Available to visiting and permanent students, the Certificate program in Ibero-American Studies offered on the Madrid Campus of Saint Louis University provides a richly interdisciplinary approach to the history, politics and culture of Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. Courses drawn from the fields of History, Political Science, Anthropology, Archaeology, Economics, Philosophy and Theology, as well as Spanish literature and Portuguese, enable students to explore the complex dynamics of Ibero-American societies, from the pre-historic era to the present. What is more, by living and studying in Madrid and taking part in academic trips to Latin America and different regions of the Iberian Peninsula, students not only study the Ibero-American experience; they live this experience, too.
The IAS Certificate requires 6 courses, and your course of study may be tailored based on your interests and career aspirations. Students at the Madrid campus can complete the IAS Certificate in 2 semesters or 1 semester and 1-2 summer sessions. Because the certificate is multidisciplinary, you may simultaneously pursue it and your major area of study, all while staying on track for an on-time graduation (the IAS Certificate also satisfies your “remaining hours” requirement of completing a Minor or Certificate). The program culminates in a once-in-a-lifetime experiential learning trip to South America, where you will interact with local cultures, participate in university seminars, tour historical sights and volunteer within the local community.
Saint Louis University is a member of the Asociación de Amigos del Museo de América.
For Museum information and activities, please visit: Museo de América
What is Ibero-American Studies and why is it important?
Today’s marketplace demands that potential employees be cross-culturally aware and proficient in a second language. The Ibero-American Studies Certificate Program at SLU Madrid is designed for those who seek to enhance their undergraduate degree with a multidisciplinary education on the Spanish- and Portuguese speaking world. This program offers a wide range of courses in fields such as history, political science, economics, sociology, Spanish and Latin American literature and Portuguese. The Ibero-American Certificate Program goes beyond academic study and places cultural and political issues in a contemporary context. SLU Madrid offers this experience from a unique perspective—Madrid, Spain, the social, political and economic capital of Iberia.
Top 5 Reasons to Study Ibero-American Studies
To gain an expertise on Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Iberian Peninsula, enhancing your major area of study
To link together and synthesize a variety of courses (courses in a wide range of fields count toward the Certificate)
To “have something to show” from your electives or your studies abroad (visiting students can complete the certificate while staying on track with home university requirements)
To participate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Ibero-America first-hand by visiting three South American countries where you will interact with local cultures, participate in university seminars, tour historical sights and volunteer within the local community
To develop valuable interpersonal skills for working with the significant percentage of the population in the US whose cultural roots are in Spanish-speaking countries
Career Options for IAS Certificate Alumni
Serve in a US government agency: the Peace Corps, State Department, Agency for International Development, Central Intelligence Agency, and National Security Agency recruit area studies students
Work with an international development organization, such as the Organization of American States or the Inter-American Development Bank
Work for a multinational corporation with branches in the Iberian Peninsula and/or Latin America
Work with a national, state or local agency serving Spanish-speaking populations
Work in the travel or translation industries
Teach Spanish or Portuguese in a secondary school
Continue your education for a master’s or doctoral degree in any number of disciplines
To be admitted to the IAS Certificate Program, a student is required to:
1. Have at least a 2.00 cumulative average;
2. Fill out an application to the IAS Certificate Program and return to the Office of Ibero-American and Special Programs (Avenida del Valle 34, 28003 MadridSpain).
Students wishing to obtain an official Certificate in Ibero-American Studies need to meet the following requirements:
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
General Requirements:
1) Students must complete two semesters or one semester and one-two summer sessions in residence on the Madrid Campus;
2) The language of instruction of at least one of the courses from areas I and II (History / Social Sciences and humanities) must be Spanish; and
3) Saint LouisUniversity students must complete at least 12 of the 18 required credits on the Madrid Campus; visiting students must complete all of the 18 required credits on the Madrid Campus.
4) Students must participate in the excursion to Latin America offered each year after the Spring semester final exam period.
Course Requirements: Students must complete at least 18 credits of coursework related to Ibero-America. Requirements are as follows:
History: 6-9 credits from the following electives. Students must take a minimum of 3 credits from group A and three from group B.
Social Sciences and Humanities: 6-9 credits from the following electives. A student may not take more than three credits from any single group. POL-293 is required and either POLS-257 or ECON-379 is required.
History of Art; Spanish and Latin American Literature; Portuguese: 3-6 credits from the following electives. A minimum of 3 credits must be taken from Group B.
In the future the program will expand its subject offerings to include the following courses, among others: History of Women in Spain and Latin America; History of Mexico; Archival Research in Spain; Christian Tradition in Spain; Liberation Theology in Latin America; The Spanish Influence on World Art; and others.
For more information, please contact:
Office of Ibero-American and Special Programs
Padre Arrupe Hall - Avda. del Valle, 34 Madrid 28003 Spain Telephone (+34) 91 554 5858
Fax (+34) 91 554 6202 ias@madrid.slu.edu
Available to visiting and permanent students, the Certificate program in Ibero-American Studies offered on the Madrid Campus of Saint Louis University provides a richly interdisciplinary approach to the history, politics and culture of 
Portuguese speaking world. This program offers a wide range of courses in fields such as history, political science, economics, sociology, Spanish and Latin American literature and Portuguese. The Ibero-American Certificate Program goes beyond academic study and places cultural and political issues in a contemporary context. SLU Madrid offers this experience from a unique perspective—
