The University of Washington Interdisciplinary PhD Program in Near and Middle Eastern Studies is designed for students who wish to pursue research with a comparative and interdisciplinary perspective across multiple UW departments. Our students regularly study with faculty across the departments of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, History, International Studies, Cinema and Media Studies, Law Society and Justice, English, and beyond.
The program is administered by an interdisciplinary group and led by Program Director Liora R. Halperin, Professor in the Jackson School of International Studies and the Department of History. The program includes courses offered in the humanities and social sciences across campus. Students in the program are required to take courses in both the humanities and social sciences.
Requests for further information
Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures
University of Washington, 220D Denny Hall, Box 353120
Seattle, WA 98195-3120 USA
nmephd@uw.edu
The University of Washington Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Near and Middle Eastern Studies will be accepting applications in the 2026-2027 cycle for entry in Autumn 2027.
For general information about program guidelines, please see our Admissions page. For general information about the online Graduate Admissions application process, access the online Graduate Admissions site.
Ph.D. students with interests in Middle Eastern Studies also study in the UW Ph.D. program in History, Ph.D. program in Political Science, and Ph.D. Program in International Studies. Please visit those pages to determine which program will be the best fit for your interests.