CMAS has several on-going teaching, research, and community outreach programs. The Center also sponsors an annual competition for the Manuel Gamio Scholarship Prize. UTA students who have taken MAS courses and meet other conditions are eligible.

CMAS encourages faculty research through its research associates program. Preliminary results from on-going research and creative work are presented at a Research Associates seminar and is published through academic outlets. CMAS also conducts a field research project on immigrant incorporation in north Texas through a joint grant with Southern Methodist University researchers received in 2001 from the National Science Foundation.  This project will conclude in 2004.