1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Programs

in person

Islamic Studies

MA in Islamic Studies

The Master of Arts in Islamic Studies examines Islam’s relation to other religious traditions and the contemporary debates and issues concerning Muslims globally.

From its inception to its place among contemporary nations and religions, Islam and its global identity are central areas of study in this unique master’s program. You will examine leading Islamic scholarship and gain broad understanding of Islam’s scriptural texts. A focus on the development of Islamic thought through the primary domains of Islamic literature—theology, philosophy, and mysticism—will enable you to understand the religion’s socio-historical, political, and cultural frameworks, a holistic view merging past and present perspectives. You will also address the relation of Islam to other religions by taking comparative courses in Christianity and Judaism. This program provides excellent background preparation for a doctoral degree in religion or to pursue a variety of careers in government, international corporations, media outlets and non-profit organizations.

Program Highlights
  • The MA in Islamic Studies offers three tracks of study: Quranic Studies; Sexuality, Gender, and Feminist Studies in Islam; and Environmental Studies in Islam.
  • Interdisciplinary concentrations are available to Religion students, including American Studies, Early Modern Studies, Hemispheric & Transnational Studies, Media Studies, and Museum Studies.
  • You will have access to the libraries of CGU and Claremont University Consortium which offer more than two million volumes – more than 250,000 in the field of religion alone.

Program At-a-glance

  • 40 units

    required units

  • MA in Islamic Studies

    degree awarded

  • In Person

    modality

  • Spring, Fall

    program start

  • 2 years | full time*

    estimated completion time

Areas of Concentration

  • American Studies

    The American Studies concentration takes a multidisciplinary approach to the study of United States culture, society, civilization, and identity through the curricular lenses of history, literature, critical theory, and more.

    Learn more

  • Early Modern Studies

    The Early Modern Studies concentration undertakes interdisciplinary examination of history, culture, politics, and society within the transitional and transformative period that stretched between Medieval and modern societies, marked especially by the advent of print, Christian confessional war, and the rise of the modern state.

    Learn more

  • Hemispheric & Transnational Studies

    A comparative analysis of culture in the Americas, the concentration in Hemispheric & Transnational Studies explores how scholarship on the Atlantic, borderlands, and diaspora have reshaped U.S. American Studies, Caribbean Studies, and Latin American Studies, emphasizing the topics of empire, race, religion, and revolution.

    Learn more

  • Media Studies

    Situated at the bustling intersection of cultural studies, new media, critical theory, and popular culture, the burgeoning field of Media Studies examines the creative and critical practices of media consumers, producers, artists, and scholars, focusing on questions of representation, power, technology, politics, and economy.

    Learn more

  • Museum Studies

    The Museum Studies concentration investigates the history and political role of museums in society, the interpretation and display of a wide variety of cultural productions, and topics of special concern to museums as cultural organizations, using a multidisciplinary, practice-based approach to understand the historical development of this evolving field.

    Learn more

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

Faculty

  • Ruqayya Khan

    Ruqayya Y. Khan

    Professor of Religion
    Malas Chair of Islamic Studies

    Research Interests

    The Qur'an, Arabic literatures, progressive Islamic theologies, women in Islam, Islam and environmental ethics, Islam and the digital age, late antiquity and Islam, origins of Islam, cultures of Umayyad Damascus and Abbasid Baghdad

    View profile
  • Portrait of Nicola Denzey Lewis

    Nicola Denzey Lewis

    Professor of Religion
    Margo L. Goldsmith Chair in Women’s Studies in Religion

    Research Interests

    Social and Intellectual History of the Roman Empire, Gnosticism, Women’s Studies, Religion in the Roman Empire and Late Roman Empire, Late Antiquity

    View profile
  • Portrait of Daniel Ramirez

    Daniel Ramírez

    Associate Professor of Religion

    Research Interests

    American religious history; Latin American religious history; Religion, migration, and transnationalism; Religion in borderlands; Contemporary theories of religion

    View profile
  • Portrait of Tammi Schneider

    Tammi J. Schneider

    Danforth Professor of Religion
    Chair, Religion Department

    Research Interests

    Ancient Near Eastern history, literature, archaeology, and religion;
    Women in the Hebrew Bible

    View profile

Curriculum

  • 40 units of approved coursework
  • Competency in intermediate Arabic (students may complete intermediate Arabic courses at other institutions and transfer 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)
  • Research Tool: The requirement is fulfilled by passing a foreign language translation exam administered by the School of Arts & Humanities; in some cases, and with advisor approval, the Research Tool may be fulfilled by completing an approved research methods course.
  • Thesis

Tracks of Study Sample Courses

Quranic Studies

  • Introduction to Islamic Studies
  • Classical Arabic Literature & the Qur’an
  • Feminism & Quranic Studies
  • Western Quranic Studies
  • Scripturalization Seminar
  • Comparative Religion Seminar

Environmental Studies in Islam

  • Introduction to Islamic Studies
  • Environmental Ethics & Mystical Traditions in Islam
  • Islamic Cosmology & Mysticism
  • Divine Body: Religion & the Environment
  • Islamic Philosophy

Sexuality, Gender & Feminist Studies in Islam

  • Introduction to Islamic Studies
  • Engendering & Experience: Women in the Islamic Tradition
  • Gender & Sexuality in North Africa: Mernissi, al-Sadaawi & Djebar
  • Contemporary Issues in Gender & Islam
  • Seminar in Sexuality & Religion
  • Feminist Approaches to the Genre, Wives of the Prophet

Application Guidelines

University Requirements
Application Fee

$80 (fee is non-refundable)
Official Transcripts
English Proficiency Exam
Resume

Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume.
Program Requirements
Statement of Purpose

Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals.
Letter of Recommendation
Standardized Test Scores
Writing Sample

All applicants are required to submit a writing sample of previous work in addition to the statement of purpose. You may submit samples of any length you feel indicate your writing ability, but please note that we will be unable to return any items submitted as part of your application (please, no books). Most applicants submit one or two scholarly papers or excerpts of around 10-15 pages. Writing samples should not exceed 30 pages.

Key Dates & Deadlines

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.

Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025

Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025

Apply Now

Cost & Aid

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Program 40 units
Tuition per unit* $2,070

*Based on 2025-2026 tuition rates.

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
$245 Student Fee
$150 Technology Fee
International Student Services Fee**: $768 fall semester, $851 spring semester
**Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to changes.

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2025-2026.

review financial aid

Back to the tabs
Interdisciplinary Concentrations

As a student in the School of Arts & Humanities, you have the option of completing one of five interdisciplinary concentrations.

American Studies

The American Studies concentration takes a multidisciplinary approach to the study of United States culture, society, civilization, and identity through the curricular lenses of history, literature, critical theory, and more.

View Concentration

Early Modern Studies

The Early Modern Studies concentration undertakes interdisciplinary examination of history, culture, politics, and society within the transitional and transformative period that stretched between Medieval and modern societies, marked especially by the advent of print, Christian confessional war, and the rise of the modern state.

View Concentration

Hemispheric & Transnational Studies

A comparative analysis of culture in the Americas, the concentration in Hemispheric & Transnational Studies explores how scholarship on the Atlantic, borderlands, and diaspora have reshaped U.S. American Studies, Caribbean Studies, and Latin American Studies, emphasizing the topics of empire, race, religion, and revolution.

View Concentration

Media Studies

Situated at the bustling intersection of cultural studies, new media, critical theory, and popular culture, the burgeoning field of Media Studies examines the creative and critical practices of media consumers, producers, artists, and scholars, focusing on questions of representation, power, technology, politics, and economy.

View Concentration

Museum Studies

The Museum Studies concentration investigates the history and political role of museums in society, the interpretation and display of a wide variety of cultural productions, and topics of special concern to museums as cultural organizations, using a multidisciplinary, practice-based approach to understand the historical development of this evolving field.

View Concentration

 

These concentrations are available for students pursuing the following degree programs:

Master’s Degrees

Doctoral Degrees

Apply now

Request More Info

Contact us for more information

Loading...

While waiting for our answer, take a look at our FAQ

Maybe you'll find some answers to your questions

See FAQ