Latino studies programs teach students about the lives of people who come to the U.S. and Canada from Spanish-speaking countries. Students learn the history and culture of different Latino populations. They also study economics, politics, and sociology.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics are the largest minority group in the country. As of July 2005, the estimated Hispanic population in the U.S. was 42.7 million. That's 14 percent of the nation's total population. Although these statistics are certainly impressive, you don't need numbers to see how widespread Latino presence is in U.S. history and culture.

You can see Latino culture in the arts with writers such as Sandra Cisneros and Miguel Piñero, dancers such as Chita Rivera, and actors such as Desi Arnaz and Anthony Quinn. You can also see Latino culture in sports with baseball player Roberto Clemente, boxer and Olympic gold medalist Oscar de la Hoya, and football player Manny Fernandez.

And do you remember this battle cry from the Civil War: "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!"? David G. Farragut, who was considered the war's greatest naval officer by military historians, was half-Spanish, half-American.

These are just a few of the innumerable notable influences of Latino culture in the U.S. But Latino presence goes far beyond naming famous Latino people. Its mixture of races, cultures, and even religions makes it a culture that invites further exploration.

As a student of Latino studies, you examine Latino culture in terms of its different ethnic groups such as Mexican-Americans (Chicanos) or Cuban-Americans. You also study the similarities in experience that these ethnic groups share. By taking courses in subjects such as political science, literature, and sociology, you learn about the various forces that have shaped Latino culture.

Several colleges and universities offer programs in Latino studies. You can earn a bachelor's, a master's, or a doctoral degree in this program. At some schools, you can earn a certificate while completing either the undergraduate or graduate curriculum for another program of study.

After high school, a bachelor's degree typically takes about four years of full-time study, and a master's degree about one to two additional years. A doctoral degree generally takes between four and five years after you earn a master's degree.

In this program of study, you may be able to concentrate in one particular Latino group or in one aspect of Latino culture such as:

• Economics
• Folklore and Myth
• History
• Literature
• Politics
• Religion