Masters Program

Master of Arts in Asian Studies with Specializations in South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

The Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies administers the South Asian and Middle Eastern specialization of the MA in Asian Studies, which is offered through the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures. Students in this specialization will focus on either South Asian Studies or Middle Eastern Studies. Admissions, advising, and evaluation of students’ progress in the South Asian and Middle Eastern specialization are the responsibility of CSAMES.

The MA program provides basic preparation in language and area training for students intending either to continue in a Ph.D. program in a related field or to enter a career not requiring a doctorate.

For a printable version of the information provided on this page, view the CSAMES MA brochure.

Admissions

Applicants for admission must meet the minimum standards established by the Graduate College for graduate study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, but final selection is determined by a committee of the Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Application forms may be downloaded from the Office of Admissions web page or requested from the Center office at the address listed below. Applicants must submit an application, a statement of purpose, full transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work, a writing sample, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, mathematical, and analytical), and three letters of reference completed by teachers, advisors, or recent employers. Applicants are expected to have a strong background in at least one South Asian or Middle Eastern language; normally, this means a minimum of two years of formal study. Non-native speakers of English must score at least 610 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL (253 on the computer-based test) to be eligible for admission with full standing. (Please view the TOEFL requirements on the Graduate College admission website.) Applicants must specify a specialization in either South Asian or Middle Eastern studies. The application deadline is January 15.

Financial Support

Graduate students are encouraged to apply for FLAS Fellowships. Languages approved for study for CSAMES FLAS fellows are Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, and Persian. The Center also offers grants for travel to conferences.

Degree Requirements for the Master of Arts

Candidates must complete eight units of graduate-level courses, including at least three courses at the 500 level, in area-related courses. Candidates must also demonstrate a reading knowledge of one of the languages related to their regional specialization at the fourth-year level by satisfactory completion of an examination or appropriate course work; pass a written examination covering the area studies taken while in residence; and complete two satisfactory research/seminar papers. No thesis is required.

Advising for the South Asian and Middle Eastern Specializations

Academic advising is provided through the Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

Current Masters Students

Take a look at our current masters students to see their specializations and areas of interest, and to contact them with questions about their experiences with our program.