Kurdish Studies

The Master of Arts in Kurdish Studies at Zahra Institute is the first of its kind in the United States. It examines the lives and culture of the Kurds, a Middle Eastern people living in Kurdistan and beyond, spread across the borders of several modern states and linguistic and cultural zones. 

Demographically significant, culturally rich Kurdish society has only recently begun to receive the attention it has long deserved. Nonetheless, most of the contemporary literature on the Kurds focuses on politics. Our program offers much more: it allows you to delve into Kurdish language, literature, culture and society at a deeper level. Our MA Program provides excellent background preparation for a doctoral degree in any field related to the Middle East and for those interested in pursuing careers in media, government, and international organizations. Our liberal arts approach to Kurdish Studies is based on rigorous academic standards and a strong commitment to scholarly freedom.

Program Highlights

• The first MA Program in Kurdish Studies in the US
• A unique focus on the humanities aspects of Kurdish Studies including literature, music, visual arts, and cinema
• Covers a topic area long overlooked by traditional Middle Eastern Studies programs
• Gain access to the language and culture of approximately forty million people
• Convenience of an online synchronous program with the highest American academic standards