
The Center for Advanced Studies on Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, known in Spanish as the Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe, was founded in 1976 by Puerto Rican cultural leader Ricardo E. Alegría. It developed as a graduate institution devoted to the study of Puerto Rico and the wider Caribbean.
Its location in Old San Juan reflects that focus: students study historical and cultural subjects in a setting closely connected to Puerto Rico's built heritage. Prospective students should evaluate the center as a specialized graduate institution, rather than as a conventional undergraduate college.
The center's academic work is organized around graduate study of Puerto Rican and Caribbean history, culture and heritage. Its offerings have included advanced work in fields such as history, literature, archaeology and the study of cultural heritage.
Applicants should use the current academic catalog to identify the exact master's or doctoral program they want, its required courses, research expectations and available faculty advisers. A shared regional focus does not mean that admission requirements or degree milestones are identical across programs.
The center is located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, an urban historic district within San Juan. Its setting is particularly relevant to students whose work involves archives, historic architecture or Puerto Rican cultural institutions.
Old San Juan is accessible through the metropolitan area's road and transit networks, but its narrow streets and limited parking can affect a daily commute. Students planning in-person study should check where their classes and research activities take place before choosing housing or transportation.
The center's stated academic focus is advanced study of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, particularly the region's history, culture and heritage. That specialized purpose is more informative for applicants than a general claim about the breadth of university life.
Students comparing programs should look at how the center turns that purpose into coursework, research supervision and access to relevant materials. Its institutional aims should not be taken as evidence that a particular research opportunity or adviser will be available in every term.
Name of the institution
Center for Advanced Studies On Puerto Rico and the CaribbeanLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, graduate with no undergraduate degreesInstitution size category
Under 1,000Center for Advanced Studies On Puerto Rico and the Caribbean is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - otherData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.