Master of Arts in Asian Studies with Concentration in South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies |
The Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies administers the South Asian and Middle Eastern concentration of the MA in Asian Studies, which is offered through the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (
http://www.ealc.uiuc.edu/ealc/program/csames.htm). Students in this concentration will specialize in either South Asian Studies or Middle Eastern Studies. Admissions, advising, and evaluation of students’ progress in the South Asian and Middle Eastern concentration 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. |
| 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 (http://www.grad.uiuc.edu/admissions/apply/program.htm) 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 600 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL (250 on the computer-based test) to be eligible for admission with full standing. Applicants must specify a concentration 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. The Center also offers travel to conference grants. |
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 concentration at the fourth-year level by satisfactory completion of an examination or appropriate course work; pass an oral 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 Concentrations |
| Academic advising is provided through the Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. |
Contact Address |
| For admission to the Program: Marilyn L. Booth, Director, Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, 221 International Studies Building, 910 South Fifth Street, Champaign, IL 61820 (USA), Tel. 217-244-7331, Fax: 217-265-6399, e-mail: csames@uiuc.edu. |