2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies, M.A.
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The Master of Arts in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies is an interdisciplinary degree program that enables students to tailor their coursework to fit their research and career interests. Students study the religious, political, economic, social, and cultural processes shaping Latin America, the Caribbean, and their diasporas in the United States and other regions. Graduates acquire expertise that allows them to become leaders in a variety of fields, including government, non-governmental organizations, education, business, and human and social services, among others.
Faculty Interests Include:
ISLAC’s affiliate faculty members are drawn from the social sciences, humanities, arts, and human service fields. We include faculty from the following departments: History, World Languages, Humanities and Cultural Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Economics, Business, Geography, Public Administration, Fine Arts, Public Health, Education, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies.
Research Areas:
Includes, but is not limited to: Afro-descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean, transatlantic studies, human rights, citizenship, race and ethnicity, education and public health migration and Diaspora.
Admission Information
Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.
- three letters of recommendation
- statement of purpose
- resume
- GRE not required, but suggested for full financial consideration
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Curriculum Requirements
Total Minimum Hours: 36 Credit Hours
- Core – 6 Credit Hours
- Methods - 3 Credit Hours
- Specialization – 12 Credit Hours
- Electives – 9 Credit Hours
- Thesis/Non-Thesis – 6 Credit Hours
Core Requirements (6 Credit Hours)
Methods Requirement (3 Credit Hours)
Specialization (12 Credit Hours)
Students complete 12 hours of courses in their area of specialization. Courses may be taken from participating departments, such as Anthropology, the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies, Sociology, Mass Communication, Geography, Social Work, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Public Health, Philosophy, Economics, History, World Languages, Humanities and Cultural Studies, Art History, and Education.
Electives (9 Credit Hours)
Students can take three electives from outside the major field. Elective courses must be approved by the Graduate Director and must have 50% of the course content focus on Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos. Eligible courses include, but are not limited to those listed under specialization.
Thesis/Non Thesis (6 Credit Hours Minimum)
Students select either the thesis or non-thesis option.
Thesis:
- LAS 6971 Thesis in Latin America and Caribbean Credit Hours: 1-12 (6 credits)
In their thesis, students must provide new insight into a relevant topic. As students approach the thesis stage, they need to compose a thesis committee consisting of a major professor and two readers drawn from the USF graduate faculty. The thesis committee must approve proposals before students embark on their thesis. Students must prepare a written thesis and defend their work in a formal oral presentation before their committee.
Comprehensive Examination
For students in the thesis option, successful completion of the Thesis serves in lieu of the Comprehensive Exam. For students in the non-thesis option, the extensive literature review determines competency and serves as the equivalent of a comprehensive examination.
Foreign Language Requirement
At the time of graduation, students must submit proof of proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, or another language spoken in Latin America or the Caribbean. |
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