Master of Arts in Islamic and Near Eastern Studies

This M.A. program offers an opportunity for interdisciplinary study of the languages, history, and cultures of the Near East. It is designed for students with little or no previous undergraduate training in Near Eastern societies and languages. It is intended for those holding or seeking careers in secondary education, law, business, government, and private agencies whose work touches upon some aspect of the Near East or for individuals planning to pursue a subsequent doctoral program in some aspect of Islamic and Near Eastern Studies. In the latter case, the program assists students in selecting the disciplinary orientation needed for more advance study.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

1. Thirty credits of language courses and graduate-level (400 and above) content courses approved by the Graduate Committee and successful completion of a final oral examination. Most courses are for three credit units. Degree candidates may transfer up to six units of related graduate-level course work from another university with the approval of the Graduate School.

2. At the end of their program of study, degree candidates are required to complete successfully an oral examination. This examination is based on issues raised in two of the student's seminar papers of 20 or more pages. Students are examined on two questions that the examining committee selects from a list of five questions given to the student in advance.

3. Students have the option of writing a Master's Thesis in place of the two major research papers. Guidelines issued by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences can be found in PDF form here.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

Students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in courses approved for their degree programs. Students with scholarship grants and/or stipend awards are expected to maintain a significantly higher grade point average.

APPLICANTS

• Applicants must submit official transcripts of all previous college work
  
• GRE scores
  
• Nonrefundable $35 application fee,
  
• At least three letters of reference,
  
• A 500-word essay describing the applicant's interest in the program (part of the application form)
  
• An example of written work, typically a 12-25 page paper on a relevant subject
  
• The completed application form of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
  
• A personal interview with Dr. Ahmet Karamustafa, professor of Islamic history, is encouraged.

Full information on the faculty and curriculum associated with the program is contained in "A Guide to Programs in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies," available from Washington University, Campus Box 1121, telephone (314) 935-8567, email jines@artsci.wustl.edu.

Washington University in St. Louis
Program in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies
Campus Box 1121; One Brookings Drive; St. Louis, MO 63130-4899