Ph.D. Program Requirements

All graduate students in a Mexican American Studies program will be evaulated by MAS faculty and also by the Graduate College. The Graduate College has set minimum and essential requirements need for the completion of graduate degrees which are embedded into the MAS Ph.D degree requirements.

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. in Mexican American studies requires 66 units:

Foundations (3 units)

This PhD colloquium will provide a broad exposure to various current research issues and research perspectives in Mexican American Studies.

Methods (3 units)

Designed to provide students with an exposure to qualitative and quantitative decision-making methods, focusing on the Mexican American population. Graduate-level requirements include a research project.

Core Courses (18 units)

Students will complete 18 units of core coursework. Courses depend on the student's degree specialization.

Elective Courses (15 units)

Students must complete 15 units of additional coursework in an MAS specialization area. No more than 6 units may be taken as independent study and only 3 units as preceptorship.

  • Culture
  • Gender
  • Education
  • Immigration
  • Health
  • Historical
  • Comparative Ethnic Studies

Dissertation (18 units)

A minimum of 18 units are required to satisfy this requirement. Students will enroll in dissertation units after completing their coursework and Comprehensive Exam (Written & Oral). Students cannot enroll directly in units through the registration page. The student or major advisor will email the program coordinator requesting to be enrolled in dissertation units. Please indicate how many units in dissertation will be needed and under which professor.

Minor Requirement (9 units)

The Graduate College requires that students choose a minor. Students have the option of choosing their minor:

  • Students minoring in MAS must complete 9 units (3 courses) to satisfy requirement
  • Students minoring outside of MAS must acquire a minor advisor in the programs' department and follow the program's requirement for completion

Exam Requirements

The Ph.D. program has different milestones that will need to be passed in order for the student to advance through the program. 

Taken within the second (2nd) semester student is enrolled in the program. Student will need to pass exam to continue to the next milestone.

Taken within the thrid (3rd) year the student is enrolled in the program and is close/ or done with all coursework. Student will need to pass exam to continue to the next milestone.

 

Student must present the prospectus for their dissertation and receive approval from the Major Advisor. 

 

Taken the last semester student is enrolled in the program. Student will need to pass presentation and prepare a final copy of Dissertation to submit to the Graduate College for approval and award of degree.