Modality
On Campus
Program URL
https://clas.georgetown.edu/academics/las/
https://clas.georgetown.edu/academics/las/degree-options/
The Master of Arts program in Latin American Studies is a rigorous, interdisciplinary program for students pursuing careers in government, business, and international organizations in the U.S. and abroad, as well as those who contemplate additional post-graduate work in the humanities or social sciences.
Academic Policies
Students in the Latin American Studies and Government joint program are expected to comply with the polices outlined in the University Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Latin American Studies
The three degree requirements for the M.A. in Latin American Studies include the successful completion of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework (or the successful completion of 33 credit hours of graduate coursework and the successful writing and defense of a master’s thesis) with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; successful completion of a language proficiency examination in Spanish or Portuguese; completion of an internship; and successful completion of a capstone project, which may be taken after the student has successfully completed 30 credit hours of coursework.
Government
Major Field Requirements (12 credits)
- Four 8000-level GOVT classes (12 credits) in major field
- Pass a Comprehensive Exam in the major field, typically within the spring semesterof the second year of study.
Distribution Requirements (9 credits)
- GOVT 8800: Fundamentals of Political Theory (3 credits) in the first semester of study
- Two additional 8000-level GOVT classes in oneor more substantive fields other than the major field of study.
Methods Requirements (6 credits)
- GOVT 8001: Quantitative Methods I (3 credits) or an approved equivalent quantitative methods class.
- One additional methods class (3 credits)
Electives (21 credits)
- 7 graduate-level courses in any field. At least one elective must be in a field that is neither the student’s major field nor methods. Courses taken toward the Master of Arts degree may count toward the elective requirement.
Required Examinations
Government
All students must complete a written Comprehensive Examination in their major field. The Comprehensive Exam is offered twice a year, and it is the student’s responsibility to inform the Department when they are ready to take the exam.
The Comparative Government Comprehensive Exam is offered over eight hours in one day. Part I of the exam addresses political methodology. Students select one question and provide a written response. Part II covers topics in Comparative Government, and students select three questions to answer.
Thesis Requirements
Latin American Studies
Students who wish to complete a thesis must identify a research topic and a thesis adviser by the end of their first semester. Students choose two faculty members to guide their thesis process: a thesis advisor and a second reader. It is strongly suggested that the thesis adviser be a member of the CLAS faculty. Second readers may be either full-time Georgetown University professors or adjunct faculty.
Government
Once students have completed the comprehensive exams, they must form a Dissertation Committee who have special competence in the area or topic and who collectively can help with the theoretical, methodological, and empirical dimensions of the student’s research.
Once the dissertation prospectus is written and students have received approval from their committee members, students will present their prospectus at a 90-minute colloquium that is open to Government Department faculty and students.
Students will spend at least two years researching and writing the dissertation. Results of the research will be presented at a public dissertation defense where anyone in attendance may ask the candidate questions. At the conclusion of the defense, the committee will vote in private to determine whether the student may proceed with submitting the dissertation to the Graduate School and ultimately graduating.
