Brazilian Studies (Certificate)




At a Glance: program details

Certificate Map

  • Location:
  • Additional Program Fee: No
  • Second Language Requirement: No
Explore Brazilian culture and history through courses that encourage you to think about Brazil beyond media images of samba and Carnival. Become a global leader committed to social justice and cross-cultural understanding through any career path you choose.

Program Description

The certificate in Brazilian studies allows students to study important areas and specific issues in Brazilian culture, including popular and urban culture and foundational literature, and gain proficiency in the Portuguese language.

With specialization in either language or culture, the program's language training includes live interactions with native speakers through virtual meetings with Brazilian students or coaches.

All students in the program, regardless of concentration, take coursework on topics such as food and culture, democracy, the African diaspora and environmental issues. Students develop public-facing capstone projects, such as podcast series and opinion pieces, expanding their skill set to include teamwork, organizational skills and public speaking and writing.


Program Requirements

The Brazilian studies certificate requires 18-20 credit hours of Portuguese language and elective culture content coursework, of which 12 credit hours must be upper division. A grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better is required in all coursework. Students choose one two-course language sequence for a total of 6-8 credit hours of Portuguese language.
Course substitutions may be permitted for heritage speakers of Portuguese based on their proficiency level as determined by a Portuguese placement test. The language course substitution for advanced speakers of Spanish language can be satisfied by the two-course POR 320 and POR 321 sequence.
Portuguese Language -- 6 credit hours
Choose one two-course sequence for 6-8 credit hours. The upper-division two-course language sequence is 6 credit hours total.
Notes: POR 313 and POR 314 may be applied to either Portuguese Language or to Upper-Division Electives but may not be applied and counted in both categories for this certificate.
Upper-Division Electives -- 12 credit hours
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.

Enrollment Requirements

A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.


Career Outlook

Graduates can become more marketable to employers and advance their career options when they have earned an undergraduate certificate that complements their major program of study.

Those who have completed this certificate in Brazilian studies along with their major often decide to pursue employment in education, political analysis, the military, tourism and hospitality, or marketing.

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Community Health Workers


  • Growth: 14.1%
  • Median Salary*: 46190
  Bright Outlook

Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 3.9%
  • Median Salary*: 80910

Customs Brokers


  • Growth: 4.6%
  • Median Salary*: 71690
  Bright Outlook

Historians


  • Growth: 3.1%
  • Median Salary*: 64540

Lawyers


  • Growth: 7.5%
  • Median Salary*: 135740
  Bright Outlook

Political Scientists


  • Growth: 6.6%
  • Median Salary*: 128020
  Bright Outlook

Sociologists


  • Growth: 4.5%
  • Median Salary*: 98590
  Bright Outlook

Interpreters and Translators


  • Growth: 4.3%
  • Median Salary*: 53640

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).




Program Contact Information

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