Overview

The Asian and Middle Eastern Studies programme at the University of Minnesota provides a comprehensive framework for exploring the diverse linguistic and cultural landscapes of Asia and the Middle East. Students engage in rigorous academic training designed to foster deep regional expertise and advanced language skills. The curriculum is structured to support various professional goals, from doctoral preparation to careers in international business and education.

This degree is uniquely adaptable, offering three distinct pathways to suit individual aspirations. Plan A and Plan B focus on humanistic scholarship, incorporating literary, visual, and philosophical analysis.

Why Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Minnesota?

The University of Minnesota offers a vibrant intellectual community within the College of Liberal Arts, where students benefit from specialised faculty expertise and extensive research resources. The department provides a unique combination of cultural analysis and professional training, particularly through its language pedagogy track. Students gain access to dedicated collegiate funding opportunities and comprehensive career services designed for graduate success.

The programme's flexibility allows for interdisciplinary investigation into the social sciences, including anthropology and history. With a focus on less commonly taught languages, the university serves as a vital hub for developing expertise in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, and Urdu. This breadth of study ensures that graduates are well-equipped for roles in government, non-profit sectors, and global media.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 35162 per year
National fee: USD 35162 per year
Local fee: USD 22890 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum balances intensive language study with graduate seminars focused on regional histories and cultures. Students select a concentration in a specific language and engage with diverse methodologies in humanistic scholarship. Modules may include:

Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Language Pedagogy
Literary Studies
Cultural Studies
Media Studies
Philological Scholarship
Visual and Philosophical Scholarship
Interpretive Social Sciences

Careers with Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Graduates from the University of Minnesota are prepared for a wide array of professional environments. Many alumni pursue further academic research through PhD programmes or enter the education sector as language instructors at colleges and universities. The skills acquired during the programme are highly valued in diverse industries.

Common career paths for graduates include roles in:

Government and diplomatic services
Non-profit organisations and social work
International law and journalism
Global business and trade
Library and archival management
Professional translation and interpretation
K-12 and community college education

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Critical Approaches to Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Beginning Arabic

Beginning Modern Chinese

Beginning Hindi

Beginning Japanese

Beginning Korean

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-08 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-07 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

30 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Minneapolis, United States

Disciplines

Asian studies Middle Eastern studies View 94 other Masters in Asian studies in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

To apply to the program you must complete the online application, completing the required fields and uploading the materials described below.

Required Fields:

Personal information

Application information

Educational background/Transcripts

Languages

Awards & activities

Employment/residence information

Financial support

Applicant statement (see below for description)

Writing sample

Letters of recommendation (two letters)

Language proficiency exam (for MA Plan C applicants. Exam will be administered by the Department after completion of the application as a requirement for admission)

Admission for the Language Pedagogy track (Plan C) requires Advanced Low ACTFL proficiency, determined by an oral interview with the Director of Language Instruction for the relevant language

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

35162 USD / year

≈ 35162 USD / year
Out-of-State

35162 USD / year

≈ 35162 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

22890 USD / year

≈ 22890 USD / year

Living costs

Minneapolis

United States

1130 - 2045 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

Check your Eligibility

Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Minneapolis

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners