Historians form a strong nucleus of the over sixty faculty with an interest in the Middle East who are affiliated with the City University of New York at the Graduate Center. Five are on the History doctoral faculty. Together these historians cover a broad range of geographical terrain (including Iran, Iraq, Egypt, the Gulf, Ottoman Empire, Northern Africa and Islamic Spain) and historical topics. The PhD program in Middle Eastern History is particularly strong in the following areas: gender, revolution, nationalism, religion, modernity, minorities, and social welfare.

History students with a major in the Middle East are required to take two five-credit courses, "Historical Literature of the Middle East, 1790-1923" and "Historical Literature of the Middle East, 1923-2001," as well as additional research and topics courses. Some of these courses may be taken at Columbia, New York University, and other participating programs through the University Doctoral Consortium. With permission, students may also receive credit for Middle East courses in other disciplines at the Graduate Center. History students minoring in the Middle East must take the two literature courses described above or, with permission from their advisor, the equivalent in 3-credit topics courses.

As with other major fields in the History PhD Program, the Middle East major emphasizes research projects at an early stage of doctoral study. Students must demonstrate proficiency in two foreign languages relevant to their research, at least one of which must be a Middle Eastern language.

Through its lectures, workshops and events, the Middle East and Middle Eastern American Center at the Graduate Center [MEMEAC] provides a stimulating and supportive setting for studying the Middle East and its diasporas, and also offers research and work opportunities to students. In addition, Graduate Center students can take advantage of the rich resources available in New York City and the surrounding region for studying the Middle East.