Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies, PhD
Program Category: PhD Programs
Chair: Gil Hochberg
Director of Graduate Studies: Mana Kia
Website: https://mesaas.columbia.edu/
Email Address: [email protected]
Degree Programs: Full-time: MA, MPhil, PhD; Full-time/Part-time: Free-standing MA
To view this program's application requirements, please click here.
As early as 1780, Columbia faculty were teaching what were then called Oriental languages. The idea of the Orient has changed and been deconstructed by Columbia’s own faculty, but Columbia’s eminence has never wavered.
The department offers courses in three major cultural areas: African Studies, Arab Studies, and South Asian Studies, as well as in Armenian, Hebrew, Persian, and Islamic Studies. A student may specialize in a variety of subfields decided in conjunction with his or her advisor and the academic affairs committee of the department.
Fellowships are awarded in recognition of academic achievement and in expectation of scholarly success. Teaching and research experience are considered an important aspect of the training of graduate students. Thus, graduate fellowships include some teaching and research apprenticeship.
Certificate in Comparative Literature and Society
The Institute for Comparative Literature and Society (ICLS) awards a certificate in Comparative Literature and Society. For more information, see the ICLS website.
Special Admissions Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit one transcript showing courses and grades per school attended, a statement of academic purpose, a personal statement, and three letters of evaluation from academic sources.
Applicants must be able to show a minimum of 2 years of study in a relevant MESAAS language or the equivalent.
Application Requirements
- Deadline for Fall Admission:
- Thursday, December 05, 2024
- Resume Requirement:
- Yes
- Writing Sample:
- Yes; 15-20 pages, double-spaced
- GRE General:
- No
- GRE Subject:
- No
- Degree Program:
- Full Time
- Letters of Recommendation*:
- 3
*To be eligible for admission in GSAS, at least TWO letters must be submitted by academic recommenders. You may include up to four letters in your application, regardless of the number required by your program of interest.