Geography - urbanization, industrialization, conservation, •
sustainability, poverty, health, and migration.
History – from the pre-Columbian period to the 20th •
Century.
Political Science - democratic transitions, inter-American •
relations, comparative politics, political theory, development administration and methodology. Spanish & Portuguese - Spanish and Portuguese •
languages, Hispanic literature, Luso-Brazilian literature, and linguistics.
Sociology - development, demography, human rights, •
urban ecology, the family, health, social movements, violence and conflict resolution, education, gender and sexuality, immigration, ethnic studies and culture. Fine Arts - art, art history, museum studies, music, •
cinema and art appreciation.
Business – international finance, accounting, managerial •
economics, international markets, global change, the world economy and regional histories of commerce. Religion – practices and institutions, religion and socio-•
political transformations, and world views. Latin American Studies
Latin American studies graduate programs provide students interested in an advanced degree the opportunity to learn from and conduct research with leading academics from around the world. Graduate work in Latin American studies provides interdisciplinary preparation for students planning a career that requires specialized knowledge of Latin American people and countries. These programs train students to become successful scholars who are theoretically sophisticated and focused on the issues, discussions, and approaches that define the profession.
Latin American studies programs generally encompass a combination of disciplinary and regional specializations. Disciplinary Specializations
Latin American studies programs explore Latin American concentrations across a variety of subjects in social sciences, humanities, business, communications and public policy. The following are the most common disciplinary specializations.
Anthropology - folklore, linguistics, archaeology, African •
diaspora, borderland culture and community activism.
application process. It is important to note that programs differ vastly from university to university, and even program to program. For example, program length, terminology, credit hour requirement, sequence, and application components and requirements may vary widely. With this in mind, please use this handbook as a general guide to help you understand the big -ger graduate school picture and to help you consider what questions to ask of particular programs of interest to you. For more specific information and professional advice – speak with a faculty member who specializes in your intended area of study.
Latin American Studies 1.
MA Degree Information 2.
PhD Degree Information 3.
Top U.S. Universities with Latin American 4.
Studies Graduate Programs The Application Process 5.
Tips for Graduate School Prep 6.
Funding 7.
Graduate Student Life & Study 8.
Alumni & Careers 9.
Application Timeline Checklist 10.
Graduate Student & Faculty Profiles 11.
Contents
Graduate School Handbook
Latin American Studies
The purpose of this handbook is to help you learn more about advanced degrees in Latin American Studies and to help you navigate the application process. It is important to note that programs differ vastly from university to university, and even pro -gram to pro-gram. For example, pro-gram length, terminology, credit hour requirement, sequence, and application components and requirements may vary widely. With this in mind, please use this handbook as a general guide to help you understand the bigger graduate school picture and to help you consider what questions to ask of particular programs of interest to you. For more specific information and advice – speak with a faculty member who specializes in your intended area of study.Communication – media, advertising, public relations, •
journalism, theory and mass communication.
Economics – micro and macro economics, development, •
political economy and developing nations, and emerging markets.
Community & Regional Planning – Urban, city, and •
town land use planning and transportation planning to improve the economic and social environments of communities.
Public Affairs – global policy, policymaking, international •
economics, security, law, diplomacy, development, energy and the environment.
Regional Specializations
The following topical specializations are commonly found in Latin American studies programs. These specializations draw upon the humanities, arts, and social sciences to provide interdisciplinary training and research.
Andean – culture, history, people, governments, region •
and languages of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Argentina and Chile.
Brazilian – culture, history, people, government, region •
and languages of Brazil.
Caribbean – culture, history, people, governments, •
region and languages of Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Central American - culture, history, people, •
governments, region and languages of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. Latino Studies – history and the main social and
•
intellectual issues that have shaped the different groups that make up the Latino community.
Mexican – culture, history, people, government, region •
and languages of Mexico.
Dual-Degree Programs
Many Latin American studies programs offer dual-degree opportunities with a variety of colleges/schools. Generally, to be accepted into any of the dual degree programs, students must be accepted into the Latin American studies program as well as the targeted program for the dual-degree.
Business: Business programs combine advanced •
business studies with interdisciplinary area studies and language, responding to an increased need in both public and private sectors for business specialists with a thorough understanding of Latin American politics and cultures.
Communication: Communication programs study the •
interrelationships between the theories and processes of communication and issues pertinent to a precise and disciplined understanding of the societies and cultures of Latin America, their histories, and current policies. Community and Regional Planning: Community and •
regional planning programs are designed to provide the skills necessary for working in local development in Latin America, whether through the public, private, or nonprofit sector.
Law: Law programs explore the study of law and Latin •
American issues in an integrated and interdisciplinary manner.
Public Affairs: Public affairs programs combine advanced •
policy studies with interdisciplinary area studies, responding to an increasing need in both the public and private sectors for policy specialists with a thorough understanding of Latin American politics, cultures, geography, and history.
Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree
The master’s degree is generally a two-year program during which students study a particular topic at an advanced and in-depth level. MA programs in Latin American studies are designed to provide advanced interdisciplinary training in the student’s area of concentration, which may include geography, politics, history, environment, literature, cultural studies, economics, urban development, population studies, technology, languages, philosophy, education, anthropology or law. During the program, students conduct and write graduate-level research or take a master’s exam to demonstrate a proficient knowledge in the chosen area(s) of study.
Terminal - vs - En Route Master’s Programs
The MA degree may be terminal or earned en route to the PhD degree. The terminal degree is one in which the student completes the MA and graduates from the university with no plans for continued study. The majority of terminal MA programs are intended for students interested in careers outside of academia, working in a variety of industries. Many departments focus on their doctorate programs, therefore more attention may be given to PhD applicants over terminal MA applicants.
The majority of liberal arts MA programs are not terminal, instead the intended final degree is the PhD - the MA is a stepping-stone, earned en route to the PhD degree. Generally, at the appropriate time in the degree plan, students either transition to or apply to the PhD program. In most cases, students apply to the MA program with the intention to continue their studies by transitioning to the PhD program.
Program Sequence
Master’s degree programs generally require around 33 credit hours of coursework, including thesis, report, or exam credit hours. In most graduate programs, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Any course in which a student earns less than a C will generally not be counted towards the degree. Once completed, the student will present the thesis or report to a committee for review or the exam will be graded with one of three outcomes: approval/pass with authorization to proceed to the PhD program; satisfactory/pass for a terminal degree (no PhD study allowed); or unsatisfactory/fail. If the work has been deemed unsatisfactory, the student has a short period of time (two months) to rewrite the thesis or report for terminal degree consideration.
Language Assessment: Most programs require students to demonstrate reading competence in Spanish or Portuguese by passing an oral language proficiency exam. If a student does not satisfy the proficiency requirement through this test, they must register for either Spanish or Portuguese language instruction until they pass the test.
Coursework: MA students complete around 27 credit hours of coursework, of which the majority of hours are taken in Latin American coursework in the major discipline. Once the coursework is completed, students generally register for thesis, report or MA exam courses, depending on the specific program.
Thesis, Report or MA Exam: After the bulk of coursework has been completed, the student will write a thesis or report, or take the MA exam. Students pursing a MA en route to the PhD may be required to write a thesis rather than take the report or exam option. The thesis or report is then presented to a committee for review or the exam will be graded with one of three outcomes: approval/pass with authorization to proceed to the PhD program, satisfactory/ pass for a terminal degree (no PhD study allowed), or unsatisfactory/fail. If the work has been deemed unsatisfactory, the student has a short period of time (two months) to rewrite the thesis or report for terminal degree consideration.
Thesis: The thesis is generally a two-semester project for which students earn six credit hours towards the degree. Students analyze or interpret a body of material to demonstrate their ability to do an extended piece of research beyond the normal graduate seminar term paper. A thesis is generally 75-pages in length.
Report: The report is generally a one-semester project for which students earn three credit hours. Students write on a given topic or body of material that the student has researched. The report is generally 50-pages in length.
MA Exam: The MA exam (often referred to as the MA Comprehensive Exam) is designed to test the student’s comprehensive knowledge in the area of study. The exam may examine students’ knowledge on broad topics within the study area or the exam may be based on a reading list provided by the department.
Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree The doctorate degree is generally a four to six year program designed to build upon the comprehensive knowledge achieved at the master’s level. Doctorate programs allow students to develop the advanced expertise needed to publish scholarly research and to be successful in a future tenure-track professorship, teaching in an area of Latin American studies.
Due to the interdisciplinary approach to Latin American studies and the lack of a specific methodology, doctorate programs may not follow the traditional admissions
requirements found in other doctorate programs. Applicants must generally provide a convincing rationale that a doctoral program in a more traditional department or college will not fulfill their needs. The intended doctorate study must be truly inter-disciplinary, such that it could not easily be carried out within the confines of a discipline-based program and that it be focused on a theoretically and empirically important topic in Latin American Studies.
Program Sequence
Doctorate degree programs generally consists of around 30 credit hours beyond the master’s degree. Students generally must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in the program.
Coursework: For the first year (and often first two years) in the program, students complete coursework in the major field and two supporting fields. Coursework (interdisciplinary to the extent feasible) and other requirements for the degree are generally decided on jointly by the student and the graduate studies committee. The student is expected to develop a high level of competence in reading and speaking either Spanish or Portuguese and in many cases must also be able to use the other language or some alternate language appropriate to the program. In the social science fields, the student may also be expected to become proficient in the appropriate methodologies (e.g., statistics, theory, scope, research methods).
Qualifying (or Comprehensive) Exam: Qualifying written examinations in the major and in the first minor will be administered upon the completion of coursework. Exams are generally constructed by the program committee.
Language Proficiency: Before admission to candidacy, the student must demonstrate a high level of
competence in reading and speaking either Spanish or Portuguese; he/she must also be able to read the alternate language. Reading in a language other than Spanish or Portuguese, appropriate for the program, may be required.
Dissertation Proposal: Students must present the dissertation proposal to the department or dissertation committee for approval, establishing the student’s comprehensive intellectual framework to successfully complete the dissertation project.
Application to Candidacy: After successfully completing the coursework, qualifying exam, language proficiency demonstration, and the dissertation proposal,
students may apply to the graduate school for PhD candidacy. Once the student has been successfully accepted to candidacy, they are considered ABD (all but dissertation).
Candidacy: During candidacy, students register continuously for dissertation credits during the fall and spring semesters while researching and writing the dissertation.
Dissertation Defense: Many programs require students to defend the dissertation before consideration for graduation. The defense is an opportunity for dissertation committee members to further explore the student’s dissertation in a presentation format. The student provides an overview of the work after which the committee cross-examines the student. The committee may point out flaws in the work and it is up to the student to defend the work. The committee then votes on the success of the student’s work and ability to graduate.
Completion: Students earn the PhD once the dissertation has been successfully defended. Latin American Studies Graduate Programs at top U.S. Universities, 2011 Due to the interdisciplinary nature of Latin American studies, graduate programs are not ranked as independent programs. This list of universities highlights Latin American studies degree-granting programs beginning with UT Austin and continuing in order of the 2010 U.S. News & World Report national universities rankings.
In addition to these programs, consider other degree programs at your targeted universities which may offer courses, minors or certificate programs to pursue the intended Latin American interdisciplinary study. You can search university rankings based on a variety of criteria at PhDs.org: http://graduate-school.phds.org/
1. The University of Texas at Austin - TX
http://www.utexas.edu/cola/insts/llilas/graduate-program/overview.php
Ph.D. & M.A., Latin American Studies: The institute’s basic academic framework comprises the courses offered by cooperating units in anthropology, art and art history, business administration, communication, community and regional planning, economics, education, ethnomusicology, fine arts, folklore, geography,
government, history, public affairs, sociology, and Spanish and Portuguese. PhD applicants must provide a convincing rationale that a doctoral program in a more traditional department or college will not fulfill their needs. The application date generally falls in mid-January. 2. Stanford University - Stanford, CA
http://www.stanford.edu/group/las/programs/MA.html
M.A., Latin American Studies: The one-year MA program is designed for graduates with experience working, living, or studying in Latin America. The program offers courses surveying the history, politics, society and culture of the region along with advanced language. The application date generally falls in early January.
3. University of Chicago - Chicago, IL
http://clas.uchicago.edu/programs/ma_program.shtml
M.A., Latin American Studies: The one year MA program of graduate studies provides students with a thorough knowledge of cultures, history, politics, and languages. The application date generally falls in early January. 3. Vanderbilt University - Nashville, TN
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/clas/graduate-programs/
M.A., Latin American Studies, Certificate, Minor & Dual Degree Programs: The Center offers a MA degree that explores subject matter closely related to the area as well as research methodologies. The application date generally falls in mid-December.
5. University of California at Berkeley - CA http://iastp.berkeley.edu/GprogramSnapShot. asp?code=LAS
M.A., Latin American Studies: The two-year M.A.
program allows students to pursue a diverse curriculum in Latin American Studies spanning a wide range of departments and professional schools, including the schools of Natural Resources, Public Health, Public Policy, Social Welfare, Journalism, Law, Education, and Environmental Design. The application date generally falls in early December.
6. Georgetown University - Washington, D.C. http://clas.georgetown.edu/academics/
M.A., Latin American Studies: The MA program is designed for students interested in political economy, government, history, or literature. The Center also offers joint degree programs with government and law. While most students complete the degree in two years on a full-time basis, part-time and accelerated options are available as well. The application date generally falls in early April.
7. University of California at Los Angeles - CA
http://www.international.ucla.edu/idps/las/marticle. asp?parentid=8453
M.A., Latin American Studies: This interdepartmental program offers study in the humanities and social
sciences, natural sciences, and the fine arts to acquire the linguistic, methodological, and area expertise to succeed in the field. The application date generally falls in mid-December.
8. New York University- New York, NY http://clacs.as.nyu.edu/page/graduate
M.A., Latin American and Caribbean Studies: The MA program covers 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; and arts, museum, media, culture industry, and cultural policy studies. The Center also offers a certificate in museum studies and dual degree with law. The application date generally falls in mid-April. 9. University of California at San Diego - CA
http://cilas.ucsd.edu/academics/graduate/index.html
M.A., Latin American Studies: The Center offers an interdisciplinary MA program with concentrations in history, sociology, gender studies, international migration and cultural studies. The application date generally falls in early January.
10. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - IL http://www.clacs.illinois.edu/academics/graduate/
M.A., Latin American and Caribbean Studies: The MA program facilitates studies in the languages, cultures, and affairs of the region and provides training in interdisciplinary communication. The application date generally falls in mid-January.
11. University of Wisconsin at Madison - WI
http://www.lacis.wisc.edu/index.php?q=node/10
M.A., Latin American Studies: The MA program is designed to provide an interdisciplinary study of Latin America, Spain and Portugal focusing on agriculture, anthropology, business, economics, geography, history, journalism, law, political science, sociology, Spanish, Portuguese and Quechua. The program also offers a dual JD degree and a Ph.D. minor. The deadline for the fall semester is early January, mid-October for the spring. 12. University of California at Santa Barbara - CA
www.lais.ucsb.edu/programs/graduate.html
M.A., Latin American Studies: The M.A. in Latin American and Iberian studies is designed for students wishing to pursue an interdisciplinary degree at the graduate level. The application date generally falls in mid-December.
13. University of Florida- Gainsville, FL
http://www.latam.ufl.edu/Academic/index.stm
M.A., Latin American Studies & Masters in
Development Practice (MDP): The MA program offers disciplinary specializations in anthropology, geography, history, political science, Spanish, Portuguese and sociology as well as a variety of topical specializations. The program also offers a dual degree with law, a certificate program and a concentration in Tropical Conservation and Development. The MDP focuses on managing sustainable development in Latin America. The application date generally falls in early February. 14. Tulane University - New Orleans, LA
http://stonecenter.tulane.edu/pages/detail/7/Academic-Programs
Ph.D. & M.A, Latin American Studies: The design of both the MA and PhD curriculum is dependent upon the student’s program of study with the goal of developing an interdisciplinary research project. The program also offers joint degree programs with law and business. The application date generally falls in early February.
15. University of Connecticut - Storrs, CT http://clacs.uconn.edu/academicprograms_ Graduate%20Programs.html
M.A, Latin American Studies & M.A., Latin American Studies and Survey Research: The LAS program offers interdisciplinary study of Latin America and the Caribbean while concentrating on one of the following core disciplines: anthropology, history, political science, Spanish, or art history. The survey research program combines survey research theory and skill-based courses with in-depth knowledge of Latin American and Caribbean Studies. The program also offers a dual degree with business and public policy as well as a Ph.D. specialization. The application date generally falls in early August.
16. Indiana University at Bloomington- IN
www.indiana.edu/~clacs/academics/graduate.shtml
M.A., Latin American Studies: Students in the MA program may focus on interdisciplinary themes such as economic development, policy, or environmental studies. The program also offers joint degree programs with business, library science and public affairs as well as a Ph.D. area certificate and minor. The application date generally falls in mid-January (early December for international students).
17. American University - Washington, D.C.
http://www.american.edu/cas/lfs/MA-SLAS.cfm
M.A., Spanish - Latin American Studies: The MA program focuses on the Spanish language while allowing students interdisciplinary study in literature, linguistics, history, politics, international relations, public affairs, and communication. The application date generally falls in early February.
18. University of Kansas - Lawrence, KS
www2.ku.edu/~latamst/academics/graduate.shtml
M.A., Latin American Studies: The Center offers an interdisciplinary MA program and two graduate certificate programs: Mexico & Central America, and Brazil. The program also offers a joint degree program with business.
19. The University of Arizona - Tucson, AZ http://clas.arizona.edu/
M.A., Latin American Studies: The Center offers interdisciplinary study in Mexico, Central America and Brazil, and in thematic areas focusing on borders of the Americas and immigration; environment and
development; history and culture; and power and inequality. The program also offers dual degree programs with law, public administration and public health as well as a Ph.D. minor. The application date generally falls in early February (early December for international students).
19. University at Albany (SUNY) - NY
http://www.albany.edu/lacs/02-05gradprograms.html
M.A., Latin American & Caribbean Studies: The two-year MA program offers interdisciplinary area and ethnic studies with major strengths in the following areas: development studies, Mesoamerican anthropology, women’s studies, migration studies, U.S. Latino Studies, and Puerto Rican studies. The program also offers a Ph.D. concentration in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Cultural Studies. The application date generally falls in mid-March.
The Application Process
Admissions to Latin American studies graduate programs can be quite competitive. More highly recognized and high quality programs are more competitive than less ambitious programs and in general, doctoral programs are more difficult to get in than master’s programs. You may find that you will select a number of programs to apply to, some of which are your top choices and others are “safe schools.” A safe school is generally not as highly competitive and more likely to accept your application. However, aim high: don’t skip out on applying to your top choices!
What does an application involve? You can read more about the components of the application process at: http://www. utexas.edu/cola/lacs/services/graduate-advising/graduate-school/applying/app-components
How should you choose which programs to apply to? Research the programs very well to determine which best meet your needs. For example, which programs offer the specific area of study you’re interested in, and do these programs have renowned faculty in that area? How can you find out which programs offer what you need? The best thing you can do is ask a professor, but for a full list of ideas on researching programs visit our Graduate School Research webpage: http://www.utexas.edu/cola/lacs/services/ graduate-advising/graduate-school/applying/research-programs
What do faculty advise about applications to graduate school? Check out the faculty profile in this handbook for insight on applications and candidate qualities, and view more profiles online: http://www.utexas.edu/cola/lacs/ services/graduate-advising/graduate-school/profiles When should you apply? Graduate school application deadlines generally fall between November and January for enrollment in the following fall semester. Most graduate programs accept students only once a year, generally for fall enrollment. Check out the graduate school application timeline included in this packet for goal-setting ideas. Do you need to go to graduate school directly after your undergraduate degree? As with any personal decision, this is a question best answered by you, taking your personal situation and objectives into consideration. If you feel you are ready to jump right into graduate school after graduation, you should use your last years at UT to prepare for the application process. If, however, you prefer to work for a few years to gain more experience or if you need more time to consider whether or not graduate school fits into your long-term goals, your application will not be weaker if you apply later. Instead, the experience you have between undergraduate and graduate school may be helpful in highlighting your passion, interest, and ability to succeed in a graduate program. As a matter of fact, the average graduate student is 33 years old. So, the short answer is that there is no “one” answer - you should make this a personal decision. Top Three Application Tips Not To Be Missed
Don’t submit your graduate school application until a faculty member has reviewed your
1
materials and you have had time to receive valuable feedback to improve your packet. If possible, ask a faculty member who specializes in your intended area of study.
Reference the research of specific faculty with whom you want to work in your application.
2
Apply at least four weeks early to help your application standout.
Useful Undergraduate Tips for Graduate School Preparation
There are many things you can do as an undergraduate student to prepare for graduate school. Many of these may be purely intellectual – like taking challenging undergraduate courses. Others may be a combination of intellectual interest and application strategy – like joining a research project in your area with a faculty member who can mentor you and eventually write a great letter of recommendation. The following tips are provided to help you explore your interests in Latin American studies.
Study Abroad
1. : International experience will help you develop your language skills and cultural awareness, both of which are necessary to excel in a Latin American studies graduate program. Latin American studies programs consider study abroad an important component to produce culturally literate speakers of Spanish and Portuguese. UT undergraduates can gain experience in a variety of locations, including Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Brazil. For more information, visit your academic advisor or the study abroad page: http://www.utexas.edu/student/abroad/
Research
2. : Faculty in the Institute of Latin American Studies work with undergraduate students in a variety of ways, including research projects. Research projects are a great way to learn more about your prospective graduate study area, to meet faculty, and to learn how to conduct research. For more research information and resources, check out our Research webpage: http:// www.utexas.edu/cola/lacs/services/graduate-advising/ graduate-school/research
Internships
3. : You can take advantage of a variety of internship opportunities to help build your skills and knowledge in the area of study you wish to pursue. The Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS) offers a variety of internships that will help you gain professional skills while connecting with leading academics in the field. Connect with internships through LACS: http://www.utexas.edu/cola/lacs/internship_ services/
Write
4. : Use your undergraduate writing assignments to delve into your area of specialization. Write about your passions, and use these assignments as a base for your graduate school application statement of purpose and writing samples.
Learn
5. : Attend the Institute of Latin American Studies seminars, events, and conferences to learn what’s happening in the academic world of Latin American studies; to meet leading scholars from around the world and learn about their research; and to meet and network with faculty and graduate students from the university community. Check out the department’s events calendar: http://www.utexas.edu/cola/insts/ llilas/events/upcoming.php
Graduate School Funding Department Support
Did you know that many programs will pay your graduate study costs? Department funding is used to entice highly competitive candidates to accept the university’s invitation to enroll in order to strengthen their program. In turn, the funding provides students the freedom to focus the next five or so years on their studies, research, and departmental responsibilities without the distraction of work outside the department. Department support may include tuition reimbursement, assistantships, instructorships, insurance, summer funding, and travel and conference grants. The following are general descriptions of typical department roles provided to graduate students for funding and gaining teaching/research experience, which in turn helps the department with undergraduate teaching responsibilities.
Teaching Assistantships (TA): Teaching Assistants teach discussion sections, hold office hours to meet with undergraduate students, and grade exams or papers for professors and instructors who teach courses with large enrollments.
Assistant Instructorships (AI): Assistant Instructors may serve as the instructor of record for assigned instructional duties. In addition, AIs may be assigned to hold office hours, to evaluate student work, and to perform other academic duties. AI positions are generally less available than TA positions; AI positions may be more competitive and are awarded to senior graduate students.
Graduate Research Assistants (GRA): Graduate Research Assistants are generally junior graduate students who work with faculty on research projects. Many doctorate programs make a great effort to financially support their students throughout the PhD program.
Master’s degree students, on the other hand, may receive little or no departmental financial assistance and thus depend more heavily on part-time or full-time jobs, government grants, and student loans.
Financial Aid
So, what financial aid options will you have as a graduate student to help pay for your degree when department funding is not available? The most common forms of graduate student aid are grants, loans, scholarships, fellowships, work-study, and financial aid.
Fellowships & Scholarships: Universities partner with organizations, government agencies, and work independently to offer students a variety of fellowships and scholarships for graduate study. You can review the fellowships offered by the university of interest to you at the university or department’s website. Fellowships and scholarships are also provided by a wide variety of education-interested organizations; you can search for funding options at our Graduate School Funding webpage: http://www.utexas.edu/cola/lacs/services/graduate-advising/graduate-school/gs-resources/funding
Financial Aid: If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, you can apply for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. You can begin applying for financial aid in the calendar year in which you plan to begin your studies. Visit the FAFSA site for details: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ What is the total cost of a graduate program? According to the Council of Graduate Schools, in 2007-08 the annual total price (tuition plus full expenses) of master’s degree programs was $28,375 at public and $38,665 at private universities. In 2008-09, the annual price of doctorate programs was $32,966 in public and $46,029 at private universities. Graduate Student Life & Study
Graduate school is quite different from your experience as an undergraduate. The focus of graduate school is training in research; it is for people who are highly interested in a specific area of study and who want to delve deeply into the chosen topic.
As an undergraduate, you may take a wide variety of Latin American studies courses while also taking government, science, literature and math courses. As a graduate student, on the other hand, you will focus on your area of study
(i.e., Latin American politics) with special attention on your specific topic which you will research and write on for the master’s degree or doctoral dissertation (i.e., 1960’s military power, factionalism and human rights in Guatemala). Your undergraduate classroom experience is also quite different from what you will experience in graduate school. Most classes in graduate school are quite small, 15 students or less, and use a seminar format. The small group and seminar format provides students the opportunity for a higher level of participation in in-depth discussions, debates, and critiques. The greater level of participation in graduate school classes in turn, requires that students be very well prepared before each class to ensure they can keep up and present their scholastic voice and opinions. Preparation for class is quite comprehensive and can be very time consuming. It is not unusual to be required to read a book from one class to the next or to write a large research paper. In addition to your studies, you may have teaching assistant responsibilities. TAs teach discussion sections, hold office hours to meet with undergraduate students, and grade exams or papers for professors and instructors who teach courses with large enrollments. Once you are further into your program, you may be appointed as an assistant instructor; the AI generally serves as the instructor of record with instructional duties. Depending on the program, some students may also work outside the university – though this is more common in MA programs.
Read more about master’s and doctorate degree nuts & bolts! http://www.utexas.edu/cola/lacs/services/graduate-advising/graduate-school/graduate-life-studies
Check out the graduate student profile in this handbook for more insight on graduate school life, and view the full collection of profiles online:http://www.utexas.edu/cola/ lacs/services/graduate-advising/graduate-school/profiles Alumni & Careers
Where are they now?
Graduates with PhD and MA degrees in Latin American studies go on to be leaders in academia, government, nonprofit organizations, as well as the private sector. The PhD program is geared toward training students for professional careers in academia, though graduates fill leadership roles in the public and private sector as well. Graduates with MA degrees sometimes continue graduate study at other prestigious universities or move on to
promising careers in the public and private sectors. Visit the LLILAS Alumni Placement Map for the most up-to-date placement information: http://www.utexas.edu/cola/insts/ llilas/alumni/alumni-map.php
Academic Careers
Rice University - Professor, Energy Management •
University of Texas at Austin - Professor, Department •
of Government
New Mexico Military Institute - Dean of Academics •
University of Texas at San Antonio - Assistant Professor •
in the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies Sonora State University - President
•
Newcastle University, School of Modern Languages, •
London - Lecturer in Latin American Studies Pusan University of Foreign Studies, Institute of •
Iberoamerican Studies, South Korea - Professor Boston University, Department of Romance Studies - •
Associate Professor of Spanish American Literature University of Texas at Austin, Department of •
Government - Lozano Long Professor of Latin American Politics
Non-Academic Careers: Government
Government of Colombia, Executive Branch - Vice •
President
Mexican Foreign Ministry, Institute for Mexicans •
Abroad - General Director
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative - Assistant •
Trade Representative
Congressional Research Service - Specialist in Latin •
American Affairs
U.S. Agency for International Development - Officer •
Non-Academic Careers: Private Sector
North American Development Bank (NADB) - Managing •
Director and Chief Executive Officer
Tesoros, Trading Company - Founder •
The News, English-language newspaper based in Mexico •
City - Editor in Chief
Futures Strategy Group (FSG) - Founding Principal •
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Center for Latin •
American Economics - Vice President and Director
Non-Academic Careers: Nonprofit & International Agencies
The Global Fund for Children - Program Associate for •
Latin America and the Caribbean RAND Corporation - Survey Director •
Inter-American Foundation, Brazil Portfolio - Manager •
The Post Graduate School Career Search
Graduates of Latin American graduate programs use a variety of career search resources. Most importantly, they utilize faculty and staff in their department as well as the professional network developed at conferences and through professional associations. Graduates also use the following general resources that list academic jobs in their field.
The Electronic Network for Latin American Careers •
and Employment (ENCLACE): http://lanic.utexas.edu/ enlace/
The Modern Language Association Job Information •
List: http://www.mla.org
The Chronicle is listed as a top destination for news, •
commentary, career advice, and jobs in the world of academe: http://chronicle.com/section/Jobs/61/ Credits
The information in this handbook was compiled with the help of the UT Austin Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (http://www.utexas.edu/cola/insts/llilas/) and various other university program websites. Special thanks to Paloma Diaz, Senior Program Coordinator for the UT Austin Institute of Latin American Studies.
What’s Next?
Liberal Arts Career Services and the College of Liberal Arts provide resources to help you take your next step, whether that is clarifying your academic interests, choosing a graduate program, or compiling your application. If you would like to pursue your interest in an advanced degree, consider the following ways to start down the road to graduate school:
LACS graduate school planning:
1. http://www.utexas.edu/cola/lacs/services/grad-advising/grad-school
Visit the LACS graduate school advisor to discuss your plans, call 512.471.7900 for an appointment. 2.
Identify and connect with faculty members and graduate students in programs of interest to you. 3.
If you are interested in applying to the UT Austin Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS), discuss 4.
your interests with faculty and the graduate coordinator, and review the program details online. Graduate Program Overview:
Freshman & Sophomore Years
Exploration: is graduate school for you?
Take courses to help explore your scholastic interests and keep up your GPA.
Participate in internships, research and community service; take leadership roles in student organizations.
Junior Year
Take courses taught by tenured faculty in your area of interest and be sure to visit faculty during office hours.
Connect with graduate students to learn more about graduate school life and for application tips.
Participate in more research projects.
Research graduate programs.
Refine your research interest.
Use course writing assignments to create potential application writing samples.
Save money for campus visits in the summer.
Apply for fellowships with junior year application deadlines.
Senior Year - Fall Semester
Craft your curriculum vitae (CV).
Draft your statement of purpose. Get writing assistance and have a faculty member review your statement.
Ask for letters of recommendation.
Organize your application components and enusre that each component is written for the targeted school (i.e., don’t send
a personal statement addressing UT to Harvard). Apply for funding.
Submit your fall deadline applications.
Finalize your graduate program picks and familiarize yourself with their application procedures and deadlines.
Create a personalized application timeline and application activity sheet (download an example activity sheet from the
application timeline page available at the link below). Prepare for and take the GRE.
Collect college transcripts.
Clarify your graduate research and study goals.
Visit the campuses of your top choices.
Save money for application fees.
Senior Year - Spring Semester
Submit your spring deadline applications.
Follow up with universities on your application, status and if needed, the wait list.
Apply for financial aid.
Senior Year - Summer Semester
In an ideal timeline, you will use your freshman through junior years to explore your reason to attend graduate school, develop your experience, knowledge and skills to help prepare you for grad school and to research graduate programs. By the start of your senior year, you should begin compiling your application packet, crafting your writing components and taking the necessary examination(s). ARE YOU A SENIOR OR JUNIOR?
You can create a successful graduate school application using a shorter timeline! The timeline provided below is solely a suggestion, please adapt this information to suit your personal needs.
What is graduate school life like?
As a graduate student, the biggest challenge has been learning to balance my time. I’ve always been the kind of individual who couldn’t say no to an opportunity, and I’ve had to learn that skill. I choose my activities wisely and restrain my extracurriculars to the things that really matter to me. I work 20 hours a week and take 12 hours of classes.
Where are you in the MA sequence?
I have just finished my first year of my program, and have been doing exclusively coursework for both of my degrees as well as gaining the professional experience required by the LBJ School of Public Affairs. I’ll be continuing coursework in both degrees next year. I’m also beginning the thesis process in August 2010 to complete it by May 2012.
Can you tell us a bit more about your research?
Since I’ve just finished the first of three years, the specific topic of my research is still a little fuzzy. I can, however, say that I will be focusing on social policy in Brazil. I plan to do research on the role of civil society and NGOs in the implementation of Brazil’s extensive social policy entitled Fome Zero, or Zero Hunger. This policy intends to combat not only hunger but also the roots of poverty to eradicate it; it’s been highly successful, although with its flaws, and
I consulted many professors and library staff for tips. Although you may already know some of what they tell you, it’s worth listening to anything they have to say. Searches in online databases can be so much more fruitful with the right approach. Professors may have connections you need to get primary sources or research from a graduate student at another school working on a similar topic. There are many other things they can tell you to speed up and deepen your research process.
What are 3 tips for students applying to your program?
Contact the graduate coordinator of the program that 1.
interests you and see if he or she can put you in touch with a current student in that program.
Research the faculty involved in that program: Do they 2.
research what interests you? What have they been writing? Could you see yourself benefitting from the classes they teach? Is their experience in the areas that you wish to research or work in? You may even wish to contact a professor.
Do some reading or research in your own time to hone 3.
in on what you wish to specialize in - Latin American studies is an extremely broad discipline and it’s important to know what you wish to do within LAS as well as what discipline (e.g. political science, sociology, etc) you wish to employ in your research. This helps you determine if the program you’re considering will be the appropriate one for what you want to do.
Do you a grad school survival tip to share?
Be selective about what you get involved in, especially at first! Early on in the semester there are tons of clubs, programs, and organizations to become a part of, and it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and join them all. Wait for a little while - choose only what really interests you and what is really worth your time. When classes begin to heat up, you’ll be glad you’ve been selective, and you’ll be able to really invest in what you did join rather than being overstressed and spread too thin.
Read Kelly’s full profile at our profiles page:
www.utexas.edu/cola/lacs/ services/grad-advising/grad-school
L A S
Kelly Usher - Latin American Studies
Graduate Program: M.A., Latin American Studies & M.G.P.S., Global Policy Studies, The University of Texas at AustinResearch Interest: Social Policy in Brazil
Other Degrees: B.A., Spanish & International Studies, University of Mississippi
has attracted a lot of international attention for its unique approach to common problems.
Is there anything you know now that you wish you knew as an undergrad?
I wish that I had known then what I know now about research. I have gotten so much more adept at finding articles and primary sources as well as skimming books for appropriate information, and this is largely because
