As a Near Eastern studies major, you’ll have the opportunity to acquire language skills as well as familiarity with the history, cultures, literatures and religions of the Near East/Middle East from antiquity to the modern day. You’ll become acquainted broadly with the region – which extends from Turkey east through Iran and Afghanistan, south through the Arabian Pennisula to Yemen and across north Africa from Egypt to Morocco — and its cultures and be able to study a particular subfield in depth. Special focus is given to the ancient east Mediterranean and Mesopotamian regions and to the Levant and Egypt.
Sample classes
- Holy War, Crusade and Jihad
- Education of Princes: Medieval Advice Literature of Rulership and Counsel
- Women in the Modern Middle East
- Ancient Egyptian Civilization
Outcomes
All information below is based on the 2022 First-Destination Post-Graduate Survey. Lists are not exhaustive, rather they are a sampling of the data. "Other" includes time off, travel, volunteer experiences, and/or preparing for graduate school. If you would like more information, please email as_careers@cornell.edu
What can you do with a degree in Near Eastern studies?
Graduate school:
In 2022, many Near Eastern studies majors embarked on graduate school journeys. They pursued various advanced degrees, with the majority dedicated to their MSc or JD. Their graduate field interest ranges from conflict studies to government and law.
These ambitious individuals have chosen to continue their education at prestigious institutions like Georgetown University, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and the University of Oxford.
Employment:
The majority of Near Eastern studies graduates entered sectors in education, government, and consulting/professional practice.
Where 2022 Near Eastern Studies Graduates Work
| Employer | Job Titles |
|---|---|
| Ankura | Data Privacy Associate Consultant |
| Arab American Language Institute in Morocco | Arabic Language Programs Coordinator |
| Bloomberg | Financial Products and Analytics Analyst |
| Deloitte Consulting | Business Technology Analyst |
| Goldman Sachs | Legal Analyst |
| Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme | Assistant Language Teacher |
| New York County District Attorney's Office | Investigative Analyst |
| Spanish Ministry of Education and Professional Formation | Language Assistant |
