Graduate Program: Middle Eastern and North African Studies (MA) - Accelerated Master's Program

General Information

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

School Requirements

NOTE: Graduate applications can now be done entirely online

All documents, including the following may be uploaded:

• Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• 3 Letters of recommendation from academic references preferable. Note: recommenders will be required to upload their letters through the graduate college website. Instructions on how this works are provided within the online application process- we do not have a recommendation form.
• Statement of purpose
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume
• Writing Sample (term paper, chapter of thesis, etc.)

MINIMUM Requirements

• GPA 3.0 on undergraduate or M.A. degree (cumulative GPA or last 60 semester units if your undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.0 cumulative; graduate GPA taken will be cumulative only)
• GRE – UA code is 4832.  Use school code 2201 (area studies), or 2299 (social sciences, other) This is required for both domestic and international students.

Other Graduate College Information/Requirements

Phone: (520) 621-3471 | Email Graduate College Questions: OnlineAppHelp@grad.arizona.edu

• Graduate College Online Application Submission
• $85 Application Fee Due at time of Submission
• Domicile Affidavit

Graduate Program Admissions Requirements (International Students)

Application Deadline: January 1

*Applications must be paid for and submitted by the close of business on January 1st.

Department Requirements

NOTE: Graduate applications can now be done entirely online

All documents, including the following may be uploaded:

• Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• 3 Letters of recommendation from academic references preferable. Note: recommenders will be required to upload their letters through the graduate college website. Instructions on how this works are provided within the online application process- we do not have a recommendation form.
• Statement of purpose
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume
• Writing Sample (term paper, chapter of thesis, etc.)

MINIMUM Requirements

• GPA 3.0 on undergraduate or M.A. degree (cumulative GPA or last 60 semester units if your undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.0 cumulative; graduate GPA taken will be cumulative only)
• GRE – UA code is 4832.  Use school code 2201 (area studies), or 2299 (social sciences, other) This is required for both domestic and international students.
• TOEFL score of 550 (213 CBT; 80 IBT)

Other Graduate College Information/Requirements

Phone: (520) 621-3471 | Email Graduate College Questions: OnlineAppHelp@grad.arizona.edu

• Graduate College Online Application Submission 
• Financial Guarantee
• $85 Application Fee due at time of Submission

 

Standardized Tests

Required test(s):
GRE, TOEFL for International Students

GPA 3.0 on undergraduate or M.A. degree (cumulative GPA or last 60 semester units if your undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.0 cumulative; graduate GPA taken will be cumulative only)

Minimum GRE : No minimum GRE score. The GRE is required. UA code is 4832.  Use school code 2201 (area studies), or 2299 (social sciences, other) This is required for both domestic and international students.
Minimum TOEFL: TOEFL score of 550 (213 CBT; 80 IBT)

 

Financial Aid

The School of Middle East and North African Studies (MENAS) awards financial aid on a competitive basis. Meritorious factors include demonstrated excellence in academics including GPA, progress in the program (for current students), test scores (for incoming students), publication, and professional experience such as a previous assistantship or other Middle East-related experience. Most funding is awarded in the fall for the academic year, therefore students entering the program in the spring have a minimal opportunity for departmental support. Many of our students also receive academic year and summer FLAS (Foreign Language Area Studies) scholarships through the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES). Comprehensive information on FLAS awards may be obtained by visiting the CMES web site. Listed below are the types of financial aid awarded by the Department.

Complete only ONE Financial Aid Application (due first Monday in Feb) to request the following types of support:

• Teaching Assistantships (TAs)
• Tuition and Registration Scholarships
• Graduate College Fellowships (normally for incoming students only)

The following awards require separate applications:

• Foreign Language and Area Studies Award
• Study Abroad
• Roshan Fellowships in Persian and Iranian Studies (due first Monday in February)
• Summer TAs (due second Monday in February, 4:00 p.m.)
• Winter TAs (due first Monday in October, 4:00 p.m.)
• Travel Award: Travel Authorization Form (ongoing: students may request awards for conferences in which they are presenting or participating)
• Thesis/Dissertation Tuition Waiver

 

Admissions Deadlines

Domestic Applicants:

• Fall: Application Deadline Fall: January 7

  *Applications must be paid for and submitted by the close of business on January 7th. 

International Applicants:

• Fall: Application Deadline Fall: January 7

  *Applications must be paid for and submitted by the close of business on January 7th. 

 

International Conditional Admission

International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.

Other Information

The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

Completion Requirements

Degree Requirements

Students admitted into the MENAS AMP will be able to complete a BA and MA (Professional Track) in five years.  Students in the AMP will be required to complete 33 units of coursework, 12 of which may also be applied to a BA in MENAS. 

 

NOTE: The AMP option is only available to students on the Professional Track. Students who wish to be on the Academic Track and write an MA Thesis should apply to the regular MENAS MA program.

 

Students seeking to enroll in the AMP are required to take the following steps during their undergraduate career:

1. By April 1st of junior year: Apply for the MENAS AMP. In order to apply, students must:
   1. Meet the Admission Requirements established by the Graduate College.
   2.  Submit a transcript, writing sample, statement of purpose, and at least two letters of recommendation from professors with whom they have studied. At least one letter of recommendation must be a core MENAS faculty member.
   3. Students meeting these requirements will receive conditional admission into the AMP.
2. Fall semester of senior year: take MENAS 595D and one 500-level MENAS Core Requirement course. (Students admitted into the AMP are not required to take the GRE.)
3. End of fall semester of senior year: be evaluated by MENAS Graduate Committee for final admission into AMP.
4. Spring semester of senior year: take two 500-level MENAS Core Requirement courses.
5. By end of spring semester of senior year: Assemble departmental paper committee.

 

When students begin their graduate (fifth) year, they should have completed NES 595D and the three MENAS Core Requirement courses (in History, Islamic Studies, and Gender/Culture). They will then have 21 units left to complete during their year of graduate study, including the units for their concentration and their departmental paper. The graduate committee recommends that students take 12 units during their fall semester and nine units during their spring semester.

 

Minor Requirements

The Academic Unit has not provided this information. 

Student Handbook

http://menas.arizona.edu/grads