Current MA Students
Graduate Requirements for Latin American Studies MA
The program requires a total of 30 credits, including 8 elective courses (24 credits), thesis research or project research (6 credits). While there are no required courses for the MA degree, all students must complete a foreign language requirement, complete the requirements for a disciplinary concentration, fulfill a methods requirement, fulfill a regional breadth requirement, and complete a substantial research paper (thesis). Disciplinary concentrations can focus on one of the departments participating in the program or can involve creative and practical interdisciplinary combinations of courses that fit with the student's career goals.
Students will be required to take classes or write a thesis that examines at least two of four broad regions in Latin America. The regions are defined as Mexico and Central America, South America (not Brazil), Brazil, and the Caribbean.
Typically students will satisfy the field or disciplinary concentration requirement by taking a minimum of four classes (12 credits) in a specific discipline or an interdisciplinary area of study (e.g. Environmental Studies).
The concentration can be based in any department or academic program at the university including professional programs (e.g. Social Work, Nursing, Urban Planning, Public Administration), or involve creative and practical interdisciplinary combinations of courses that fit with the students' career goals (e.g. Gender Studies or Environmental Studies).
Students must take at least one core methods course or research seminar appropriate to their discipline or field of concentration. This course should be chosen in consultation with their faculty advisor.
All students must demonstrate third-year proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese and first-year proficiency in a second Latin American language spoken. Language proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following:
- Through successful completion of relevant language courses with a grade of B or better as indicated by an undergraduate transcript
- Through coursework completed as a graduate student in the MA program
- Through providing evidence of proficiency that is certified by the Second Language Teaching and Research Center at the University of Utah
Overall at least 15 credit hours (five courses) must come from approved LAS content courses. To qualify for the MA, courses must be taken at the 6000-level or higher. 6000-level courses may include advanced undergraduate courses in which students complete appropriate additional assignments and readings for graduate credit.
Students must complete an MA essay and have it approved by their supervisory committee. An MA essay is a substantial research paper on an issue or topic related to Latin America. Typically, students will register for 6 project research credits during their second year in the MA program in order to complete their essay. These credits count toward the overall credit requirement. The course is LAS 6971, which the student will set up with the program advisor. We encourage students to complete the MA project, although a thesis option is also available upon request.
Students must complete 6 credits of thesis research coursework, and in this time, will be working with their chosen supervisory committee on researching and writing their thesis.A thesis is not required to complete the MA program, instead a project/non thesis can be submitted, please see above for more information about the project requirements.
Graduate Forms
Each semester, before the first day of classes, students should submit this form to the Chairperson of their Supervisory Committee, or the Director of Graduate Studies if a committee is not yet established, to have their courses reviewed and approved. Then submit the completed form to the Latin American Studies Academic Advisor.
Graduate Language Verification Form
This form is required by the Graduate School, please complete this form with appropriate evidence then submit to the Latin American Studies Academic Advisor. Advanced proficiency in one Latin American Language is a program requirement. The first year proficiency of a second Latin American Language does not need to be submitted to the Graduate school and is only a program requirement.
MA Research Prospectus Form
The thesis or project/non-thesis prospectus, which takes place of a comprehensive
exam, must be approved by a majority vote of the Supervisory Committee. Students are
required to submit this form to the Director of Graduate Studies and the Latin American
Studies Academic Advisor after securing the appropriate signatures (typically fall
semester of the student's second year).
Thesis Final Exam Approval Form
Students should bring this form to their thesis defense. All members of the supervisory committee will sign the form and verify the student has passed their thesis defense. Students will then give this form to their graduate advisor.
Thesis Office Statement of Approval Form
Students should complete and submit this form with the thesis to the Thesis Office.
Project/Non-Thesis Final Exam Approval Form
All members of the supervisory committee will sign the form and verify each member
has read the final copy of your thesis and approve of the final copy. Students will submit
this form to the Thesis Office within The Graduate School.
Graduation Application
Students will submit their graduation application the the Registrar's Office by the
deadline to apply or visit this website.
| Fall Graduation (December) - August 30, 2024 | |
| Spring Graduation (May) - January 17, 2025 | |
| Summer Graduation (August) - May 21, 2025* |
*applications received by March 1st will have names included in the Spring convocation program.
Supervisory Committee
The Supervisory Committee is vital to a student's graduate program. The committee consists of three faculty members and helps to plan and the student's academic program, as well advises on and evaluates the thesis. Each graduate student, in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies, is responsible for initiating the selection of a Supervisory Committee. The student should select a Supervisory Committee chair as early as possible in his or her course of study, and in any case no later than the second semester of graduate study.
Supervisory Committee Process
- Research appropriate faculty through the affiliated faculty directory
- Prepare an abstract on your intended research to share with faculty
- Meet with potential committee members to discuss your research ideas
- Submit your supervisory committee form
Graduate Advising
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Roxanna Lee Scholarship and Graduate Program Coordinator |
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Elena Shtromberg Director of Graduate Studies, Latin American Studies Please write with any questions or email to set up an appointment! |
Program Requirements
The program requires a total of 30 credits, including 8 elective courses (24 credits), thesis hours (6 credits). While there are no required courses for the MA degree, all students must complete a foreign language requirement, complete the requirements for a disciplinary concentration, fulfill a methods requirement, fulfill a regional breadth requirement, and complete a substantial research paper (thesis). Disciplinary concentrations can focus on one of the departments participating in the program or can involve creative and practical interdisciplinary combinations of courses that fit with the student's career goals.
Students will be required to take classes or write a thesis that examines at least two of four broad regions in Latin America. The regions are defined as Mexico and Central America, South America (not Brazil), Brazil, and the Caribbean.
Typically students will satisfy the field or disciplinary concentration requirement by taking a minimum of four classes (12 credits) in a specific discipline or an interdisciplinary area of study (e.g. Environmental Studies).
The concentration can be based in any department or academic program at the university including professional programs (e.g. Social Work, Nursing, Urban Planning, Public Administration), or involve creative and practical interdisciplinary combinations of courses that fit with the students' career goals (e.g. Gender Studies or Environmental Studies).
Students must take at least one core methods course or research seminar appropriate to their discipline or field of concentration. This course should be chosen in consultation with their faculty advisor.
All students must demonstrate third-year proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese and first-year proficiency in a second Latin American language spoken. Language proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following:
- Through successful completion of relevant language courses with a grade of B or better as indicated by an undergraduate transcript
- Through coursework completed as a graduate student in the MA program
- Through providing evidence of proficiency that is certified by the Second Language Teaching and Research Center at the University of Utah
Overall at least 15 credit hours (five courses) must come from approved LAS content courses. To qualify for the MA, courses must be taken at the 6000-level or higher. 6000-level courses may include advanced undergraduate courses in which students complete appropriate additional assignments and readings for graduate credit.
Students must complete 6 credits of thesis coursework, and in this time, will be working with their chosen supervisory committee on researching and writing their thesis.
Students must complete an MA essay and have it approved by their supervisory committee. An MA essay is a substantial research paper on an issue or topic related to Latin America. Typically, students will register for 6 thesis credits during their second year in the MA program in order to complete their essay. These credits count toward the overall credit requirement. The course is LAS 6975, which the student will set up with the program advisor. We encourage students to do the MA essay, although a thesis option is also available upon request.
Current MA Students
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Language Focus: Spanish & Nahuatl After completing a bachelor's degree in Spanish, cum laude, she took a chance and applied for a master’s program in Latin American Studies. Part of her undergrad was a passion for the Nahuatl language, having taken two years during that time. Because of this, Suzy was not only accepted into the College of Humanities, she also became a recipient of the Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowship her first year as well as the coming school year. This has inspired her to begin a Nahuatl Language Club to further the efforts of the University of Utah’s Nahuatl programs along with outreach in the community among Nahua descendants. Her goal post-degree is to apply her knowledge of Latin America with an emphasis on nonprofit organizations to help the many wonderful and valuable immigrants as well as to honors her own immigrant father from Mexico. In her spare time, Suzy enjoys spending time in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains kayaking, hiking, and skiing the “Greatest Snow on Earth.” |
Suzy Bindrup|
Language Focus: Spanish & Nahuatl Abby is interested in cultural anthropology in Latin America. She is particularly focused on topics of migration, mortality, and social mobility across the Baja California Peninsula. |
Abby Swanson|
Language Focus: Portuguese & Spanish Izzy’s academic interests center around politics in Latin America, with an emphasis on U.S.-Latin America relations. Her areas of focus include Mexico and northern South America. |
Izzy Tollefson|
Language Focus: Portuguese & Spanish Sarah Webb is a passionate advocate for education access, currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies with a focus on higher education access for undocumented students. Her academic background includes dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Health Promotion and Education and Parks, Recreation and Tourism from the University of Utah. Fluent in Spanish and conversational in Portuguese, Sarah combines her language skills with her multidisciplinary education to address complex issues in education accessibility. Her diverse academic foundation informs her approach to promoting inclusive education practices and addressing contemporary challenges in access to higher education. |
Sarah Webb
