Master of Public Health and Master of Arts in Latin American Studies
Miami is the gateway to Latin America. As such we recognize an urgent need for public health professionals with the training and expertise needed to meet the growing public health challenges both in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This program is designed to train students for a career in public health with a focus on social policy, health management and health care in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as expatriate communities in the United States.
For more information, please visit the University of Miami’s MALAS website.
- Average program duration: 2 years, 5 semesters
- Total required credits: 60 credits
MPH Curriculum
The total credit hours for the MPH portion of the MPH/MALAS joint degree are 30 credits. The credits must be completed to meet the core, electives, and capstone requirements.
LAS Curriculum
The total credit hours for the LAS portion of the MPH/MALAS joint degree are 30 credits. The credits must be completed to meet the core, electives, language (for non-native speakers), and capstone requirements.
- Regional Fundamentals in Latin America Electives (6 credits)
| Six credits worth of Regional Fundamentals in Latin America must be taken. These electives may be chosen from appropriate offerings in LAS, INS, POL, HIS, APY, or GEG, among others. Regional Fundamentals are those courses that have a clear regional or sub-regional focus (e.g. Andean Region; the Caribbean; South America; Central America; Southern Cone; Brazil; South Florida), or a cross-cutting thematic focus (e.g. Caribbean religions, Latin American Social Movements) rather than a specific country focus. The LAS Academic Director may approve courses from other departments. |
- LAS Language Requirements (non-native speakers) (6 credits)
| Students must demonstrate advanced language competency in Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole. Students may establish proficiency by passing one course taught in the target language at the 600-level or above, or by passing a language competency exam. A major indigenous language of Latin America may be substituted for either Spanish or Portuguese. Students may petition for a waiver of examination if they have gained language competency in another manner (i.e. native speaker, upper division coursework in target language, Peace Corps service, IB credits, or Defense Language Proficiency Test). Please note: The language waiver does not reduce the total number of credits required for the program, but it does allow the students to take 6 elective credits in lieu of 6 language credits. |
Curriculum information and course descriptions can be found here.
Reminder: Prospective students must apply to both schools to be accepted to the joint degree program.
