Are There Any Public Universities That Offer IR or Middle Eastern Studies?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi guys!</p>

<p>Originally, I was going to apply to mostly private schools because there's a better chance that they'll have what I want, but because I'm thinking about attending law school, my mom thought I should go to a public university where I could hopefully get a full ride. I'm from Missouri. </p>

<p>I also like the idea of private schools better because a lot of the time, they offer mostly need-based aid and I'm almost positive that I would qualify for a lot.</p>

<p>So, if you guys know of any public schools that offer those two majors, I would really appreciate it!</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>This is something you can easily find out by using google or college-specific search sites such as princetonreview or collegeboard. Here’s a list I found through google:
[Near</a> and Middle Eastern Studies - Colleges That Offer This Degree](<a href=“http://www.myplan.com/majors/near-and-middle-eastern-studies/colleges-that-offer-this-degree-05.0108.html]Near”>http://www.myplan.com/majors/near-and-middle-eastern-studies/colleges-that-offer-this-degree-05.0108.html)</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.myplan.com/majors/international-relations-and-affairs/colleges-that-offer-this-degree-45.0901.html[/url]”>http://www.myplan.com/majors/international-relations-and-affairs/colleges-that-offer-this-degree-45.0901.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>That said you should know that most public universities won’t give extensive merit/need-based aid to out-of-state students.</p>

3

<p>I know, but my parents don’t get that. I’m trying to help them understand. :frowning: I’ll look to see if there’s a school in MO. </p>

<p>Thanks for the link!</p>

<p>Do you think that I could design an MES major/minor?</p>

4

<p>There are IR/IS/Global Studies at numerous public universities. So, you should focus on finding schools with a Middle Eastern studies program, or at least schools that offer a decent program in Arabic or other Middle Eastern languages. You can always do a major in IR or another field and supplement it with language training. Unfortunately, only limited Arabic language programs are available at public universities in Missouri. Missouri State U. offers two years of Arabic. You could supplement that with a study abroad program. In other states in your region, you might check out U Minnesota, which offers three years of Arabic (in the Asian languages dept.) and has good international programs. Minnesota also is one of the less expensive schools for out-of-state students. U Iowa offers a minor in Arabic (in the French & Italian dept.) and Kansas U offers three years of Arabic (in the African Studies program). As a Missouri resident, you might qualify for a tuition discount at KU via the Midwest Higher Ed Compact. [MHEC[/url</a>] . With any public universities, beware of fees that can increase the actual tuition sticker price.</p>

<p>The best public universities for Middle Eastern studies are Arizona, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio State, Texas, Utah, UCLA, Berkeley, Washington, and Wisconsin. For Arabic language programs, you also might check out Georgia (which also has a good IR program), Houston, Michigan State, Montana (Central & SW Asian Studies), Oklahoma (which has a developing ME Studies program), and Portland State. Unfortunately, these will be somewhat expensive for out-of-state students, and, there is not much FA for out-of-state students, as katliamom pointed out. There are almost no full-rides, unless you are a NMF, in which case Arizona offers a generous program (or, unless you rank high enough to qualify for a limited number of very competitive scholarships at some of these schools).</p>

<p>Finally, check out the Language Flagship programs for Arabic. Admission to these programs is not guaranteed, but some funding might be available. [url=&lt;a href=“http://www.thelanguageflagship.org/arabic]The”&gt;http://www.thelanguageflagship.org/arabic]The</a> Language Flagship - Arabic<a href=“Maryland%20also%20has%20a%20Language%20Flagship%20in%20Persian,%20and%20Texas%20has%20one%20in%20Hindi-Urdu,%20if%20you%20have%20any%20interest%20in%20Urdu%20for%20Pakistani%20studies.”>/url</a> Once you have two years of Arabic, funding for summer critical language studies or study abroad might be available [url=&lt;a href=“http://clscholarship.org/]Critical”&gt;http://clscholarship.org/]Critical</a> Language Scholarship Program](<a href=“http://www.mhec.org%5DMHEC%5B/url”>http://www.mhec.org)
ROTC programs are an option for funding as well. Military experience might provide an edge for some graduate programs in IR as well as for government employment.</p>

5

<p>Zapfino: I think that because I live so close to the Kansas and Oklahoma border, I could get in-state tuition. I’ll check out MO state and Arizona. My mom has told me that she wouldn’t mind me going to school in Michigan because I have family up there. I did get a letter from the University of Georgia, so maybe I can work something out. I’m not sure about UCLA… Chapel Hill would be great too! </p>

<p>I would love to study abroad, so I hope I can!</p>

<p>Thanks for the info! :)</p>

6

<p>^The Arabic program at Georgia is offered through the Religion Dept. Both a major and a minor are offered.</p>

7

<p>Zapfino: Thanks for the update!</p>

8

<p>You need to really check out residency for OK and KS. From a KS web site I found this:

What can your family afford?</p>

9

<p>Erin’s Dad: I think our EFC is about $7,000. I’ll look at KU. Thanks!</p>