M.A. Degree Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MA degree, students should be able to:

  1. Analyze and evaluate theoretical, methodological, and multidisciplinary approaches to social issues in Latin America. 
  2. Plan and create an original research or cumulative project on Latin America. 
  3. Communicate research to an academic audience in written and verbal formats.

Overview of Requirements

MA requirements include two core courses, two concentrations, Spanish and Portuguese language skills, and a wide-range of electives. In order to graduate, you will need a total of 36 graduate units and the successful completion of a thesis or comprehensive exam.

Core Courses

You are required to take the following two core courses:

  • LAS 500: Introduction to Latin American Studies (offered every fall semester)
  • LAS 550: Qualitative Research Methods (offered every spring semester)

Concentrations 

You will select one primary and one secondary area of concentration from the options below. You must take at least 12 graduate units in the primary concentration and at least 9 graduate units in the secondary.

Thematic

  • Borders of the Americas and Immigration
  • Environment and Development
  • History and Culture
  • Power and Inequality

Regional

  • Mexico
  • Central America
  • Brazil
  • Andes

Disciplinary

  • Anthropology
  • Geography and regional development
  • History
  • Latin American literature
  • Art history
  • Journalism
  • Language, Reading and Culture
  • Political science
  • Gender and Women’s studies

Language Skills

Because of our program's regional emphasis, both Spanish and Portuguese skills are required. One of the languages should be at the level of competency as demonstrated by completing Portuguese 305a or Spanish 251 with a minimum grade of B or by an equivalency exam. The other language should be 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 may satisfy this deficiency during the course of their graduate studies.

An indigenous language spoken in Latin America may be substituted for Spanish or Portuguese with the approval of the LAS graduate advisor and your faculty advisor.

Note: Portuguese 305a is specifically designed as an intensive course for those fluent in Spanish.

Electives

Graduate courses (500 or 600 catalog numbers) that are LAS-owned or cross-listed with LAS automatically count towards your degree. Other graduate courses may be considered on a case-by-case basis as approved by the LAS graduate advisor and the curriculum committee. We highly encourage you to take as many LAS-owned graduate courses as possible. These courses are taught by one of our core or visiting faculty members.

MA Project (thesis or comprehensive exam)

All students are required to either write a thesis or take a comprehensive exam. This is usually done at the end of your fourth semester in the program. However, students who are enrolled in dual degree programs can receive up to two additional semesters. Please consult with the LAS graduate advisor to determine your degree completion plan.

Thesis- Option 1

The thesis is a full explication of a significant research problem using primary sources (interviews, archives or analogous materials) and substantive secondary sources. The thesis is based on the student's own research project in Latin America. Expected length: 80-100 pages

During the defense, you will give a short presentation and respond to questions from committee members. The committee will evaluate your thesis based on the following four categories: High Pass, Pass, Low Pass and Fail.

Comprehensive Exam- Option 2

For the comprehensive written examination ("comps"), students will examine substantive theoretical and methodological issues related to their areas of concentration. Students will respond to a question or set of questions posed by committee members based on three different but related topics/reading lists. Expected length: 30-50 pages

During the defense, your committee will ask you to elaborate on your written answers and comment on one or more of the specific readings. The committee will evaluate your comps based on the following four categories: High Pass, Pass, Low Pass and Fail.

MA Project Rubric

Your MA project, whether it’s a thesis or a comprehensive exam, should successfully meet the three MA program learning outcomes. Data on how well our graduate students have met the three program learning outcomes will be collected and reported to the university using the rubric below.

Forming a Committee

Whether you are pursuing the thesis option or the comprehensive written exam option, you will need to establish a committee. Your committee consists of one chair and two additional faculty members whose interests align with your MA project. The chair should represent your primary field of concentration for the MA degree. Usually the chair is your faculty advisor, but it does not have to be. You are advised to meet with each committee member in order to understand their expectations for the MA project.

The chair and all members must be members of the Graduate College Faculty. Outside and non-tenure track members may be considered, as approved by the faculty advisor, thesis chair and the Graduate College through a Special Member request. At least one member of the committee must be from the LAS core faculty. Consult with the LAS graduate advisor for initial advice about committee selection and again before finalizing your committee.

Note: Not all faculty are equally available to participate on student committees and offer faculty advising. Students are encouraged to determine faculty availability and interest by taking seminars offered by a particular professor, meeting with the professor, and discussing options with Latin American Studies faculty and students.

Schedule for Completion of MA degree

Students should plan to complete the MA degree in two years. However, students who are enrolled in dual degree programs can receive up to two additional semesters. Please consult with the LAS graduate advisor to determine your degree completion plan.

First Semester (Fall)

  • Take 9 units of graduate credit
  • Take course for language requirement
  • Select a core LAS faculty member to be your faculty advisor.
  • Select two areas of concentration for the MA degree
  • Recommended: Take 1-unit course LAS 595F Colloquium in Latin American Studies 

Second Semester (Spring)

  • Take 9 units of graduate credit
  • By March 15: Select a committee chair and an MA Project option. Submit a 4-5 page statement on the MA project to the thesis committee chair and LAS graduate advisor. 
  • Mid-March: Apply for the Tinker Field Research Grant in order to conduct summer research in Latin America if doing option 1 (thesis).
  • By the end of the semester: Finalize committee members.
  • Recommended: Take 1-unit course LAS 595F Colloquium in Latin American Studies

Summer

  • Complete research pursuant to your MA project, intensive language study, and/or internship.

Third Semester (Fall) 

  • Take 9 units of graduate credit
  • By October 15: Submit thesis prospectus (option 1) or preliminary reading list + Statement of Interest (option 2)
  • Recommended: Take 1-unit course LAS 595F Colloquium in Latin American Studies

Fourth Semester (Spring) 

  • Take 9 graduate units. (Students writing a thesis should take 6 credits of LAS 910 thesis writing)
  • By March 15: Finalize thesis defense or exam dates. If doing option 2, the final reading list must be approved by the committee by this date.
  • If doing option 1, complete thesis and defense by the end of the semester. If doing option 2, complete the comprehensive exam and defense by the end of the semester.