South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Director: Hadi Esfahani
Associate Director: Ritu Saksena
221 International Studies Building
Phone: 217-244-7331
E-mail: csames@illinois.edu
Major: South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Degrees offered: M.A.
Graduate Degree Programs
The Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies offers academic language and area training in the humanities and social science pertinent to South Asia and/or the Middle East, leading to a Master of Arts in South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.
Admission
Applicants to the graduate program must submit an application for admission online (www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply) and submit a statement of purpose, three letters of reference completed by teachers, advisers, or recent employers, and a 10-20 page writing sample. Original transcripts (with English translations if applicable) showing all undergraduate and graduate work completed. 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. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required and should be submitted to institution code 1836. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and must score at least 103 on the internet-based test (iBT) for admission with full standing; they must also pass the speaking sub-section of the iBT with a minimum score of 24 (see www.grad.illinois.edu/Admissions/instructions/04c). Students with a B.A. or B.S. only should apply to the M.A. Applications are accepted for fall admission only.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Programs and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Arts
| Required Courses | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Three 500-level courses in the major field in area related courses | 12 |
| Elective hours | 12 |
| Language Requirement: Candidates must demonstrate a knowledge of one South Asian language or Middle Eastern language at the fourth-year level by satisfactory completion of appropriate (400-level) coursework or examination and passage of a written examination covering material studied while in residence. | 8 |
| Total Hours | 32 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| Other Requirements:* Upon Completion of their coursework, candidates must pass a written examination covering the coursework on area studies and complete two satisfactory research/seminar papers. | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.25 |
Financial Aid
The Center makes every effort to assist graduate students in securing financial aid. Financial aid packages usually combine some form of fellowship support with teaching or research assistantships in a manner that allows for both teaching experience and timely completion of the degree. Financial aid may include: University Fellowships, Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships, Minority Academic Partnership Plan (MAPP) Fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships. All awards of financial aid are made following competitive application.
www.csames.illinois.edu/program/flas/