Master in Islamic Studies
School of Social and Human Studies
Academic Freedom to Discover Your Purpose
Open Curriculum Design at Atlantic International University
The Master in Islamic studies (MA) from Atlantic International University (AIU), an education provider delivering all programs via distance education using an andragogical model that supports adult learners, is the same delivery method used in other programs at AIU. The goal of the program is to encourage students to pursue their education according to their own specific personal, professional and intellectual goals; therefore students are empowered to choose their courses based on their particular interests and how those interests apply to the world around them.
Through critical analysis of Islamic theology, jurisprudence, history, ethics, and modern issues; students will engage with an interdisciplinary approach to understanding Islamic thought. Students will have the ability to study any location within the world where there is Internet access and to complete their studies on a schedule that works best for them. Consequently, AIU’s online degree masters in islamic studies program is perfect for scholars, educators, community leaders, and professionals who desire to acquire advanced purposeful knowledge about the subject area of Islamic Studies.
What are the Core Courses & Topics for Masters in Islamic Studies ?
Important: Below is an example of the topics or areas you may develop and work on during your studies. By no means is it a complete or required list, as AIU programs do not follow a standardized curriculum. It is meant solely as a reference point and example. Want to learn more about the curriculum design at AIU?
Check here: Course and Curriculum
At AIU, the Master’s in Islamic Studies program includes core courses and topics that reflect an integrated and broad academic framework that fuses classical Islamic knowledge with current contexts. Among these are core subjects including Qur’anic Studies, Hadith Sciences, Islamic Jurisprudence and Theory, Theology, Islamic History and Civilization, Ethics, Philosophy and Comparative Religion as well as current topics of interest including Islamic Thought in the Global Schism, Interfaith Dialogue, Leadership and Social Justice. This hierarchical structure provides islamic studies master degree learners with a clear sense of the academic scope of the program while allowing for the flexibility necessary for AIU to achieve the andragogy-driven model of education. Online master in islamic studies students of master in islamic studies may design individualised learning pathways to meet their personal, academic and masters in islamic studies career objectives.
- Qur’anic Studies and Tafsir
- Hadith Sciences and Methodology
- Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh)
- Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence (Usul al-Fiqh)
- Islamic Theology (Aqidah)
- Islamic History and Civilization
- Islamic Ethics and Moral Philosophy
- Contemporary Issues in the Muslim World
What are the Orientation Courses for Master in Islamic Studies ?
AIU’s master’s degree program in Islamic Studies provides orientation courses specifically intended to equip learners for successful engagement with AIU’s distance learning format as an andragogical way of teaching and learning. Orientation courses give learners insight into the following: AIU’s philosophy about academics; AIU’s self-directed learning approach; Online research technologies; The ethical responsibility of scholarship; The academic writing standard; Interdisciplinary learning and critical analysis. The identification of these islamic studies graduate program orientation courses gives learners an understanding of what the islamic theology master degree courses are designed to accomplish, thereby ensuring they enter their master in islamic studies programme with clear intent and preparedness, as well as gaining required competencies for navigating graduate-level studies in Islamic scholarship and research.
- Communication & Investigation (Comprehensive Resume)
- Seminar Administrative Development (Book Summary)
- Organization Theory (Portfolio)
- Seminar Cultural Development (Practical Experience)
- Experiential Learning (Autobiography)
- Seminar International Development (Publications)
Research Projects for Master in Islamic Studies
At AIU’s Master in Islamic Studies Program, we believe in the importance of critical thinking, scholarly research and applications to our everyday lives. Our research initiatives allow students to pursue either classical or modern-day Islamic theological issues, as well as legal issues, history, ethics, education and societal issues, through individual study. Furthermore, by providing masters in islamic studies students with several choices regarding research project paths, AIU provides a way for learners to connect their research interests with their community’s needs; develop their islamic education master program research skills; develop their analytical skills; as well as improve their advanced islamic studies degree writing skills while working from a flexible, andragogical style distance-learning model.
- MBM300 Thesis Proposal
- MBM302 Masters Thesis (5,000 words)
Publication – The student publications component of AIU’s master in islamic studies allows students to take what they have researched and thought about academically, then turn it into something that has value as an academic article or essay or piece of writing. These articles may deal with, among other topics, classical scholarship on Islam, current events, interfaith discussions, ethical issues, social development, and more. The goal of providing an outlet for master degree in islamic studies students’ work through publication is to help develop students’ self-confidence in academics, their ability to think critically, and to enable students to share their knowledge with others around the world. By facilitating the publication of student work, AIU helps students engage in meaningful ways with their islamic studies postgraduate program peers as well as with their communities based on an andragogical (adult education) approach to learning via distance education.
Thesis Defense
Every student who has earned their master’s degree in islamic studies will have the opportunity to defend their thesis at the end of a long, intellectually rigorous and rewarding research programme. In this way, they can demonstrate to an academic review committee their original research and how well they can analyse it and relate their findings to modern-day examples and issues in islamic scholarship.
The thesis defence is conducted in a hybrid environment (i.e. Distance Learning) which allows each student to conduct their thesis defence from the comfort of their own home while demonstrating integrity, allowing them to be independent thinkers and reflective learners. The learning environment at AIU is based on principles of Andragogical Theory, which reflects our commitment to provide students with a quality, meaningful, and purpose-driven education.
Masters in Islamic Studies Student Experience
With an emphasis on flexibility, academic freedom, and opportunities for meaningful engagement with knowledge, the masters in islamic studies at AIU provides students with a distance learning experience that is student-centered, and respects the diverse experiences of all learners, as well as their professions and individual learning paths, through an andragogical approach to distance learning; this provides learners access to an extensive library of digital resources, the ability to pursue research opportunities, and students around the world to interact with one another and their islamic theology professors through a self-directed pathway to an empowering academic life, promoting the development of critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, and the ability to apply their quranic studies knowledge in all aspects of educational, community and professional development involving Islamic Studies.
Community & Social
The Master in Islamic Studies at AIU has an emphasis on community + social aspects which include ethical responsibility, cultural understanding + positive social impact. Students are encouraged to be involved within their local/global communities through research, dialogue + educational/service-oriented initiatives based on Islamic values. Within AIU’s international learning environment, scholars are able to develop relationships with their peers from different cultures/backgrounds thereby promoting mutual respect, understanding between faiths, + collaborative learning. This emphasis on community + social engagement encourages hadith studies students to utilize Islamic principles to solve real-world issues providing social harmony, leadership, + an opportunity to serve their communities.
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Academic Resources
AIU’s Master in Islamic Studies academic resources provide students with a comprehensive array of resources to facilitate advanced learning/research in a distant-learning format. All students have access to: a large digital library; many types of scholarly journals; eBooks; multiple islamic law research databases; and a range of both classical Islamic scholarship resources as well as contemporary Islamic studies’ resources (i.e., Interdisciplinary). Along with instructional design and guidance in research, as well as AI-supported learning tools (e.g., online assistance to format and edit a research proposal), these resources will help students perform more in-depth research, produce high-quality academic works, and engage more efficiently in autonomous learning in accordance with AIU’s andragogical instructional model.
Virtual Campus
Complete assignments online or offline at your convenience with 24/7 access to distance learning through AIU’s Virtual Campus. Step by Step guides including videos, tutorials, live webinars and examples for each course. All materials can be access on all web browsers as well as via AIU's Mobile App which brings all the features of the Virtual Camus to your Mobile Device.
My AIU Elements
MyAIU’s primary goal is to go beyond Academics, it looks to guide students through 11 elements that are key to living life optimally in all aspects. By identifying and reflecting on these key areas, an opportunity arises to holistically address them, through positive change, habits, reinforcement and tools to keep students on their chosen path.
AIU TV & Radio
The students have the opportunity to produce, edit and host their own show reaching a worldwide audience, the AIU community and giving notice of their expertise/passion in the subject. AIUTV & AIU Radio allow students to explore new ways to communicate, develop a platform and form potential collaboration with likeminded individuals.
AIU Campus Mundi
AIU Campus Mundi is a monthly magazine that gathers the most notable news and information about the university and its members in one convenient place. The magazine allows our community to be well informed, involved and keep in tough regardless of their geographic location. AIU Campus Mundi publishes, news, research, events, awards, academic achievements.
Graduation Ceremony
Each year AIU organizes graduation ceremonies where the students can assist and share their experiences with fellow students and academic members Participation in the ceremony is optional, the day’s events include conferences, research presentations, group meetings, networking, lunch and formal dinner.
Symposiums & Webinars
Students engaged in the Master in Islamic Studies through AIU are given opportunities to participate in symposiums that offer them excellent opportunities for engaging in scholarly dialogue, presenting their research, and sharing their ideas with other students. Symposiums allow participants to explore classical and contemporary topics within Islamic thought, ethics, law, relations between different faiths, and issues facing our world today.
Live Classes
AIU’s Masters in Islamic Studies offers two live classes each day, which provide students with multiple opportunities to participate in academic discourse and engage with faculties of other universities and the other students enrolled in the Master’s program.
The live sessions allow students to engage directly with a speaker during sharia studies lectures and facilitate discussions among students through question-and-answer sessions about Islamic theology, jurisprudence, history, and contemporary issues related to Islam.
The live sessions are intended to provide the same level of support as those provided through the distance learning model of study. The live sessions address the needs of students who are studying from different time zones and have different professional commitments by allowing them to share in an intellectual forum that fosters intellectual exchange and fosters a shared academic identity and community of learning.
Special Projects, Research Publications, & Co-Authoring
At AIU, we provide a platform, through the “Master’s in Islamic Studies” program, where students can conduct advanced and impactful scholarship outside traditional learning formats. Students will be encouraged to complete their special projects that look at current topics in respect to Social, Educational, Moral, or Interfaith concerns from the perspective of Islamic Studies. Students will be able to publish research and/or co-author with faculty, researchers or fellow students, therefore, allowing students to develop their Academic Writing Ability, adding to the Global Academic Community, and helping students build a solid academic background consistent with AIU’s Andragogy Focus and approach to distance learning and creation of meaningful knowledge.
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Career Center for Master in Islamic Studies
The AIU Career Center for the Masters in Islamic Studies focuses on providing assistance in connecting academic learning to professional and community avenues. The Career Center provides career guidance, skill development, transition from studying to working, as well as various types of resources (leadership, education, research and social service) to assist learners in transitioning from their studies to the professional application of their knowledge of Islamic Studies in a variety of fields. The Career Center also aligns with the flexible distance learning model and the andragogical philosophy driving AIU’s teaching philosophy to enable students to follow careers that are purposeful, culturally aware and globally relevant.
Job Description
The job options listed below, which are open to AIU graduates of the Masters in Islamic Studies program, will provide graduates with a wide range of options as they pursue their interests combining academic and practical experience. Graduates may choose to work in one of the following professions: Educator, Religious Counselor, Community Leader, Researcher, Interfaith Dialogue Coordinator, Policy Advisor, Curriculum Developer, Author, Non-profit and/or N.G.O. Development Specialist. As demonstrated by this job listing, AIU is committed to graduating students who have received the necessary training and education, equipping them to use their knowledge in Islamic Studies for a variety of professional, academic and community-based career paths within various educational, religious, cultural, and international contexts.
Tools for Master in Islamic Studies
The AIU Master’s in Islamic Studies provides students with information on the transition of their education into actual real-world opportunities through its listing of professional and personal learning pathways; this includes: academic research, community service, educational leadership, interfaith dialog, social advocacy, policy making/research, and cultural consulting. The organization of these learning opportunities empowers AIU students to connect their academic studies with both their individual personal interests/goals and their professional aspirations, as well as making a contribution to the communities they live in, thus reinforcing both the AIU andragogy-systems approach to self-directed learning, along with the desire to educate for an intentional purpose.
Associations for Master in Islamic Studies Professionals
Students enrolled in the Master’s degree program in Islamic Studies are encouraged and given numerous opportunities to engage with local, national and international academic and professional organisations that serve as valuable resources for developing their knowledge base via networking opportunities as well as producing research products and collaborating with other researchers around the globe. By way of membership in these organisations, students can learn about emerging trends in the area of Islamic scholarship, gain access to conferences and publish their findings while creating lasting connections with other professionals in their field. A few of the organisations that will be beneficial to students are:
- International Qur’anic Studies Association
- British Association for Islamic Studies
- Australian Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies
- Canadian Association for the Study of Islam and Muslims
- International Association of Muslim Social Sciences
- League of Islamic Universities
- Islamic Studies Association – NCCMR
- Islamic Education Trust
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Master in Islamic Studies Admission Requirements
Atlantic International—AIU—provides the degree of Master of Arts in Islamic Development Studies as well as an associate degree in International Community Development, with international study as the focus of both programs. AIU also provides degrees in a variety of different subject areas and has developed a range of capabilities for students interested in working or studying abroad, through collaboration with educational institutions around the world. The degree program was designed to accommodate learners from all backgrounds, with the added flexibility of providing students with an opportunity to pursue their education using distance-learning technology. All individuals interested in applying must have already completed a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate a minimum of three years of professional or life experience before being accepted to the program at the master’s level. Students’ academic transcripts and other evidence of their educational background will be reviewed in conjunction with each prospective applicant’s application to evaluate their potential for success in pursuing independent study.
How Can You Apply?
The steps to apply to AIU for the Master’s degree in Islamic Studies mirror the application process for a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Studies and are based on best practices and the need for maximum flexibility in order to be responsive to adult learners globally. To begin the application process, potential students must first fill out AIU’s online admissions application located on its admissions page and include all the required materials including at least one of the following academic transcripts and resume/CV, as well as an essay detailing their educational and career objectives. After submitting their application via our online system, the Admissions staff reviews all submitted materials and, depending on how the Admissions staff perceives the applicant’s ability to pursue self-directed as well as adult learner-based education, may contact the applicant for further clarification or a brief meeting to determine the applicant’s readiness. If accepted, applicants will receive assistance and direction on how to enroll, choose courses, and access to AIU’s sources of learning through the Internet so that they may study and learn according to their personal and vocational responsibilities.
Financial Support & Scholarships
Through its financial assistance and scholarship programs, AIU helps students reach their academic objectives in Masters of Islamic Studies. The funding provided to students will enable them to take advantage of the flexibility and personalised nature of AIU’s distance learning programme, allowing for a suitable level of debt. AIU’S numerous scholarships and grants fit into the framework of both merit and needs-based criteria, coupled with payment arrangements to meet tuition fees over time. Most importantly, the funding offered to learners enables them to pursue their individual academic/professional goals without financial concerns, thus allowing them to benefit from the self-directed learning aspect of AIU’s educational philosophy.
What’s the Cost Per Year for Pursuing a Master in Islamic Studies at AIU?
Pursuing your online Master in Islamic Studies at AIU has been developed in an affordable manner and with flexibility based on AIU’s commitment to adult learners as well as the values of diversity and equity. While tuition ranges on an individual basis based on the course(s) selected and the rate at which a student chooses to complete their program, AIU has been committed to offering students multiple options for payment so that students can choose payment options that meet their unique budgetary constraints and time-availability considerations. By providing these types of options, students are able to pursue their advanced degrees in Islamic Studies without having to feel limited by strict payment schedules and their respective budgets; thereby making it much easier to balance their education with work, family, and community obligations. Should you require specific figures or examples of payment plans, please advise me.
FAQs
What is a master in islamic studies?
Islamic Studies Master’s Programs (Master’s in Islamic Studies) are advanced, graduate-level programs designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Islam from multiple perspectives, including its theology, law, history, ethics, and modern issues of importance. Students will gain knowledge of Islamic scholarship and develop the skills needed to conduct research related to Islam.
Who should study islamic studies at master level?
For anyone interested in strengthening their knowledge of Islam, pursuing a career in education, research, community leadership, interfaith dialogues, policies or practicing an understanding of Islam professionally, socially, or academically, should pursue an Islamic Studies Master’s Degree.
Is a master in islamic studies available online?
Yes, AIU offers a master in Islamic Studies online.
What subjects are covered in islamic studies?
Islamic studies involve many academic disciplines: The Qur’an, the Hadith, and Islamic Law or Fiqh; General Theological or Aqidah Studies; Islamic Culture and Civilization; Islamic Moral Theories and Ethical Philosophy; Modern-day Islamic Moral Problems.
