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Master’s degree · Online · Online, in English

Middle Eastern Religion & Politics MA, online

Bar-Ilan UniversityOnline

Department of Political Studies, Bar-Ilan University

The short answer

A two-year, fully online MA in Political Science at Bar-Ilan University on how religion shapes politics in the Middle East and beyond, led by Prof. Jonathan Fox, director of the Religion and State Project. It’s about six hours of online teaching a week, taught in English, and open to students anywhere, with a thesis track or a standard track.

Online, in English✓ Olim: Student Authority aidGov funding: Partial
Checked against Bar-Ilan University’s official pages, September 2026Independent listing
✓Olim benefit Student Authority aidFor olim under 30 within three years of aliyah.
~Government funding PartialStudent Authority aid, up to the standard state tuition.
–Masa grant Not confirmedNot listed on the program page.
Overview

What is the MA in Middle Eastern Religion & Politics (online)?

Since the turn of the millennium, religious ideas and identities have increasingly shaped politics, especially in the Middle East. The program explores how religion can unite or divide societies, deepen conflict or support peace, combining a survey of Middle Eastern politics and religious politics with core political science theory and methods. Bar-Ilan’s Political Science Department is home to the Religion and State Project and the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies.

✓A good fit if you…

  • Want an MA you can study online from anywhere
  • Are interested in religion, conflict and Middle East politics
  • Are heading for academia, policy research, diplomacy or the clergy
  • Are an oleh or olah under 30 within three years of aliyah

!Think twice if you…

  • Want an in-person campus experience.
  • Want a one-year degree. This takes two years.
  • Have a GPA under 80.
What you learn

What you’ll learn.

Required theory and methods, electives, and an optional thesis.

Required

Core courses

The Comparative Politics of the Middle East, An Introduction to Religion and Politics, Approaches and Theories in Political Science, and research methods courses.

Electives

Religion and politics in depth

Electives such as:

Religion & Contemporary Political TheoryTerritorial Politics: Israeli-Arab ConflictsReligion & Politics in IsraelThe Military & Politics in Israel
Tracks

Thesis or standard

Thesis track: required courses, two electives and a thesis. Standard track: required courses and four electives. Plus one or two Judaism or general courses.

Led by Prof. Jonathan FoxDirector of the Religion and State Project, covering 183 countries.
Research centersIncluding the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies.
Fully onlineAbout six hours of teaching a week.
Career pathsAcademia, policy research, diplomacy, conflict resolution or the clergy.
Funding

Can olim get funding for this degree?

Bar-Ilan doesn’t publish tuition per program. These are the funding options it lists.

I am…
26
10
✓

Likely eligible for Student Authority aid

You’re under 30 with 26 months left to start. The grant covers up to the standard state tuition, so expect to pay the rest of Bar-Ilan’s fee.

Email me my eligibility breakdown →
10 NovemberFirst Student Authority application, online
1 OctoberRenewal each following year
Under 30MA age limit (in some cases 35), within 3 years of aliyah

A guide, not a ruling. The program must be recognized by the Student Authority. The 3-year window doesn’t count regular army service, national service or Masa programs. If you get any grant, tell Bar-Ilan’s tuition office so it can revise your payment plan.

Student Authority (olim)Olim under 30 within three years of aliyah can get aid up to the standard state tuition. At universities it’s reimbursed after proof of payment.
Bar-Ilan scholarshipsBar-Ilan’s international school lists scholarships for graduate students.
No FAFSA loansBar-Ilan has withdrawn from US Title IV programs, so it can’t process Direct Loans.

A guide, not a ruling. Confirm your eligibility with the provider and the relevant ministry or funding body before you pay.

Costs

What it costs.

As published by Bar-Ilan University. Prices can change.

TuitionBar-Ilan doesn’t publish program tuition on the program page. Ask the international school.Ask Bar-Ilan
PaymentSix installments: a down payment before course registration, then five during the year.6 installments
!

Ask for the full cost. Bar-Ilan points to its tuition handbook rather than listing a price per program, so ask the international school for your total, including the social services fee.

How to join

How to get started.

✓
Thesis trackA BA from an accredited university with an 85% average, an interview with the MA thesis coordinator and fluent English.
✓
Standard trackA BA from an accredited university with an 80% average and fluent English.
✓
Application periodApplications typically run February to September for a fall start.
  1. Check your fitGet the guide and your olim eligibility from Studyil.
  2. Pick a trackThesis or standard.
  3. Apply onlineThrough Bar-Ilan’s international school.
  4. Study from anywhereAbout six hours a week online.
FAQ

Questions about this program.

Is Bar-Ilan’s MA in Middle Eastern Religion and Politics online?

Yes. It’s a two-year online program with about six hours of teaching a week, open to students anywhere.

Who leads it?

Prof. Jonathan Fox, the Yehuda Avner Professor of Religion and Politics and director of the Religion and State Project.

What are the requirements?

A BA with an 80% average for the standard track, or 85% plus an interview for the thesis track, and fluent English.

How much does it cost?

Bar-Ilan doesn’t publish the tuition on the program page, so ask its international school.

Not sure it’s the right program?

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