Students in this research-oriented master's program develop a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and specialized understanding of individual countries and regions in Latin America using the latest theories and methods used in international research. At the end of the program, they will be able to communicate confidently on topics relevant to their studies, primarily in German and Spanish or Portuguese, but also in English and, where applicable, at an elementary level in an indigenous language.

Furthermore, they gain a thorough understanding of national, transregional, and global processes, as well as intercultural competencies in the context of growing global interdependencies and asymmetries. Graduates of the program can:

• reflect on and critically evaluate social transformation processes as well as the dynamics and interconnections of Latin America in changing global and transregional contexts;
• reflect on and critically evaluate these from different perspectives;
• learn about individual states, regions, and local lifeworlds of Latin America and critically analyze and compare their structural, unequal, and entangled constitutional processes and cultural dynamics in the past and present from different perspectives;
• classify and explain the social dynamics and transformation processes of Latin America in their respective contexts;
• comprehend, formulate, and work on interdisciplinary problems using and discussing the scientific theories and methods of the subjects represented at the Central Institute for Latin American Studies;
• and develop academic projects related to Latin America, applying approaches and methods in practice.

Students have the choice of pursuing the humanities or cultural sciences, social sciences, regional studies (Brazil), or gender issues. They reflect on their own position, role, and responsibility in academia and society, as well as the production and circulation of knowledge in unequal structures. Students learn to use their knowledge beyond the university to exchange and engage with civil society. They conduct academic work independently, employing good and ethical practices. The Central Institute for Latin American Studies also places emphasis on the development of strong writing skills in the courses and activities of the graduate program.

Students gain in-depth academic and professionally qualifying interdisciplinary knowledge. They learn to analyze and assess transregional and global processes, as well as international relations and changing world views while considering various analytical categories. They can responsibly manage projects jointly and independently while taking into account the competencies of the various group members which are needed for the project, and which are to be further developed in the course of the project. Within these projects, they can precisely identify complex tasks, complete them within a given time frame, and coordinate them among their project partners. They can conduct subject- and topic-specific and cross-disciplinary discussions in a well-founded manner and have a heightened ability for academic criticism.

Students can communicate research results and conclusions with well-balanced arguments and consider their social implications. They independently acquire knowledge, possess a high level of social and decision-making competence, and support each other in their professional and personal development. In addition, their intercultural competence and understanding of national, transregional, and global processes enable them to conduct independent academic work in diverse cultural contexts, reflect on their experiences, and cultivate an inclusive and open culture of discussion. They can address the construction of gender relations and social diversity in contexts beyond Latin America on a theoretical level, and they can apply this knowledge and competence in research contexts and professional practice beyond the university. They have an analytical understanding of cultural and socioeconomic differences in different regional and historical contexts and are familiar with current theories and concepts in the field.