Our students come from diverse backgrounds in humanities, social and natural sciences, and from a range of professional fields, and most find that our interdisciplinary training is a good fit for their varied interests. Many of our students have studied, lived, or worked in Latin America, and bring these experiences and perspectives to the academic program at CLACS. Some students enroll in the MA immediately after completing their Bachelor’s Degree. Others are returning to university study after years of working. Students come from across the United States, and from across Latin America and the Caribbean. All international students are welcome.

Yes. The degree must be completed within the five years of matriculation, and students must take Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies I in their first semester, and Intro II in their second. 

Applications are accepted for both Fall and Spring Admission. 

CLACS graduate seminars range between 8 and 16 students. 

To complete the Masters' degree, language competency must be proven in Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Quechua through either option "1-coursework" (completing, or having completed, not more than two years before matriculation, a full or final intermediate-level college course in the language with a grade of B or better) or "3-examination" (given by Graduate School of Arts and Science). 

All of the mentioned languages – Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Quechua – can be studied at NYU. CLACS students have the option to study Quechua and/or Kreyol at no cost. Students interested in the Andean region are especially encouraged to take Quechua. Visit Quechua Language to learn more. 

Yes. CLACS cross-lists a number of courses from other departments, and students are welcome to seek out other 4-point courses from across campus. You must receive registration advisement prior to enrolling to ensure that the course fulfills your degree requirements. 

Look for courses on our Courses page.

CLACS has an incoming class between 14 and 18. 

In recent years, there have been between three and six incoming students enrolled in the joint program with Journalism. There have been three to five students in joint programs with Museum Studies. 

CLACS encourages students to conduct the research for their Masters' Projects in the summer between their second and third semesters. To facilitate research abroad, CLACS offers Field Research Grants each year, pending funding, which are awarded on a competitive basis. 

Yes. CLACS offers internships at prestigious local organizations, both for credit and non-credit. Those seeking graduate credit enroll in a 2- or 4- point Internship Seminar, in conjunction with the internship. Students develop a scholarly work – usually a course paper – putting their internship experience into academic focus. 

Students work in a variety of private and public sector jobs, and most continue to be involved with Latin American or Caribbean regional issues. Many recent CLACS graduates have secured jobs in the field of education, either working as teachers or researchers, or entering competitive PhD programs to become professors. Many have found placement in non-profit organizations, working in the areas of culture, arts, research, and policy. Global Journalism students have a strong record of placement at major news outlets, and Museum studies students similarly find work in museums, galleries, or as independent curators. Several have pursued work in government and related to foreign policy. 

No. NYU’s Department of History includes a PhD field specialization in the study of Latin America and the Caribbean. While all of the History Department Faculty that teach this specialization are affiliated with CLACS, the PhD program has no formal connection to the MA degree. 

The schedule for tuition and fees can be found on the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website. 

Yes. CLACS offers several fellowships and partial tuition remission to incoming and current students, on a competitive basis. In addition to departmental awards, NYU offers financial assistance in form of merit-based and need-based scholarships, grants, and loans. To qualify for these awards, you must fill out the FAFSA form by the first application deadline (February 1). More information can be found on Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website and the NYU Office of Financial Aid. 

Yes. International students are eligible for some departmental fellowships and tuition remission. They are not eligible for federal financial aid. 

To apply, please visit the GSAS Application Resource Center for instructions and to download an application.

No. Because your courses at NYU will be taught in English, we need to see your writing in English. If you are a non-native speaker of English, you may send one supplemental writing sample in Spanish or Portuguese if you feel this would better represent your analytical or scholarly abilities.