Master's in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Overview

MALACS Image
The Master of Arts in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (MALACS) is an interdisciplinary program that allows students to design their courses based on their own research and career interests. The master of arts in Latin American and Caribbean studies students study the religious, political, economic, social and cultural processes shaping Latin America, the Caribbean, as well as those of Latinos and Latinas in the United States. 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. Possible specializations include comparative politics, sociology, history, Africana Studies, international relations, foreign policy, Public Health, Social Science Education, literature, linguistics, cultural anthropology, communication, culture and media studies, among others. Full-time students typically complete the program in two years.

A joint master's with the History Department of the Universidad del Norte, in Barranquilla, Colombia, is possible at no additional cost, allowing students in this degree program to spend one year at one of the top universities of Colombia and Latin America and earn a Colombian master's degree in History in addition to their degree from USF. The joint USF – UNINORTE master's typically takes three years to complete.

A joint master's with the Africana studies concentration is another program option, allowing a student in the master of arts in Latin American and Caribbean studies program to also earn a master's in either political science or liberal arts with a concentration in Africana studies. This joint master's takes on average three years to complete and allows students to develop a specialization in race in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Admissions

The School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies at the University of South Florida offers a master's in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino studies. For a listing of the admission requirements, students should consult the Graduate Catalog.

Students must apply for admission through the Office of Graduate Admissions. The School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies admits for the fall and spring semesters.  

Additional information on admission requirements:

The statement of purpose should be two-pages, typed and double-spaced and describes your education experience, interest in attending graduate school, and career goals. Professional, volunteer and travel experience related to Latin American and the Caribbean are also of interest to be included.
*International students should review the Office of Admissions International Students website for additional information and requirements.

*International students are also encouraged to contact the Office of International Services for information on visas, international travel, etc.

Program Requirements

For the Master's in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino studies degree requirements, students should consult the Graduate Catalog. Students should adhere to the requirements within the Graduate Catalog under which they were admitted.

*Students must request approval from the graduate director for any course not pre-approved and listed under the degree in the Graduate Catalog. 

Financial Assistance

The School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies funds a limited number of qualified master’s degree students. Funded students will receive a graduate assistantship that includes:

  • a stipend for the academic year (9 months)
  • a tuition waiver (not including school fees)
  • the option of health insurance mostly paid by the department (the student only pays a small amount towards insurance)

We only process graduate assistantships in Spring, so they become available in Fall for the next academic year. 

If you would like to be considered for a graduate teaching assistantship, which is a 20 per hour week job where you would assist professors in organizing and grading for their classes, please indicate your interest in the statement of purpose that accompanies your program application. These 9-month academic year positions come with a biweekly stipend, a tuition waiver which pays most tuition costs, and access to subsidized health insurance. There are only a small number of graduate assistantships available and they are awarded on a competitive basis, based on applicants’ academic credentials. 

The graduate assistantship is based on maintaining satisfactory annual academic progress. The graduate assistantship requires each student to work 20 hours per week, which means the student would be assisting professors of the department with their teaching and class preparations. The department also provides funding for conference travel or the presentation of research at conferences upon approval. 

*Information on the assistantship can be found in the graduate catalog and more information ca be found on the Graduate Assistantships Resource Center website.

PLEASE NOTE: International students whose native language is not English and who want to be considered for a graduate assistantship must show proficiency in spoken English even if their TOEFL has been waived for admission to a graduate program. More information on the TOEFL requirement can be found under Admission Requirements in the graduate catalog.

Other Financial Assistance
Office of Graduate Studies Funding Opportunities
The Institute for the Study of Latin America and the Caribbean

Forms/Information

School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies Graduate Resources
Institute for the Study of Latin America and the Caribbean Independent Study Form
Thesis Defense Announcement
Non-Thesis Literature Review Guidelines

Spring 2024 Course Offerings

For further information or questions, please fill out this form.