American colleagues and institutions

Learn more about the history of the Center for Latin American Studies