The Department of Latin American and Latinx Studies (LLS) at John Jay College of Criminal Justice is dedicated to multi-disciplinary teaching and scholarship in the areas of Latin America and the Caribbean, Latinx communities in the United States, and race and ethnicity in the United States. The curriculum is taught by faculty with expertise in a variety of disciplines including criminal justice in the United States, international criminal justice, law, history, culture, psychology, sociology, human rights, politics, and literature. The major prepares students for a variety of careers in the public or private sector. Our department also has special initiatives to prepare students interested in law school and graduate school. Students graduating with this major are pursuing a wide-range of careers, including but not limited to law, public policy, education, community service, social work, counseling, and immigrants’ rights and advocacy.
Major Requirements
LLS Courses That Meet General Education Requirements
Major Advising in Fall/Spring
LLS major advising is being done remotely in Fall 2022. Students can email Dr. Brian Montes (bmontes@jjay.cuny.edu ), and he will arrange to advise them via email or Skype/Zoom if desired.
All Latin American and Latinx Studies majors should be advised in the major at least once a semester. Dr. Brian Montes is the Latin American and Latinx Studies Major Coordinator for Fall 2022.
Major Advising in Summer/Winter
Registration and Major Holds
Sophomores with 45-59 credits may have a hold on their registration. The hold will be removed when they have a major advising appointment with Dr. Brian Montes or another LLS faculty member recommended by Dr. Montes. This discussion will encourage wise planning and allow students to ask any questions they may have about the major. How do you know if you have a major hold? Go to CUNYfirst and complete the following steps:
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Check the Holds box of your CUNYfirst Student Center. If "Advisement Required" appears, click on “details.”
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Click on “Advisement Required.”
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See which type of advisement you need. If you must see a major advisor, then make a major advising appointment following the steps preferred by this department.
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Avoid Course Planning Mistakes!
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Under Part One of the major, note that LLS 242, U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America, is a core course. It has as prerequisites ENG 101, and GOV/POL 101 or permission of the section instructor.
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Under Part Three, you will select one of three options—a study abroad course, a fieldwork/internship experience, or an independent research project.
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Part Four of the major requires one 200-level course in Spanish or Portuguese. In order to complete this requirement on time, be sure to establish the 100 level language foundation early (POR 101-102 or SPA 101-102 or SPA 111-112). Note: Students may be exempt from taking a 200-level course in Spanish or Portuguese if they have taken an equivalent 200-level course at another college, scored sufficiently high on the CLEP exam, or scored sufficiently high on the placement exam offered by the Modern Language Center at John Jay (212-484-1140).
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In Part Five of the major, you will choose between Track A: Latin America and Track B: U.S. Latinx. See the Undergraduate Bulletin for more information on each track.
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For Part Six, you will complete the required Capstone Course LLS 425 (Senior Seminar in Latin American and Latinx Studies: Issues of Justice and Injustice).
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In order to be eligible for Part Seven (LLS Honors Option course LLS 489), you must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average in the LLS major and an overall cumulative GPA of at least 3.2. Eligible students are encouraged to take this course, as honors courses enhance your academic record.
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Some course credits in the LLS major might also count towards another major or minor. However, you may only count two LLS courses toward fulfilling requirements in another major or minor.
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In order to graduate, you will need at least 120 credits with a 2.0 overall GPA and a 2.0 GPA in the major. Taking an excessive number of credits in any semester can result in lowering your GPA, so be sure to take a reasonable number of credits during the fall and spring semesters. Consider winter and summer courses to avoid taking an excessive number of credits in any semester.
Required Study Abroad, Fieldwork, or Independent Research
Study Abroad
The LLS department regularly sponsors study abroad courses, and scholarships are available for students to travel abroad. The department sponsors study abroad programs in many Latin American countries, including Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Mexico. For general information about study abroad programs and scholarship opportunities, see the International Studies and Programs Office webpage.
Fieldwork (Internship)
We encourage you to gain hands-on experience in the field you wish to enter eventually. The LLS 321 Fieldwork/Internship course (4 credits) helps build your résumé; employers, graduate schools, and law schools look for paid and unpaid internship experiences in their selection process.
Independent Research
You will have the opportunity to design your own independent study with the guidance of a supervising instructor. LLS 489* is the course number that allows you to register for LLS independent research once you’ve gained permission of an instructor, the LLS Department, and the Office of Undergraduate Studies. See your major advisor to discuss any questions or concerns related to this opportunity.
*Note that LLS 489 will become LLS 389 by the spring semester of 2018
Work/Study Balance
Monitor Your Progress in the Major (Major Checklist, Sample 4 yr Plan)
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DegreeWorks degree audit - Use this online planning tool to track your overall progress toward graduation. You will see which of your general education and major requirements are completed, in progress, or still needed. Refer to the DegreeWorks FAQs to better understand how to use this helpful tool. Note: Confirm the accuracy of your degree audit with a general advisor and with a major advisor.
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LLS Major Checklist - Fill out this printable worksheet to keep track of which major requirements you have completed and which ones you still need. Note: This checklist is not a substitute for seeing your LLS major advisor. Your major advisor can provide you with information and advice not included in the checklist.
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Sample Four Year Plan - See our Track A Sample Four Year Plan and our Track B Sample Four Year Plan for an example of how you could complete all your degree requirements (major, general education, electives) and graduate in four years! Remember that this sample plan shows just one possible way to combine your requirements. Transfer students in particular should work with advisors to determine a plan that works best for them.
Meet with a General Academic Advisor
A General Academic Advisor will confirm what general academic requirements you still need, make suggestions about smart course planning that will help you graduate without delays, discuss your interest in adding a minor or second major, inform you about opportunities such as study abroad, discuss general questions and concerns, and make helpful referrals. Visit the Academic Advisement Center's webpage for more information.
Career Opportunities Related to the Major
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Careers in law, education, social work and other fields providing services to the public
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Public service agencies at the city, state, and federal levels
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Nonprofit sector positions with advocacy organizations and community service agencies
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Careers in the international sector
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Private sector firms
Career Guidance
Your GPA and Your Career
Internship and Fieldwork Opportunities
Graduate School Preparation
What are LLS Alumni Doing Now?
Myriam Santamaría, Class of 2017
Corps Member
Teach For America, Miami-Dade
Fernando Andrade, Class of 2017
Paralegal/Community Navigator
New York Legal Assistance Group, New York, NY
Claudia Mendoza, Class of 2016
Special Assistant to New York Secretary of State
New York Department of State