This is an archived copy of the 2022-23 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.utexas.edu/.

Degree Requirements, Middle Eastern Studies

Graduate handbook information is updated and maintained by each program. Graduate handbooks are available within each program's office and online at https://utexas.box.com/v/UTAustinGraduateHandbooks. Please contact the program with concerns or questions.

Master of Arts

This program consists of at least 30 semester hours, including a six-semester-hour thesis; or at least 33 semester hours, including a three-semester-hour report. With the exception of Middle Eastern Studies 698A, 698B, and 398R, all courses must be taken on the letter-grade basis. For the 30-semester-hours thesis option, students complete 12 semester hours of Middle Eastern studies graduate coursework, six hours of intermediate to advanced Middle Eastern language coursework, up to six semester hours of concentration coursework relevant to their thesis, and six semester hours of thesis. For the 33-semester-hours report option, students complete 15 hours of Middle Eastern studies coursework, six hours of intermediate to advanced Middle Eastern language courses, up to nine semester hours of concentration coursework relevant to their report, and three semester hours of report. 

For administrative purposes, a coursework option is available to dual-degree students who are required by their other graduate program to take the 698A and 698B courses, or 398R course, so that the student does not need to complete two theses, two reports, or one thesis/one report. In such cases, a Center for Middle Eastern Studies Graduate Studies Committee member must still serve as either the supervisor, co-supervisor, or second reader.

Language requirement (six semester hour minimum): The student must complete either two upper-division or graduate-level courses in one modern Middle Eastern language while enrolled in the degree program. These two courses shall be applied to the Middle Eastern studies major area coursework requirement. Students who are native speakers of a Middle Eastern language must complete these courses in a different modern Middle Eastern language than their native language.

All students are expected to maintain a minimum 3.50 grade point average in order to remain in good standing in the program. Failure to maintain this minimum average will result in a warning letter and one semester of probation, during which time the student is expected to return to a minimum 3.50 grade point average. The program has the discretion to dismiss students who are unable to meet this requirement after one additional semester.

Dual Degree Programs

The Center for Middle Eastern Studies offers the following dual degree programs in cooperation with other divisions of the University. More information is available from the graduate advisor in each program.

Major(s) Degree(s)
Business administrationMaster of Business Administration
Global policy studiesMaster of Global Policy Studies
Information studiesMaster of Science in Information Studies
Journalism and mediaMaster of Arts
LawDoctor of Jurisprudence
Public affairsMaster of Public Affairs
Radio-television-filmMaster of Arts


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