M.A. in Islamic Studies
Application Deadline: 2025 Application Deadline TBA
Students must complete 30 credit points (including the thesis) to graduate. All courses must be at the graduate level (4000 or higher). The required credits may be completed in one year but many students opt to complete the M.A. in 3 to 4 semesters, particularly if they choose to develop their language skills and take additional language coursework as part of their program of study.
“The interdisciplinary nature of ISMA gave me the opportunity to take courses across numerous academic fields, providing a holistic understanding of Islamic Studies. Throughout the program, I felt supported and acknowledged as a student and a scholar, and graduated with a strong skill set in analytical thinking which allows me to bring a unique perspective to my current role in finance.”
Program Requirements
Core seminar Foundations to Islamic Studies and Muslim Societies (4 credits)
Three concentration courses
Three elective courses
MA Thesis Research Seminar or Supervised Individual Research Course (4 credits)
Optional language study: There is no language requirement for the Islamic Studies MA degree. However, language study is strongly encouraged, and excellent instruction is available, notably in MESAAS Department courses. Students may take up to five credit points of language courses at the 3000-level (advanced or higher) to count towards their degree.
The list of pre-approved courses for both the concentration and the elective requirements can be found here:
Tuition and Financial Assistance
Details on tuition and financing for the M.A. in Islamic Studies.
Course Descriptions
ISCS GR5000:
Foundations to Islamic Studies and Muslim Societies
(4 credits)
This course, offered in the fall term, provides students with a foundation for the key concepts, theories, and debates in the field of Islamic and Muslim studies. Drawing from the expertise of Columbia’s faculty members, the course aims to introduce students to the faculty’s research areas, scholarly inquiries, and approaches. Interdisciplinary in scope, students are exposed to diverse histories, cultures, and social formations of Muslim societies around the world. Interdisciplinary in scope, the course critically addresses scholarly questions and debates in the field, including culture and civilization, religion, secularization, law and authority, nation-states, globalization, minority politics, and technology. The course helps students identify their own interests and foci to specialize in throughout the dual degree program.
ISCS G4990
MA Thesis Research Seminar
(4 points)
OR:
This course provides a class-like structure to the research and writing process of the thesis. Students must have two faculty supervisors. The first supervisor is the instructor of the seminar, and the second supervisor is a faculty member with expertise in the thesis subject. The thesis proposal for registration in the seminar must also be approved by the second supervisor.
ISCS G4999
Supervised Individual Research
(4 points),
When G4990 is unavailable during the student's final semester an independent study under the supervision of a faculty member (thesis supervisor) may be taken instead. Students must have one supervisor to undertake this individual research. A second supervisor is optional if the guidance and advice of a second supervisor is wanted or if the thesis spans different academic disciplines.
Explore some of the thesis titles from past students to see the type of research our students undertake in the ISMA program.
Additional Requirements and Rules
Students may take up to two 3000-level courses (upper level undergraduate courses) but must receive approval from the APD in advance of registration.
Internships, practicum courses, or courses at the 2000 or 1000 level do not fulfill degree requirements.
Courses taken for R credit or with a grade of Pass/Fail do not count toward the Islamic Studies MA degree requirements.
Students wishing to take courses with the prefixes V or BC must consult with the APD to determine whether such courses can count toward the degree. They must also get permission via a signature on an add-drop form from the department teaching the course.
Summer term courses are administered by the School of Continuing Education. Summer course schedules, descriptions and other information can be found here. Students should have summer courses approved by the APD before registering.