Middle Eastern or South Asian Studies -> Govt Service

[David_R]

Hello,

 

I will be applying in a few months for graduate programs in Middle Eastern Studies or possibly South Asian studies. Both areas interest me, although my interest is in current politics and issues- not the history as much. Security issues, counterterrorism, recent political changes, and the problems in Iraq and Syria interest me far more than the Ottoman Empire or the Safavid Dynasty. It's hard to tell which of these programs is more focused on contemporary issues.

 

My goal is government service either in the Department of State or some government agency. I believe a Master of ME Studies or South Asian Studies will help. My background is in international development and I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the late 1990s after college. I speak Afghan Persian (Dari) fairly well from two years of development work in Afghanistan for an NGO and would like to enter a graduate program where I can continue to study Persian. Money will be an issue so it doesn't make sense for me to apply to Georgetown, GW, AU, etc. since the tuition will likely be too high for me. I have done some research but am reaching out to those on here for some opinions. These are not in any particular order.

 

1) University of Chicago's M.A. of Middle Eastern Studies. Is this oriented toward contemporary political issues in the Middle East? Since my interest is in counterterrorism, international security, and contemporary politics, I'm not sure this is the best fit. It seems to have a solid reputation and I have heard that Chicago is a nice town. They teach Persian (and six quarters are required for the M.A.) so that part seems like a good fit. However, does it have a good reputation among government agencies in DC? Are graduates heading into government service from here?

 

2) University of Washington's MA in International Studies. South Asian Studies concentration. Since they include Afghanistan under South Asia, I noticed that Persian is included as a "South Asian" language. Apparently I could focus on South Asian studies and still study Persian. However, the South Asian courses seemed more focused on history and culture than current issues. The Middle East Studies course list wasn't available on their webpage. The program doesn't seem focused on contemporary security issues or anything like that.

 

3) University of Wisconsin's MA in Languages and Cultures of Asia (LCA). Out of all the universities on here, this is the only one with fifth and sixth semester level Persian. The language component of this program is obviously very strong, requiring six semesters of one Asian language or four semesters of two different Asian languages. There is some sort of American Institute of Pakistan Studies there, but my impression is that it is in name only.

 

4) University of Virginia's MA in Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies. This seems like a great fit because it combines the two areas and they also have a Language and Literature Concentration that would allow me to focus even more on Persian studies. However, I know nothing about this program's reputation and don't recall anyone on grad cafe ever mentioning it before. Any opinions?

 

 

Thanks for your help.

 

David

 

[hj2012]

I'm surprised that you include Chicago, which has similar tuition levels to the DC schools. If there is a school in DC that you think is a good fit, I would apply regardless -- you never know if you'll get some financial aid or merit scholarships that bring the costs to acceptable levels.

 

UVA graduates tend to do well in DC government jobs, partially because of the number of alumni there who promote the school in their own networks, partially because of geographic proximity. But, all things being equal (cost, for example), I would definitely not put UVA's grad program at the same caliber of, say, Georgetown.

 

Good luck!

[David_R]

Thanks for the advice. What school in DC do you think would be a good fit in case I try my luck at getting into one with financial aid?

 

As for U of C, cost of living in Chicago would be far less and I assumed that it might be easier to obtain some financial aid.

[leon32]

You should check and see if these schools are more academic focused or professional focused- i.e. are they training people who are then going to get a Phd and try to become professors or are they training people for government or private sector careers.  For what you want to do, it seems like it would make more sense to try to go to a professional program, and perhaps try to take some security classes as well as regional based ones.

[chocolatecheesecake]

Hello,

 

I will be applying in a few months for graduate programs in Middle Eastern Studies or possibly South Asian studies. Both areas interest me, although my interest is in current politics and issues- not the history as much. Security issues, counterterrorism, recent political changes, and the problems in Iraq and Syria interest me far more than the Ottoman Empire or the Safavid Dynasty. It's hard to tell which of these programs is more focused on contemporary issues.

 

My goal is government service either in the Department of State or some government agency. I believe a Master of ME Studies or South Asian Studies will help. My background is in international development and I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the late 1990s after college. I speak Afghan Persian (Dari) fairly well from two years of development work in Afghanistan for an NGO and would like to enter a graduate program where I can continue to study Persian. Money will be an issue so it doesn't make sense for me to apply to Georgetown, GW, AU, etc. since the tuition will likely be too high for me. I have done some research but am reaching out to those on here for some opinions. These are not in any particular order.

 

1) University of Chicago's M.A. of Middle Eastern Studies. Is this oriented toward contemporary political issues in the Middle East? Since my interest is in counterterrorism, international security, and contemporary politics, I'm not sure this is the best fit. It seems to have a solid reputation and I have heard that Chicago is a nice town. They teach Persian (and six quarters are required for the M.A.) so that part seems like a good fit. However, does it have a good reputation among government agencies in DC? Are graduates heading into government service from here?

 

2) University of Washington's MA in International Studies. South Asian Studies concentration. Since they include Afghanistan under South Asia, I noticed that Persian is included as a "South Asian" language. Apparently I could focus on South Asian studies and still study Persian. However, the South Asian courses seemed more focused on history and culture than current issues. The Middle East Studies course list wasn't available on their webpage. The program doesn't seem focused on contemporary security issues or anything like that.

 

3) University of Wisconsin's MA in Languages and Cultures of Asia (LCA). Out of all the universities on here, this is the only one with fifth and sixth semester level Persian. The language component of this program is obviously very strong, requiring six semesters of one Asian language or four semesters of two different Asian languages. There is some sort of American Institute of Pakistan Studies there, but my impression is that it is in name only.

 

4) University of Virginia's MA in Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies. This seems like a great fit because it combines the two areas and they also have a Language and Literature Concentration that would allow me to focus even more on Persian studies. However, I know nothing about this program's reputation and don't recall anyone on grad cafe ever mentioning it before. Any opinions?

 

 

Thanks for your help.

 

David

 

Hi David, some of your questions are probably best answered by people in the admissions departments of these institutions. They can tell you what they prepare people for careers in and what percentage of alumni are going into what fields. I also think there is unlikely to be financial aid for many of UChicago's M.A. degrees from what I've heard from friends who did graduate programs there. But that's second-hand news. You should ask them directly for figures on their financial packages, what percent receive financial aid, and what the average package looks like, just for a few suggestions.

 

Same goes for the other schools in DC. Don't rule them out for yourself just because of the sticker price. The right program for you is the most important concern. If the program is a good fit for you, you have nothing to lose by applying. After you get your decisions, whether you're a domestic or international student, you can ask for more/ negotiate any offers you can get. Especially if you have had substantial amounts of full-time work experience, you could stand a good chance of receiving funding. Good luck.

[Gov2School]

Another option to consider, since you've sited budget as a concern, is to do a program aimed at mid-career professionals.  If you graduated from college in the 1990s, you'd probably be much older than most of your cohort in these masters programs.  A mid-career program might make more sense both for where you're at and where you want to go.  And since most mid-career programs are one year long, you only have to pay half as much tuition.  

Edited July 5, 2014 by Gov2School

[David_R]

Gov2School,

 

Thanks for the advice, however the mid-career positions mainly seem to be for MPP or MPA and not Middle Eastern or South Asian studies. I would like to continue my Persian studies during graduate school. Is there a mid-career one year program that has a Middle Eastern Studies focus?

[Gov2School]

I can't think of any off the top of my head, but there are a lot of midcareer MPA/MPP programs where you could focus on counterrorism/national security issues.  If you specifically want to do pure regional studies though, you'll have to research the programs that are best for you.  Keep in mind though that regional studies programs aren't necessarily pre-professional in nature, so if you want a program that will help connect you to future work in government, you'll want to ask a lot of questions about career services when you're talking to the admissions staff.  

[hj2012]

I can't think of any off the top of my head, but there are a lot of midcareer MPA/MPP programs where you could focus on counterrorism/national security issues.  If you specifically want to do pure regional studies though, you'll have to research the programs that are best for you.  Keep in mind though that regional studies programs aren't necessarily pre-professional in nature, so if you want a program that will help connect you to future work in government, you'll want to ask a lot of questions about career services when you're talking to the admissions staff.  

 

This is an important point. Frankly, if you see the degree as a means to shift your career (as opposed to personal development), you might be best off going for the professional MPA/MPP, even if it means giving up some of the flexibility you might have in a regional studies program. However, if your primary reason for going back to school is personal (the opportunity to learn Persian and study issues that you are passionate about), then the regional studies programs make more sense. Perhaps Yale's Jackson Institute?

 

 

Thanks for the advice. What school in DC do you think would be a good fit in case I try my luck at getting into one with financial aid?

 

As for U of C, cost of living in Chicago would be far less and I assumed that it might be easier to obtain some financial aid.

 

I imagine all the big IR schools (Georgetown, SAIS, GW) offer Persian classes and the opportunity to specialize in the Middle East (though perhaps not concurrently with a specialization in SE Asia). Like another poster mentioned, I definitely would not assume that it would be easier to get financial aid at Chicago. You could try browsing the results search to get a sense of the kinds of funding packages students are offered.

 

Good luck!