Chicana and Chicano Studies

Welcome to the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at California State University, Northridge!

Our program offers a dynamic, multidisciplinary approach to understanding the Chicana/o and Latina/o experience in the United States. With courses covering history, politics, culture, language, and education, we provide a comprehensive education that is both enriching and empowering.

Founded in 1969 by Dr. Rodolfo Acuña during the Civil Rights Movement, our department was created to address the educational needs of Chicana/o students. Over the years, our mission has expanded to support all students, including those preparing for teaching credentials and those seeking a multicultural academic experience.

Our faculty, a community of scholars and practitioners, are dedicated to fostering critical thinking and cultural awareness. We offer a Master of Arts program that prepares students for diverse careers in academia, public service, education, and the arts.

As the largest Chicana/o Studies department in the country, we proudly house 25 full-time and 35 part-time professors, offering 160-170 class sections each semester. Join us to critically explore cultural expression, power relations, and community self-actualization in an increasingly global world.