Master of Arts in Comparative Literature- Inter-American, Latin American, and Latino/a Literatures

Our faculty members who work in these areas have regional expertise in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Cuba, as well as comparative transatlantic (Spain and Latin America), and U.S. Latino literature and culture. We have faculty with joint appointments in the Department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, Women's Studies, Latina/o Studies, and the School of International Affairs. Penn State has strong history of research on Inter-American topics, bridging North, South, and Central America in order to address hemispheric culture and concerns. Our faculty's recent teaching and research interests include canonization in relationship to cultural identity, the Baroque and Neo-Baroque, human rights across the Americas, and the mimesis of Empire in Latin America. Graduate students frequently teach CMLIT 005, Introduction to Literature of the Americas, as well as other more advanced courses in the field.

Admission to graduate study in Comparative Literature at Penn State is based on a number of considerations. Above all we seek intellectually curious, highly motivated students whose interests suggest a good fit with our departmental strengths. We welcome well-qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds.
We are often asked what our committee looks for and the truth is that there is no standard formula. We consider GPAs and test scores (GREs and TOEFLs), but above all we look for intellectual engagement and scholarly commitment. The graduate committee that evaluates applicants seeks evidence of intellectual promise, openness to new ideas and methods, capacity for original scholarship, the ability to think critically and to write clearly, and potential for professional success. Of obvious importance for scholars who will work across cultures is appropriate language preparation. Research plans that are in synch with our areas of expertise are also of importance.
Sample of your written work, preferably an essay on literature.
Statement of purpose. The statement of purpose should include information on a) your education and other relevant background, including teaching experience or other activities that have prepared you for graduate work in Comparative Literature, b) your research interests, c) your language skills and their application to your research interests, d) your reasons for considering graduate work in Comparative Literature, especially your interest in our specific program.
A C.V. or resum.
Three Letters of Reference
Official transcripts of all relevant university education.
All international applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, with Graduate School approval, which requires an institutional test of English proficiency upon the first semester of enrollment and, if necessary, remedial course work. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5.