Center for Latin American Studies

Undergraduate students at Georgetown who wish to complete the certificate in Latin American Studies should visit the Certificate Programs page to learn more about the requirements and application deadlines for the undergraduate certificate.

Undergraduate students interested in CLAS’ five year BS(BA) /MA program should visit the Five-Year BS(BA)/MA Programs site for more details and information about this program, in which students may complete a BA/BS and an MA in Latin American Studies in a total of five years. Qualifying undergraduate students from one of CLAS' cooperative degree schools may also complete a Bachelors degree and Masters degree in a total of five years. Please visit the Five-Year Cooperative Degree Programs site for more details.

Applications to the CLAS MA program are processed through Georgetown’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use GSAS’ online application tool. The Graduate School’s Application Procedures website features up-to-date information about the application process. Questions about the status of pending graduate applications should be directed to GSAS at gradmail@georgetown.edu.

Graduate students interested in joint MA/JD or MA/PhD programs should visit the Joint Degree applicants' page for more information on the application process for joint degrees.

MALAS Requirements

Successful candidates for admission to the MA in Latin American Studies at SFS will have completed at least six semesters of lower-division Spanish or Portuguese with a C or better, or the equivalent of Georgetown’s Advanced II level in either language. Native speakers of Spanish or Portuguese must meet Georgetown’s standards for English language proficiency.

CLAS considers all elements of a candidate’s application when making admissions decisions. GRE scores and college grades are considered alongside the candidate’s essay, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. CLAS’ evaluation of an applicant is based on the combined strength of all elements of the application.

Applicants to MALAS must submit:

• The GSAS online application
• Official transcripts from every undergraduate and graduate institution in which the applicant has been enrolled (hard copies; submitted by mail to GSAS)
• A 500-word personal statement describing the applicant’s academic interests and future goals
• Three letters of recommendation, a minimum of two of which are from professors or others who can speak to the applicant’s academic strengths. If necessary, the third letter may be from a professional contact. Any problems obtaining letters from academic references should be addressed in an applicant’s personal statement.
• Test scores (GRE or TOEFL as appropriate)
• The CLAS supplementary data form

The GRE is required of all applicants who completed their undergraduate degree in an English-speaking environment, regardless of nationality or native language. Those applicants who completed undergraduate work in a non-English speaking environment must achieve a satisfactory TOEFL or IELTS score.

All application materials must be submitted online, with the exception of the applicant’s official transcripts, which must be submitted in hard copy to GSAS. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Transcripts should be sent directly to:

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Office of Admissions
Georgetown University
Box 571004
Washington, DC 20057

Tel: (202) 687-5568
Fax: (202) 687-6802