Latin American Studies: Columbia (MARSLAC) or Georgetown (MALAS)?

[Astraea]

I have to choose fast!  Funding is not an option in either program because I learned that I would need to apply to grad school a year earlier than I'd expected and didn't have the chance to apply by the funding consideration deadlines.

 

Also, should I still apply to NYU's program, or just choose between these two?  I really can't tell how they are ranked, from looking online.  Do you guys have a sense of this?

 

For me Columbia, has a geographic advantage (close to people I care about), but Georgetown has Marc Chernick, who is one of the top experts in the Colombian conflict and his research coincides with mine.

 

Thanks!!

 

[Astraea]

Bump

[Astraea]

Does anyone know anything about these programs?  I'm visiting Georgetown and Columbia, would would love more input.

[rising_star]

I wouldn't pay for either.

[Astraea]

Ok, but I've found a way to pay for it externally, and I want to do one or the other, so that's not super helpful.  Is there a reason you are saying that?  Do you feel they are not good programs?

[rising_star]

Well you said you didn't have any funding and a MA in Latin American Studies isn't exactly a highly valued degree on the market. Which you go to depends on what you plan to do afterward. If you want to work in the DC, then go to Georgetown. If you prefer NYC, go to Columbia. I'd take a good look at what courses they'll be offering, who you might be able to do research with, and what internships they have available for students.

[Astraea]

What I meant to say was that my decision is not a matter of choosing funding at X school over no funding at Y school.  I'm not asking whether it's smart to do an M.A. in Latin American Studies.

 

I evidently have pros and cons in mind when it comes to program location, I've spoken to some of the faculty, and checked out the course lists.  I will also be visiting both schools.  However, I do think it'd be helpful to check out at least a few rankings, and I am unable to find any.  Perhaps that's because the programs are so specialized - I don't know - but I was hoping to hear from Latin Americanist who might a) give me a sense of the programs' strengths, or refer me to resources that might discuss them.

[hj2012]

What are your plans after graduation? Do you want to work for the government, become an FSO, enter a think tank? If so, Georgetown has the immediate advantage. If you're interested in international NGOs or the private financial sector, NYC seems to be the better fit.

 

If you're eventually thinking of going on to the PhD, my sense was that the Gtown regional studies programs are more geared toward professionals (I don't think you even need to do a thesis to graduate). If you have further study on your mind, Columbia seems like the better option.

 

Good luck!

[victorydance]

Columbia's LAS program looks more political economy/development geared. Not surprising considering they used to have an economist juggernaut like Fishlow as a former director. 

 

If you are interested in conflict studies, Columbia might not be a great fit. However, I would say Columbia's program is better; especially considering the resources of ILAS, but their strengths lie in Mexican and Brazilian studies.

[Astraea]

This is all so helpful - thank you!

[Astraea]

All of this is also what I am sensing: Georgetown would be more in line with my conflict resolution interests, particularly in terms of Colombian conflict.

 

Columbia seems amazing overall, but the professors at the department don't appear to be doing the kind of work in which I'm interested.  Granted, I might be able to tap into Columbia's resources at SIPA, etc.  Geographic proximity to my significant other is another very big factor and Columbia wins that round.

 

In terms of my career plans, I hope to follow up an MA in Latin American Studies with a law degree, and work in human rights law (perhaps for OAS) or international arbitration (totally different bent).  

[Astraea]

Just found out I was accepted to Georgetown's MPP (Master of Public Policy) program too.  Any sense of the employability of a Latin American Studies degree v. a Public Policy one?  I've heard it both ways.

 

Also, were I to attend a Georgetown's 2-year M.A. in Latin American Studies or 2-year MPP instead of Columbia's 1-year M.A. in Latin American Studies, I would be looking into applying to law school this year and trying to pull off a dual degree (JD/MA or JD/MPP) in 4 years.  Does anyone know about the difficulty of completing a JD at a different institution for a dual degree program?