Information regarding application and financial assistance.
The applications for Fall 2025 are now closed and we are no longer accepting applications. Applying for the 2026-27 academic year? The application will be available in September 2025.
Note that the Latin American Studies graduate program offers a Master's degree (M.A.) only. There is no PhD in Latin American Studies offered at UCLA. Please also note that this is a full-time program conducted in person, with classes held on weekdays during the day.
General admissions information, instructions about applying, and the online application for admission can be found at UCLA’s Graduate Division Website.
The deadline to apply to the Latin American Studies interdepartmental graduate program for the academic year beginning in the Fall quarter is January 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PT).
All materials must be complete before the application is considered.
The following materials are required components of the admission application:
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Application form completed via UCLA Graduate Division’s Admissions Website: For any questions or technical difficulties with the online application, please email DGE at onlineapphelp@grad.ucla.edu. Applicants can access the DGE Admissions FAQs by clicking here.
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Statement of purpose (approx. 500 words in length. Follow the UCLA Online Application instructions): Statement of purpose should describe academic, Latin America-related experience. Applicants may include information about their academic achievements and goals for study at UCLA.
- Personal Statement (approx. 500 words in length. Follow the UCLA Online Application instructions): Personal Statement is an opportunity to provide additional information that may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UCLA. It will also be used to consider candidates for the Graduate Opportunity Program. Instructions are provided in the application as well, you can also see some prompts here.
- A research paper or other writing sample that well demonstrates writing and analytical skills (total 10 pages maximum, US letter-size, double-spaced). The goal of the writing sample is to demonstrate your ability to write professionally and clearly. The writing sample must be written in English.
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Three letters of recommendation preferably from former or current professors or from other individuals who can attest to applicant's ability to succeed in graduate study. Letters should be uploaded via the online application system.
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Graduate Record Examination scores: For instructions and more information, review UCLA Division of Graduate Education Admissions FAQs Test Score. Waiver of this requirement is not permitted. There is no minimum required GRE score for the LAS MA program, and data on the average GRE scores of admitted students is not available. Test scores are reviewed as one component of the admissions committee's holistic evaluation process.
- Unofficial transcript: An unofficial transcript should be uploaded via online admission application. If transcript is not in English, an authorized translation has to be provided. In such cases, please upload the transcript in the original language in addition to the English translation. Official final transcript (only from the institution where you received an undergraduate or graduate degree) with degree award date is required upon admission to the program. Official transcripts should be sent to the program's office after the student is notified about admission to the program. Applicants do not need to send official copies of transcripts from community college or study abroad programs.
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TOEFL scores: All graduate applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration. To find out if you are required to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores, please review DGE's English Requirements: English Language Proficiency Requirement for Admission to UCLA page.
The LAS MA program office won't be able to assist if your TOEFL/IELTS score is not linking to your UCLA Online Application. Please contact your testing center. The personal information on your test report must exactly match the information you enter on the UCLA Online Application; otherwise, the records will not be linked.
Applicants must have a minimum overall score of 87 on the TOEFL iBT or 7.0 on the IELTS to be eligible for application review. We do not require minimum section scores for admission. Please be advised that the TOEFL/IELTS requirement is not subject to waiver.
Financial Assistance for Entering Students
- Graduate Opportunity Program for Entering Students. Students submit application for the award along with the online application to the Latin American Studies program. The fellowship offers fees, non-resident tuition (if applicable) and a stipend to qualified applicants. Eligibility: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or undocumented students who qualify for nonresident supplemental tuition exemptions under AB 540.
- Latin American Studies Program fellowships, including Sandra Mabritto fellowships. Amounts vary.
-Information for students with AB540 or DACA status can be found here.
-Information about tuition and fees can be found on the Registrar's Office website. Tuition and fees per term can be found here by selecting "Academic Master" for each of the three quarters (Fall, Winter and Spring).
Latin American Studies M.A. Program Inquiries:
E-mail: idpgrads@international.ucla.edu
UCLA International Institute
Latin American Studies Graduate Admissions
10256 Bunche Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1487
Admissions Information Session for Applicants who start in Fall 2025
The links shared during the info session are available here.
Download file: 24F_LAS_Links-cr-faj.pdf
Published: Wednesday, October 30, 2019
