中东研究计划/专业涉及世界上最复杂，最关键地区之一的历史，政治，文化，宗教和语言的研究。虽然该计划对计划政府服务或商业职业的学生特别感兴趣，但中东研究专业与其他研究领域（例如国际关系，全球研究，政治学，历史和国际商业）紧密结合，互为补充。仅举几例。中东研究专业还寻求了解民主化，政治暴力，宗教和意识形态的作用，以及传统和历史在塑造该地区的身体和心理组成方面的作用。该计划将辅以“海外学习”部分，为学生提供有关中东的生活，文化，传统和历史的动手经验。
The Middle East Studies Program involves the study of the history, politics, cultures, religions and languages of one of the most complex and critical regions of the world. <br>The Middle East Studies major also seeks to understand the question of democratization, political violence, the role of religion and ideology, the role of tradition and history in shaping the physical and psychological make-up of the region. The Program will be complemented with a Study Abroad component offering students a hands-on experience of life and culture and tradition and history of the Middle East.<br><br>The Associate in Arts in Middle East Studies degree (AA in Middle East Studies) is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with a solid foundation to transition to a Baccalaureate Degree in Middle East Studies at UCSB or at any of the other UC or CSU campuses offering a similar major.