Latin University of Costa Rica
Latin University of Costa Rica (Spanish: Universidad Latina de Costa Rica), commonly called ULatina, is the largest private university in Costa Rica, with more than 16,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs in Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences. The university is accredited by the National Council of Higher Education (CONESUP) (Spanish: Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior).
The university has two main campuses: Campus San Pedro, that is in San Pedro, San José, in the central area of private and state universities; and Campus Heredia (former Universidad Interamericana de Costa Rica) which is in the city of Heredia.
The university has 10 regional offices throughout Costa Rica: San José, Grecia, Palmares, Puntarenas, Cañas, Santa Cruz, Guápiles, Limón, Pérez Zeledón and Paso Canoas.
History
Campus San Pedro
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica was founded in 1979 as the “Collegium Latinum”, being part of the Autonomous University of Central America (UACA), Costa Rica's oldest private higher learning institution. The collegium separated from UACA ten years after its foundation, becoming a separate university.
On November 29, 1989, it was recognized as a university of higher education by the National Council of Higher Education Private University (CONESUP) in the session 146-89.
Since then the university has been known for its academic commitment at the courses offered to become the largest private university in the country. In 2005 it was acquired by Pro-Education Consortium; until June 2008 it was acquired by the network of private universities, Laureate International Universities, opening a new outlook of opportunities for university students, with a prestigious global network to continue graduate studies.
Campus Heredia
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica (former Universidad Interamericana de Costa Rica) was founded in 1986 with 28 students in Business Administration, later implementing technical careers and undergraduate levels.
In 1997 the university moved to its new and current campus in Heredia. Since 2004 the school has been owned by the Laureate International Universities. In 2007, it expanded its facilities in Mercedes Tower on Paseo Colon in San Jose downtown. In 2010 the 'Universidad Interamericana de Costa Rica' merged with the 'Latina de Costa Rica' to form the new 'Universidad Latina de Costa Rica'>
Admissions
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica enrolls approximately 19,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students. For undergraduate levels, students must have a High School Diploma granted by passing the national examinations by the MEP or its equivalent before enrolling. (Latin University of Costa Rica does not have an entrance examination.)
The university offers bachelor, licentiate, master and doctorate degrees.
Campuses
The geographical coverage of the university is expanded thanks to the integration of both campuses. It is present in 7 provinces with 10 regional offices, and 2 main campuses in Heredia and in San Pedro, San José.
Regional offices of the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica:
- North Pacific, in Santa Cruz and Cañas, Guanacaste
- Central Pacific, in the central county of the province of Puntarenas
- South Pacific, in San Isidro del General and the City of Paso Canoas in the province of Puntarenas
- Atlantic, in Turrialba, Guápiles and the central canton of the province of Limon
- North West, in Palmares and Grecia
Accredited degrees
The Universidad Latina de Costa Rica holds six official accredited degrees that have been accredited by the National Accreditation System for Higher Education (SINAES):
- Bachelor of Business Administration with majors in:
- Marketing
- Finance
- Human Resources
- International Trade
- Bachelor's in Public Relations
- Bachelor's and Licentiate in Industrial Engineering
- Bachelor's in Computer Systems Engineering
- Bachelor's in Hospitality Management
- Bachelor's and Licentiate in Nursing
In August 2016, the university officially presented its plan and commitment to make all degrees accredited by 2021.
Undergraduate degrees
Health Sciences
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Optometry
- Physical Therapy
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Social Work
- Psychology
Social Sciences
- Law
- Journalism
- Advertising
- Advertise with major in
- Creativity and Media Production
- Advertising Strategy
- International Relations
- Public Relations
- Marketing Communication
- Media Production
- Graphic Design
Engineering Technologies
- Systems Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Information Technology for Business Management
- Network Engineering and Telematics
Hotel Management and Gastronomy
- Hotel Business Management
- Diploma in Culinary Arts
- Biology with major in Ecology and Sustainable Development
- Tourism with major in Hotels and Restaurants
Education
- Special Education with major in:
- Emotional Disorders
- Communication Disorders
- Mental Retardation
- Speech Therapy, Speech and Voice
- Education I and II Cycle
- Education with major on
- Integration for Students with Disabilities
- Computer Education
- Bilingual Preschool
- Computer Science Education
- English Teaching
- Educational Administration
Economic Sciences
- Business Administration
- Business Administration with major in:
- Marketing
- Human Resources
- Economics
- International Trade
- Finance
- Computing
- Insurance
- Financial Institutions
- Development of Your Own Company
- Accounting
- Economics
Engineering and Architecture
- Architecture
- Civil Engineering
- Electric Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Electromechanical Engineering
- Design and Interior Decoration