The MA program in Islamic and Near Eastern Studies offers students an opportunity for dedicated, interdisciplinary study of the history, literatures, and cultures of the Middle East from the Middle Ages to the present. It is designed for students who ideally have some college-level preparation in the field and who wish to deepen their expertise in preparation for a PhD program. It is also well-suited for those planning on professional careers in education, law, publishing, business, government, and private agencies whose work touches upon some aspect of Islamic and Near Eastern Studies. Our faculty offer graduate-level instruction in Islamic and Near Eastern history, Islam in world history, Islamic religion and law, anthropology of Islam, premodern Muslim political theory and practice, Near Eastern urban studies, and both classical and modern Arabic literatures. Admission to the MA program normally requires proficiency in Arabic language equivalent to one year of college-level study. After a typical two years of coursework, students will be expected to have completed third-year Arabic successfully before receiving the MA degree.