Graduate Program
The Near East is a region of critical importance. As its many nations continue to play pivotal roles on the world stage, the need for firm knowledge about Near Eastern languages and cultures becomes increasingly clear. These languages and cultures are our specialty. Indeed, in NELC one can find experts in Arabic, Hebrew (ancient and modern), Persian, Turkish (Ottoman and Modern), Egyptian (hieroglyphic and Coptic), and the languages of Central Asia. Our courses offer great breadth, in terms of the number of different languages taught, and great depth, in terms of the historical range our courses cover (from ancient to medieval to modern periods). As a NELC graduate student, you will develop a thorough understanding of historical and cultural contexts and skills in critical analysis of texts, research procedures, and integrative thinking.
We do not have a Ph.D. program.
Application Information
Application Deadline: January 15
What NELC is looking for in a MA candidate: We are looking for students who demonstrate a passion for and have abilities in the languages, literatures, and cultures of the Near East. Students must have a BA and are strongly encouraged to have undertaken at least two years of formal language study in the language of their concentration before applying. A GPA of 3.4 or higher is required. Native speakers of Near Eastern languages are also encouraged to apply. Your overall application will be considered in the selection process.
Application Process: You will need to complete the Graduate School’s online application by January 15th to be considered for NELC’s M.A. program. Read our  Graduate Admissions FAQ's flier for questions about the NELC admissions process.
If you are an International applicant living outside the U.S., you are strongly encouraged to complete application requirements at least thirty days prior to the deadline for the program to ensure sufficient time for graduate admission review.
Items Needed for the Online Application*:
(1) Statement of purpose;
(2) Sample of written work;
(3) Three letters of recommendation;
(4) GRE scores;
(5) List of language experience;
(6) Unofficial transcript(s);
(7) TOEFL scores (non-native English speakers. Minimum test scores: TOEFLiBT – 92, TOEFLC – 237, TOEFL – 580).
*As of August 2011, NELC no longer requires official transcripts since the Graduate School requires unofficial transcripts for the online application. If you are accepted, the Graduate School will ask for your official transcript(s). Please do not mail any materials to the Department.
Funding: NELC has some teaching assistantships and fellowships available. Applicants interested in a T.A. position should apply for it simultaneously.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Graduate Program Advisor at neareast@uw.edu. For questions regarding the Graduate School's process, please contact their office at 206.543.5929 or uwgrad@uw.edu.
Please check with the Graduate Program Advisor to see if NELC is accepting GNM students before you start the application process.
When to apply
Autumn Quarter—September 1
Winter Quarter—December 1
Spring Quarter—March 1
Summer Quarter—May 15
Graduate Program Requirements
Graduate students must meet both Graduate School Requirements and NELC Department Graduate Program Requirements (located in our Graduate Student Handbook - pdf file) in order to graduate. Fulfillment of these requirements will normally entail the completion of two years of study and will include 36 credits at the 400 or above level, with at least 18/36 credits at the 500 level or above.
Please note that 498/499 courses do not count for graduate level credit. Quarterly course listings and descriptions are available through the UW Online Course Catalog.
Please note that courses numbered 600, 700, and 800 ARE NOT calculated into a student's grade point average.
Important NELC Graduate Program Documents
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