A two-semester introduction to Chicana and Chicano studies is taken in preparation for the major. At the upper-division level, all students must complete a course titled "Political Economy of the Chicano People." The remaining work consists of specialization courses to be chosen in the area of humanities, social science, or border studies.
The department's programs are designed to meet the needs of students who will be seeking employment or pursuing advanced education in law, urban planning, journalism, business or medicine. Chicana and Chicano studies students acquire timely skills, experiences, and knowledge indispensable to the development of leaders and citizens in a region, state and nation where Chicanos/Latinos will comprise the largest ethnic racial group in the population in the 21st century. Through specialized course offerings, the Chicana and Chicano Studies Department also recognizes women and gender-based issues as integral to a Chicana/o studies program. In addition, Chicana and Chicano studies contributes to the preparation of future public school teachers by offering courses that satisfy the liberal studies, emphasis in education major requirements.