The Master’s Degree in Eurasian Studies at the METU is the first graduate program on Eurasia in Turkey. It is also one of few such programs in the world. The student profile of the Program includes students from almost all parts of Eurasia. The main objectives of the program are:

To introduce the history and culture of Eurasian societies.

To introduce international as well as domestic sources of change in Eurasia

To equip graduate students with interdisciplinary methodology for conducting academic research on various aspects of Eurasia.

To create an academic atmosphere for students from the region and other parts of the world for the exchange of views.

To train graduate students for professional as well as academic careers.

The Eurasian Studies Graduate Program works in coordination with KORA (Center for Black Sea and Central Asia) at METU. The center has long been involved in various research activities on this region. The researchers affiliated with the center have studied the region from an interdisciplinary perspective. The development of this graduate program enabled the Center to share these research findings with graduate students, and to provide the graduate students with essential research skills and academic knowledge.

The Eurasian region, characterized by a unique blend of European and Asian cultures, covers an area stretching from the Balkans to Mongolia and China. While the region itself is studied from various disciplines and theoretical perspectives, current faculty specialization comprises areas such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Owing to its interdisciplinary approach, the program welcomes applicants from a wide variety of disciplines ranging from literature and history to petroleum engineering.  Applicants who have not graduated from social science departments such as Sociology, Economics, Political Science and International Relations may be required to take some additional courses. An academic committee evaluates the applications on a competitive basis, and applicants are expected to meet the following requirements:

Provision of a Letter of Intent (A letter clearly stating the purpose for the application)

Provision of two reference letters (each printed form should be accompanied by a detailed letter of recommendation)

GRE or LES (minimum 45)

TOEFL (previous 530-current 197), METU IYS (minimum 70), IELTS (minimum 70). In cases where proficiency in English does not meet the requirements, students are expected to meet this condition within two semesters.

CGPA (Transcript, minimum 2.50/4.00 or 70/100)

The deadline for applications is April 29, 2005.

A preliminary evaluation will be carried out on the basis of the applications. Some students might be admitted without an interview; while some others will be asked to appear in person for an interview.

The Master’s Degree in Eurasian Studies is offered in both thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis program requires students to complete seven credit-courses (2 required + 3 recommended + 2 from other electives) and the non-credit Prothesis Seminar, and to write a Master’s Thesis. The non-thesis program requires students to take ten credit-courses (2 required + 4 + 4) and to complete a term-project. In both of these programs students are expected to take two additional courses in Basic Russian. Courses on Turkic languages can be arranged through cross-registration.

Upon the successful completion of the requirements of either program the Master’s Degree in Eurasian Studies will be awarded.