Program Overview

Program Overview

The Certificate in Middle Eastern Studies provides students a deeper understanding of the historical, cultural, social and political environment in the Middle East, allowing them to work towards the certification during their undergraduate programs. Whatever profession they choose upon graduation, the certificate will be beneficial to all graduates seeking employment in the region.

Program Details

The Middle Eastern Studies Certificate is an 18-19 credit hour program designed to give students in the area an appreciation and understanding of the region in which they are currently studying and in which many will be pursuing professional careers.

Course Classification

• Arabic Language: 3-4 credit hours
• Required courses: 6 credit hours
• Humanities/Social Sciences: 3 credit hours
• Religion: 3 credit hours
• Area Studies: 3 credit hours
  • Total: 18-19 credit hours

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the certificate, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate required familiarity with Modern Standard Arabic
• Exhibit a geographic knowledge of the region including both physical and economic aspects
• Identify and discuss the historical underpinnings of the region
• Explain the basic tenets of the Islamic faith and the role various religions play in the societies of the Middle East
• Identify and discuss the various cultures whose presence contributes to and presents challenges to the cohesiveness of the region
• Identify the various political systems historically and currently practiced in the region
• Identify significant contributions to human culture by civilizations in the region

Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission to the Certificate in Middle Eastern Studies program, students must:

• Be in good academic standing at AUD or their primary university of study
• Be pursuing or having pursued a bachelor’s degree at an institution accredited by the MOHESR in the U.A.E. or by the relevant national or regional institutional accrediting body in the case of international applicants
• Have successfully completed ENGL 102 (Advanced Composition and Research) or its equivalent for students coming from institutions in which English is the language of instruction
• Satisfy the English language requirements for students coming from institutions in which English is not the language of instruction
• Satisfy all other requirements for admission to AUD

English Language Requirements

All students must achieve a TOEFL score of 550 and 4.0 on the TWE (CBT 213, Internet-based TOEFL 79-80 + writing skills range 24-30), or a minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS (with 6.5 in Writing), or an equivalent score on a test approved by the MOHESR in order to qualify for admission at AUD.

Faculty

• Chair of the Department of International and Middle Eastern Studies and Associate Professor of Middle Eastern Studies: Matthew Burtchaell Ingalls
• Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Arabic: Afaf Bataineh

Related Programs

• Undergraduate: Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (B.A.I.S.)
• Undergraduate: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (B. A. in Psy.)