How to Apply

We are now accepting applications for the 2024–2025 academic year. All admitted students are expected to begin their course of study in fall semester 2024.

All application materials must be submitted electronically through the online application system. We strongly encourage all applicants to make sure that recommendation letters are also uploaded directly. If, however, there is a particular problem with doing so, recommendation letters may be emailed (by the recommenders) to the department: amesgrad@umn.edu. All other documents must be directly uploaded by the applicants. Please do not submit any paper documents.

All applications must be completed by Monday, December 4, 2023 for MA in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies for Fall 2024. Recommendation letters that are emailed to the department must arrive no later than that date. *The application due date for MA Plan C has been extended to January 15, 2024. 
 

 

MA in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Applicants are expected to have a strong academic record from a relevant humanities or social science discipline. Students completing the thesis option (Plan A) are expected to enter with at least two years of college-level study in the proposed language of concentration (completion of three years is preferred), or a demonstration of comparable linguistic proficiency. While no language proficiency requirement for admission for students intending to complete the non-thesis option (Plan B), some knowledge of the language is preferred to ensure timely completion of the degree. Language Pedagogy option (Plan C) applicants should contact the Director of Graduate Studies (ssinha@umn.edu) to learn more about the application requirements. 

Students must designate a language of concentration on their application form. Currently, students may select Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, or Urdu for their language of concentration. All students who are not native users of their language of research specialty must take one of the department’s language placement exams upon arrival for the first semester of study, and are expected to enroll in a language course at the appropriate level in addition to their graduate seminars to fulfill the program’s language requirements for completion. Applicants who would opt for either Plan A or Plan B can make their selection after getting admitted. Plan C applicants need to declare their selection at the time of application. 

We expect five to eight students to enter the program in any given year. Admission will therefore be highly competitive, and not all applicants with strong academic records can be accepted.

Existing undergraduate students majoring in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies have the option for early admission into the MA Program via the Integrated BA/MA program. Students must have a GPA of at least 3.3 and are within 30 credits of completing their undergraduate requirements. Preference will go to students who already have a high degree of proficiency in their language of concentration.

Interested undergraduates apply for admission to the program in the spring semester of their junior year, and admission to the sub-plan is contingent on a formal admissions process. Admissions will be decided on the basis of language level, GPA, a statement of intent, and an English test score where necessary.

A decision for admission notice will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the department’s admission committee and your transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by Graduate School officials. You can expect a decision by late March or early April.