Frequently Asked Questions for LAS MA Admissions

Stanford coterminal applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5.

For all other applicants, there is no minimum GPA required for admission into our master's program. However, strong applications usually include strong GPAs as well.

To be eligible for graduate study at Stanford, you must demonstrate sufficient proficiency to read English with ease, understand rapid idiomatic English as used in lectures and group discussions, and express thoughts quickly and clearly in spoken and written English.

You are not required to submit English proficiency test scores if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Your first language is English.
• You earned a U.S. bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, or international equivalent from a university where all instruction was conducted in English.
• You have two or more consecutive years of full-time professional or educational experience in English, in the past 10 years.

You will not be required to submit English proficiency test scores in the application if your responses on the Personal Background page reflect that you meet the above criteria; no additional documentation is required at the time of application. If you are offered admission and accept the offer, you may be required to submit supporting documentation as a condition of admission. Please refer to Graduate Admissions to see which applicants need to submit scores.

Reporting TOEFL Scores

We accept MyBest scores, which combine your highest section scores from all test dates within the last two years. All TOEFL scores we receive, including MyBest scores, will be made available to the admission committee. The admission committee may decide how they wish to evaluate the scores provided.

Self-Reported Scores

You may use either of the following methods to self-report your MyBest scores on the application:

1. List all TOEFL tests you took within the past two years where you earned a section score that is included in your MyBest scores.- or -
2. List a single TOEFL entry with your MyBest scores. For the test date, enter the “as of” date listed on your most recent score report.

Any scores you self-report on the application are considered unofficial but sufficient for the initial review process.

Official Scores

If you are submitting TOEFL scores to satisfy Stanford’s English proficiency test requirement, you must report your official scores directly to Stanford from ETS. Stanford’s ETS institutional code is 4704. If a department code is required, it does not matter which one you choose. As long as you select the institutional code of 4704, the scores are electronically delivered to Stanford.

When you arrange for your official TOEFL scores to be sent to Stanford, the report will include both your traditional scores from your selected test date and your MyBest scores. Upon successful receipt, both sets of scores will appear on the Test Scores page of your application with a status of “Verified.” You do not need to have official scores from previous tests sent to Stanford as long as the most recent official score report includes the MyBest scores you wish to use.

Reporting IELTS Scores

All IELTS scores we receive will be made available to the admission committee. The admission committee may decide how they wish to evaluate the scores provided.

Self-Reported Scores

To self-report your IELTS scores, list all IELTS tests you took within the past two years that you wish to be considered by the admission committee. Do not enter “superscores” (a single entry that includes your highest section scores from multiple test dates). The application system will automatically display to the admission committee the highest score you earned in each section as well as all reported scores.

Any scores you self-report on the application are considered unofficial but sufficient for the initial review process.

Official Scores

If you are submitting IELTS scores to satisfy Stanford’s English proficiency test requirement, you must report your official scores directly to Stanford via the IELTS Results Service E-delivery option. Our organization’s account name is Stanford University Graduate. We do not accept test results via postal mail.

Upon successful receipt of your official scores, they will appear on the Test Scores page of your application with a status of “Verified.”

Minimum Score Requirements for English Proficiency

*The English Placement Test is required for incoming students who earned a score below 109 (TOEFL taken before 1/21/26) / 5.5 (TOEFL taken on or after 1/21/26) / 8 (IELTS) at the time of application. There are no exceptions to this requirement, even for those who score just below the cutoff. The test takes place shortly before the first quarter of graduate study and is administered by the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program, who will determine whether language courses are required or recommended to support the student’s success in the graduate program.

Stanford considers English proficiency test scores to be valid for two years. See below for the earliest test date Stanford considers TOEFL/IELTS scores to be valid.

Required Applications Materials for Non-coterminal Applicants

1. Statement of Purpose: The Statement of Purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the Latin American Studies MA program at Stanford, your preparation for this field of study, research interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. The maximum recommended length is 500 words double-spaced.
2. Enriching the Learning Community Statement: Stanford University welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of experiences, interests, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. We invite you to share the lived experiences, demonstrated values, perspectives, and/or activities that shape you as a scholar and would help you to make a distinctive contribution to Stanford University. Your statement should not exceed 500 words in length.
3. Resumé or curriculum vitae.
4. Preliminary research abstract: Your preliminary research abstract should summarize your proposed research project in 150 to 250 words, double-spaced. Ensure to state your research question and methodology.
5. Academic writing sample: Your writing sample should be an academic essay (e.g., a final term paper, a chapter from an undergraduate thesis, undergraduate capstone paper, a paper submitted for publishing, etc.) and the content does not need to be related to Latin America. It may be on any academic topic of your choice written in English. The recommended length is 2,500-3,750 words double-spaced. Applicants who no longer have access to materials from their undergraduate career, will need to write one that meets the application requirement.
6. Confirmation of Spanish fluency: Applicants must have a minimum level of Spanish equivalent to B1 (CEFR scale), intermediate high (ACTFL scale), or university third year of study. Students who did not attain a degree in a Spanish-speaking institution must submit a 250-350 word statement (double-spaced) that provides specific examples of their oral and written fluency in Spanish.
7. Three letters of recommendation: CLAS strongly recommends that at least two of the letters of recommendation be from professors who can speak about your academic strengths.   
8. Transcript(s): You must list and provide your unofficial transcript for every post-secondary institution where you were enrolled—or are currently enrolled—in an undergraduate or graduate degree program. Please visit the Graduate Admissions Transcripts webpage for further details. Official transcripts are requested should we make an offer of admission.

Required Applications Materials for Coterminal Applicants

1. Statement of Purpose: The Statement of Purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the Latin American Studies MA program at Stanford, your preparation for this field of study, research interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. The maximum recommended length is 500 words double-spaced.
2. Enriching the Learning Community Statement: Stanford University welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of experiences, interests, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. We invite you to share the lived experiences, demonstrated values, perspectives, and/or activities that shape you as a scholar and would help you to make a distinctive contribution to Stanford University. Your statement should not exceed 500 words in length.
3. Resumé or curriculum vitae.
4. Preliminary research abstract: Your preliminary research abstract should summarize your proposed research project in 150 to 250 words, double-spaced. Ensure to state your research question and methodology.
5. Academic writing sample: Your writing sample should be an academic essay (e.g., a final term paper, a chapter from an undergraduate thesis, undergraduate capstone paper, a paper submitted for publishing, etc.) and the content does not need to be related to Latin America. It may be on any academic topic of your choice written in English. The recommended length is 2,500-3,750 words double-spaced. 
6. Confirmation of Spanish fluency: Applicants must have a minimum level of Spanish equivalent to B1 (CEFR scale), intermediate high (ACTFL scale), or university third year of study. Students who did not attain a degree in a Spanish-speaking institution must submit a 250-350 word statement (double-spaced) that provides specific examples of their oral and written fluency in Spanish.
7. Three letters of recommendation: CLAS strongly recommends that at least two of the letters of recommendation be from former or current professors who can speak about your academic strengths. CLAS also recommends that at least one letter from a professor in your major. However, letters from professional contacts will also be considered.  
8. Transcript(s): You must provide your unofficial Stanford transcript, as well as the unofficial transcript for any post-secondary institution where you were previously enrolled in a degree program. Please visit the Stanford Student Services Coterm Application Process webpage for further details.
9. Program Proposal: The coterm preliminary program proposal is a list of all Stanford courses you have taken previously or plan to take in the future to fulfill degree requirements for the master’s program.

Stanford does not accept paper supplementary materials. Applicants are expected to upload copies of all their materials to their online application.

Potential students must have a minimum level in Spanish equivalent to B1 (CEFR scale), Intermediate High (ACTFL scale), or third-year university study, ensuring they can comfortably converse and read in the language. All required courses are taught in English (except for language courses); however, some content (readings, films, lectures) may occasionally be in another language, most often Spanish.

While there is no set standard for the type of connection a student has with Latin America or Iberia, consideration will be given for those students with a history of having worked, lived, and/or studied in Latin America or Iberia.

Applicants are expected to upload copies of all their materials to their online applications.

Official transcripts are also required upon admittance into the program, and should be delivered either via Certified Electronic Transcript or official hardcopy via mail directly to Graduate Admissions.

Fee waivers are available for some applicants. Please visit Graduate Admissions for information on applying for an Application Fee Waiver.

Undergraduates at Stanford may apply for admission to the coterminal master's program in Latin American Studies when they have earned a minimum of 120 units toward graduation, including advanced placement and transfer credit, and no later than the quarter prior to the expected completion of their undergraduate degree. Stanford undergraduates interested in applying to the LAS coterm program should use the Coterm Online Application. 

No, the Latin American Studies Admissions Committee will only accept writing samples in English.

The sample should be an academic essay (e.g., a final term paper, a chapter from an undergraduate thesis, undergraduate capstone paper, a paper submitted for publishing, etc.) and the content does not need to be related to Latin America. The writing sample must be in English. Applicants who no longer have access to materials from their undergraduate career will need to write one that meets the application requirement.

CLAS strongly recommends that at least two of the letters of recommendation be from professors who can speak about your academic strengths. However, letters from professional contacts will also be considered.

Yes, the Latin American Studies Admissions Committee accepts letters of recommendation written in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.

Yes, if an institution you attended issues transcripts in a language other than English, originals must be submitted along with official translations.

Please consult the Graduate Admissions website for more information about transcript requirements.

Stanford Graduate Admissions requires that applicants have completed (or expect to complete before enrollment) a bachelor’s degree (or the foreign equivalent). The Center for Latin American Studies welcomes applicants with degrees from any discipline. Previously admitted students have entered with degrees in fields including but not limited to International Relations, Art, Spanish, Political Science, Environmental Studies, and Anthropology, for example.

Please note that applicants with undergraduate degrees in Latin American Studies are generally not encouraged to apply, since the Master's in Latin American Studies at Stanford is designed as an introduction to the discipline. Exceptions may occasionally be made for applicants to joint (J.D. and M.A.) or dual (M.D. and M.A. or M.B.A. and M.A.) degree programs.

Applicants must meet the University admission requirements; have a minimum level in Spanish equivalent to B1 (CEFR scale), Intermediate High (ACTFL scale), or third-year university study; and have experience working, living, or studying in Latin America. Additional competence in Portuguese, Haitian Creole, or an Indigenous language of Latin America (e.g., Quechua or Nahuatl) is welcome.

In general, applicants who have already completed an advanced degree are generally not encouraged to apply to our Master's in Latin American Studies. However, the program may be appropriate for an applicant whose previous advanced degree is in a very different field, such as business, engineering, or fine art. We encourage you to peruse through our website to see if this program fits your needs.

All students take the same three core courses: one each in humanities; environment and health; and social sciences. Core courses may vary slightly from year to year but can be expected to be very similar (if not identical). Click here to see the Core Courses offered in the current school year.

All students take the same Latin American Studies seminars: LATINAM 200 and 397A/397B.

Students must take at least ten units of related courses from an approved related course list—one in each of the three areas listed above, or, if a concentration is desired, all within one of those areas. Course offerings can vary from year to year. Click here to see approved Related Courses offered for the current school year.

Students must take five units of elective courses from across the university's academic offerings, in consultation with their faculty advisor(s) and CLAS Academic and Student Services.

Students must complete a three-course sequence in ONE relevant language of Latin America, totaling 9–14 units. This may include Spanish, Portuguese, Quechua, Nahuatl, Haitian Creole, or others, if viable.

Lastly, in consultation with and under the supervision of their faculty advisor(s), students must complete either a capstone or a thesis research project that culminates in a final paper, and take one unit of LATINAM 398.

The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) provides graduate fellowships, as well as course assistantships with the Tinker Visiting Professors and research assistantships, as available. Funding for this program is based on academic merit and financial need, as determined by application materials. All master's applicants to our program who wish to be considered for financial aid during the admissions review process may indicate this when prompted on the online application.

Please visit the Funding for Graduate Students section for more information about our funding opportunities.

The Stanford Latin American Studies Master's program is a full-time program. We do not have a part time option at this time.

We recommend you consult the Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences Guide on Getting Into Grad School.

For general questions about Stanford graduate admissions, contact Graduate Admissions.

For questions about the Master's in Latin American Studies, please contact CLAS Academic and Student Services at latinamerica [at] stanford.edu (latinamerica[at]stanford[dot]edu).