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Graduate Degree Programs

Select a program of interest from the list below to obtain details about each program, including an overview of the program's unique features, degrees offered, contact information, admission and academic requirements, faculty, course listings, and more.

(Click here to go to Georgetown University's Graduate Non-Degree Certificate Programs).

Arabic

Introduction

http://arabic.georgetown.edu

The Department of Arabic & Islamic Studies offers programs of study leading to M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. The Department offers graduate level courses in Arabic linguistics, and literature courses which cover the secular prose and poetry of the classical and modern eras as well as scripture. Courses in Arabic linguistics are required both at the Master's and Ph.D. levels. Islamic Studies is also offered both as a Ph.D. program or as an optional minor. The department offers interaction and collaboration with cognate programs on campus (Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding) and abroad (Center for Arabic Studies Abroad). Our location in the nation's capital offers opportunities for collaboration with Arab embassies, organizations and communities.

The Department also offers a Ph.D. program in Islamic Studies.

For more information, please see the Arabic & Islamic Studies Department website at http://arabic.georgetown.edu

Fact Sheet

Degrees offered: M.A.; Ph.D.

Joint degree program:
Ph.D. (Arabic Language, Literature and Linguistics) / M.A. (Arab Studies)

Campus address:
Department of Arabic & Islamic Studies
Georgetown University, Poulton Hall North, 2nd Floor
1437 37th Street, N.W., Box 571046
Washington, DC 20007

Telephone: (202) 687-5743
Fax: (202) 687-2408

Department e-mail: arabic@georgetown.edu

Department Website: http://arabic.georgetown.edu

Directors of Graduate Studies: Ahmed Dallal and Felicitas Opwis

Size of program: 6 M.A.; 16 Ph.D.; 3 MAAS/Ph.D

Credits required: 36 credits (M.A.); 36 credits (Ph.D.); 60 credits (Accelerated Ph.D.).

Part-time Option: Yes.

Department URL

http://arabic.georgetown.edu

Degree Requirements

Program of Study

The graduate Arabic program aims to combine a thorough understanding of Arabic language and linguistics with Arabic literature and culture. The Arabic and Islamic Studies Department offers graduate level courses in Arabic linguistics, Islamic studies, and literature courses which cover the secular prose and poetry of the classical and modern eras as well as Arabic scripture. The study of linguistics is a central feature of the Georgetown program and, along with the major in Arabic, Master’s students must choose one minor in either Linguistics or Islamic Studies. At the Ph.D. level, students choose two minors out of linguistics, Islamic studies or Arabic area studies.

Entering students are required to have Arabic language competence equivalent at least to that attained by the end of the third year of intensive language study in the undergraduate program at Georgetown University. To upgrade their proficiency, students may be required to enroll in language classes concurrent with their graduate program. A placement exam is administered upon admission to the program. Study in the Arab world is strongly advised before completion of the Ph.D. degree; course equivalencies will be evaluated for possible transfer of credit.

Degree Requirements

For detailed description of degree requirements, obtain a copy of the departmental handbook (available online: http://www1.georgetown.edu/departments/arabic/audiences/current/).

Masters Programs

Masters Program in Arabic

The Master’s program in Arabic provides a foundation in both Arabic literature and Arabic linguistics, with linguistics or Islamic studies as possible minors.

Applicants must have at least two years of Arabic and are expected to enroll in advanced Arabic seminars. Arabic language courses taken to enable students to reach the seminar level do not count towards the degree credits. Advanced proficiency in Arabic is demonstrated through enrolling in advanced Arabic seminars and passing a proficiency test in Arabic administered by the department and testing listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing.

Candidates for the Masters take 36 credits (12 courses) plus a research paper: 7 courses in Arabic and 5 in linguistics or Islamic Studies.

Masters candidates must also pass a proficiency examination in Arabic and pass the Master's comprehensive exam with an overall grade of B or better.

Accelerated Master's Program in Arabic

Prior to their senior year, Georgetown University undergraduates may opt for the 5-year Master's program, which enables students to obtain a Master's degree after one year of study past the senior level. Rules for eligibility, application procedures, and program requirements can be obtained from the Department.

The five year program allows qualified undergraduate Arabic majors to earn A.B. and M.A. degrees at an accelerated pace within five years. The undergraduate and graduate degrees are awarded sequentially, with the A.B. in Arabic awarded at the end of the senior year, and the M.A. awarded separately at the end of the fifth year or upon completion of all requirements for the M.A. degree.

Ph.D. Programs

Ph.D. Program in Arabic

Candidates entering with advanced standing, a Master’s Degree in Arabic linguistics and/or Arabic literature from Georgetown or another institution, are expected to complete the following requirements:

Complete 36 credits of course work (12 courses): 7 in Arabic and 5 in the minor.

The minor may be in linguistics, Islamic Studies or area studies.

These candidates will have to ascertain their specific course requirements on the basis of their previous graduate work, in consultation with the graduate adviser. It is expected that the core requirements in Arabic and Linguistics be met.

pass two language proficiency examinations: one in Arabic and one in a second foreign language (English may be considered a second foreign language for non-native speakers),
pass Ph.D. written comprehensive examinations in Arabic with a grade of A- or better, and;
write and successfully defend an acceptable doctoral dissertation.

Accelerated Ph.D. in Arabic

Candidates entering with a bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree in a field other than Arabic, may pursue an accelerated program toward the Ph.D. in Arabic Language, Literature and Linguistics. This program requires 60 credits of course work (20 courses -- 10 in Arabic and 5 in each of two minors). Accelerated Ph.D. students, in addition to majoring in Arabic, select two minor fields. The minors may be in linguistics, Islamic studies or area studies. Graduate courses are usually offered on a rotating basis. Not every course is offered each year. Students should check each semester’s class schedule to plan their course work, in consultation with their adviser.

After completion of 30-36 credits of course work, students must pass a qualifying exam with a grade of A- or better in order to continue toward the Ph.D.

Students must pass two language proficiency exams: one in Arabic and one in a second foreign language.

At the end of their course work, and after passing their language proficiency exams, students must pass the Ph.D. written comprehensive exam with an overall grade of A- or better.

Once the Ph.D. comprehensive exam has been passed, students then write and defend their doctoral dissertation.

The Department of Arabic & Islamic Studies also offers the following program:

Ph.D. Program in Islamic Studies

For information about this Ph.D. program, please go to:

http://www1.georgetown.edu/departments/arabic/audiences/current/

Admissions

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Fall 2010: December 15, 2009

Please read the complete admissions information found on the Graduate School website at: http://grad.georgetown.edu/pages/admissions.cfm

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Application Materials required:

Application Form
Non-refundable Application Fee
Statement of Purpose
Writing Sample
Official Transcripts (all prior institutions)
Official Recommendations (3)
Supplemental Data Sheet (see below)
GRE Score
TOEFL/IELTS (please see below)

Admission requirements include three letters of recommendation, a writing sample, an academic statement of purpose, standardized tests (see below) and an application fee.

Apply to this graduate program using our online application form, located at: http://grad.georgetown.edu/pages/apply_online.cfm

A Supplemental Data Sheet must also be downloaded and submitted separately from the online application. The Supplemental Data Sheet can be found at: http://www1.georgetown.edu/departments/arabic/academics/graduatearabic/applying/Grad%20Admissions_final_filled_2007.doc

Official hard copy transcripts should be mailed to the following address:

GRE - GRADUATE RECORD EXAM

Results of the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required for all applicants. There is no minimum required score on the GRE. Test scores must be received by the application deadline date. Applicants should allow six to eight weeks from the test date for the reporting of scores to the institution. Applications will not be considered without GRE scores. Information on registering to take the GRE can be found at: http://www.gre.org/ttindex.html

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: TOEFL / IELTS

All applicants are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Proficiency can be demonstrated by the receipt of a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction (please note that applicants receiving degrees at universities in U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, are required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS unless the primary language of instruction at the institution is English).

All other applicants must achieve at least a minimum score on either the TOEFL or IELTS test. Test scores must be received by the application deadline date. Applicants should allow six to eight weeks from the test date for the reporting of scores to the institution. Applications will not be considered without TOEFL/IELTS scores.

TOEFL:

620 (paper-based test) or 260 (computer-based tests)

100 (iBT test)

http://www.ets.org/toefl/

IELTS: A minimum score of 7.5 from the International English Language Testing System. IELTS Information: http://www.ielts.org

ADMISSION INFORMATION SUMMARY

Faculty

Department Chair: Ahmad S. Dallal, Ph.D., Columbia University.

Professors: Barbara Stowasser, Ph.D., University of Münster.

Associate Professor: Ahmad S. Dallal, Ph.D., Columbia University; Felicitas Opwis, Ph.D., Yale University; Reem Bassiouney, Ph.D., Oxford University.

Associate Professor: Felicitas Opwis, Ph.D., Yale University.

Visiting Associate Professor: Terrence Potter, Ph.D., Georgetown University.

Visiting Assistant Professors; Amin Bonnah, Ph.D., Georgetown University; Najam Haider, Ph.D., Princeton University; Hanaa Kilany, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania; Kassem Wahba, Ph.D., University of Alexandria; Hana Zabarah, Ph.D., Georgetown University.

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions, as well as class schedules and other information about this program's course offerings can be found on the University Registrar's course site located at: http://explore.georgetown.edu/courses/index.cfm?Action=List&ProgramID=1