MA Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

M.A. students must complete 33 hours of graduate study. At least 18 credit hours must be from courses offered within the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. At least 18 credit hours must be in courses numbered 700 or above. Students must complete a master’s thesis. M.A. students select one of two courses of study upon applying to the program: the Interdisciplinary track or the Chinese track.

Faculty: The Graduate School | Department: Asian and Middle Eastern Studies | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

M.A. students must complete 33 hours of graduate study. At least 18 credit hours must be from courses offered within the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Core courses include ASIA 725 Critical Approaches to Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; ASIA 991 Research and Writing in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; ASIA 993 Master's Research and Thesis.

Career pathways

The M.A. in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies will prepare students linguistically, culturally, and intellectually for participation in top Ph.D. programs and for careers in government and non-profit and private sectors in or related to Asia and the Middle East.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School minimum (applies to all graduate programmes): a four-year bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited institution completed before graduate study begins and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better; application via the Graduate School online application with transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose and CV, plus any programme-specific tests/materials; international applicants add a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score; admission decisions are made by each programme. Programme-specific: CHIN 408 or its equivalent is a prerequisite for admission into the Chinese track.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants apply for a start term; fall is the main start term. Very few programmes admit new students for spring or summer terms.

Graduate applications and payment must be received by the deadline of the academic programme applied to, which varies by programme; the application closes at 11:59pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. The Graduate School recommends complete applications by December 15, 2026 for full fellowship consideration. The GRE is not required for the Master of Applied Professional Studies.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions/

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