Application

To apply to the M.A. Programs at MEI, all students must use the Standard Application to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). Only online applications through the Columbia application portal are accepted.

Admission Deadline (for BA/MA applicants, check here for application information): 2025 Application Deadline TBA

  • Note on the dual degree program: Students interested in the dual
    degree program must apply to Columbia. After completing their first
    year in New York, students will provide their information to AKU by
    filling out an online application.

  • Note for CU undergraduate students: Undergraduate students enrolled at Columbia College, SEAS, Barnard, and the School of General Studies may apply for early admission to both MA programs - MA program in Islamic Studies and the Dual Degree in Islamic Studies and Muslim Cultures between Columbia and Aga Khan - to begin their MA coursework in their senior year while completing their undergraduate degree (see BA/MA Option).

Required Materials

The following application materials must be submitted in application to this program. More details about each of these requirements can be found on the GSAS website.

Complete Online Application Form

  • All prospective students must apply using the online application at Columbia University GSAS. 

  • A nonrefundable fee of $120 will be required for the 2024 online application. Applications are not considered complete until the fee has been paid. 

  • Applicants may elect to apply to up to two programs by submitting a single application to the Graduate School but must include a separate statement of interest for each. Applications will be reviewed by the second program if they do not receive an offer of admission from their first-choice program.

Statement of Academic Purpose

  • Applicants should describe their past academic work and preparation related to their intended field of study, their plans for graduate study at Columbia, and their subsequent career objectives.

  • This statement should be approximately 1,000 words.

Personal Statement

  • Applicants should explain how their personal experiences and history will allow them to contribute to the wealth of perspectives in the entering class of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and in the Columbia community at large.

    • *please note- if an applicant is applying to the Dual Degree Program, they should answer this prompt with how it is they will contribute to both the Columbia University and Aga Khan University-ISMC communities.

  • This statement should be approximately 1,000 words.

Academic Transcript(s)

  • Applicants should upload an official transcript or record (e.g., web-based transcripts, mark sheets, relevé de notes) of all academic work from each post-secondary institution they have attended. Transcripts must show courses and grades per school attended.

  • If a document is not in English, a fully certified translation must be provided. The translation must include details of the translator and confirm that it is an accurate translation of the original. It must be dated and include the original signature of the translator.

Curriculum Vitae or Resume

  • This resume provides the committee with additional information on your professional and academic background. It should elaborate upon the experiences and skills that the applicant brings to the program.

Two Letters of Recommendation

  • Letters must be submitted by recommenders with direct knowledge of the applicant’s academic background and abilities, i.e. an instructor or academic tutor or advisor. If you have recently received an academic degree or have recent academic experience, letters of recommendation from faculty are preferred.

Writing Sample

  • The writing sample should be 8-10 pages long, preferably a paper written for a course pertaining to the general field of Islamic studies or the study of Muslim societies. Alternatively, applicants may provide a focused essay written in an academic style that examines an article, book, exhibit, or event relevant to their field of interest.

English proficiency (If applicable):

  • All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English must submit scores of the TOEFL or IELTS exams. For more information, refer to the Information for International Students page.

GRE scores are optional. While a strong GRE score may supplement an application, no adverse assumptions will be made about applications that omit GRE scores.

Note: If you are applying for the FLAS Fellowship, you must submit your admission application, including the FLAS essay, by the fellowship application deadline. The FLAS provides funding for both summer and academic year study.