Admissions and Tuition
The Master of Arts in Arab Studies (MAAS) program can help you join the new generation of diplomats, scholars, teachers, policymakers and leaders in the Arab world. Understand how and when to apply and how to best fund your education.
At a glance
Application deadlines
Fall 2026
Early action: December 1, 2025 – application fee waived
Priority deadline: January 15, 2026 – scholarship consideration
Final deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact
Typical costs
Cost per credit*
$2,652
Total credits
36
*Tuition rates for each term are published annually, typically in February.
How to apply
To apply to the MAAS program, you must submit the application and all required materials for admissions review. Reviewing the application materials can help you prepare for your submission.
Tuition
As a MAAS student, you will pay tuition at the established annual rate per credit hour of the Georgetown Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. The MAAS program is a 36-credit degree program.
Tuition fees exclude individual health care or health insurance premiums, books and supplies, student fees, visas and any travel expenses. The Office of Revenue and Receivables provides additional information regarding tuition breakdown and student fees through the university.
Health insurance is mandatory for all full-time students, though you may be eligible to waive the health insurance fee if you already have health coverage. For more information on waiving the health insurance fee, please contact the Student Health Insurance Office.
Financial aid, scholarships and fellowships
Merit aid, scholarships and grants
Merit aid & tuition scholarships
You will automatically be considered for merit-based aid in the form of full or partial-tuition scholarships or one of a limited number of stipends on the basis of your academic record and intellectual promise.
Language Study Scholarships
The Graduate School offers Language Study Scholarships to cover the cost of one undergraduate-level language course (courses numbered below 3000) per semester. All Arabic language classes needed to reach proficiency are undergraduate courses so by receiving the Language Study Scholarship you will avoid paying additional tuition for Arabic instruction.
Once you’ve passed the Arabic proficiency exam, you can choose to take courses in other languages for which you may receive a Language Study Scholarship. The scholarship may also be used for post-advanced Arabic content courses as long as they are numbered below 3000.
Summer grants
You may apply for grants to support thesis research, internships and language study in the summer between your first and second year. Funding for summer opportunities is provided by the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies and the School of Foreign Service. You will apply for summer funding through the MAAS program. The number and amount of awards are based on the amount of money available and are subject to change each year.
Conference travel grants
The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences supports the professional development of graduate students by providing conference travel grants. These grants may be used toward travel and other expenses associated with participation in a professional meeting and may be requested in advance.
If you present at a conference, you may apply for supplemental funding from the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies to help with transportation and accommodations associated with the conference.
Office of Student Financial Aid
The Office of Student Financial Aid provides information on financial aid, part-time employment and loan programs such as the U.S. Department of Education Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Program.
Fellowships and assistantships
The MAAS program has a limited number of stipends available, which are awarded in the form of fellowships or assistantships. You will automatically be considered for stipend assistance during admission. At the end of your first year, you can apply to be considered for renewal or additional merit-based funding.
Kuwait-America Foundation Scholarship
The Center for Contemporary Arab Studies’ Kuwait-America Foundation (KAF) Scholarship is for applicants to the MAAS program who are residents of the Middle East and North Africa region and who hope to work in the region following graduation. The KAF Scholarship provides one student per year with a full-tuition scholarship and living stipend. Students who meet the aforementioned eligibility criteria will be automatically considered when applying to the program by the January 15 deadline.
Research assistantships
Center for Contemporary Arab Studies faculty and staff hire students every year to work as hourly-paid research assistants or student employees. As a MAAS student, you will be notified of these employment opportunities as the positions become available.
Office Graduate Fellowships & Awards
The Office of Graduate Fellowships & Awards has information on opportunities including fellowships, scholarships and external funding.
Additional funding opportunities
You may also find funding from a variety of sources. These may include federal aid, public service loan forgiveness, fellowships, part-time employment or scholarships for language study.
Review information from the Office of Student Financial Aid for a comprehensive listing of fellowship and external scholarship opportunities.
Request more information
Becoming a graduate student at Georgetown University provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to accelerate your career.
Complete this form for more information about the Master of Arts in Arab Studies.