Regional Studies–Middle East
Questions about these requirements? See the contact info at the bottom of the page.
For a complete statement of regulations regarding graduate work in Middle Eastern studies, candidates should refer to Degree Programs in Middle Eastern Studies.
Master of Arts (AM) in Regional Studies–Middle East
Course Requirements
The program for this terminal AM degree requires two years of study: 8 4-credit courses each year making a total of 16 4-credit courses.
Required Courses
- Graduate Proseminar in Middle East Studies (HIST 1800)
- One course in pre-modern Middle Eastern History and Culture (ca. 600–ca. 1800)
- One course in modern Middle Eastern History (1800–present)
- Three additional courses related to the Middle East, two of which must be graduate seminars
- Four consecutive Middle East language courses: Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Turkish, or Armenian (Students who are native speakers of one of these languages will be required to study a second Middle Eastern language.)
- Master's Thesis Writing course (MOME 299B) for those writing a thesis. Students enrolled in the AM program may choose to write a master's thesis, but a thesis is not required to complete the degree. (All AM students are encouraged to write a master's thesis.)
- Remaining courses are electives, to be chosen by the student in consultation with CMES advisors
Language Requirements
All students in the AM program are expected to take four consecutive terms of one of the major languages of the Middle East: Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish. Students who are native speakers of one of these languages will be required to study a second language.
Grade Requirements
Students should comply with the policy of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS).
Residence Requirements
Students should comply with the Harvard Griffin GSAS policy.
Policy on Incompletes
Students should comply with the Harvard Griffin GSAS policy.
Advising
AM students are advised by the CMES director, associate director, and graduate programs administrator. Other faculty take on an advising role for the AM thesis.