About the Program
Our renowned Master of Arts in Arab Studies (MAAS) program offers comprehensive interdisciplinary training in the politics, culture, history, economics, and language of the contemporary Arab Middle East and North Africa, as well as rigorous Arabic language training.
Students design a program of study that allows them to develop expertise on the pressing issues relevant to the Middle East and North Africa today in one of five concentration areas: Politics, Culture and Society, Development, History, or Women and Gender. In addition to their main concentration, students select options from the full range of courses in Middle East Studies offered at Georgetown.
The MAAS program further cultivates an in-depth understanding of the region through the program’s intensive Arabic instruction, which allows our students to reach proficiency level. Students have the unique opportunity to deepen their language skills by opting to take courses taught entirely in Arabic.
Connect with Us
Program Contact: maas@georgetown.edu
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Degrees Offered
- M.A.
Accelerated program (Georgetown students only)
- B.S.F.S./M.A.
Dual Degree Programs
- M.A./Ph.D. (Government)
- M.A./Ph.D. (History)
- M.A./J.D. (Law)
Admissions Requirements
For general graduate admissions requirements, visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s Application Information page. Review the program’s website for additional information on program application requirements.
Application Materials required:
- Application Form
- Non-Refundable Application Fee
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Optional: Statement on Diversity, Personal Background & Contributions
- Writing Sample
- Letters of Recommendation (3)
- Transcripts – Applicants are required to upload to the application system copies of official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s Application Information page for additional details and FAQs.
- Resume/CV
- TOEFL/IELTS (if applicable)
- TOEFL = 100 minimum
- IELTS = 7.5 minimum
Application Deadlines
Fall
- January 15 (scholarship)
- April 1 (final)
Degree Requirements
The M.A. in Arab Studies (MAAS) degree requires completion of a minimum of 36 semester hours (12 three-credit hour classes) in addition to basic Arabic language courses. Those who choose the thesis option must complete 33 hours plus the thesis.
- Six Concentration Courses
- MAAS-501
- Five Electives
- Arabic oral and written competence, demonstrated by passing proficiency exam offered three times per year.
- Oral comprehensive exam or thesis
The full-time student will usually complete requirements for the degree in four regular semesters and the intervening summer session, depending on his or her Arabic language competence. Part-time enrollment is not encouraged and is only possible once a student has completed the Arabic language requirement.
In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, students in the MAAS program are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in both the concentration and supporting blocks of courses.