MA Program
Master of the Arts in Latin American Studies
The Center for Latin American Studies administers a Master of Arts degree Program in Latin American Studies. The Master of Arts Program is a one year program of graduate studies that provides students with a thorough knowledge of the cultures, history, politics, and languages of the region. Students benefit from various resources that put the University of Chicago at the forefront of research and scholarship on Latin America, including world renowned faculty, top quality library resources, graduate workshops, and field research grant opportunities. Please see the Center for Latin American Studies entries (pages 38 and 166 of the Graduate Catalog) for fuller details about the program.
The master’s program attracts students who benefit from interdisciplinary training in a highly individualized and flexible program. Each student works closely with faculty and the program advisor to design a customized curriculum, define an area of scholarly research, and write a master’s paper. Students take advantage of the program’s flexibility to advance their academic and/or career objectives before making a major professional or educational commitment. Some students approach a research interest from a multidisciplinary perspective. Others strengthen their training in a single discipline as it relates to Latin American Studies, or explore new fields.
Through the MA Proseminar, the required common core of the master’s program, students gain a critical understanding of the major theoretical approaches, principal research methods, and current trends in Latin American Studies. During the winter quarter of the Proseminar students develop the proposal for their master’s paper. The master’s paper is meant to demonstrate the student’s ability to apply formal training in Latin American Studies toward a specific and original research problem. Primary Latin Americanist faculty at the University of Chicago serve as guest lecturers in the Proseminar to introduce students to their research. The Proseminar meets 1/2 time during the Fall and Winter quarters (for a total of one course credit).
The master’s program provides students with the opportunity to develop and enhance skills and knowledge appropriate for careers related to Latin America or as preparation for further graduate work or professional training. Graduates of the program enter or return to careers for which the master’s degree is increasingly an entry level requirement, including secondary and higher education, government, business, and various cultural organizations and non profit agencies. Others enter doctoral and professional degree programs with support and advice from Latin American Studies staff and faculty.
