KSAWorks
KSAWorks
Knowledge • Skills • Abilities
Program checklist · Interdisciplinary Major - Middle Eastern Studies (MEST)

Interdisciplinary Major - Middle Eastern Studies (MEST)

University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA

A checklist is the list of requirements to complete this program and receive the award, as the college publishes it in its catalog. It is the same for everyone. It does not say what you have completed; that comes from applying your own record.

Program
Award
Interdisciplinary Major - Middle Eastern Studies (MEST)
Catalog edition
2026-2027
Checklist type
degree-program
Identifiers
IPEDS UNITID
234076
CourseShelf checklist
CK_234076_40aee491
CollegeTransfer.Net
Institution Transfer Profile
Source
CourseShelf publish 59

Requirements to complete

Every course or condition the catalog lists, in the catalog's order.

Universal Curriculum Requirements

0 items

    Prerequisites

    4 items
    1. Option 1: Completion of an Intermediate level (2010/2020) Middle Eastern (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian) or South Asian (Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit) language with a grade of C or better in each semester.
      Not resolved to a course
    2. For Hebrew, students may substitute Classical Hebrew (HEBR 2410/2420) instead of Modern Hebrew (HEBR 2010/2020).
      Not resolved to a course
    3. For Sanskrit, any two 2000-level SANS courses will apply (instead of 2010/2020).
      Not resolved to a course
    4. Option 2: Completion of an Accelerated (1060/2060) Middle Eastern (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian) or South Asian (Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit) language with a grade of C or better in each semester.
      Not resolved to a course

    Program Requirements

    12 items
    1. 2 courses (6 Credits) in one MESALC language at or above the 3000-level.
      Not resolved to a course
    2. Fourth-Year Capstone Seminar Course (3 Credits).
      Not resolved to a course
    3. For Middle East Studies, this class is MEST 4991: Middle East Studies Seminar.
      Not resolved to a course
    4. 7 courses (21 Credits) based on the student’s regional concentration (Middle East or South Asia).
      Not resolved to a course
    5. At least 1 literature course (including literaure in translation courses).
      Not resolved to a course
    6. At least 1 history course.
      Not resolved to a course
    7. History of the Middle East (HIME) for Middle East Studies.
      Not resolved to a course
    8. At least 3 of these courses must be offered by the same department.
      Not resolved to a course
    9. At least 3 of these courses must be offered by different departments.
      Not resolved to a course
    10. A maximum of 12 study abroad and domestic transfer credits are allowed, with the permission of the major advisor.
      Not resolved to a course
    11. USEM credits do not count toward major requirements.
      Not resolved to a course
    12. Double majoring is encouraged, but students are reminded that 24 credits in each major must come from courses unique to that major. Only 2 courses may be shared.
      Not resolved to a course

    Distinguished Majors Program

    14 items
    1. A statement of interest explaining the student’s desire to enter the program and his or her general area of research interest, mentioning which faculty member(s) the student might approach as advisor(s).
      Not resolved to a course
    2. A writing sample (ex: a strong paper written for a course).
      Not resolved to a course
    3. One sealed letter of recommendation from a faculty member in the student’s concentration either sent directly to the Distinguished Major Program Coordinator or sealed and submitted by the student with the other application materials.
      Not resolved to a course
    4. A copy of the student’s most recent transcript.
      Not resolved to a course
    5. Students must take 6 credits of concentration courses at the 4000-level or above.
      Not resolved to a course
    6. Complete a Senior Thesis (MESA 4998 and MESA 4999):
      Not resolved to a course
    7. MESA 4998
      Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies Senior Thesis
      As published: “(0 credits) is offered during the Fall semester and consists of gathering sources and research materials.”
      0
    8. MESA 4999
      Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies Senior Thesis II
      As published: “(6 credits) is offered during the Spring semester and consists of drafting, revising, and finalizing the thesis.”
      6
    9. By the end of the Spring semester, students will receive a grade for both MESA 4998 and MESA 4999.
      Not resolved to a course
    10. Note that these courses can count towards the distribution requirement of the student’s degree, but they are not a substitute for the capstone seminar.
      Not resolved to a course
    11. Students are responsible for obtaining the agreement of two faculty members to serve as their thesis advisors. At least one of these faculty members must be from MESALC.
      Not resolved to a course
    12. With the permission of the DMP Coordinator, one of the readers may be a faculty member from another University.
      Not resolved to a course
    13. Students are encouraged to use primary language sources in researching their theses. The standards for GPA requirements, and program evaluation are outlined below.
      Not resolved to a course
    14. The minimum length of the thesis should be 11,000-13,000 words (approximately 44-52 pages).
      Not resolved to a course

    Study Abroad Programs

    0 items

      Scholarships

      0 items

        Additional Information

        0 items
          Source. University of Virginia-Main Campus, catalog 2026-2027 — https://virginia.catalog.acalog.com/preview_program.php?catoid=72&poid=11900. Captured page pages/0092.html.gz. Assembled from the institution's published catalog as captured; every record names its captured page and source URL. Assembled, not asserted.