Graduate Program

Degrees and Certificate Offered

Master of Arts in Chicana and Chicano Studies (M.A.)
Doctor of Philosophy in Chicana and Chicano Studies (Ph.D.)
Graduate Certificate in Chicana and Chicano Studies (GCERT)

The Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies is committed to the interdisciplinary study of Chicana and Chicano experiences, perspectives, and thought. The graduate program centers several teaching and research specializations that include create cultural expressions, communication, language and culture, community-based studies, Chicano/Latino public policy, transnational and hemispheric migration studies, and internationalism of race, gender and sexuality.

Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program

Undergraduates majoring in Chicana and Chicano Studies may seek admission to the M.A. in Chicana and Chicano Studies under the Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program. See the Chicana and Chicano Studies: Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog for specific admission information and requirements.

Admission

Applicants to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy programs in Chicana and Chicano Studies should hold a bachelor's degree and/or a strong background in Chicana and Chicano Studies or a related field such as Anthropology, American Studies, Art History, Economics, Education, English, Ethnic Studies, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, or Women Studies. When applying to the programs, candidates are expected to submit a substantive letter of intent with a clear statement of research interests and goals in pursuing such investigations at the master's- or doctoral-level.

Applicants to the Graduate Certificate program must complete and submit an online application, available on the Graduate Studies Web site. Additional required documentation includes:

A substantive letter of intent (3-5 double-spaced pages) which summarizes prior academic training and explains current academic and professional objectives. This letter should focus on scholarly and research interests and how they relate to the field of Chicana and Chicano Studies.
One letter of recommendation.
One unofficial copy of transcript(s) from the university where the student received their B.A. and/or M.A. degree(s).
One official copy of transcript(s) from all post-secondary work, to be sent to: The University of New Mexico, Office of Admissions, Attn: Graduate Admissions, PO Box 4895, Albuquerque NM 87196-4895.

Master of Arts in Chicana and Chicano Studies

Requirements

The M.A. in Chicana and Chicano Studies is offered under Plan I (thesis), Plan II (non-thesis), and Plan III (coursework only) options, according to regulations set forth in the Graduate Program section of this Catalog.

Plan I: completion of a minimum of 27 credit hours of coursework and at least 6 credit hours of thesis.
Plan II: completion of a minimum of 33 credit hours of coursework, culminating in a comprehensive examination.
Plan III: completion of a minimum of 33 credit hours of coursework.

All students in the program must take the following courses:

CCS 551: Cultural Expressions in Chicana and Chicano Studies
CCS 552: Research Methods and Data Analysis
CCS 580: New Approaches in Chicana and Chicano Studies
CCS 590: Advanced Seminar in Chicana and Chicano Studies

Students must also take at least three other Chicana and Chicano Studies seminars and two elective courses from other academic units during the completion of M.A. coursework. An additional 6 credit hours are required for thesis, exam, or final project work.

Doctor of Philosophy in Chicana and Chicano Studies

Requirements

General guidelines for completion of the Ph.D. are set forth in the Graduate Program section of this Catalog. At least 48 credit hours of coursework, exclusive of dissertation, are required for the Ph.D. in Chicana and Chicano Studies:

Introductory graduate sequence: CCS 551, 552, 580, 590 (12 credit hours);
Additional 6 seminars in Chicana and Chicano Studies (18 credit hours);
Electives chosen from any department or program (12 credit hours);
Independent study in preparation for comprehensive qualifying examination (6 credit hours).

Students that hold an M.A. degree may transfer up to 18 credit hours at the discretion of the Chicana and Chicano Studies department.

Foreign Language: In addition to the coursework requirements, students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of one foreign language by passing a written departmental translation examination. After admission to the graduate program, students must complete 12 credit hours of instruction in a single foreign language, or complete 6 credit hours at the 300-level or above in a Chicana and Chicano Studies course offered in Spanish, or provide competency verification through satisfactory completion of an alternative methodology option which is determined by the student in consultation with the student's committee on studies and the department Chairperson.

Comprehensive Qualifying Examination: The comprehensive qualifying examination is taken after completion of coursework. The primary purpose of this written exam is to determine the student's ability at synthesizing the subject matter and various methodologies covered during doctoral study. Detailed guidelines are available at the Chicana and Chicano Studies department.

Dissertation: 18 credit hours of CCS 699 Dissertation are required. The dissertation will be pertinent to three areas of focus in Chicana and Chicano Studies.