The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs offers students the opportunity to complete their Master’s degree with a specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS).

As this program is based in Ottawa, it gives students a unique opportunity to capitalize on the presence of diplomatic and non-governmental institutions in the nation’s capital. Students will also have access to the long-established working relationships that faculty have cultivated in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Join the community!

This MA specialization gives students an opportunity to be part of an intellectual community that actively participates in interdisciplinary approaches to the study of Latin America and the Caribbean. Incoming graduate students will have the opportunity to test their ideas and develop their research program alongside other students who are working on projects relevant to the region.  They will also have access to the approximately 30 faculty members affiliated with the program. As researchers and educators committed to the study of Latin America and the Caribbean, students will be exposed to a range of innovative methodological and theoretical approaches that are relevant to the study of the region.

LACS Program Requirements

To complete the Specialization in LACS you will also need to take the following courses:

  • LACS 5000 [0.5 Credits] Interdisciplinary Approaches to Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
  • LACS 5800 [0.0 Credits] Scholarly Preparation in Latin American and Caribbean Studies: This professional development course is comprised of three elements: graduate students must attend specific events organized by LACS; submit a research journal; and provide a research presentation based on their graduate work (linked to work completed in LACS 5000).
  • Students choosing either the thesis or research paper options must choose a topic related to Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Students choosing the coursework option must choose a number of LACS-related elective courses, as designated by their home unit and with the permission of the LACS Coordinator.

Notes:

  1. All students must complete the 0.5 credit economics course for their designated field, or an approved alternate economics course. For students in the IEP field both INAF 5308 and INAF 5309, or approved equivalent, must be completed.
  2. For elective courses, 1.5 credits of the total required 5.0 credits may be selected from courses offered in other departments, with a maximum of 1.0 credit from a single department and a maximum of 1.0 credit selected from fourth year undergraduate courses. Any course not identified as an INAF 5000-level course must be approved by the M.A. Program Supervisor.
  3. Students must successfully complete an examination in second language proficiency administered by Carleton University’s School of Linguistics and Language Studies, or meet the equivalent standard as determined by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies. There is an administrative fee for the standard test (which leads to a certificate of language proficiency after successful completion). Details of the language requirement are provided on the School website.