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Qatar University announces a new Ph.D. program in Gulf Studies to complement its existing M.A.program. The Gulf Studies PhD Program, launched in Fall 2015, offers students the unparalleled opportunity to study the Gulf while living in the region itself, and is the only graduate program of its kind in the Middle East. The Program was developed in response to a growing need among stakeholders in the region for highly qualified graduates in the field of Gulf Studies and vastly growing general interest and focus on the Gulf region.The Program draws on an interdisciplinary curriculum (http://www.qu.edu.qa/artssciences/gulfstudies/curriculum.php) to provide a holistic examination of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as well as Iran, Iraq and Yemen. This includes topics within the areas of politics, economics, history, literature, international relations, security, the energy industry, ecology and culture. Classes are taught by highly regarded expert faculty and academics, which specialize in the Gulf Studies field.The PhD in Gulf Studies Program also helps connect students to internship and assistantship opportunities on a competitive basis to gain work experience and offset tuition costs, preparing students to excel in their future professional and academic pursuits. The three/four-year program consists of evening classes taught in English and is well suited for working professionals.The Gulf Studies PhD Program aims to provide an advanced interdisciplinary understanding and in-depth knowledge of issues related to the contemporary states of the Gulf. The degree is designed towards providing students with transferable skills through cutting-edge coursework and the completion of an original research dissertation.The Interdisciplinary curriculum, which is fully taught in English, provides an in-depth exploration of the region, which includes the following topics:- Politics- Social Issues- International Relations- Defense and Security- Environment- Science and Technology- Economics- EnergyThe Research areasThe degree proposed will require an original contribution to be made to existing scholarship based on research. The research areas that the PhD will focus on are as follows:Energy and Economics, which encompasses several areas, some of which:- Energy and Natural Resources- Political Economy- Governance and Globalization- Economic Development and Diversification- Environment, Water and Food SecuritySocial Issues, which encompass several areas, some of which:- Youth and employment- Media and culture- Gender Issues- Political Islam3. Politics, which encompasses several areas that include:- Gulf Defense and Security- Civil Society- Politics and Society of Iran- International Relations In order to accommodate student’s professional careers and commitments, the program consists of evening classes.  Financial assistance is available on a competitive basis in the form of a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTAs). Students can apply for the GTA upon receiving their admission acceptances.Career Opportunities for graduates:The PhD in Gulf Studies Program offers a unique interdisciplinary study that is the first of its kind in the region. Such a unique program provides the springboard essential for those who want to make a difference through a variety of ways. Cultured in the study of the past and present, graduates are expected to offer perspective and angles to understanding the region. With human capacity developed through acquiring essential skills and knowledge, graduates are looked towards to lead the way for their society as thinkers, strategists and inspirers.Important for adapting to fast changing times and embracing the growing opportunities, the Gulf Studies PhD degree enables students to develop a broad base of knowledge on the Gulf and skills that are versatile. Therefore, a variety of settings graduates can choose among include:Pursuing careers in Business and Private Sectors, Government, Academia and Education, Peace and Security, Media, Research centers and think-tanks Regional and international organizations, Civil societies, NGOs or non-profit sectorCurriculum:The Ph.D. degree is a three-year degree that includes course work, research and a thesis. The degree consists of 60 credits, 30 credits for coursework and 30 credits for the Thesis.  All the classes are taught in English.Students will also be required to develop their language skills by taking the Arabic for Non-Native Speakers program (http://www.qu.edu.qa/artssciences/anns/index.php) and Persian for Arabic speaking student, which will be offered by other QU programs.  This program of study would be noncredit bearing, but would clearly enhance their capabilities at the point of graduation.Students who have not completed the MA in Gulf Studies maybe required to attend bridging courses according to their needs and backgrounds, which will be determined by the program.Click here  to view course descriptionsGraduate Admissions - Application Timeline Apply NowStudents interested in applying to the PhD in Gulf Studies program must submit an online application form and upload or send required documents to the Admissions Office. (Official hard copies of the applicant’s university transcript IELTS or TOEFL must be delivered or mailed directly to the Admissions Office). The program accepts applications once a year for the Fall semester. Application cycle opens early Spring semester.Click here  for more information on the general application process, including an application instruction guide, graduate admission timelines and access to the online application once it’s open. More information is below about:Minimum requirements Application requirements International applicants: Financial support (graduate assistantships) TuitionApplicants must meet the following requirements:Successful completion of the two-year Qatar University MA in Gulf Studies OR a Master's degree in a related subject, or its equivalent, from an accredited university with an accumulative GPA of 3.0. The fulfillment of the requisite English language standard. The requirements are that a student earned a previous degree from an institution of higher education in a program where English was the language of instruction OR achieved a minimum score of 520 on the paper-based TOEFL. The tests should be taken within 2 years of the start of the intended semester of admission. 3.The students must submit a thesis proposal (1000-1500 words) as part of their admissions process.Application Requirements:All applicants to the PhD in Gulf Studies program are required to submit the following documents to the Admissions Department:Admissions Application and Signature PageFinal, official and certified university transcriptsOfficial TOEFL score report or equivalent score reportTwo confidential recommendation letters from undergraduate professors or employersCurriculum Vitae (C.V.)A satisfactory performance in the personal interview with the Admission CommitteeThesis proposalHealth CertificatePhotocopy of the applicant’s Qatar ID card(Non-Qatari applicants must provide a copy of their passport)Two recent passport sized photographsApplication Fees: QR 350International ApplicantsInternational students who require a student visa (under Qatar University sponsorship) must submit required documents to the International Student Section of the Student Services Department prior to receiving an admission decision.Learn more about student visa requirements(http://www.qu.edu.qa/students/services/is/paying_fees_students.php) and important deadlines  (http://www.qu.edu.qa/students/services/is/important_dates.php).Financial support (graduate assistantships) Qatar University offers Graduate Assistantship (GA) awards on a competitive basis to select newly admitted graduate students. The Graduate Assistantship offers graduate students the opportunity to gain work with teaching and research experience in the undergraduate and graduate department/programs under the supervision of faculty members. Students are compensated QR 180 per hour, up to 20 hours of work per week. The GA recipient is personally responsible for all of his/her expenses, including housing, tuition, insurance, travel and any other incurred expense while studying at Qatar University. Interested students must apply for the Graduate Assistantship while applying for admission to the PhD in Gulf Studies program.Click here for more information, and click here  to view the application document.TuitionTuition for the PhD Gulf Studies Program is a total of 75,000 QR for the three year program. Tuition fees for students enrolled in the PhD Programs is QR 1250 per credit hour.For More information, please contact:Telephone: +974 44034987Fax: +974 44034501Email: gulfstudiescenter@qu.edu.qaOR gulfstudiesprogram@qu.edu.qa (for the PhD program)Daniel Martin Varisco Research Professor Qatar University&#160;