2025 BAYAN GRADUATE PROGRAMS
M.A. in Islamic Studies (48 units)
This is the default concentration of the MA degree program. The coursework provides a foundation in Islamic theology, law, history, ethics and scriptural studies, and in interreligious studies. Students must complete intermediate Arabic as part of their program, by the time of graduation. Electives courses on a variety of topics can be taken to deepen understanding of Islamic thought, Muslim history, and contemporary issues pertaining to Muslim life. The concentration equips graduates for further studies at the doctoral level, and careers involving research, scholarship, and teaching.
M.A. in Islamic Leadership (48 units)
This concentration provides a foundation in Islamic theology, law, history, ethics and scriptural studies, and in interreligious studies. Students must complete intermediate Arabic as part of their program, by the time of graduation. Students enroll in elective courses covering various leadership topics. The concentration equips graduates for organizational leadership roles and careers, with skills in community organizing, non-profit management, fundraising, interfaith cooperation, activism, and public service.
M.A. in Islamic Education (48 units)
This concentration provides a foundation in Islamic theology, law, history, ethics and scriptural studies, and in interreligious studies. Students enroll in required and elective courses covering various education topics addressing the Islamic school campus context, classroom dynamics, curriculum design, student assessment, and education technology. The concentration equips school administrators, educators and other education professionals with insights from contemporary education research and tools for cultivating excellence in primary and secondary learning environments.
M.A. in Islamic Theology (48 units)
This concentration provides advanced exploration of topics in Islamic theology and law, along with the core coursework in history, ethics, scriptural studies, and inter-religious studies. Students are expected to be proficient at the intermediate Arabic level and demonstrate potential for advanced Arabic proficiency. Students enroll in elective courses covering the Kalam tradition and systematic theology, studying particularly with Shaykh Jihad Brown, Bayan’s Resident Scholar of traditional Islamic studies and philosophy. Students will delve into and utilize the tools of the classical tradition to address contemporary theological and philosophical challenges and issues. The concentration equips graduates for further studies at the doctoral level, particularly in the fields of theology and philosophy, and careers involving research, scholarship, and teaching.
MDiv in Islamic Chaplaincy (75 units)
This 3-year degree program initiated in partnership with the Claremont School of Theology (CST) and that specific degree will be attained by those Bayan students who began in the program before Bayan’s partnership with Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS), which was Fall 2019. Both programs equip men and women with a firm grounding in Islamic thought and cultivate practical skills in spiritual care, cultural sensitivity, religious leadership, and chaplaincy.
The main difference between students completing the degree with CST instead of CTS is that they must enroll in a thesis project course pertaining to vocational praxis towards the end of their coursework. This is a 72-unit program. Whereas students enrolled in the program at CTS will need to enroll in a number of courses offered by CTS faculty and complete a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Field Education. This is a 75-unit program.
The breakdown of course hours required for the program at CTS is shown below since that is the institution from which Bayan students will begin graduating with their Islamic Chaplaincy degrees from Fall 2020 and onward. Courses offered for each category can be found on the Course Descriptions
DMin in Islamic Leadership
This is the default concentration of the MA degree program. The coursework provides a foundation in Islamic theology, law, history, ethics and scriptural studies, and in interreligious studies. Students must complete intermediate Arabic as part of their program, by the time of graduation. Electives courses on a variety of topics can be taken to deepen understanding of Islamic thought, Muslim history, and contemporary issues pertaining to Muslim life. The concentration equips graduates for further studies at the doctoral level, and careers involving research, scholarship, and teaching.
Certificate Programs
Our certificate can enhance your professional profile and help you become eligible for chaplaincy-oriented positions in institutions, especially if you already have a Master’s or post-graduate degree in religious studies or a related field, and want to gain a foundation in chaplaincy and spiritual care. Starting in the certificate program can be a great way to take graduate courses at Bayan and better understand the field. You can transfer up to 12 units (4 courses) from the certificate into a full degree program or complete the remaining 6 units and earn the certificate.