UT-Austin Creates Major In Mexican American and Latino Studies

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By Raul Reyes, NBC News

Almost four out of ten Texas residents is Latino, and Hispanics are an integral part of the region’s demographic, cultural and political heritage. Yet Mexican American and Latino studies has not been an academic major offered at one the state’s flagship universities – until now.

The University of Texas at Austin is unveiling changes to its Mexican American Studies program. The existing Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS) will split into an academic department and a center for programming and outreach activities. The new Department of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies will offer Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs this fall followed by doctoral degrees in the near future.

Previously, a student could take Mexican American studies courses at CMAS as part of another major, such as history.

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[Photo by Alberto Gonzalez/NBC News]