Online Bachelor of Arts in Chicano Studies
Prepare for a wide range of professions and graduate school opportunities with a greater understanding of the Mexican-origin population in the U.S. Study issues like race, ethnicity, class and gender in a 100% online environment.
The Largest Ethnic Minority Group in the Nation
Deepen your knowledge by studying the historical, socioeconomic and cultural presence of the Mexican-origin population. And thanks to UTEP’s unique location, this program emphasizes the dynamics of the U.S.-Mexico border, so you’ll experience a unique view on topics like immigration patterns and their impact on various sectors of industry, government and society.
As a result, you’ll enhance your knowledge while sharpening your skills across literacy, research and digital communication. These types of insights can take you in a lot of different directions in terms of your career and education. But the biggest result will be a heightened appreciation of culture and history.
“The program brings this whole new awareness of students’ culture, history, background, where they come from, who they are, their family’s history. And it’s really quite eye-opening, I think, because they start to realize that there’s so much that they don’t know and that they haven’t learned.”
Irma Montelongo, Associate Professor of Practice and Online Program Coordinator
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Learn how UTEP Connect can help you earn the degree or certificate you need.- 100% online
- Ideal for professions in the public and private sector that require knowledge of the Mexican-origin population
- Degree is a good complement to another specialization such as criminal justice, public administration, social work and the health professions
- Highly affordable and flexible program
- Tuition: $420/credit hour (in-state students) or $540/credit hour (out-of-state students)
What Can You Do With a Degree in Chicano Studies?
Employers
- Binational entities in public and private sectors
- Cultural heritage and preservation organizations
- Education
- Law enforcement
- Local/state/federal government (e.g., SSA/DOD)
- Nonprofit social service agencies
Graduate/Professional School
- Education
- Humanities
- Law
- National security
- Public administration
- Social sciences
$61,820
High School Teacher Salary (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
$69,510
Writer and Author Salary (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
$61,636
College Administrator (PayScale)
$50,120
Archivist, Curator and Museum Worker Salary (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
$62,290
Human Resources Specialist Salary (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
$53,842
Child Protective Services Worker Salary (PayScale)
$74,000
Social and Community Service Manager Salary (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
$74,938
Policy Advisor Salary (PayScale)
Where Are UTEP Graduates?
A lot of graduates work in federal jobs. For instance, at the time of publishing, faculty members are writing letters of recommendation for students applying to fellowships in Washington, D.C. Those types of opportunities enable UTEP graduates to influence policy, politics and social topics based on the unique perspective they’ve gained by focusing on U.S.-Mexico border dynamics.
But that’s just the start. You’ll find UTEP graduates of the Chicano studies program everywhere—location- and occupation-wise.
“They work in Austin. They work in Washington, D.C., they work all over the country. They work for very prestigious law firms. They work with child protective services, they’re all over the place. ”
Irma Montelongo
Lizeth Gálvez
Paralegal, Immigration and Business Law Group, Waltham, MA Master’s Degree program in Social Work, Boston University
Jesse Arrieta
El Paso Area High School Instructor
Victor Salas
Production Manager, Naolani Productions
Script Writer
Cassandra Lachica
Executive Director Admission and Registrar
El Paso Community College
Dr. Mauricio Rodríguez
Professor and Chicana/o Studies Program Chair, El Paso Community College
Rómulo Armendáriz
Senior Designator/State placement coordinator
Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons
Meet Selected Faculty
Irma Montelongo
Montelongo credits her great-grandmother, who escaped the Mexican Revolution and came to the United States in 1915, for her enduring passion for history. Her interest in Border Studies (she has a doctorate in Borderlands History from UTEP) developed as she learned more about Mexican and Chicana/o history and realized that her communities were ill-represented. Montelongo’s fields of study include gender and sexuality, Latin American history, U.S. history with a sub-field in immigration studies, and Borderlands history with a sub-field in race and ethnic studies. Her research and teaching interests focus on race, class, gender, sexuality and criminology on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Dennis Bixler-Marquez
Bixler-Marquez is a native of Mexico City who has resided on the U.S.-Mexico border for most of his life. He earned a doctorate in bilingual and multicultural education and an M.A. in Spanish from Stanford University. Bixler-Marquez’s areas of research include language policy and ethnolinguistic groups in the American Southwest and Northern Mexico. His current research focus is on U.S.-Mexico border dynamics and immigration policy and practice. Additionally, he is the lead editor of Chicano Studies: Survey and Analysis, 3rd. Ed.
#1 University in El Paso
Best college, best value college and best professors (Niche).
Best University for Career Outcomes in El Paso
Highest average earnings and job placement rates (U.S. Department of Education).
100% Online
The flexible, fully online learning environment helps you advance your education while maintaining your current commitments.
Top 4.5% of Universities in the Country
Out of 2,800+ four-year universities, UTEP is one of 131 in the highest classification for research (R1 for top tier doctoral university with very high research activity).
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
With a student body that is 83% Hispanic, UTEP stands out as an HSI — one of 569 in the country. Plus, it’s one of only 19 HSIs designated as an R1 top tier research university.
Low Out-of-Pocket Costs
Out of all U.S. doctoral research institutions, UTEP boasts one of the lowest out-of-pocket costs. More than $221 million is awarded in financial aid each year.
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