Islamic Studies

Program Category: MA Programs
Director, Middle East Institute: Najam Haider
MA Advisor: Kathryn Spellman
Website: mei.columbia.edu/ma-program-2
Email Address: [email protected]
Degree Programs: Full-Time/Part-Time: Free-Standing MA

The MA in Islamic Studies focuses on the cultural, political, and religious history of Islam and the nations and populations linked to the practice of this faith. Students pursue their interest in the field through the course offerings of several departments at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences as well as, to a lesser extent, other schools at Columbia. Courses give students the foundation to specialize in one period or interdisciplinary area as they design an individual program of study in consultation with the program coordinator. The program concludes with a thesis on a limited topic within the student's area of concentration.

Special Admissions Requirements 

In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit one transcript showing courses and grades per school attended, a statement of academic purpose, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.

The statement of academic purpose allows the university to evaluate your ability to succeed academically and the reasons you wish to undertake the degree. It should describe briefly your academic and/or professional background (relevant coursework, professional experience or other activity pertaining to your academic interests); indicate your plans for graduate study at Columbia; and explain clearly the relation of your studies to your plans after completing the MA.

The writing sample should be 10-15 pages long (double-spaced), preferably a paper that you have written for a course pertaining to the general field of Islamic studies. Alternatively, you may provide a focused essay written in an academic style that examines an article, book, exhibit, or event relevant to your field of interest.

All applicants whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English must submit English proficiency exam scores. The English proficiency requirement can be fulfilled through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

For more information, refer to the Information for International Students page.

*To be eligible for admission in GSAS, at least TWO letters must be submitted by academic recommenders. You may include up to four letters in your application, regardless of the number required by your program of interest.

Additional Deadline Information: Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships

Students entering in the fall may apply for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships. If you are applying for the FLAS Fellowship, you must submit a separate FLAS application by the FLAS deadline.