Learn about the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at New York University.

1. Welcome to the CLACS Virtual
Open House

2. MA Program
Graduate study at CLACS is a
unique experience: students
thrive from unparalleled access
to world-renowned scholars
while pursuing completely
customized degrees in a city like
no other.
For more information: clacs.as.nyu.edu/page/graduate

3. Joint Degree Options
Journalism
Library Science
Museum Studies
For more information: http://clacs.as.nyu.edu/object/clacs.grad.jointdegree
Law

4. Jill Lane
Director
Ada Ferrer
History
Aisha Khan
Anthropology
Sinclair Thomson
History
Sibylle Fischer
Spanish and
Portuguese
Pamela Calla
Anthropology
Tom Abercrombie
Anthropology
Katherine Smith
World Arts and
Cultures

5. Jorge Castañeda
Politics
Odi Gonzales
Quechua
Language
Patricio Navia
Politics
Dylon Robbins
Spanish and
Portuguese
Peter Lucas
International
Education
Edgardo Perez
Morales
History
135 Affiliated
Faculty Across
Disciplines at
NYU
For more information: http://clacs.as.nyu.edu/page/People

6. CLACS Course Offerings
Not only are CLACS course offerings interdisciplinary, but professors examine topics
from a variety of viewpoints in each course throughout the semester.
Something visual, look for a classroom shot
We have great interdisciplinary classes, and the classes themselves are
interdisciplinary

7. CLACS Colloquium

8. Courses Across NYU

9. Anthropology
History
Education
Media Studies
Social and
Cultural Analysis
Politics
Linguistics
Economics
Spanish and
Portuguese

10. Courses at Columbia University

11. Quechua at NYU
Andean Initiative
For more information:http://clacsnyublog.com/category/rimasun/

12. Caribbean Initiative

13. Research
Development of MA Project from
beginning of program
Latin American and Caribbean Subject Librarian at Bobst
Summer field research

14. CLACS Grant Recipients
2012-2013
•Privatization and Public Education in Colombia (Bogota)
•Bolivian Migrant Culture in Buenos Aires, Argentina
•Politics of Candomblé Healing Practices (Salvador, Brazil)
•Cuban Performance as Sociopolitical Resistance (Havana, Cuba)
•Mining Labor Struggles in Cajamarca, Peru
•Legal Frameworks for Transgender Politics in Ecuador
(Guayaquil)

15. Sample projects
“Economic Development and Refugee Protection: The Case of Colombian
Migrants in Panama”
“Public Dialogue and GTMO: A Struggle for New Historical Discourse and Civic
Responsibility”
“Violence in the Caribbean: Motivations and Justifications for the Radicalization
of the Puerto Rican Independence Movement in Five Isolated Events”
“The Reformation of Ecuadorian Migrant Identity in Spain”
“Women Rule?: The Role of Women in Oaxaca, Mexico’s
UsosyCostumbres Governments”

16. Funding for Field Research
Tinker Field Research Grants for Summer Travel
Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships (FLAS)

17. Title VI National
Resource Center

18. Resources Across NYU
Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics
Center for Media, Culture and History
Metropolitan Center for Urban Education
Center for Religion and Media
Academic Departments and
Programs across the university
Institute for Public Knowledge
Humanities Initiatives
Institute of Fine Art

19. Early in 2013, CLACS entered into a partnership with the North American Congress on
Latin America (NACLA), a nonprofit organization that publishes a quarterly journal
providing information and analysis on Latin America.
Publishing opportunities
Internships
Collaboration with NACLA events
For more information see http://nacla.org/

20. Internships
Special Internship Opportunities for CLACS Students
Colorlines
NACLA
Center for Legal and Social Studies
Americas Society and Council of the Americas
El Museo del Barrio
InSight Crime
Museum of the American Indian
William J. Clinton Foundation
Qualitas of Life
Ballet Hispanico
Pachamama Peruvian Arts
For more information see: clacs.as.nyu.edu/object/clacs.internships

21. New York City as a Resource

22. Alumni Placement
UNICEF
Americas Society
Human Rights Watch
United Nations
Washington Office on Latin America
Huffington Post
Central American Relief Efforts
International Crisis Group
Institute of International Education
International Coalition of Sites and Conscience
United Nations Global Compact
El Museo del Barrio
Rhodes College
Rutgers University
Graduates have pursued degrees at Yale, Duke, UCLA, and NYU

23. CLACS Student
Initiatives
Student clubs and groups
–GALAS: Graduate Association of
Latin American Studies
–Quechua outreach
committee/Rimasun
Sample student projects
– Latin American News Dispatch
– Stories of El Salvador: The Civil War
and its Aftermath (exhibition)
Public presentation of research
–Graduate Student-initiated
Conference Grant

24. Admissions Deadlines
To be considered for financial aid, applications for the CLACS MA program
are due by:
February 1, 2014
Applications without financial aid consideration are due by:
April 15, 2014
Double check department deadlines for joint degree programs.
For more information see:http://clacs.as.nyu.edu/page/admissions

25. Application Checklist
•
Academic Transcripts
•
Statement of Purpose
•
Résumé or curriculum vitae
•
Writing sample
•
Letters of Recommendation
•
Official test score reports from GRE and TOEFL (if applicable)
•
$95 application fee
For more information see:http://gsas.nyu.edu/object/grad.application.questions
*Double check departmental guidelines for joint degree programs

26. Application Checklist:
Academic Transcripts
•
Scan your transcripts and upload them into your online application
•
Do not send paper copies
•
Include English translations, if applicable
•
Admitted applicants only: Final and official copies of academic transcripts, with
English translations if applicable
For more information see:http://gsas.nyu.edu/object/grad.pdf.acadtrans
*Double check departmental guidelines for joint degree programs

27. Application Checklist:
Official test score reports from GRE and
TOEFL (if applicable)
•All applicants must take the general test of the GRE
•Take the GRE no later than 4-6 weeks before the application deadline
•Applicants who are not native English speakers much submit official TOEFL scores
•TOEFL is waived if your baccalaureate or master’s degree was completed at an institution
where the language instruction is English
•Take the TOEFL no later than 6-8 weeks before the application deadline
For more information see: http://gsas.nyu.edu/object/grad.app.faq.test
For the GRE: www.ets.org/gre
For the TOEFL: www.ets.org/toefl

28. Application Checklist:
Résumé or curriculum vitae
Targeted document
Emphasize accomplishments
What to include:
Name, Address, Phone Number, Email
Objective (optional)
Education
Experience
Activities (optional)
Skills (optional)
Interests (optional)
For more information see:
http://nyuwassermanblog.career.admin.nyu.edu/tag/resume/
http://www.nyu.edu/life/resources-and-services

29. Application Checklist:
Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose is one of the most important parts of your application. It shows not only your strengths and
goals as a scholar, but your writing style, your research interests, your skills and what makes you unique.
•
Describe past and present work as it relates to your intended field of study, educational objectives, career plans,
and reasons for choosing your field
•
Should be concisely written and not exceed two double-spaced pages
For more information see: http://gsas.nyu.edu/object/gsas.admissions.tips

30. Application Checklist:
Writing Sample
•
Limited to 15 double-spaced pages, perhaps excerpting a longer work
•
Should be a term paper, essay, or publication that demonstrates your capacity to
conduct research and/or social, political, or cultural analysis. It need not have been
published.
*For Latin American and Caribbean Studies/Journalism: In addition to the writing sample described above for all
applicants, three additional writing samples are required for Journalism. The writing samples need not have been
published, although if you have clips you are proud of, please do submit them. The samples should represent your best
overall work and your aptitude for journalism. Clips from your college newspaper, personal essays, academic research
papers, and short fiction are all acceptable.
For more information see: http://gsas.nyu.edu/object/gsas.admissions.tips

31. Application Checklist:
Letters of Recommendation
•
Required to be submitted as part of the online application; do not send by mail
•
See GSAS Frequently Asked Questions:
http://gsas.nyu.edu/object/grad.pdf.LetRecFAQ
For more information see: http://gsas.nyu.edu/object/gsas.admissions.tips

32. Financial Aid
Scholarships and Financial aid are available for Masters' Students. Students must apply by the February 1
deadline to be considered.
Financial Aid available through the Graduate School:
GSAS Fellowships (highly competitive, full tuition and stipend)
•McCracken Fellowship
•Graduate School Fellowships
•GSAS Opportunity Fellowship, for eligible applicants (CLACS applies on behalf of the applicant)
Tuition Point Grants, limited awards that offset the cost of tuition from 4–16 points.
Annual FLAS (Tuition, stipend)
Department of Education funded Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowships, to support the study
of Quechua or Brazilian Portuguese. Students must demonstrate that language is fundamental to the
student's course of study, and to future professional or academic ambitions.
For more information see: http://clacs.as.nyu.edu/page/grantsfellowships
For more on FLAS information see: http://clacs.as.nyu.edu/object/clacs.grants.student.flas

33. Q&A
Question: What does the dual-degree schedule look like for library science? How many classes would
constitute full time in both programs?
Amalia Cordova: This unique program is designed to meet the widespread need for subject specialists and scholar
librarians in academic, research, and cultural institutions. Our approach is to integrate Latin American expertise
with education and training in library and information science. CLACS will require you take one required course
per semester, which are mandatory, and I would need to check current schedules in Library Science this year to
give you an accurate schedule.
Question: Can international students apply for Summer FLAS Fellowships?
AmaliaCordova: Unfortunately, only U.S. citizens are eligible for FLAS funding.
Question: How large are classes in the M.A. program?
CLACS Student: Classes are generally small. A typical CLACS cohort will be about 15 students, and you'll be
enrolled your first year in the introduction series: one course in the Fall; the other in the Spring semester. But
generally the average graduate level class will be 15-20 people—very intimate.
Question: I'm torn between Quechua and Portuguese. Do you have a recommendation for which is more
likely to receive a FLAS Fellowship? Could I double my chances by applying for both Portuguese and
Quechua?
Amalia Cordova: The FLAS is generally awarded by its relation to the topic or area of study, so if you already have
this in mind it certainly helps your application. Which are you likely to put to use in your research or professional
projects? FYI, recent Annual FLAS awardees at CLACS students have tended to be focused on Quechua, but we
have also awarded Summer FLAS grants towards Portuguese intensive language programs in Brazil.

34. Q&A
Question: Can you comment more on the joint Global Journalism program?
Jill Lane: The Global Journalism program combines the MA in journalism with that in Latin American Studies. The
program is 4 semesters and students complete two separate final projects. There are additional writing
requirements for the journalism program, so you'll want to look at those requirements carefully and let us know if
you have any questions.
Question: Can you talk a bit more about the Dual Degree programs? Do joint MA students have the same
access to CLACS resources as those who are pursuing a single MA degree within CLACS?
Jill Lane: Yes, absolutely, CLACS resources are available to all students, regardless of the program in which they are
enrolled. Joint degree students have the same advising, access to grants, etc.
Question: Is it important to have a specific social science research background?
CLACS student: The CLACS program is actually very interdisciplinary. Although a background in social science
research would definitely be a plus, it is surely not necessary. Some of my colleagues in the program actually
come from diverse backgrounds, such as in Psychology and even the Fine Arts.
Question: Do you all feel that the probability of finding a position after finishing the program is feasible?
And at the same time, do you feel the program has prepared students for these positions?
Jill Lane: Our students have been quite successful in finding work in the field after graduation. We run a
"perspectives from the field" lecture series with Alumni, which offers concrete networking opportunities with
people who now work at the UN, Unicef, and a range of NGOs or other organizations. Our internship program
definitely offers opportunities to build work experience in these fields.

35. Q&A
Question: What resources are available for jobs and internships?
Graduate Enrollment Services: We have an excellent office of career services, called
Wassrermanhttp://www.nyu.edu/life/resources-and-services/career-development.html You will start your
relationship with Wasserman during your first semester, and they offer many resources for finding jobs and
internships.
Question: Do you have a strong Brazilian studies/ Portuguese language program?
CLACS Student: This semester I'll be taking Portuguese for Spanish Speakers, a class offered in the Spanish
Department. My plan is to conduct research during the summer in Brazil. My advisor will be Professor Dylon
Robbins, his main area of research is Brazil. There are also classes that can be taken at Columbia.
Question: How many people typically enter the library science program?
Amalia: We have only had one student take this joint degree program at CLACS in recent years, but we have a
wonderful Specialist Librarian on staff, you could contact her for more information as she would be the person
you would work with: angela.carreno@nyu.edu. She has put together a page on Latin American resources at NYU.
In addition, NYU students have access to Columbia University Libraries, as well at affiliated institutions in our
graduate consortium.
Question: Do you know when admissions notifications will be?
Jill Lane: We expect to notify applicants by the end of February or first week of March.

36. Q&A
Question: What percentage of students admitted receive financial aid?
Graduate Enrollment Services: This answer depends on the particular year, with an average of six awards any
given year. The Graduate School of Arts and Science also offers financial support to master’s students through the
Tuition Incentive Program (TIP), direct funding to master’s programs, employee tuition remission and the Dean’s
Travel Grants. Information about these programs and additional sources of financial support are available
through the GSAS financial aid information page. http://www.nyu.edu/employees/career-development.html
http://gsas.nyu.edu/page/grad.travelgrant http://gsas.nyu.edu/page/grad.financialaid.html If you have not
already done so, you may want to investigate external funding opportunities. You may start with NYU's Office of
Financial Aid web site http://www.nyu.edu/admissions/financial-aid-and-scholarships.html (there you will find
links to scholarship searches and information for international students). You may also want to search for outside
sources for funding online.
Question: You mentioned the competitive GSAS Fellowships in the presentation. Are applicants
automatically considered for those, or does a separate application need to be completed?
Graduate Enrollment Services: If you apply by the February 1 priority admissions deadline, then you will be
considered for departmental sources of funding. You must apply for FLAS funding by February 1. If you are
interested in federal loans or work study opportunities, then you must complete the FAFSA. For additional
information about ways you can finance your graduate education at the Graduate School, please review the PDF
document called, “Financing Graduate Education”. The PDF document can be found at
http://gsas.nyu.edu/page/grad.financialaid.gradfellowships.

37. Q&A
Question: How easily will I be able to integrate Quechua study into my M.A. degree? I intend to study
foreign relations and politics of Latin America.
Amalia Cordova: A FLAS grant will require you take one additional semester of classes, since Quechua
classes, though required every semester, do not count toward your 32 points to degree. Regarding Portuguese, we
do offer Portuguese classes that are zero credit.
Question: I would like to do research abroad. Is the application for research grants very competitive? How
many students are generally admitted?
Jill Lane: Most of our MA students receive some form of funding to support research abroad. The FLAS summer
grants - for language study - are very competitive. The research fellowships require a strong, well-written
application, but we support and guide our students in the preparation of those applications.

38. Q&A
Question: Is it possible to submit journalistic texts as a writing sample?
Jill Lane: Yes, you can submit journalistic writing as your writing sample. You will submit multiple samples to
Journalism; you may send one of the same to CLACS, but choose the one that you think best illustrates your
analytical thinking. We look forward to reading it!
Question: Are any of those fellowships available for international students?
Graduate Enrollment Services: FLAS is only available to US citizens. International students are eligible for every
other form of funding available through CLACS.
Question: I'd like to know a little more about writing sample requirements.
Sinclair Thomson: The Admissions Committee will be made up of faculty from different disciplines so you should
submit the work that you've done that you feel best represents your strengths and interests, given your own
training and background. The length is 15 pages maximum. It can be a straight academic analysis with a formal
expository structure, or a more creative piece. If the former, a piece would be strong if it makes an original
argument and demonstrates it based on grounded empirical source material.
Question: I am unable to obtain an unofficial transcript with a registrar's signature, watermark or on official
registrar stationary as my undergrad school simply prints it from my account; can I just upload the unofficial
transcript copy they gave me?
Graduate Enrollment Services: We do require a copy of your official transcript as part of your application. If your
school will not send you the transcript, then they can mail it to us directly. We do prefer everything to be scanned
and uploaded.

39. Q&A
Question: How does the FLAS funding work? Would that be something you apply for after notification of
admission or something you apply for alongside your application?
Jill Lane: You will apply to FLAS at the same time as you submit your application. You would be notified about the
FLAS fellowship at the time of admission. Does that answer your question?
Question: In terms of the writing sample, would an excerpt with an abstract be acceptable, or would you
recommend a complete piece?
EdgardoPérez Morales: Somehting about 15 pages long, double spaced, is a good size. So, even if it is an excerpt
of longer work, its okay as long as it is about that size.
Question: About what percentage of CLACS students receive funding?
This depends on the size of the incoming class, which varies by year. In the past cohort—a little smaller than
usual—everyone received some form of funding, from full funding to tuition points. There are 5 FLAS students
every year, split between first and second year students.
Question: Another question for international students, is it possible to work as a Teacher Assistant for financial
aid?
Graduate Enrollment Services: We do not offer teaching assistantships. There are some adjunct instructor
positions, but these are typically reserved for doctoral students. You will be considered for all types of aid
available through CLACS as long as you complete your application on time.

40. Q&A
Question: I studied abroad as part of a Duke program, and the credit is listed in my official transcript. Do I also
need to submit an official transcript from Duke?
Graduate Enrollment Services: You do not need to submit the Duke transcripts as long as they are listed on your
official undergraduate transcript.
Question: What are the possibilities to find resources to do anthropology at home in case that part of my research
proposal suppose do it?
EdgardoPérez Morales: Students have done ethnographic and field research in several places, including the US.
Students have been very successful in getting funding for research, and usually come back with excellent
materials and new perspectives.
Question: Is the FLAS a standard amount, or does it range in award size?
Jill Lane: Yes, the FLAS is a standard amount, determined by the Department of Education. It covers tuition and
offers a stipend comparable to the Graduate School fellowships.
Question: Generally how many students apply for CLACS masters programs and how many are accepted?
Kyle Barron: It varies by year. But generally about 60% are accepted, although it can be more or less depending
on the application pool.

41. Q&A
Question: Aside from the FLAS awards, are the available grants/fellowship opportunities exclusive to the CLACS
program or are they competitive within all graduate programs at NYU (GSAS)?
Jill Lane: Yes, two of those grants are exclusive to CLACS. They are still competitive, of course, but yes, are
reserved for CLACS students.
Question: Does the writing sample need to be in English? Could it potentially be in a relevant language such as
Spanish?
Sinclair Thomson: You can submit a Spanish-language text if you think that would better represent your
abilities. However, you should submit an English-language text of some sort. Some students have translated an
original Spanish-language piece into English for submission.
Question: Is it be possible to arrange to sit in on a class ?
Second Year Student: Yes, it's possible. To do so, you can contact the professor directly to sit in if there is a specific
course that you find interesting. I sat in on Dr. Calla's Comparative Racisms course while I was looking at MA
programs. It was great to see and meet the faculty and students. Or you can contact the Assistant
Director, Amalia, who can put you in contact with a CLACS faculty member.
Question: How far in advance of applying does the GRE need to be taken?
Graduate Enrollment Services: http://gsas.nyu.edu/object/grad.app.faq.test#03 Please see our FAQ for the
answer to your question.

42. Q&A
Question: As a student at Clacs, is there a possibility to take most of the classes at the Linguistics department?
Jill Lane: Yes! Students can take graduate courses from any department in the graduate school of arts and
science, assuming that they are relevant to your course of study and that the professor and/or department grants
permissions. Some courses do have pre-requisites or may be limited to doctoral students. However, in general
CLACS students have been able to enroll in a wide range of courses in many departments.
Question: I'm interested in the JD/MA dual degree program. So, I guess building on Camilla's question, how much
do the different schools work together? As in how different is doing a dual degree than just doing the two
programs separately or in parallel?
Amalia Cordova: The dual degree option varies according to the programs. With museum studies and
journalism, it only extends the MA by a semester, but with Law its much longer to complete the reuirements for
the degree there. The idea is to build your own interdisciplinary experience instead of doing two isolated
programs.
Question: Is there anyone who can speak to Brazilian studies within CLACS? What resources does CLACS have
specifically in relation to Brazil?
Amalia Cordova: While NYU doesn't have a distict Brazil Center, we have a student group, and a diverse body of
faculty throughout NYU working on and sometime in Brazil. At CLACS and Spanish & Portuguese we have Dylon
Robbins, who works on Brazil, he taught the Afro-Latin Soundscapes this fall, and adjunct Peter Lucas who works
with participatory media in Rio de janeiro teaches Human Rights in Latin america at CLACS every Spring. Other
distinguished faculty concentrating on brazil include Barbara Browning at performance Studies, bob Stam at
Cinema Studies, and Barbara Weinstein at History.

43. Q&A
Question: Is it possible to continue academics in NYU/Columbia/CUNY (for example, in a PhD Program) after the
MA Program? What are the scores? It's possible to apply a PhD Program in the same University? or do I have to
change?
EdgardoPérez Morales: There's no automatic promotion or direct link between our MA program and any PhD
programs. Our MA, of course, will prepare you to go on to continue a career in academia, an many students do
apply and are admitted to doctoral programs after they finish their MAs. So while the MA is a great asset to have
for when you apply to a PhD, the application process itself is independent and you have to individually contact
the Phd institution and apply. Of course, faculty and other colleagues are always happy to help and advise you in
your application process.
Question: Should the statement of purpose and letters of recommendation for the FLAS be distinct from the
statement of purpose and rec letters for the general app?
Jill Lane: You can use the same recommenders for both applications, assuming that they can speak both to your
potential for graduate study and your interest/talent in language study. I would venture that most
recommendations will do both things simultaneously, but if you feel that a different recommender would serve
you better in one or the other, you may want to adjust accordingly. Your statement does not need to be
substantially different; in the FLAS application be sure to emphasize how language study figures into your
academic interests.

44. Thank you for
participating in the CLACS Virtual
Open House
To explore our interdisciplinary MA program visit:
http://clacs.as.nyu.edu/page/graduate
For more information about the application process: http://gsas.nyu.edu/page/grad.admissionsapplication
Refer to the NYU Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website for application tips:
http://gsas.nyu.edu/object/gsas.admissions.tips
To learn more about the student body and meet current students, please visit this website for student profiles:
http://gsas.nyu.edu/object/gsas.gradstudentvideo.listing
CLACS Frequently asked questions: http://clacs.as.nyu.edu/object/clacs.faq
Visit our blog: clacsnyublog.com/
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter