The MA program in Latin American and Border Studies (LABS) focuses on the study of the US-Mexico border and the broader study of Latin America in the context of increasing transnational connections seen most obviously in the border region. The program brings together the study of the U.S.-Mexico border and Latin America, rather than treating the two separately, as other programs do. The curriculum provides students with an engaging and thorough education in Latin American and Border issues, relating regional issues to larger hemispheric phenomena. The program includes three core courses, includes opportunities to explore of wider disciplines, topics, or regions of interest, and requires a focused subset of electives in a specific discipline or on a particular topic or region. The program thus has many opportunities for students to develop their own interests and skills. The program includes both thesis and nonthesis options. A limited number of teaching and research assistantships are available on a competitive basis. For information on assistantships, please contact the MA Program adviser. The program prepares two types of students: those who wish to earn a terminal M.A. and those who wish to prepare for Ph.D. programs. It is intended to train a new generation of professionals in many areas (government service, community/NGO service work, commerce, education) who can contribute to the creation of a model border zone of high quality of life and economic and human development.