If you are considering graduate study that combines rigorous academic training with deep regional expertise, this is an ideal time to look into our program for a Master of Arts in Regional Studies—Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia (REECA). This Thursday, Dec. 4, you’ll have a chance to hear a brief overview of the program’s curriculum, admissions process, and typical career paths, followed by a chance to ask questions. Just register for the online Q&A session.
The REECA Program offers advanced study of the history, politics, culture, societies, and languages of the vast region stretching across the Baltics, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Russia, and the South Caucasus.
Our students build strong analytical, research, and communication skills that prepare them for careers in government, non-profits, the private sector, and academia, with graduates making meaningful contributions across a wide range of fields that rely on region-specific knowledge and language proficiency.
Each REECA cohort includes eight to 10 students with varied backgrounds and interests. Some arrive with degrees in international studies, while others come by less academic paths—growing up in the region, training as foreign area officers in the U.S. Army, volunteering abroad, or simply developing a strong personal interest in a particular country. What unites them is curiosity, the ability to thrive in a challenging academic environment, and a commitment to excellence.
Students design individual study plans with the director of graduate studies, including classes on regional history, politics, and society; a research methods course; thesis development and writing; and language study. Students can also cross‑register at other Harvard schools, the Fletcher School at Tufts, or MIT. Many spend the summer after their first year conducting thesis research, working in internships, or continuing their language study, often with funding support.
Most REECA students receive grants toward tuition that are renewable for a second year of study. Some students also receive modest living stipends. We encourage applicants to pursue all external sources of financial support for which they qualify.
Learn about these and general requirements on our REECA Program page. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Jan. 5.
If you are driven by a desire to understand the forces shaping our region—and ready to challenge yourself in a supportive, intellectually rich environment—we encourage you to apply.
