Dual-Degree Programs
LLILAS cooperates with several professional degree programs at UT in dual degree programs. The dual degree programs are structured so that students can earn the two individual master's degrees simultaneously.
The dual degree programs normally require three years to complete, except for the dual degree program with the School of Law, which requires four years. Currently operating are dual master's degree programs with the:
- Graduate School of Business
- College of Communication
- Program in Community and Regional Planning
- School of Law
- Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs
- Global Policy Studies with LBJ School of Public Affairs
To be accepted into any of the dual degree programs, a student must be accepted by both the Latin American Studies Admissions Committee and the corresponding committee of the professional program. The GRE is required of all dual degree applicants as well as the LSAT for Law and the GMAT for the Graduate School of Business.
Additional information on each of these programs can be found below.
M.A. Dual Degree Program with Business Administration
The dual degree is of interest to Latin American studies graduate students with an interest in pursuing a career in business. The Graduate School of Business at the University of Texas is considered one of the best in the United States. Graduates of this program are well qualified for business positions that involve Latin America. The program combines advanced business studies with interdisciplinary area studies and language, responding to an increased need in both public and private sectors for business specialists with a thorough understanding of Latin American politics and cultures.
The dual degree program is structured so that students can earn the two individual master's degrees (Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Latin American Studies) simultaneously in approximately five semesters, or just under three academic years. The GRE and GMAT are both required.
The Latin American studies language requirement must be met during the first semester in the program.
Students spend their first year in the program taking Latin American studies courses. The second year is dedicated to graduate business core courses and approved electives. The final year of coursework is a combination from both departments.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete either 30 or 33 credit-hours in Latin American studies, depending on the plan selected (Plan A or B).
Plan A: Thesis Option
- 15 hour major
- 9 hour minor
- 6 hours thesis (LAS 698A and LAS 698B) written on a business topic
- 30 hours total
Plan B: Report Option
- 30 hours of Latin American content courses selected from three disciplines,no fewer than 6 hours taken in any one discipline
- 3 hour report (LAS 398R) taken in the last semester of study, written on a business topic
- 33 hours total
The thesis/report must be read and approved by a supervising professor and a second reader. One reader will represent Latin American Studies and the other will represent Graduate Business.
M.A. Dual Degree Program with Communication
This dual degree provides students with the opportunity to pursue graduate work in the disciplines of communication and Latin American studies. It enables students to study the interrelationships between the theories and processes of communication and issues pertinent to a precise and disciplined understanding of the societies and cultures of Latin America, their histories, and current policies. It is designed to meet the need for specialists with a combined competence in multidisciplinary area studies and one of the disciplines in the College of Communication, Journalism, Radio-Television-Film, and Communication Studies.
Degree Requirements
Latin American Studies
The Latin American Studies language requirement must be met during the first semester in the program.
- 18 hours (24 hours for Report Option) drawn from 2 or 3 disciplines (Anthropology, Art History, Economics, Geography, Government, History, Music, Portuguese or Spanish language or literature, or Sociology)
- no fewer than 6 hours in any one discipline
- all courses must have Latin American content
- 6 hours of electives that may include courses offered by the College of Communication that have Latin American content to be approved by the LLILAS graduate adviser
- 6 hour thesis (LAS 698A and LAS 698B) on a Latin American topic cosupervised by a faculty member from Latin American Studies and a faculty member from the College of Communication
- 3 hour report (LAS 398R) on a Latin American topic supervised by a faculty member from Latin American Studies and a faculty member from the College of Communication.
- 30 hours total - Thesis Option
- 33 hours total - Report Option
Communication
* Consult with each department in College of Communication: Journalism, Radio-TV- Film, or Communication Studies.
M.A. Dual Degree Program with Community and Regional Planning
The joint program in Latin American Studies and Community and Regional Planning is designed to provide qualified students with the skills necessary for working in local development in Latin America, whether through the public, private, or nonprofit sector.
LLILAS affords students the opportunity to research many facets of the contemporary Latin American situation through its interdisciplinary approach to the study of the region. The program combines study in the fields of anthropology, economics, geography, government, and sociology as well as community and regional planning.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete either 30 or 33 credit-hours in Latin American studies, depending on the plan selected (Plan A or B), 30 credit-hours in Community and Regional Planning, plus 6 hours of elective courses with Latin American content approved by the dual degree program advisers for a 66-69 credit-hour total.
The Latin American studies language requirement must be met during the first semester in program.
Plan A: Thesis Option
- 15 hour major Latin American content
- 9 hour minor Latin American content
- 6 hour thesis (LAS 698A and LAS 698B) on a Latin American/CRP topic
- 30 hours total
Plan B: Report Option
- 30 hours of LAS coursework selected from three disciplines;
- no fewer than 6 hours must be taken in each discipline
- 3 hour report, (LAS 398R), taken in the last semester of study
- 33 hours total
The thesis/report must be read and approved by a supervising professor and a second reader. One reader will represent Latin American Studies and the other will represent Community and Regional Planning.
CRP Requirements
- 24 hours of core courses
- 6 hours of electives in CRP courses, including internship
- 30 hours total
Dual Program Requirements
- 6 hours of elective courses with Latin American content approved by the joint program advisers
M.A. Dual Degree Program with Law
The dual program is designed for those students who wish to study law and Latin American issues in an integrated and interdisciplinary manner. Students who expect to be involved in government service or legal practices with a Latin American focus could benefit from this program.
A student must apply for admission to the J.D. program of the Law School, the Graduate Admissions Center, and the Institute of Latin American Studies. The GRE and LSAT are required.
Students admitted to the dual program must complete the standard first-year coursework at the School of Law during the first year of the program This must be done before taking any courses relating to the dual program. Both degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all requirements of the dual program.
Degree Requirements
The Latin American studies language requirement must be met during the semester Latin American content coursework is undertaken, normally the second year of study.
Latin American Studies
- 24 hours of Latin American content coursework divided among three disciplines,
- no fewer than 6 hours taken in any one discipline
- no fewer that 6 hours in courses that are on Latin American topics or that have direct and obvious relevance to Latin America must be taken at the Law School.
- 6 hour thesis (LAS 698A and LAS 698B) supervised by a faculty member from Latin American Studies and a faculty member from the School of Law.
- 30 hours total
Law School
All Law School requirements applicable to students in the standard J.D. program must be satisfied. Seventy-two hours are required for graduation. As a general rule, no courses taken in satisfaction of the master‚s degree requirements other than offerings in the Law School itself may be credited toward the J.D. degree. Students must check with the Law School on their eligibility to take the bar examination.
No language coursework or courses pertaining to Latin American studies (or other coursework beyond the standard first-year coursework of the J.D. program) may be taken in the first year of Law School.
M.A. Dual Degree Program with LBJ School of Public Affairs
The program combines advanced policy studies with interdisciplinary area studies, responding to an increasing need in both the public and private sectors for policy specialists with a thorough understanding of Latin American politics, cultures, geography, and history.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 33 semester hours in Latin American studies, including a master‚s report, and a minimum of 36 semester hours in public affairs, including a summer internship for a total of 69 hours. The first year of study is in the LBJ School of Public Affairs; thereafter, courses can be taken in both Latin American studies and public affairs.
Latin American Studies
The Latin American studies language requirement must be met during the semester Latin American content coursework is undertaken, normally the second year of study.
- 15 hours of coursework with a Latin American public policy orientation
- 15 hours of Latin American content seminars
- 3 hour report (LAS 398R) on a Latin American topic supervised by a faculty member from Latin American Studies and a faculty member from the LBJ School
- 33 hours total
Public Affairs
- 21 hours of required public affairs core course
- 6 hours Policy Research Project
- 9 hours public affairs electives
- Summer internship (in or related to Latin America)
More information from the LBJ School on the dual-degree program
M.A. Dual Degree Program in Global Policy Studies with the LBJ School of Public Affairs
The dual degree program combines advanced studies of globalization with a focus on the politics, economy, and culture of Latin America.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 33 semester hours in Latin American studies, including a master’s report, and a minimum of 37 semester hours in public affairs, including a summer internship, for a total of 70 hours. The first year of study is in the LBJ School of Public Affairs; thereafter, courses can be taken in both Latin American studies and public affairs.
Latin American Studies
The Latin American studies language requirement must be met during the semester Latin American content coursework is undertaken, normally the second year of study.
- 15 hours of coursework with Latin American studies content
- 15 hours of Latin American policy content
- 3 hour report (LAS 398R) on a Latin American topic supervised by a faculty member from Latin American Studies and a faculty member from the Global Policy Studies program at the LBJ School
- 33 hours total
Global Policy Studies
- 22 hours of required Global Policy core courses
- 6 hours Policy Research Project
- 9 hours public affairs electives
- Summer internship in an office related to the dual degree program.
More information from the LBJ School on the dual-degree program
