What You’ll Learn in PSU’s Chicanx/Latinx Studies Program
What does it mean to be Latino in the United States? Study the histories, practices, stories, cultures and literature of our country’s largest minority in Portland State's Chicanx/Latinx Studies degree, minor and certificate programs.
Courses on Latinx Identity, History and Culture
We ground our program in social justice and cultural empowerment and center the lived experiences and knowledge production of Chicanx/Latinx communities. Our courses invite you to explore topics like Chicanx families, Latinx youth cultures and Latinos in education.
You’ll learn to value and uplift Latino communities and discover how the field of Chicanx/Latinx Studies grew from community activism that advocated for an ethnic studies curriculum. You’ll also gain a critical perspective of Latinx people and culture in a community-engaged Latinx studies framework.
Whether you want to learn more about your own cultura or enter the workforce with a better understanding of Latinx culture, you'll find a home in PSU's distinctive Chicanx/Latinx Studies program.
Portland State is the only university in the Pacific Northwest to offer a degree in Chicanx/Latinx studies. Our program allows students to see their rich histories, cultures, experiences, stories and perspectives authentically represented in the classroom.
A Hispanic-Serving Institution in the Pacific Northwest
As an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution with a growing Latinx student population, PSU has created a program that empowers students to see their communities as vibrant and beautiful — even as systems of oppression erase their contributions and cultures as legitimate.
Faculty Committed to Mentorship and Student Success
Program faculty are among the most academically diverse on campus and are experts in education, Spanish linguistics, social work and literature. They go beyond classroom lessons to mentor students, write letters of recommendation and provide graduate school support.
Community, Collaboration and Cultural Connection at PSU
Our students appreciate our close ties with PSU's Heritage Language Initiative, where students may take heritage Spanish courses to strengthen their skills. They take courses in other ethnic studies programs, including Black Studies, Indigenous Nations Studies and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. They have the opportunity to attend collaborative events with the La Casa Latina Student Center and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA), and join research and service learning opportunities in Portland, Oregon and beyond.
The growing Hispanic population in the U.S. — 62 million and counting — makes a degree in Chicanx/Latinx studies both practical and relevant.
The U.S. Latino population is young, diverse and growing, and demands a workforce that can meet its changing needs. You'll graduate with the background and skills to help advance the interests and well-being of the second-largest demographic in the U.S.
Our program provides you with the historical context, critical thinking skills and culturally relevant tools to pursue a career as a:
- Community worker
- Doctor
- Educator
- Interpreter
- Lawyer
- Mental health provider
- Nonprofit worker
- Public health worker
- Small business owner
Pathways to Graduate Study in Social Work, Public Health and More
Your degree can also prepare you for graduate programs in:
- Bilingual education
- Child and family studies
- Ethnic studies
- History
- Legal studies
- Public and community health
- Social work
- Spanish
- Urban studies
Take the Next Step Toward Cultural Empowerment
Ready to dive into the rich histories and cultures of Latinx communities? Apply now to Portland State University’s Chicanx/Latinx Studies program and become an advocate for social justice and cultural empowerment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chicanx/Latinx Studies?
Chicanx/Latinx Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the histories, cultures, politics and experiences of Chicanx and Latinx communities in the United States.
What can I do with a degree in Chicanx/Latinx Studies?
Graduates can pursue careers in education, social work, public policy, community organizing and more, focusing on issues affecting Latinx populations.
Does Portland State University offer community engagement opportunities for Chicanx/Latinx Studies students?
Yes, PSU’s program emphasizes community involvement, providing opportunities to work with local Latinx organizations and initiatives.