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Graduate Certificate

Graduate Certificate of Concentration
in Modern Middle East Studies application Certificate Application


Who is eligible?
Graduate and Professional Students currently enrolled in an advanced degree at Yale.


Why pursue it?
The “Certificate” recognizes competency in the field of modern Middle East Studies with language and culture at the core of the area studies concept. Its award acknowledges substantial preparation in Middle East Studies, both in the student’s major graduate or professional field, and also in terms of the disciplinary and geographical diversity required to demonstrate expertise in the region as a whole.


What are the requirements?
1. Language proficiency. The equivalent of two years of successful study at Yale in one of the major Middle Eastern languages, e.g. Arabic, Hebrew, Persian or Turkish.

2. Courses. A total of 6 graduate level courses in at least two different disciplines focused on the Middle East and related issues. One of the six must be the “Foundations” course. Ideally, a second course of the six will also have a broad Middle East regional focus.

3. Research paper. The paper must focus on a regional or comparative topic that encompasses more than one country of the region. Normally, it also will be interdisciplinary.


Who awards it?
The faculty of the Council on Middle Eastern Studies at the Betty and Whitney MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies with the authority of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Yale.


What resources will help me pursue the Certificate?
The Council on Middle East Studies welcomes students to participate in its robust program of courses, extracurricular and research-related activities. As a federally recognized National Resource Center, the Council supports language study and research in the region with federal grants and other funds. Students may also tap the MacMillan Center’s larger set of competitive student grants, at www.yale.edu/macmillan/grants.htm.


How do I apply?
Applications may be submitted no later than the beginning of the second term of study. Please see the website for a full application, which must include a cover sheet, an unofficial transcript of Yale coursework and a personal statement with reasons for pursuing the certificate and a plan to complete it.

Questions?
Contact Certificate Advisers: Nancy Ruther (fall); Hala Nassar (spring)