The Master of Arts in Islamic Studies is designed to give students a strong foundation in Islamic studies. Students receive broad training, with emphases in areas including Qur’anic studies, women in Islam, and Islamic literature. The program equips students to address issues concerning the relation of Islam to other religious traditions, and to situate the study of Islam within the broader academic study of religion. The degree provides excellent preparation for doctoral work in Islamic Studies or related disciplines, as well as for various positions of work and service in Muslim communities, nonprofit organizations, and the public sector.
Students admitted to the MA in Islamic Studies should refer to the Religion Student Handbook for the year in which they begin the program for complete details.
Admission requirements are detailed in the Admission section of the Bulletin.
Degree Requirements
Coursework. 40 units of approved coursework are required for the degree including:
- 28 units of required courses: “Theories of Religion,” “Introduction to Islamic Studies,” “Classical Islam,” “Literature of the Qur’an,” “Islamic Cosmology & Mysticism,” “Feminism and Qur’anic Studies,” and one other approved course on Islam.
- 8 units of comparative courses
Arabic. Competency in intermediate Arabic (students may complete intermediate Arabic courses at other institutions and transfer in up to 10 units to fulfill this requirement OR students must pass a translation exam administered by the School of Arts & Humanities to fulfill the requirement).
Secondary Language Requirement/Research Tool. Fulfilled by passing a foreign language translation exam (other than in Arabic) administered by the School of Arts & Humanities, or, with advisor approval, the Research Tool may be fulfilled by completing an approved research methods course.
Thesis. The Master’s thesis provides an opportunity for students to gain the skills necessary for writing a publishable piece of work. Thesis - prepared in consultation with the student’s advisor (for specific guidelines regarding thesis preparation, please consult the Religion Department Student Handbook).
Theses are submitted to the registrar, following published formatting policies and procedures detailed in the Master’s Degree Regulations section of the Bulletin.
University Policies. University policies detailed in the Academic Policies section of the Bulletin apply.
Accelerated BA/MA
Undergraduate students enrolled at any of the Claremont Colleges or at Zaytuna College may choose to pursue an accelerated MA in Islamic Studies which can be completed in only one year after completing a BA degree.
Claremont Colleges: Undergraduate students enrolled at any of the Claremont Colleges may pursue the accelerated MA in Religion, MA in Islamic Studies, or MA in Women’s Studies in Religion. Students should apply to the MA program during the fall or spring of their junior year and, if accepted, may use the remaining semesters at their undergraduate institution to complete 16 units (approved by a CGU Religion advisor) to be counted toward the MA. Program requirements are the same as the stand-alone MA degrees.
Zaytuna College: Students enrolled at Zaytuna College may pursue the accelerated MA in Islamic Studies. Students should apply to the MA program during the fall semester of their senior year. If accepted, 12 units of upper division Arabic courses and 4 Senior Thesis units (for a total of 16 units) will be transferred to CGU. Program requirements are the same as the stand-alone MA degree with one exception: students may elect to complete a final project in lieu of a thesis.