MGPS Dual Degree Program with Middle Eastern Studies
The LBJ School and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (MES) of The University of Texas at Austin offer a dual degree program leading to two graduate degrees, the Master of Global Policy Studies (MGPS) degree and the Master of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies (MA). The MGPS/MES program is a three-year program that combines advanced studies of globalization with a focus on the politics, economy, and cultures of the Middle East, responding to an increased need in both the public and private sectors for specialists with that combination of backgrounds. The program prepares students to deal with governance challenges in the fluid modern environment where new cross-border trends and opportunities challenge traditional rules of thumb and public-management techniques. In the dual-degree program, students integrate their studies of the languages, cultures, history, and political economy of the Middle East with trans-boundary issues ranging from climate change to cross-border water disputes, from the Doha-round global trade policy agenda to regional free trade agreements, and from the U.S. military strategy of hegemonic leadership to cross-border influences on political stability.
Program Structure
Students can earn both degrees simultaneously in approximately three academic years. Degrees are awarded when the required course work in both areas is completed. Students in the dual degree program take the following courses, which total either 67 or 70 credit hours of work (67 hours if you write a thesis, and 70 if you write a professional report):
Global Policy Studies
- The Global Policy Studies core courses (22 hours): Policymaking in a Global Age, Microeconomics, The Nature of the International System, Analytical Methods for Global Policy Studies, International Economics, Policy Research Project, and Crisis Management.
- An MGPS specialization (15 hours) chosen from Security, Law, and Diplomacy; International Trade and Finance; Development; Global Governance and International Law; International Energy, Environment, and Technology; Regional International Policy; or a student-initiated specialization. Specialization courses should be selected based on their relationship to the overall dual-degree program, as agreed with the Graduate Adviser.
- Summer internship in an office where activity is related to the dual degree program.
- Demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English.
Middle Eastern Studies
For the Middle Eastern Studies side of the dual degree program, students can choose whether to write a thesis or a professional report. Their choice has implications for their other degree requirements, specified as follows:
Professional Report Option
- 6 hours of history
- 6 hours of social science
- 6 hours of arts / humanities
- 12 hours of concentration courses
- 3 hours of Master's Report (MES 398R)
- The student must complete two upper-division or graduate-level courses in one Middle Eastern language while enrolled in the degree program. These two courses may also fulfill other degree requirements, usually in the humanities. Students who are native speakers of a Middle Eastern language must complete these courses in a second Middle Eastern language.
Thesis Option
- 6 hours of history
- 6 hours of social science
- 6 hours of arts / humanities
- 6 hours of concentration courses
- 6 hours of Master's Thesis (MES 698)
- The student must complete two upper-division or graduate-level courses in one Middle Eastern language while enrolled in the degree program. These two courses may also fulfill other degree requirements, usually in the humanities. Students who are native speakers of a Middle Eastern language must complete these courses in a second Middle Eastern language.
Additional Information
Students interested in the MGPS / MES dual degree program should consult the web pages of both component programs.
The Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Masters in Global Policy Studies
