Department Website
Program Description
Our MA program in Latin American and Caribbean Studies offers a unique and exciting academic experience: students thrive from access to world-renowned scholars and wealth of research resources while pursuing a flexible interdisciplinary program. Dual and joint programs with Museum Studies, Global Journalism, Library Sciences, and Law. Learn more about the various options.
The degree is a three-semester or four-semester academic program designed for those interested in pursuing careers in the academy, media and journalism, human rights, non-governmental work, public policy, and arts and cultures. Rigorous academic training and professional development opportunities prepare students to be leaders in academia and in the public and private sectors.
CLACS pays special attention to language training, with state-of-the-art instruction in Quechua and Haitian Creole and support for the teaching of Mixtec and Nahuatl at local institutions. We have competitive but generous funding options with merit-based fellowships such as the McCracken Fellowship, Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships (FLAS), and the NYU GSAS Tuition Incentive Program which matches external funding.
Advanced Certificate
Students who wish to pursue an Advanced Certificate in Museum Studies alongside the MA in Latin American and Caribbean studies should consult that department’s section for more information and requirements.
Dual Degree
The Latin American and Caribbean Studies Department offers a dual degree with the NYU School of Law: Latin American and Caribbean Studies MA/Law JD.
See Latin American and Caribbean Studies for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Admissions
All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:
See Latin American and Caribbean Studies for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Program Requirements
The program requires the completion of 32 credits, and offers a concentration in Museum Studies. See concentration requirements below.
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| LATC-GA 1001 | Intro Lat Am & Carib I: Iberian-Atl & Colonial | 4 |
| LATC-GA 2001 | Intro Lat Am & Carib II: Hemispheric & Postcol | 4 |
| 1 | 24 |
| Total Credits | 32 |
Additional Program Requirements
Special Project/Thesis
Students must complete a Master's thesis, or an expanded and revised research paper in the student’s area of specialization or in an integrating course, or a special project. The project builds on academic coursework and is based on original research. Most often, the Master’s Project is an academic thesis of approximately 40–50 pages. Students may propose an alternative Master’s Project; recent examples include a photo essay, podcast, and short film. Alternative projects must be accompanied by a 15–20-page critical rationale for the project.
Museum Studies Concentration
The concentration in Museum Studies requires the completion of 36 credits, comprised of the following:
Concentration Requirements
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| LATC-GA 1001 | Intro Lat Am & Carib I: Iberian-Atl & Colonial | 4 |
| LATC-GA 2001 | Intro Lat Am & Carib II: Hemispheric & Postcol | 4 |
| LATC-GA 3200 | | 2-4 |
| |
| | 4 |
| | 4 |
| 8 |
| History and Theory of Museums | |
| Museum Collections and Exhibitions | |
| Museum Management | |
| |
| | 4 |
| | 4 |
| Total Credits | 36 |
Additional Program Requirements
Major Project
Students must complete a major project. LATC-GA 3200 prepares students for the project.
Internship
Students must participate in a non-credit internship in a museum or cultural institution.
Language Competency
Language competency in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Quechua, Haitian Kreyòl, or other language of the Americas must be proven through course work, the Foreign Language Proficiency Exam, or its equivalent.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have:
- Mastery of the interdisciplinary theories, methods of inquiry, concepts of critical issues in the field of Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
- The ability to analyze scholarly literature to produce a research proposal, carry out a field research project, and complete a Masters Project. The CLACS Master's Project is an academic paper which presents the student's research and findings related to the specific field of concentration. The Masters Project is generally no less than 35 pages and contains a review of relevant literature and presents a novel inquiry and analysis based on field research experience.
- The ability to succeed in a professional or academic career with significant content related to the MA program at CLACS. Careers include academic degree pursuits following the MA or a professional position at a relevant organization. Such positions would involve intensive use of Latin American languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Indigenous languages) and oversight of related topics including immigration, arts, education, development, foreign relations, business, etc. in or related to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies
Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.