Meet with an Academic Advisor
Meet with your professional academic advisor to explore our program and get your questions answered.
Find your Professional Academic AdvisorStart your possible with us
APPLYLearn more about this program
REQUEST INFORMATIONExplore more of our program options
ACADEMIC PROGRAMSAbout this Program
Born out of the Chicano Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and ’70s, MSU Denver’s bachelor degree program in Chicana/o Studies is a rich, interdisciplinary major that is as much about community involvement as it is about individual learning.
Whether you want to pursue a graduate degree or begin a career, your Chicana/o major will provide both the intellectual and professional foundation to do so.
Concentration Options
The Cultural Studies concentration is designed for students who are interested in topics that study aspects of Chicano/a-Latino/a cultural production which range from art, film, music, religion, and literature.
Select this concentration if you want a career related to art, film, music, literature, pop culture or religion.
This Social Practice concentration is designed for students interested in working within the diverse Chicano/a and Latina/o communities locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
Choose this concentration if you’re considering working with the Chicana/o community in civic engagement and nonprofit organizations.
The Secondary Social Studies Teacher Licensure Concentration prepares students to become social studies teachers in secondary schools.
Opt in to this concentration if teaching is in your future.
Start your journey in...1, 2, 3!
Declare your Program
Our programs offer exciting, hands-on, and career relevant courses that set you up for success. Don't delay, declare today.
Get Started on your Declaration form
Get Rowdy Ready
Follow the semester-by-semester steps outlined in the CLAS Student Success Roadmap to ensure your success at MSU Denver.
Take me to the CLAS Student Success RoadmapExplore the Degree or Program
Four-year plan for Cultural Studies Concentration
Chicano Studies, B.A. with Cultural Studies Concentration Four Year Plan
Four-year plan for Social Practice Concentration
Chicano Studies with Social Practice Concentration, B.A. Four-Year Plan
View our major map to maximize your education
Chicano Studies, B.A. Experiential Major Map
Benefits of Studying at MSU Denver
Our program stands out against the competition! Studying at MSU Denver offers you opportunities that are unmatched compared to other Colleges and Universities. See yourself here!
Reasons to choose us:
One-of-a-kind Degree Program
MSU Denver’s Chicana/o Studies Department is the only full-fledged Chicana/o Studies program in Colorado. While emphasizing research and the development of strong critical thinking and creative skills, your Chicana/o Studies major will take you on an immersive journey through the language, history, culture and social justice roots of this dynamic and emerging discipline.
Unique and in-depth internships
Compete for competitive internships that lead to post-graduation employment at places like Colorado State Legislature or at Denver nonprofits such as: Padres/Jovenes Unidos, Servicios de la Raza, Statewide Parent Coalition, Café Cultura, the Gang Rescue and Service Program (GRASP) and Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP).
Community-based engagement opportunities
Whether through events like the Richard T. Castro Distinguished Visiting Professorship with activist Chicana/o scholars and Lalo Delgado Poetry Festival or service learning experiences and community-based internships, you will develop a deep sense of the challenges and opportunities confronting the Chicana/o community today.
Career Opportunities for Our Graduates
MSU Denver attracts, develops, credentials and graduates tenacious students who realize their goals and craft their futures. We help students build essential skills grounded in a multicultural and global perspective that lead to graduation, followed by career and life success.
Our graduates go on to work in politics, law, government, social services, business, education, politics, journalism, education and the arts.
Your Career Starts Here!
- Advocates
- Business owners
- Community organizers
- Diversity consultants
- Lawyers
- Teachers/Professors
- Social workers
- Writers
Featured Faculty
Get to know some of our award-winning and leading expert faculty. Our faculty are pioneers in their field, on the cutting edge of research and you have an opportunity to study with them.
Dr. Chalane Lechuga, Professor
Dr. Lechuga has a sociology background and is an expert on race and identity, youth of color, Latina teens and empowerment, among other topics. She encourages students to bring their life experiences into the classroom, understanding that everyone is an active teacher-student and co-investigator in her classes.
Dr. Adriana Nieto, Professor
Dr. Nieto grew up in Denver and has research interests in the Latina/o religious experience, borderlands history and religions, U.S. Latina/o protestants, Chicana feminisms and women of color feminisms. She has been working on developing courses about the acequia irrigation methods in the San Luis Valley.
Alumni at Work
MSU Denver educates Coloradans. Did you know that 78% of our Alumni remain in Colorado post-graduation? If Colorado isn’t your destination, that’s okay too!
MSU Denver alumni work in numerous organizations not only in the State, but across the nation. And they even continue their studies across the globe!
MSU Denver Chicano Studies alumni have been accepted for post-graduate study or law school at:
- Arizona State University
- Colorado State University
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- University of Colorado Denver
- University of Denver
- University of Wyoming
Why Choose MSU Denver
Hispanic Serving Institution
MSU Denver has 36.7% Hispanic/Latinx students which the highest number of Hispanic/Latinx students among institutions of higher education in the state of Colorado.
Learn more about MSU Denver's Designation
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
MSU Denver is dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion and has been named one of the Top Colleges for Diversity by Insight Into Diversity for 10 consecutive years.
Learn more about DEI at MSU Denver
Transfer Student Leader
50% of MSU Denver students are transfers. As the top transfer destination for Coloradans, our students make an immediate impact on our workforce and community.
Learn more about MSU Denver's ExcellenceContact the Department of Chicana/o Studies
Campus Location
Rectory Building, 1156 9th Street, Denver, CO 80217
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Friday: By appointment and remote
Phone
303-615-0711
Mailing Address
Department of Chicana/o Studies
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Campus Box 41
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO
80217-3362
Fax
303-556-3178