• Introduction
• Faculty
• Curriculum
• Course Delivery Format
• Admission
• Graduation Requirement

Introduction 

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Contemporary Islamic Studies program is designed for students who wish to acquire deeper understandings of current issues and trends in the Muslim world by critically studying the foundational sources of Islam, and Muslim peoples, cultures and institutions. 

As a matter of national priority and in consideration of the language of the United Arab Emirates Islamic affairs authorities, the program will be offered in two language tracks. The Arabic track of the program is delivered in Arabic with some English language components. The English track is delivered in English with some Arabic language components.

The Master of Arts in Contemporary Islamic Studies program aims to:

• Introduce new methods and techniques in studying Islamic heritage;
• Combine in-depth Islamic knowledge and wider practical knowledge;
• Train interested cadres in the field of Islamic studies to deal with issues of contemporary globalized world; and
• Train teachers, researchers and civil servants of Islamic institutions.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

• Understand the most recent and important developments in the Islamic studies field;
• Learn the importance of the commitment to the highest degree of objectivity, and the avoidance of biases;
• Learn how to analyze and assess Islamic heritage documents;
• Learn how to apply the highest values of Islamic jurisprudence in real-life issues;
• Learn how to think creatively within the general frameworks of Islam;
• Understand the norms and ethical system of the work of contemporary Islamic scholars; and
• Understand the factors that impact Islamic practices in the U.A.E. and the Muslim world.

Faculty

The graduate program courses are taught by select professors of Zayed University who have earned doctorate degrees and significant relevant professional experience and expertise. In addition to Zayed University faculty, professionals holding these qualifications are recruited locally or internationally to deliver all or part of some courses.

Curriculum

At the beginning of the program, students take an intensive one-day orientation seminar. The orientation offers a number of workshops to introduce students to the program including Blackboard (virtual classroom software), case study and analysis, library resources, and the writing of reports and reference citations. The curriculum of the Master of Arts in Contemporary Islamic Studies program consists of the following courses:

• MACIS 610 Epistemology and Research Methodology
• MACIS 615 Islamic Legal Theory
• MACIS 620 Textual Analysis of the Qur’an
• MACIS 625 Textual Analysis of the Hadith
• MACIS 630 Comparative Methods of Jurisprudence (Fiqh)
• MACIS 635 Intellectual Schools in Islamic Thought
• MACIS 640 Islamic Movements of Reform and Renewal in Modern History
• MACIS 645 Islamic Social System
• MACIS 650 Islamic Economics
• MACIS 655 Muslim Societies and Global Affairs
• MACIS 699 Research Project

Course Delivery Format

The Master of Arts in Contemporary Islamic Studies program employs proven techniques for imparting training at the graduate level, which include classroom lectures by faculty, scholars, and experts, supplemented by panel discussions, scenarios, simulations, problem solving  and case studies with reference to contemporary issues in Muslim and western societies.

The in-class room instruction for each course is conducted during two evenings on weekdays over an eight week period.

The Master of Arts in Contemporary Islamic Studies program is delivered over a period of 15 months at Zayed University located in Abu Dhabi and/or Dubai.

For more information on the admission deadline, please visit the Key Dates section of our website.

Admission

• Admission is open to males and females of all nationalities.
• Candidates holding an undergraduate degree in Islamic studies or prove reasonable grounds and experiences in the field of Islamic studies may apply to pursue the degree. However, the main targets of the program are the graduates of Islamic studies schools. The basic knowledge and practical experience of Islamic studies and readiness for the program of other applicants will be assessed during the interview. Applicants may also be requested to complete an admissions test during the interview.
• Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher from an accredited university.
• The Arabic track of the program is delivered in Arabic with designated English language components. The standard English language proficiency requirements for admission is waived as an entry requirement, but English language proficiency must be proved as an exit requirement for students admitted in the Arabic track. Graduates in the Arabic track must, at the exit of the program, have:

An IELTS score of 5.0

A TOEFL paper-based score of 500

A TOEFL computer-based score of 173

A TOEFL internet-based score of 61

• The English track of the program is delivered in English with designated Arabic language components. Candidates in the English track must have:

An IELTS score of 5.5

A TOEFL paper-based score of 550

A TOEFL computer-based score of 213

A TOEFL internet-based score of 79

• Candidates in the English track will be tested for their proficiency in Arabic reading.

For more information on the admission requirements, application procedure, and program cost, please visit the Admissions and Fees section of our website.

Graduation Requirement

Graduate students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in course work taken in fulfillment of the requirements of the master's degree.