M.A. Admissions

Applicants to the Master of Arts degree program in Mexican American Studies must meet the minimum requirements for graduate study at The University of Texas at Austin:

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or proof of equivalent training in a foreign institution.
• A grade point average of at least 3.00 in upper-division (junior- and senior-level) coursework and in any graduate work already completed.
• An official score on the Graduate Record Examinations General Test (GRE).
• Adequate subject preparation for the proposed major. Evidence of adequate preparation varies by program, but examples include letters of reference, auditions, samples of work, and personal statements.
• A recommendation for acceptance by the Graduate Studies Committee for the proposed major area.

An admissions committee composed of CMAS faculty associates evaluates all complete applications and recommends admission to the Graduate School.  Preference in admissions is given to applicants who demonstrate a strong academic background and a clear sense of their research interests in Mexican American Studies.

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required for a complete application and should come from faculty/instructors or from professionals who have supervised the applicant.  The best letters come from individuals who have known the applicant over a period of time and can describe the applicant’s qualifications and potential for success in graduate school.

A statement of purpose is required for a complete application and must describe the academic and professional interests and goals for the applicant, the reasons the applicant is pursuing graduate study in Mexican American Studies, and discuss CMAS faculty associates the applicant might work with while completing the masters program.

The Master of Arts degree program in Mexican American Studies admits students for the fall semester only—the application deadline is January 1.

Application Procedures

Applicants must submit a complete application to the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) and the Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS). The graduate major code for Mexican American Studies is 667000.

1. Submit the following application materials to the Graduate and International Admissions Center: 

• Application form (submission via www.applytexas.org)
• Application Fee
• Official GRE Scores (General Exam)
• Official College/University Transcripts

2. Submit the following application materials to the Center for Mexican American Studies:

• Supplemental Information for Graduate Program Form
• Photocopy of the GRE Score (General Exam)
• Photocopy of College/University Transcripts
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose (750 words maximum length)
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae

Application materials to be submitted to CMAS must be mailed to the following address:

Program Coordinator
Center for Mexican American Studies
University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station, F9200
Austin, Texas 78712

Prospective applicants should contact the Program Coordinator with any questions they might have about the application process.

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