The Master of Arts in Latin American Studies is designed for students who seek to integrate a broad range of disciplinary approaches to a world region of growing international significance. Upon graduation, most students pursue advanced degrees in academic or professional fields; others proceed to careers in the private sector or in government.

To receive the Master of Arts in Latin American Studies, a student must:

1. Demonstrate foreign language competence in Spanish, Portuguese or French:
   
   - Letter from UCSD Professor of upper division undergraduate or graduate course taught in Spanish, Portuguese or French
   - Letter from instructor in study abroad program
   - Successfully complete Foreign Service Exam (2+ or better)
   - Native fluency (educated to high school level in Spanish, Portuguese or French)
   
   
2. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average in 40 units of course work (ten courses); 12 of those units must be taken in the three required graduate seminars (LATI 200 Interdisciplinary Research and Methodology, a methodology seminar, and a theory seminar). All other courses must be taken in at least three different departments, with no more than 16 units (four courses) in any one department.
   
   
3. Successfully complete either a comprehensive exam or master's thesis.

Students are able to choose from five optional areas and topical concentrations including:

• Cultural Studies Concentration (with the collaboration of the Departments of Literature, Visual Arts, Communication, Ethnic Studies, Anthropology and Sociology)
• Gender Studies Concentration (with the collaboration of the Critical Gender Studies Program)
• History Concentration (with the collaboration of the Department of History and Latin American historians in Ethnic Studies).
• International Migration Concentration (with the collaboration of the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies)
• Sociology Concentration (with the collaboration of the Department of Sociology)
  

Application to a Concentration

In addition to the general requirements for all candidates applying for admission to the Master of Arts in Latin American Studies, applicants to any of the concentrations must tailor their statement of purpose to that particular specialization. Students must include a detailed explanation in their statement explaining their intellectual and career interests in this field.

About the Concentrations

The Cultural Studies Concentration will provide interdisciplinary training to students who are interested in the forms, contents, and socio-economic and political contexts of cultural expression in Latin America. Cultural Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that draws on methods and theories from a variety of disciplines in the social sciences and the humanities, including anthropology, sociology, communication, history, philosophy, literature, music, and the visual and performing arts. By working across the boundaries among these fields, students in the LAS M.A. concentration in Cultural Studies will gain knowledge on the production and interpretation of cultural practices and the ways in which such practices shape identities and impart meaning to everyday interactions in contemporary Latin America. The possible areas of work include popular literature, media, ideology, discursive formations, public sphere, press, advertising, religion, sports, music, theatre, cinema, television, and new communication technologies.

The History and Sociology Concentrations are primarily designed for students who are interested in Latin America and see the Master's program as an opportunity to receive training for a subsequent academic career in History or Sociology. Following graduation, most of these students will apply for admission to Ph.D. programs in History, Sociology, or related areas of study. Other students will proceed to private sector or government careers in which their general knowledge about Latin America and the specific skills they gain through the concentrations will be important assets.

The Gender Studies and International Migration Concentrations are intended for students who seek interdisciplinary training and are particularly interested in gender studies or migratory movements involving Latin American populations. Upon graduation, some of these students will pursue more advanced degrees in academic or professional fields. Others will move on to private sector or government careers in which their general knowledge about Latin America and background in international migration or gender issues may be particularly useful.

Students may be able to complete the program in three quarters of full-time academic work plus one summer session. Completion of the degree is normally expected within two academic years. Those individuals needing a) intensive language instruction, b) part-time employment, or c) extensive field research for the thesis may require longer.

The Latin American Studies program offers several opportunities for financial support. There are four graduate student researcher positions and various fellowships available. Once you are accepted to the program you will also be advised of opportunities on campus for teaching assistantships in different departments as they become available.

The Office of Graduate Studies maintains a Website with information on available fellowships and scholarships and links to national sources of information:
http://ogs.ucsd.edu/fellowships/

For detailed assistance regarding financial aid, contact Student Financial Services at (858) 534-3807 or consult their Website at http://fao.ucsd.edu