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Master of Arts Degree Program

Academic requirements for MA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies

In order to receive an MA degree in Latin American and Caribbean studies from NYU, students must successfully fulfill all course requirements, complete a master's project and prove foreign language proficiency. There are several degree options offered by CLACS, including joint degree programs.

Courses

The student must complete 32 points of study (usually 8 courses) and receive grades of B or better in courses totaling at least 20 points (5 courses) and must maintain an average of 3.0 or higher in order to graduate from the program.

  1. Two core courses (8 points) offered by CLACS - Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies I in the Fall; and Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies II in the Spring.
  2. Four concentration courses (16 points) are taken in a particular field designed to prepare students for interdisciplinary research. These fields refer neither to a region or discipline, but to a broad set of thematic concerns grouped together under rubrics such as: development, social movements; democratic transitions; Inter-American relations; violence and conflict resolution; gender and sexuality, immigration; ethnic studies, tourism; sports; arts, museum, media, culture industry, and cultural policy studies.
  3. Two courses (8 points) are taken as electives outside of the area of special interest. These may include courses in other departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) that are related to Latin American and Caribbean studies and that the CLACS director approves, and, on occasion, graduate courses offered by other schools (such as the School of Education's Foreign Languages Education Division) that pertain directly to the student's educational and career goals, and that, at the time, are unavailable through GSAS (also subject to the director's approval).

For the convenience of working students, most classes are offered in the evenings.

Master's Project

Another requirement for the Master of Arts degree is the completion of a Master's Project. An expanded and revised research paper in the student's area of special interest or in an integrating course may satisfy the requirement; guidelines for preparing the Major Project are available from the Center and here. Students must complete the degree within five years.

Foreign Language Proficiency

Language competency in either Spanish, French, or Portuguese must be proven through either option "1" (coursework) or "3" (examination) as defined in the Degree Requirements section of GSAS bulletin.

Degree Options

CLACS offers a Master of Arts program in Latin American and Caribbean studies with many options:

  1. MA Latin American and Caribbean studies
  2. MA Latin American and Caribbean studies with a concentration in Museum Studies
  3. MA Latin American and Caribbean studies with an advanced certificate in Museum Studies
  4. MA Latin American and Caribbean studies with JD from NYU School of Law (joint degree)
  5. JLAC in Latin American and Caribbean studies and Journalism (joint degree)
  6. MSLIS in Latin American and Caribbean Studies and Library Science (joint degree)

Each of these options has slightly differing admissions requirements, so applicants are encouraged to check with each of the programs of interest before applying.

Please visit our Joint Degrees page for information on degree options.