Welcome to the Department of Near Eastern Studies. Few other regions in the world are as complex and intriguing as the Near East; fewer still have had such an enduring impact on the world as this “Cradle of Civilization.” Princeton University's Department of Near Eastern Studies, one of the oldest and best in the country, trains students to understand this impact through knowledge of the region’s history, languages, literatures, and religions.

We are a small department with a long and distinguished tradition at Princeton. Our students interact directly and intensively with faculty and receive close attention in their courses and independent work. Flexibility in planning programs is a hallmark of the department, and cognate courses from other departments are regularly accepted as departmentals.

On these pages, prospective majors will find information about NES, career paths that our graduates have pursued, and how to get started on a major in Near Eastern Studies. Current and prospective students will find guidelines about our departmental Program of Study, options for study abroad, independent work, funding, courses, deadlines, and departmental events.

Please contact the NES Director of Undergraduate Studies for an appointment.