Application to the Graduate Program
To apply to the Latin American Studies MA or PhD programs, click here, then click the link to "create an account" under "First-time users." This will allow you to register for an account and to begin the application submission process via the application portal.
For more general information for Prospective Students from the School of Liberal Arts, click here. This site also will direct you to the link to the application portal. To speak to an advisor before applying, you can also fill out our inquiry form.
Students who wish to be admitted to the School of Liberal Arts graduate program in Latin American Studies should contact the Graduate Advisor in the Stone Center for more information on the application process. A link to the online application is available through the School of Liberal Arts. Applications must be submitted by January 10 for admission for the next academic year.
Tulane’s standards for admission are very high. We seek applicants who have developed the critical capacities for advanced work and are especially interested in attracting new students who will go on to complete doctoral degrees. We also seek students who have already developed the language skills needed for advanced work.
The School of Liberal Arts will not consider any student for admission until all the following documents, plus the application fee, have been received:
- completed application form
- three completed recommendation forms
- official transcripts of all undergraduate records and of any previous graduate work
- a statement of purpose outlining career objectives and a potential research program not to exceed 2-3 typed, double-spaced pages
- (optional) a CV or resume
- (optional) a writing sample
- (required for international applicants whose native language is not English) an official TOEFL or IELTS score
Please note that the GRE is not required.
Please note also that all transcripts and other documents and material required for application for admission become the property of the School of Liberal Arts and are not returnable.
In addition to the School of Liberal Arts requirements, the Stone Center recommends the submission of examples of written work, which may be submitted as additional materials as part of the online application. Information about language ability should be included in the applicant’s formal “Statement of Purpose.” A good working knowledge of Spanish and/or Portuguese is essential. Students are expected to meet a threshold level of language proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese during the first year of study. The required level of competence in Spanish and Portuguese corresponds to Intermediate-High on the ACTFL/STAMP4S scale. This competency is considered a minimum requirement. Students are encouraged to develop additional languages as needed by their research fields.
Applications are first received by the Stone Center Graduate Advisor. A Center admissions committee consisting of Tulane Latin Americanists representing various disciplines considers individual credentials. This committee begins reviewing applications in February, and makes recommendations about admission and fellowship/scholarship offers to the School of Liberal Arts Dean. The School of Liberal Arts will follow up by notifying applicants formally of such decisions by uploading a letter of acceptance or denial on the online application system. Acceptance letters will explain the financial and academic terms of Tulane’s offer. Applicants are also welcome to contact the Stone Center Graduate Advisor by phone to discuss details of an admission offer or to check the status of the admissions process.
Admission is on the basis of academic accomplishments and potential, regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national/ethnic origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
Financial Aid and Fellowship/Scholarships
Application for Fellowship/Scholarship consideration is accomplished simply by virtue of submitting a completed application for admission by the regular January 10 deadline. Fellowships/Scholarships generally include a tuition waiver and a modest living stipend; and Fellowship/Scholarship decisions are made at the same time as admissions decisions. Applicants will be notified of any Fellowship/Scholarship offers at the same time as they are notified of their offer of admission. Eligible students are also able to apply separately for federal or state-administered student loans and grants programs through the Tulane Financial Aid office. The Stone Center does not manage or oversee such financial aid programs; and accepted students should direct inquiries about such programs to the Tulane Financial Aid office.
Non-Native English-Speaking Students
An applicant for admission who is not a native speaker of English must present satisfactory evidence of sufficient competence in English in reading comprehension, writing, verbal ability and oral comprehension. Ordinarily, the applicant will demonstrate competence by presenting an acceptable score on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), with a composite minimum score of 100 generally acceptable for admission. Non-native English-Speaking applicants may also submit an equivalent IELTS score in lieu of a TOEFL score. Applicants who do not meet this score requirement but are otherwise exceptionally qualified may be granted provisional admission with the stipulation that said students take an ESL course for the first semester in residence and then retest in the winter before being allowed to continue study at Tulane. Applicants can get information about these exams by visiting the various testing service websites.
