Starting in Fall 2026, the capstone year of the Persian Flagship Program will become the Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Persian. UMD Persian Flagship students will complete this program as part of their Flagship certification. The Language Flagship program is an initiative of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office within the U.S. Department of Defense.
Master of Professional Studies in Persian (PFP Capstone)
About The Capstone Year of the Persian Flagship Program
In an exciting new development, the Master of Professional Studies in Persian will also be open to interested bachelor’s degree holders from institutions across the United States who have prior study of Persian and can demonstrate advanced-level proficiency (ILR 2).
Applicants to the Boren Fellowship with prior study of Persian now have a new opportunity to pursue the Master of Professional Studies in Persian at the University of Maryland, College Park.
All Boren applicants —including UMD Flagship students and at-large applicants— are expected to apply concurrently to both Boren and UMD.
The M.P.S. in Persian offers an intensive, immersive language experience designed to graduate students with professional-level proficiency in Persian and prepare them for careers in industries including government service, education and the private sector.
Courses
M.P.S. course offerings cover a range of topics, including social issues in contemporary Iran, modern history, art, culture and literature, and Persian media. Innovative special-topics modular courses will be taught by Persian-speaking faculty with expertise in areas such as architecture, international relations, and theater and performance, allowing students to learn vocabulary and concepts specific to each field while strengthening their overall fluency.
Sample Course Offerings
- PERS 632 Film and Popular Culture in the Persian-speaking World (3 credits)
- PERS 641 Iranian Media and International Relations (3 credits)
- PERS 499 - Persian Research Project
- PERS 689 - Special Topics in Persian Language Studies
- PERS 601 Modern Persian Literature (3 credits)
- PERS 642 Political Issues in Contemporary Iran (3 credits)
- PERS 611 Practicum in Persian/English Translation (3 credits)
- PERS 499 - Experiential Learning
- PERS 672 - Culture and Commerce in the Persian-speaking World
Research Project
The Capstone Research Project allows each student to design their own research project with guidance from Persian faculty. Students can engage with the local Persian community to conduct fieldwork, gaining valuable experience in both communication and academic research.
Internship
Students will participate in an internship that uses Persian and aligns with their career focus. This provides an opportunity to apply language skills in a practical setting and gain professional experience before entering the workforce. The M.P.S. in UMD's location allows students to benefit from the close proximity to Washington, D.C. The D.C. metro area is home to one of the largest Iranian-American communities in the United States. Students are able to access to a rich calendar of cultural activities and professional internship opportunities.
Previous internships have included:
- Assisting research at local think tanks, including the Wilson Center and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Working with non-profit organizations, including the International Rescue Committee and the Seed Foundation
Additional Information
Eligibility Requirements
- Students must have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited university by the fall they plan to begin the program, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
- Students must either:
- Be a pre-Capstone (third or fourth year) student in the UMD Persian Flagship Program OR
- Have the equivalent of three years of formal study in Persian and and test at the advanced low (ILR) level in Persian or above. For additional information, the Interagency Language Roundtable definitions of advanced may be found here and the ACTFL proficiency definitions for advanced low may be found here.
All students applying to the program must complete proficiency testing in February 2026, which will include an OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) and a reading and listening test. Once applications have been received, the program coordinator will reach out to all eligible applicants to schedule these exams.
Applicants who do not meet the required proficiency but test at an intermediate high (ILR 1+) may still qualify by attending UMD’s Persian Summer Language Institute in Summer 2026 with the goal of reaching an ILR 2 / advanced proficiency ahead of the Fall 2026 semester.
UMD Persian Flagship students are required to attend the Summer Language Institute prior to the M.P.S. academic year.
Tuition and Funding Opportunities
More information about the program's tuition and fees will be added soon.
Boren Fellowship
The Persian M.P.S. is an eligible program for the Boren Fellowship, which provides substantial funding towards the cost of this one-year graduate degree. The Boren Awards are sponsored by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO), U.S. Department of Defense. Boren Fellowships are awarded to U.S. graduate students who develop independent projects that combine overseas language and culture study in areas critical to national security. Boren Fellowship alumni are committed to public service, committing to at least one year of service, and working in key positions throughout the Federal Government. Examples of where Boren awardees fulfill government service include the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and the Intelligence Community. Boren Fellows receive additional advantages including special hiring authorities and significant support in seeking federal employment upon successful completion of their Boren-funded program.
Students who hold a B.A. or B.S. degree are eligible to apply for a Boren Fellowship to support their participation in the Persian M.P.S. Learn more about the Boren Awards and find out specific program details under Applicants -> Award Types.
The Boren Fellowship application for the 2026–2027 academic year is now open. The deadline is January 21, 2026.
How to Apply
The application is available through the University of Maryland Graduate School application system. As required by the Graduate School, all application materials are to be submitted electronically:
- Graduate application
- In the Educational Intent section, select the following:
- Application Type: Degree
- Level of Study: Master's
- Intended Program of Study: Persian (MPPE), M.P.S.
- In the Educational Intent section, select the following:
- Within the Online Application, you will be able to upload:
- Unofficial Transcripts for all college-level coursework outside the University of Maryland, College Park
- Statement of purpose;
- Resume/CV
- MPS Supplemental Application
- You will also be able to pay the non-refundable application fee of $75 USD
Application Deadline: January 30, 2026 (tentative)
For Current UMD Persian Flagship Students
Current Persian Flagship (PFP) students should apply to the Boren Fellowship in the Fall of their pre-Capstone year, separately from their application to the Persian M.P.S.. Students will be required to attend PFP workshops about the Boren Award, held in coordination with the UMD National Scholarships Office (NSO).
The Master of Professional Studies in Persian, launching in Fall 2026, is designed to help intermediate-high and advanced learners of Persian attain professional proficiency (ILR 3). The 30-credit program is offered as a one-year professional master’s degree, with students taking 15 credits each semester. Students gain knowledge in areas such as the history, culture, politics and international relations of Iran and the Persian-speaking world, while developing the skills and experience needed to pursue careers in the public and private sectors, non-profit, development, education, intercultural communication, and a wide range of other opportunities for global professionals.
Contact Us
Prospective students can schedule virtual or in-person visits to the program. You can find Persian at outreach events on the University of Maryland campus, including Maryland Day, the First Look Fair, the Language Career Fair and more.