Home » Academics » Masters Program in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (MARSLAC)

Welcome to MARSLAC

The interdisciplinary M.A. program in Regional Studies—Latin America and the Caribbean (MARSLAC) provides a broad social science-based approach to modern and contemporary Latin America and the Caribbean.  The curriculum combines core seminars on region-specific scholarship and research with the opportunity to take courses in different disciplines throughout Columbia University. During the first semester students obtain solid foundations in the most relevant scholarship on key issues of contemporary Latin America (democratization, rule of law, urban development, environmental change, trade and immigration, gender relations, cultural expression of diversity, among others). In the second semester they hone research methodologies and the critical use of scholarship in order to develop their own projects and complete an M.A. thesis.

Accomplishments by Current and Former MARSLAC Students

  • Juan Carlos Cortéz (May 2013) is the recipient of the Academic Year FLAS fellowship for Portugues. He will be spending the summer interning with the Secretariat of Education in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
     
  • Shari Wejsa (May 2013) is the recipient of the ILAS Research Field Research Travel Grant for Summer 2012 and 2012-2013 Fulbright award to investigate initiatives that promote educational access for girls and women of African descent in Salvadore da Bahia, Brazil. She also received the Summer 2012 FLAS award to study Portuguese.
     
  • Brittany Jenkins (May 2013) is the recipient of the 2012 Summer FLAS award. She also presented at two conferences during Spring 2012: Southwest Conference on Latin American Studies  on March 8-10 in Miami, FL and at Negritud:  International Conference on Afro-Latin American Studies on March 22-24 in San Juan, PR.
     
  • Kristina Rosales (May 2013) was awarded the ILAS Field Research Travel Grant for Summer 2012 to conduct research in Brazil.
     
  • Amanda Bradshaw (May 2013) was awarded 2011-2012 Academic Year FLAS to study Portuguese. She was recently accepted into Columbia University's PhD program in Urban Planning.
     
  • Alexandra Hall (December 2012) was awarded the Field Research Travel Grant for Summer 2012 for work in Venezuela. She currently produces and co-hosts the NACLA Radio show. She is also the Research Assistant for Professor Ben Orlove's Peruvian Glacier Retreat Coding project.
     
  • Asher Levine (May 2011) is currently a correspondent for Reuters based in Sao Paulo, covering economics and markets.
     
  • Kevin Beck (May 2011) is currently a PhD student in sociology at the University of California, San Diego.  He started in the Fall of 2011.
     
  • Marcel Anduiza (May 2011) is currently a PhD student in history at the University of Chicago, which he started in the Fall of 2011. He credits MARSLAC program for helping him refine his proposal.
     
  • Kate Koenigsknecht (May 2010) has taught English in Spain while preparing for a PhD program. She is currently a Program Assistant in the Sociology and Anthropology Department at The College of New Jersey.
     
  • Kelly Maslick (May 2010) started her own company Fieldstone after graduation, which she implemented based on her master’s thesis.  She is working with different clients in Latin America.

See what students have to say about the program

LEARN MORE

»  Greetings from the Director
»  Program Description
»  Concentration and Sample Courses
»  Degree Requirements
»  Faculty Advisors
»  Masters Program Applicants
»  Student Testimonials
»  Financial Aid

  • I learned quite a deal from my professors. And the staff was always helpful during my two semesters

    - Kate Koenigsknecht
    MARSLAC Graduate May 2010

  • My professors were true scholars offering decades of experience and knowledge adding value to my academic experience.

    - Kelly Maslick
    MARSLAC Graduate May 2010

  • My experience was great. Columbia offers a variety of Latin American courses in history, anthropology, economics, and political science.

    - Diana Duarte
    MARSLAC Graduate May 2010

APPLICATION

Deadline for Spring semester: October 15

Deadline for Fall semester with FLAS and financial consideration: February 1

General deadline for Fall semester: April 1

RECEIVE REMINDERS & UPDATES

We can send you an email when it’s closer to the application deadline. We’ll also send occasional emails about new courses, programs, and other news about MARSLAC.

CONTACT US

Have any specific questions about MARSLAC? Please email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).