Discover new perspectives
When you major in...
- African American studies
- Latina/Latino studies
- Asian American studies
you'll gain meaningful perspectives and make deeper connections. Discover what you can do with an ethnic studies degree.
Join us at the University of Illinois
Asian American studies
Choosing a major can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. At the core of this decision is a question—a question that lives deep inside of you. As a student in Asian American studies, you’ll get to explore that question so that when you graduate, you can change the world.
African American studies
African American studies offers a wealth of opportunities for students to study with numerous paths of focus to choose from. Our interdisciplinary faculty members currently teach on subjects such as history, literature, sociology, gender and sexuality studies, health and wellness, music, and dance. African American studies is full of interdisciplinary work and has a vast range of opportunities for anyone’s interests.
Latina/Latino studies
Latina/Latino studies students learn how to think critically, solve problems, and understand topics related to power, privilege, inequality, and social justice. Learn the skills to fight for your community, initiate change, work for justice, explore social, political, and cultural issues that affect everyone, and tackle questions that can change the world.
When you attend Illinois, you'll take interesting classes with professors doing ground-breaking research.
Meet Bobby Smith
One of the 70+ majors offered through the University of Illinois College of LAS is African American studies, where Bobby Smith is a professor. Follow Iyanla, now an alumna with a degree in communication with a double minor in public relations and African American studies, as she interviews Dr. Smith.
Meet Mirelsie Velázquez
Join Craig as he interviews Latina/Latino studies professor Mirelsie Velázquez. Keep watching to learn more about Professor Velázquez, whose favorite course to teach is Intro to Latina/Latino studies.
Hear from current students
LAS Insider—a liberal arts and sciences blog—highlights the backgrounds and passions of LAS students, showcasing how they navigate their college journeys and make the most of their time at the University of Illinois.
Our alumni continue not just to adapt to change but create it... and it all started at here.
Scroll to see how LAS alumni drive impact even after their time at Illinois.
LAS alumni spotlight: Celina Villanueva
Before State Sen. Celina Villanueva (BA, ’08, Latina/Latino studies) was elected to represent Illinois’ 12th District in 2020, she was a student at the College of LAS.