Graduate Field
Near Eastern Studies
Program Description
The graduate program in Near Eastern Studies prepares students for careers in academia and beyond. Academic specializations include the following areas: ancient Near Eastern and Biblical studies (including archaeology); Arabic literature; early Christianity; Hebrew literature; Islamic studies (including anthropology); Judaic studies, and the modern Middle East. All students admitted to the program are expected to earn a doctoral degree. Completion of the Ph.D. program normally requires three years of full-time course work at Cornell and two additional years of dissertation research and writing.
We expect our students to demonstrate broad knowledge of theory and scholarship across relevant sub-fields, advanced research skills, ability to produce and communicate original, publishable research, and effective teaching. We expect our students to demonstrate mastery in the language or languages of the main texts that are directly related to the topic of their dissertations. Students are advised to determine their field of concentration in their first year, and to consult their advisors about linguistic requirements.
Although every student’s particular in-depth course of study will vary according to his/her historical and disciplinary interests, we expect students to take advantage of the opportunity to appreciate the sweep and breadth of the Near East, both past and present. For example, students interested in modern history are strongly encouraged to acquire a background in pre-modern history and culture, and students interested in a particular Near Eastern literary or religious tradition are advised to investigate another Near Eastern tradition.
Concentrations
Program Information
- Program Mode of Delivery: In Person
- Program Location: Ithaca, NY
Program Requirements
- 4 semesters of GRAD Research course
- 3 years of full-time coursework
- Minimum Semesters for Degree: 8
Graduate School Milestones
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training: Required
- Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): Required
- Student Progress Reviews (SPR) begin: First Year
- Examination for admission to candidacy (A Exam): Before seventh semester begins
- Defense of Dissertation (B Exam): After completion of all degree requirements
Field Specific Milestones
- Qualifying Examination (Q Exam): Spring of second year
- Modern research language exam in the spring of the first year
- Second modern research language exam in the spring of the second year
- Teaching assistantships are required to receive funding
Course Requirements
Additional course requirements may be set by the student’s Special Committee. Program specific requirements that apply to all students are included below.
- NES 6722 Graduate Colloquium every semester
- NES 6800 Professionalization in Near Eastern Studies completed within the first three years
- Language courses to prepare for modern research language exams
Graduate School Enrollment Requirements
Course Requirements
- Course requirements are determined by the student’s Special Committee.
- Enrollment in a GRAD research course or the equivalent field specific research course is expected of all students each semester through graduation. These courses include:
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
Admissions
Application Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadlines
Fall, December 15
Requirements Summary
Admissions Contact Information
Email: nes-grad@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-255-1329
Campus Address: 409 White Hall
Website: http://www.neareasternstudies.cornell.edu
