Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies, PhD

Program Category: PhD Programs
Chair: Gil Hochberg
Director of Graduate Studies: Mana Kia
Website: Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies
Email Address: [email protected]
Degree Programs: Full-Time: MA, MPhil, PhD; Full-Time/Part-Time: Free-Standing MA

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.

Application Requirements

*GSAS will accept up to four recommendations, regardless of the number required by your program of interest. However, to be eligible for admission at GSAS, at least TWO letters must be submitted by academic recommenders.