Hispanic & Latino Studies

Major Requirements

Minor Requirements

Some statistics that may surprise you

  • The population of the Lehigh Valley is nearly 20% Hispanic, and this figure is rising yearly.
  • More than 50% of all U.S. Immigrants since 1960 are Hispanic-and that’s not counting Puerto Ricans or illegal immigrants.
  • One in nine people in the United States is Hispanic. The median age is under 30.
  • There will be more than 40 million Hispanics living in the USA by 2010.
  • By 2004, Hispanics will be the country’s number one minority, above African Americans
  • New York City is currently 28% Hispanic.
  • U. S. corporations in the Fortune 500 have identified 30 million U. S. Latino consumers with a purchasing power of $300 billion.
  • There are over 800,000 Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S.
  • For 18 million Americans, Spanish is their first, or only, language.

How do these facts affect Cedar Crest students and prospective students?

Extensive and practical knowledge of Spanish (via a double major) is a vital career-preparation component for some of the top majors at Cedar Crest: Education, Nursing, Psychology, Business, Social Work, Nutrition, etc.

A Hispanic and Latino Studies major or minor compliments all other majors offered, often resulting in more job offers and more opportunity for career advancement.

HLS is easier to attain a double major in than many other programs because it offers accelerated, online, and evening course options, and is not particularly credit-heavy. Students are only required to take SPA 301; they may choose other 300-level courses that match their interests and career goals. The program is not “lockstep” and does not require them to take one particular course after another in a rigid order.

An increasing number of students have taken Spanish in high school and/or junior high and often attain advanced level of study. Many of these students are eager to continue building on their years of language experience while others quickly see the benefits to doing so when new opportunities to their use their language skills arise.

Spanish is one of the “easy” languages to learn; the pronunciation is almost completely phonetic; there is great camaraderie in the Spanish classes, and we have an active Spanish Club.

Hispanic and Latino Studies is one of the 20 most popular majors at Cedar Crest.

Cedar Crest College offers innovative course topics such as Hispanic Popular Culture in the United States; Spanish in the Workplace; Spanish for Health Professions (an accelerated online course); Caribbean Literature; Hispanic Women Writers, etc.

Please note that changes are occasionally made in program requirements. Schedules for course offerings are announced well in advance. Faculty work closely with students in program selection and scheduling.

Cedar Crest College complies with all applicable federal and state legislation and does not discriminate in educational programs or in employment on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability or sexual orientation.