Graduate Degree

Chicano/Latino Studies, Doctor of Philosophy

Program:
Chicano/Latino Studies, Doctor of Philosophy
Plan Code:
CHICAN_PHD
Program Level:
Graduate
Award Type:
Doctor of Philosophy
College:
College of Social Science
Department:
Social Science Dean


Excerpt from the official Academic Programs Catalog:

Listed below are the approved requirements for the program from the official Academic Programs Catalog.
Students must consult their advisors to learn which specific requirements apply to their degree programs.


College of Social Science

Graduate Study

Chicano/Latino Studies, Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Chicano/Latino Studies prepares scholars, researchers, and teachers in the social sciences and humanities to develop expertise in the historical and contemporary experiences of Chicanas/os/x and Latinas/os/x in their social, cultural, political, and economic contexts. The program emphasizes global, trans-disciplinary, comparative, and applied approaches to knowledge which enhance collaborative scholarly efforts within the university, peer educational institutions, and the broader community. It addresses Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x experiences in home communities in the United States, and international dimensions and diaspora experiences involving communities in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.   

Admission

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Chicano/Latino Studies is based on an evaluation of the student’s academic record. To be considered for admission to the program with regular status, applicants must have a master’s degree in an appropriate field or its equivalent, of at least 30 credits of approved course work beyond the bachelor’s degree. Applicants without a master’s degree or sufficient course work may be admitted provisionally and be required to complete a specified number of collateral courses, not to count toward the degree, before regular admission is granted.

Application forms for graduate school must be completed online for both domestic and international students. The Graduate School website contains all the information necessary to complete the application process. Applicants must submit the following materials:

  1. The online application form to the Graduate School.
  2. GRE General Test scores no more than five (5) years old, as well as two sets of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, to the Chicano/Latino Studies Graduate Program Director.
  3. A statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and a writing sample to the Chicano/Latino Studies Graduate Program Director. The letters of recommendation must be submitted by the recommender directly to the Chicano/Latino Studies office.
  4. Original transcripts from all colleges or universities attended sent directly from the institution to the Chicano/Latino Studies office.
  5. A writing sample of the applicant’s best example of written analytic and interpretative work that validates the applicant’s aptitudes and abilities in research and academic writing, and their preparation for scholarly work.
  6.  A statement of purpose of 1000 words or less providing the applicant’s explanation of why s/he wishes to pursue a doctoral degree in Chicano/Latino Studies, outlining an area of interest in Chicano/Latino Studies, and discusses career goals.

Guidance Committee

The graduate director will guide students in the selection of courses for the first year. By the end of the second semester of the first year, students should choose their major professor and their guidance committee. The committee shall consist of at least four members, at least two in Chicano/Latino Studies and up to two in related fields.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Chicano/Latino Studies

1. Students must complete 30 credits from the following:
a. All of the following courses (minimum of 15 credits):
CLS 810 Historiography and Social Science: Methods in Chicano/Latino Studies 3
CLS 811 Literary and Cultural Theory in Chicano/Latino Studies 3
CLS 893E Readings in Chicano/Latino Studies 1 to 4
CLS 894 Fieldwork in Chicano/Latino Studies 1 to 4
CLS 896 Seminar in Chicano/Latino Studies 3
b. A minimum of 3 credits in research methods in an area of specialization.
c. Complete 2 credits of electives from the following: American studies, anthropology, education, English, history of art, history, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, resource development, social work, sociology, and Spanish. The course work must be selected from an approved course list in consultation with the student's guidance committee.
2. Complete Spanish, Nahuatl, or another Amerindian language to fulfill the language requirement. Demonstrate advanced reading proficiency by passing oral and written examinations.
3. Pass two comprehensive written examinations as arranged by the guidance committee, one in Chicano/Latino Studies and one in the student’s area of specialization.
4. Complete 24 credits of CLS 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
5. Submit the dissertation proposal to the guidance committee and successfully pass the oral examination in defense of the dissertation.