A joint program of The Washington Institute and Pepperdine University, the Master’s of Middle East Policy Studies (MMEPS) program offers professional training at the intersection of Middle East politics and U.S. national security. This rigorous, two-year, in-degree program will be based at Pepperdine University's Washington, DC, campus in the heart of the capital, steps from the White House, the State Department, and dozens of embassies.
The new Master of Middle East Policy Studies (MMEPS) is the product of a unique partnership between The Washington Institute and Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy. Unlike any program in the nation, this two-year, in-person program blends study of the modern Middle East and coursework on U.S. policy toward the region with practical skills training designed to equip the early-career professional for success in diplomacy, intelligence, research, development, advocacy, journalism, business or further academic studies.
Program Features
- Coursework blend of Middle East politics, history and economics; U.S. foreign policy and national security; and professional skills-building in effective decision-making, analysis, policy formation, and execution
- Extensive educational and career development resources through the Washington Institute for Near East Policy
- Expert faculty teaching from accomplished scholars, experienced policy practitioners, and acclaimed regional experts
- Learn and study in the nation's capital: the Pepperdine location is three blocks from the White House, across the street from George Washington University, and close to Georgetown shopping, dining, and entertainment
- A multi-country, Middle East policy study tour organized and led by the scholars and experts of The Washington Institute after the program’s first year of study
Region-Specific Curriculum
The curriculum for the Master of Middle East Policy Studies degree is built around "three pillars," and balances core coursework with electives totaling 45 units for degree completion. The MMEPS begins with a semester fully dedicated to core coursework and then proceeds to weave in elective options throughout the remaining four semesters.
Three Pillars
- Understanding the Middle East Today
- Understanding US Foreign Policy/US Middle East Policy
- Understanding the Professional Toolkit: Skills in Policy Analysis, Formation and Execution
For more details about the curriculum, visit the MMEPS website.
Full-Tuition Scholarship and Deposit Reimbursement
Through generous donor support, Pepperdine University's School of Public Policy and The Washington Institute Education Initiative LLC will provide full-tuition scholarships, irrespective of need, to support two years of enrollment for the inaugural cohort in the MMEPS. This scholarship will include the cost of a Middle East policy study tour organized and led by experts from The Washington Institute as well as the cost of professional language training to help students pass a language proficiency examination in a Middle East language (Arabic, Hebrew, Kurdish, Persian or Turkish) before they graduate.
In addition, to remove obstacles to enrollment for successful applicants, Pepperdine and the Washington Institute will reimburse the cost of registration fees incoming students may have already paid as deposits to secure spots in other graduate programs, up to $1,000.
For more details about the curriculum, visit the MMEPS website.
Admissions
Application Requirements
- Completed application for admission;
- Bachelor's degree with an acceptable grade point average from a regionally- accredited college or university;
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in a relevant undergraduate degree program. These include, but are not limited to: Political Science, International Studies, Region-Specific Studies (Arabic; Middle East; Islamic Studies), National Security Studies, History, or Economics and Policy Studies;
- Official undergraduate transcripts;
- One academic letter of recommendation;
- A personal statement and a brief essay outlining options for resolving a US policy challenge in the Middle East.
- Current resume or curriculum vitae.
No standardized test scores are required.
For more details about admissions, visit the MMEPS website.
From the Partners
"Our program will be rigorous and demanding–no fluff–which is precisely why our graduates will be the most sought-after future Middle East-focused policymakers, diplomats, journalists, development experts, and intelligence and investment analysts in the world."
- Robert Satloff, Segal Executive Director, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
"Through a distinctive curriculum focused on national security and professional skills, taught by leading scholars and policy makers, students will be prepared for impactful careers in public service."
- Pete Peterson, Braun Family Dean, Pepperdine School of Public Policy