Graduate

MELC Graduate Programs

The Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures offers students the opportunity to earn a Master of Arts degree, a Ph.D., or a Ph.D. Minor.

Master of Arts (MA)

The Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures currently has four tracks from which MA students may choose:

  • a terminal master’s degree for students who do not intend to pursue the Ph.D., which requires only a single major Middle Eastern language;
  • a track for those who do intend to pursue the Ph.D., which requires a major and a minor Middle Eastern language;
  • a track for those who wish to complete an MA in Egyptology, which has special requirements
  • a separate dual Master’s degree, through which students earn a Master of Arts degree in MELC and a Master of Public Policy (M.P.A.) in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA).

In addition, students can earn a dual MA degree with other departments of the COLL Graduate Division. Students must apply to both programs and be accepted to pursue the Dual Master’s Degree.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Doctoral students in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures pursue an academic discipline grounded in a cultural and linguistic study of the Middle East. The Ph.D. requirements include:

  • five years of a primary Middle Eastern language;
  • two years of a second Middle Eastern language;
  • a European research language, usually French or German; and
  • a minor in another department, usually a disciplinary field.

In addition, students can acquire a dual Ph.D. in MELC and another department.

Note to graduate applicants: The Indiana University Bloomington's institution code (1324) for all ETS scores can receive scores for all departments at IUB; there is no need for an additional departmental code.

The first step in the MELC Departmental Admissions process is being admitted to Indiana University.

MELC Application Materials

  1. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. Test scores (TOEFL as appropriate)
  4. Three letters of recommendation
  5. Statement of Purpose (1–2 pages)
  6. Writing sample (5–10 pages)

Please note: All domestic applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Indiana University Bloomington's institution code for all ETS scores is 1324. This can receive scores for all departments at IUB; there is no need for an additional departmental code. Please note that only one of these tests need be submitted for application, the TOEFL for international applicants. If the graduate applicant's native language is not English, the College requires a score of at least 79 on the TOEFL iBT (delivered via the internet). Please note that the paper-based TOEFL ITP exam - sometimes called the institutional TOEFL - offered by the Intensive English Program on the Bloomington campus, cannot be used in place of the TOEFL iBT. Alternatively, an international applicant may submit the result of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination in lieu of the TOEFL iBT. The College requires a score of at least 6.5 on the IELTS for graduate admission.

International applicants who are interested in first completing coursework with the Intensive English Program (IEP) must apply directly to the IEP via their website. The Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Studies is not affiliated with IEP, and cannot assist international applicants with this application process. MELC also does not offer conditional acceptance on the basis of intent to participate in IEP or the intent to pass the TOEFL test. All international applicants must pass the TOEFL before they can be accepted into any Indiana University graduate program.

Deadlines

The Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures will consider applications filed by the below deadlines. Applications received past these deadlines will not be reviewed. The deadlines are as follows:

International students: December 15th
Domestic students: December 15th

For any further questions about the application process, please contact hlsgrad@iu.edu or by phone (812) 856-5614.

Current Courses

Listings of MELC classes offered for the past several years through the present day may be found on the IU Schedule of Classes. Descriptions for MELC courses offered between 1998 and the fall semester of 2011 may be found at the IU Course Descriptions website.

The Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures offers graduate courses in the following areas:

  • Arabic Language and Linguistics
  • The Modern Middle East (including history and politics; religion; and media, literature, and the arts)
  • Islamic Studies and the Pre-Modern Middle East (including history; religion; literature and the arts)
  • The Pre-Islamic Middle East (including Egyptology; the Graeco-Roman Near East; and the Byzantine Empire)

Students may earn MA or Ph.D. degrees in Arabic Language and Linguistics; the Modern Middle East; and in Islamic Studies and the Pre-Modern Middle East; students may also earn an MA in Egyptology. Students are expected to work independently in Arabic for most degrees, or in Ancient (Hieroglyphic) Egyptian (for the MA in Egyptology). MELC also supports other Middle Eastern languages, including Turkish, Persian, Kurdish and Hebrew.

Arabic Language and Linguistics (All courses taught in Arabic)

Arabic Language instruction

MELC-A 500 Elementary Arabic I
MELC-A 550 Elementary Arabic II
MELC-A 660 Advanced Arabic I
MELC-A 670 Advanced Arabic II
MELC-A 680 Advanced Arabic III
MELC-A 690 Advanced Arabic IV 

Arabic Linguistics and Pedagogy

MELC-M 512 Arabic Grammar
MELC-M 524 Introduction to Arabic Linguistics
MELC-M 529 Arabic Phonetics and Phonology
MELC-M 590 Directed Readings in Arabic
MELC-M 598 Individual Readings in Arabic Language and Linguistics
MELC-M 677 The Pragmatics of Arabic
MELC-M 688 The Acquisition of Arabic as a Second Language
MELC-M 695 Graduate Topics in MELC
MELC-M 696 Teaching Less Commonly Taught Languages
MELC-M 698 Introduction to Arabic Pedagogy

 

Islamic Studies and Premodern Middle Eastern Civilization and Cultures (Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Arabic required except as noted; consult instructor for more details)

MELC-M 570 Koranic Studies
MELC-M 670 Qur'an Commentaries
MELC-M 672 Hadith Sciences
MELC-M 680 Islamic Philosophy
MELC-M 690 Research in Classical Arabic Texts
MELC-M 692 Research in Classical Persian Texts (Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Persian required)
MELC-M 695 Graduate topics in NELC
NELC-N707: Seminar in Classical Arabic Literature

 

Modern Middle Eastern Studies (All courses taught in English except as noted)

MELC-M 587 Modern Hebrew Literature in English
MELC-M 588 Recent Hebrew Literature in English
MELC-M 591 Directed Readings in Hebrew (Taught in Modern Hebrew)
MELC-M 594 Individual Readings in Modern Arabic Literature (Taught in Arabic)
MELC-M 611 Isis & Terrorism
MELC-M 650 Modern Iran
MELC-M 687 Modern Hebrew Literature in Hebrew (Taught in Modern Hebrew)
MELC-M 695 Graduate topics in MELC
MELC-M 709 Seminar in Modern Arabic Literature (Taught in Arabic)
NELC-N681: War and Peace in the Islamic Tradition
NELC-N682: Islam and Modernity

 

Pre-Islamic North Africa and Eastern Mediterranean Studies (All courses taught in English)

Egyptology

MELC-E 500 Elementary Hieroglyphic Egyptian I
MELC-E 505 Seminar in Ancient Egyptian History I
MELC-E 507 Seminar in Ancient Egyptian History II
MELC-E 510 Religions of Ancient Egypt
MELC-E 550 Elementary Hieroglyphic Egyptian II
MELC-E 577 Field Experience
MELC-E 590 Directed Readings in Egyptology
MELC-E 600 Intermediate Middle Egyptian
MELC-E 650 Late Egyptian
MELC-E 660 Demotic Egyptian I
MELC-E 670 Demotic Egyptian II
MELC-E 695 Graduate Topics in Egyptology

Various forms of financial assistance are available for MELC students, including the following:

The priority date for most forms of financial assistance is March 1 (January 1 for international graduate students). The Office of Student Financial Assistance processes applications for loans and work-study for both graduate and undergraduate students. The proper forms can be obtained directly from their office.

MELC Graduate students are asked to remember the importance of filing a FAFSA (a Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in order to be eligible for financial aid. Please refer to the Office of Student Financial Assistance for additional information about the FAFSA guidelines and requirements.

Additionally, please visit the IU GradGrants Center at the Wells Library for a wealth of information on financial aid.

*Note: The Middle Eastern Language and Culture Department does not handle FLAS Fellowships at this time. Please review this webpage for more detailed information on the programs that do award this Fellowship.

What is the deadline for domestic applications?
December 15th.
What is the deadline for international applications?
December 15th.
Is there a required length for the writing sample?
No, there are no length requirements for the writing sample.
What items need to be submitted directly to the HLS Graduate Administrative Services?
Domestic applicants should submit all official transcripts directly to HLS Graduate Administrative Services. The following application materials are uploaded and submitted with their online application: completed application, three (3) letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, CV, and writing sample.
For international applicants, what items need to be submitted directly to International Admissions?
International applicants should submit the following application materials directly to International Admissions: a completed application for admission, all official transcripts, and financial information. The following materials are to be submitted as part of the online application: three (3) letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, writing sample, and CV. Official GRE scores and TOEFL score should be submitted by ETS directly to Indiana University using Indiana University Bloomington institution code 1324.
What is the mailing address for the HLS Graduate Administrative Services?
Hamilton Lugar School, Graduate Administrative Services
Indiana University
355 North Eagleson Avenue
Bloomington, Indiana 47405
USA
What is the mailing address for International Admissions?
Office of International Services, International Admissions
Indiana University
Poplars 221
400 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405
USA
Is there a special form for financial aid application?
No, all applicants are considered for financial aid if their application and application materials are received on or before the relevant deadline(s).
May my recommenders send their letters of recommendation directly to the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures? Is there a special form recommenders should use?
Yes, your recommenders may submit their letters of recommendation by e-mail to hlsgrad@iu.edu, by the online application, or by postal services. The online application will send your recommenders requests electronically to submit letters of recommendation for your application.
May I submit my statement of purpose or writing sample directly to the Graduate Studies Office of the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures?
No, you should upload your statement to the online application as directed.
Whom may I contact if I have questions about my application?
Please contact Graduate Administrative Services at hlsgrad@iu.edu for questions regarding your application.
Whom may I contact if I have technical questions about the online submission of my application?
Please contact Graduate Administrative Services at hlsgrad@iu.edu if you have technical questions or encounter problems with submitting your application.
Do you accept applications for admission year-round?
No, applications are only accepted for fall admissions.
When will I be notified with a decision about my application?
Normally, applicants may expect a decision between mid-February and March. To inquire about the status of your application or application materials please contact hlsgrad@iu.edu.
Are photocopies of my test scores (TOEFL) accepted?
No, only original test scores are accepted.
Are photocopies of transcripts accepted?
No, only original official transcripts in a sealed envelope(s) or an electronic secure transcript transmission from the degree-granting institution are accepted.
Whom should I contact if I wish to visit Indiana University at Bloomington and the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures?
If you would like to visit our campus and our department, please contact hlsgrad@iu.edu for information.

Want to learn more?

Contact the HLS grad office

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