The Ohio State University Latinx Studies

Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization

Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization

Information about the Latinx Studies Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization

The Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Latinx Studies requires 10 credit hours of coursework, including the four credit hour core course CS 6425/SPAN 6705: Graduate Introduction to Latinx Studies, and two additional electives from the courses listed below. The goal of the GIS is to assist graduate students in gaining advanced knowledge of Latinx Studies and training in its interdisciplinary methods.
 
Per Graduate School guidelines, “The total credit hours must include at least 3 different courses, 9 credit hours of which must be taken in two different graduate programs outside of the student's home program. A grade of B or better (or S when applicable) is required in each course comprising the specialization. The graduate interdisciplinary specialization will appear on the student's transcript.”
 
All courses that count for the GIS must be at the 5000 - 8000 level, however, only one course at the 5000 level will count toward the GIS. All other courses must be at the 6000-8000 level. In this way, students are strongly encouraged to take courses at a level that puts them in conversation with other graduate students across disciplines.
 
In courses focused on culture, literature, or the arts, students will study multiple forms of Latinx creative expression with a focus on analysis of expressive forms themselves; theoretical frameworks for the interpretation of culture, literature, and art; the historical, social, and aesthetic contexts of Latinx cultural production; and its intertextualities. Students will also consider the reception, impact and transformative power of Latinx creative expression.  
 
In courses focused on history and social issues, students will examine the histories and lived experiences of multiple Latinx groups in the U.S., gaining greater understanding of the relationship between power and difference (Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran American, Dominican American and others). Students will learn about the experiences of communities who had been rendered invisible by canonical histories in the U.S. and Latin America as well as acquire new methodologies for historical research. Students will also consider the complexity of current issues affecting the Latinx population in the U.S. such as immigration, educational policy, language, labor, voting trends, etc. 

General Advising Information for GIS Program 

Students interested in the GIS should consult with the program director regarding a plan of study. The links to the right provide a term-by-term list of courses offered for credit toward the program. Once the director has confirmed the plan, the student can submit the GIS application form through the Graduate School's web site.  For more details regarding this application, please see the Graduate School Instructions.

The Graduate School has moved to an electronic forms processing system called GRADFORMS.OSU.EDU.  Presently, applications to graduate and all degree examination forms are being handled by this system, as well as the minor and interdisciplinary specialization forms. After logging into GRADFORMS, click "Graduation and Examination Forms," and then scroll down to "Minors and Interdisciplinary Specializations." The GIS form is located here.

According to the new system, the student fills out the form for the GIS, and then it is sent to the program director for review.  Then, the director approves the form, and it goes to the Graduate School for their review. Please let the director know if you have submitted a form because the Graduate School only informs the director "as a courtesy," which means the director might not actually get a notification. The same applies to changes in your graduate program.  Also, please let the director know if you submit a request for changes so they may be approved. 

Students should only submit the Minors and Interdisciplinary Specialization Form once they’ve completed all required coursework for the minor or specialization. If you submitted a Minors and Interdisciplinary Specialization Form in the previous version of GradForms prior to Spring 2026, please submit a new form once all coursework is completed for the minor or interdisciplinary specialization (or by the application to graduate deadline).

General questions about Graduate School degree options and specializations may be directed to Tim Watson, director of Graduation Services, at (614) 247-7292. Questions regarding the GradForms system may be directed to Wilma Barnfather at barnfather.1@osu.edu.

Faculty Advisor for the GIS

César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández

Program Director, Latinx Studies Program; Professor of Law, Gregory H. Williams Chair in Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at the OSU Moritz College of Law

garciahernandez.2@osu.edu
For more information about Latinx Studies GIS, please contact the faculty advisor. 

Core GIS Requirements