The UA’s Mexican American Studies department is opening a doctoral program for interested graduate students.

The program will capitalize on seven key points of the Mexican-American lifestyle; the culture, the overall health of the Hispanic society, immigration within the United States as well as other democracies, local and global studies, the gender and sexuality of the Hispanic culture and how Mexican-Americans are viewed to non-minorities.

Among these studies taught by the professors, the graduate students will be challenged to create simulation programs, participate in workshops, study and create research paradigms and practice applying these techniques within the Mexican-American culture.

“The concentration in Latino/Health and wellness prepares students to conduct culturally competent health research and to develop health programs targeting Latinos. This will make more diverse students want to attend the UA and into our interdisciplinary programs,” said Antonio Estrada, head of the Mexican-American and Raza Studies program. Estrada initiated the program “several years ago” and has now established the program in the southwest with a host of other professors.

“The UA’s location in the southwest is the best area for a graduate degree program. This will benefit our local and global Latino communities,” Estrada said.

Because of its ideal area, Estrada said that he, along with other professors in the program, believe this could be a solid graduate program.

The Mexican American Studies department is a leading public policy research center that addresses issues of concern to Hispanics in Arizona. They do this by working with key agencies that promote leadership within the state and the nation. The new graduate program will utilize and work with these agencies as well.

“We are overjoyed and excited that we will be able to offer this dynamic program. Our faculty and staff have put a lot of effort into developing this Ph.D. major.” Estrada said.

The Mexican American Studies began in 1968 by a group of Mexican American faculty members at UA in response to students of minority descent asking for classes that address their culture and their surrounding communities. By 1981, the Mexican American Studies Program and Research Center was officially inaugurated and became a major in the UA’s curriculum.

The graduate degree program is accepting applications for fall of 2013.