The program attempts to develop a thorough and sympathetic under standing of the vast region south of the United States border. The Iberian culture and languages in Latin America were modified and changed dramatically by the impact of geography, the indigenous population and civilizations, and by the forced African migration. Thus was created a region of vast diversity whose varied population absorbed the religion, culture, and language of Iberia and gave it an American habitat. North Americans know little about this area. The certificate program hopes to correct this deficiency by making knowledge of Latin America and its people available to interested students.

The requirements of the program are:

1. Full-time, degree-candidate student status at Saint Anselm College.
2. Formal registration with the certificate committee, ordinarily no later than the first semester of the junior year of studies.
3. A minimum cumulative grade point average of "C+" at the time of registration and successful completion of a Spanish language course at the intermediate level or its equivalent.
4. Five courses in Latin American studies in no fewer than three disciplines. One course in Latin American History and one course in Latin American Literature are required. No more than two courses in any one discipline will be allowed with no grade under "C" acceptable. An average of "C+" must be maintained in these courses. At least three of the five courses must be taken at Saint Anselm College.
5. Courses which may be taken for the certificate include Latin American History I-II, Introduction to Spanish-American Literature, Introduction to Latin American Culture and Civilization, Colonial and 19th Century Spanish-American Literature, Modern Spanish-American Literature, Contemporary Spanish-American Literature, Hispanic Short Story, Problems in Spanish and Spanish-American Civilization, Advanced Spanish Conversation, Latin American Art, Reading Seminar in Latin American History, Latin American Government and Politics, Comparative Democratization, Latin American Geography, Liberation Theology, and a study trip to Latin America which includes an independent study paper.
6. An oral comprehensive examination covering the contents of the five selected courses and the student's understanding of Latin America and its civilizations.