Major / Minor Requirements
Major & Minor Requirements
for Middle East Studies
In order to declare a major or minor in Middle East Studies, students are required to meet with an advisor. Middle East Studies is an open major, meaning that you don't have to apply or take any prerequisites to declare.
Transfer students: to discuss any questions about major or minor requirements, make an appointment with one of our advisors.
Major Overview
Middle East Studies Major
Major Requirements: 52 Credits
- Language Proficiency Core (16 credits)
- ARAB or PERS 1010
- ARAB or PERS 1020
- ARAB or PERS 2010
- ARAB or PERS 2020
- Core: Complete All the Following (9 credits)
- MID E 1545 or HIST 1450 Middle Eastern History, 600-15
- MID E 1546 or HIST 1460 Middle Eastern History, 1800-Present
- INTL 3000 or MID E 3000 Foundations of International/Middle East Studies
- Upper Division Core (6 credits)
- Earn at least 6 credits from:HIST 4490 Major Issues in Middle Eastern History, MID E 3644/POLS 3440 Comparative Politics of the Middle East, MID E 3880 Special Topics, HEBR 3880 Special Topics in Hebrew Studies, MID E 4510/HIST 4400/POLS 4400 Intro to Islam
- Area Studies Exploration (12 credits)
- Earn at least 12 credits from approved Middle East Studies courses available at https://middleeaststudies.utah.edu/undergraduate/approved-courses.php or from an advisor
- Advanced Language or Methodological Focus (6 credits)
- Complete one of the following
- ARAB/PERS 3010 AND 3020
- COMM 3700 Qualitative Comm Research AND COMM 3701 Intro to Quantitative Comm Research
- LING 5810 L2 Methodology AND LING 5900 Senior Capstone
- ECON 2010 Principles of Microeconomics AND ECON 2020 Principles of Macroeconomics
- POLS 3001 Political Analysis AND POLS 3002 Quantitative Approaches to Intl. Relations
- GEOG 3020 Geographical Analysis AND GEOG 3100 Intro to GIS and Science
- PSY 3000 Statistical Methods in Psych AND PSY 3010 Research Methods in Psych
- HIST 3100 The Historian’s Craft AND HIST 4990 Senior Seminar
- SOC 3111 Research Methods AND SOC 3112 Social Statistics
- ETHNC 5900 Interdisciplinary Research in Ethnic Studies AND ETHNC 5910 Capstone: Advanced Explorations in Ethnic Studies
- Signature Experience (3 credits)
- Course Numbered 3000+: The Signature Experience credit hour requirement can be fulfilled by a relevant internship, study abroad, CEL course, research course, Honors thesis, or through Model Arab League. Must be approved by an IAS advisor
Notes: No more than 3 credits from a Hinckley internship may count toward your major.
Grade Requirements: All major courses must be taken for a minimum letter grade of C or better.
Minors
Middle East Studies Minor
Minor Requirements: 20 Credits
- Area Electives
- Complete 12 credits of upper-division area studies electives
- Language Emphasis: Arabic or Persian
- Complete 8 credits of language
- ARAB/PERS 1010 and 1020
Notes: No more than 3 credits from a Hinckley internship may count toward your major.
Grade Requirements: All major courses must be taken for a minimum letter grade of C or better.
MIDDLE EAST STUDIES MINOR WORKSHEET 2025-2026
Arabic or Persian Minor
Minor Requirements: 22 Credits
- Language Emphasis: Arabic or Persian
- Complete 16 credits of language
- ARAB/PERS 1010 and 1020, 2010 and 2020
- Area Electives
- Complete 6 credits of upper-division area studies electives
Notes: No more than 3 credits from a Hinckley internship may count toward your major.
Grade Requirements: All major courses must be taken for a minimum letter grade of C or better.
Transfer Students
Minimum Requirements: 52 Credits
Middle East Studies courses totaling 52 credit hours must be completed successfully.
SLCC Transfer Students
A portion of these courses may be completed through transfer credit from Salt Lake Community College. See the below major worksheet.
Transfer Students from Utah Institutions
A portion of courses may be completed through transfer credit from another university within the state of Utah. See the transfer guide below.
Transfer Students from Out-of-State
A portion of courses may be completed through transfer credit from another university. You will want to speak with an academic advisor to review your transfer coursework and discuss how these apply to the major requirements.
