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The Center for Latin American Studies offers an interdisciplinary M.A. program combining two fields of study, Spanish and Portuguese language skills, three core LAS courses, optional electives or thesis.
Graduate Coursework
During their first semester of study, all LAS graduate students are required to take a 3- credit seminar (LAS 500) designed to introduce them to Latin American studies and research."A research methods course and a LAS interdisciplinary research seminar (such as LAS 596a) are also required at some point during subsequent semesters.
Students select a primary field of concentration and complete 12 graduate units in this field including at least one research seminar."The fields of study available for areas of primary concentration include the thematic areas of Borders of the Americas, Environment and Development, History and Culture, and Power and Inequality, as well as regional studies focusing on Mexico, Central America or Brazil. Disciplinary areas available for primary areas of concentration are Anthropology, Geography and Regional Development, History, and Latin American Literature (Spanish and Portuguese).
Students also choose a secondary area of concentration, requiring nine graduate units."The secondary area can have a thematic or regional focus or can be selected from one of the disciplinary areas listed above in addition to Art History, Journalism, Language, Reading and Culture, Political Science, and Women's Studies.
Language Requirements
Because of the interdisciplinary nature and regional emphasis of the Latin American Studies program, both Spanish and Portuguese skills are required, details are listed below.
Latin American Studies hosts an outstanding interdisciplinary faculty with particular regional strengths in Mexico, Central America and Brazil, and in thematic areas focusing on Borders of the Americas and Immigration, Environment and Development, History and Culture, and Power and Inequality. The program is administered by the Center for Latin American Studies, which coordinates a broad range of instructional, research and outreach activities relating to Latin America. The Center offers Dual Degree programs with Law (J.D.), Public Administration (M.P.A.), Public Health (M.P.H.) and Journalism (M.A.). For complete and updated information please contact the Center for Latin American Studies and/or consult the LAS web page http://las.arizona.edu .
The program's excellence was recently recognized in 2010 with an instructional and outreach grant under the U.S. Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center (NRC) and Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Program, placing it in a favorable position in relation to the nation's top Latin American Studies programs. This grant enables the University of Arizona to expand curriculum offerings and research programs and provide additional outreach to schools, businesses and the public in the region. In 2007 CLAS also received a Title VI-B grant for its proposal on “Undergraduate International Studies: An Integrative and Multidisciplinary Approach Engaging Students and Faculty with a Local Resource-The Mexican Borderlands”.
We will start accepting graduate applications for Fall admissions beginning October 1st
GRE: Strong scores in Verbal and Analytical Writing increase competitiveness
2 letters of recommendation (submit through online application)
1 Statement of purpose (Two pages; submit through online application)
1 Resume or curriculum vitae (submit through online application)
Transcripts: mail Official Transcripts directly to the center
For more detailed information please refer to Language Requirements and Admission Requirements described above
If you have a special case or need, please don't hesitate to contact the Graduate Program Coordinator or the Director of Graduate Studies.
Required test(s): GRE
Required GRE Subject tests:
Recommended tests:
Recommended GRE Subject tests:
Minimum GRE Verbal:
Minimum GRE Quantitative:
Minumum GRE Written:
Minimum GMAT:
Minimum MAT:
Minimum TOEFL: 550
Minimum IELTS: 7
Teaching Assistantships
Research Assistantships
Graduate College Fellowships
Tuition and Registration Scholarships
FLAS Fellowships
Domestic Applicants:
International Applicants:
4832
4832
Minumum credits: 36
Core coursework: LAS 500 (first semester); LAS 550 (Methods Seminar); LAS 596A or equivalent (Research Seminar - discuss options with Advisor).
Language requirements: Because of the interdisciplinary nature and regional emphasis of the Latin American Studies program, both Spanish and Portuguese skills are required; one at the level of competence demonstrated by completing Portuguese 305a or Spanish 251 with a minimum grade of B or by an equivalency exam; the other at the level of proficiency demonstrated by the completion of Portuguese 325 or Spanish 330 with a minimum grade of B or by an equivalency exam. Students accepted into the program who do not meet one or both of the language requirements need to satisfy this deficiency during the course of their graduate studies."Portuguese 305a is specifically designed as an intensive course for those fluent in Spanish. All incoming students are evaluated for language ability at the beginning of their first semester. An indigenous language of Latin America may be substituted with the approval of the LAS Graduate Advisor.
Other requirements:
Students select a primary field of concentration and complete 12 graduate units in this field including at least one research seminar."The fields of study available for areas of primary concentration include the thematic areas of Borders of the Americas, Environment and Development, History and Culture, and Power and Inequality, as well as regional studies focusing on Mexico, Central America or Brazil. Disciplinary areas available for primary areas of concentration are Anthropology, Geography and Regional Development, History, and Latin American Literature (Spanish and Portuguese).
Students also choose a secondary area of concentration, requiring nine graduate units."The secondary area can have a thematic or regional focus or can be selected from one of the disciplinary areas listed above in addition to Art History, Journalism, Language, Reading and Culture, Political Science, and Women's Studies.
Ph.D. Minor Doctoral students in other departments may elect a minor in Latin American Studies."Requirements include a minimum of 15 units in courses related to the student's major and demonstrated competence, as defined above, in either Portuguese or Spanish."