M.A. students in Semitics choose a pathway that focuses upon either the Ancient Near East or Christian Near East.  In either case, they select two primary research languages as a "major language" and "minor language," and generally take coursework in additional languages as well.  The M.A., including the requisite comprehensive exams, can usually be completed in two years of full-time study.

Ancient Near East students usually specialize in Aramaic and Hebrew, and several different forms of both languages are offered (Old, Official, Qumran, and Targumic Aramaic; Epigraphic, Qumran, and Mishnaic Hebrew).  Students in this program can also pursue Akkadian and Ugaritic, and they are further encouraged to take a year of Greek.

Christian Near East students typically specialize in two languages chosen from amongst Arabic, Coptic, and Syriac; they may also take Armenian, Georgian, and South Arabian.  Before attempting their comprehensive exams, they are required to take--or to have taken before beginning their program--a year of Greek.