Academics
Master of Theology in Islamic Studies (M.Th.)
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- Description
- Admission Requirements
- Program Requirements
- Course Requirements
- Tuition
- Thesis Supervisor
- Master’s Thesis
- Resources in Islamic Studies
The Foundation has established a variety of relationships with such institutions as the North American Imams Federation (NAIF) in Washington, D.C., and the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) in Indianapolis, for the purpose of cooperating in providing educational opportunities relevant to the Foundation's degree requirements. Imam Omar Shahin, Ph.D., President of the Executive Committee of the North American Imams Federation, has been appointed both Director of Islamic Studies and Professor of Islamic Law at the Foundation. In collaboration with ISNA and our Islamic faculty, the Foundation has put in place two degree programs in Islamic Studies: the Doctor of Philosophy and the Master of Theology.
This degree is a 30 credit program that may be completed in no less than eighteen months and no more than four years.
This degree is designed for already credentialed and practicing ministry professionals (lay, religious, ordained) who wish to foster self-improvement and motivation in the pursuit of theological education as an end in itself or in preparation for doctoral studies. With a specialized focus upon a specific theological agenda, the M.Th. in Islamic Studies is ideally suited to the ministry professional who desires to update previous ministry training with particular attention to theological refinement. The residence sessions involve graduate-level course work and are coupled with the writing of the Master of Theology thesis. It is important to note that the written work may be completed in English or Arabic. Foundation students in Islamic Studies are welcomed to participate in the Life of the Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies in worship, fellowship, and study.
- Baccalaureate degree or equivalent validated by a transcript.
- Five years of accumulated experience in ministry within the Muslim community.
- Completion of the Application Procedure.
- Students are expected to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the Student Handbook of the year of their acceptance with particular focus on their particular degree program. Students are bound by the academic and financial requirements of the Handbook in use at the time of their acceptance. The current Student Handbook as well as past years’ Handbooks can be viewed here.
- Completion of a specialized Islamic Studies curriculum under the direction and oversight of Dr. Omar Shahin, Director of Islamic Studies at the Foundation. Courses are taken as tutorials with Dr. Shahin or other designated tutors.
- Nomination and approval of the Thesis Supervisor.
- Completion of a Master’s Thesis of 35,000-40,000 words (140-160 pages) and submission of one electronic or hard copy, including the Thesis Supervisor’s evaluation forms by February 1 of the intended year of graduation.
- Attendance at the Convocation/Graduation. (Non-US residents are exempt from this requirement.)
This program is curriculum-specific and provides an opportunity for the student to work under the direct oversight of Dr. Omar Shahin, Director of Islamic Studies and Professor of Islamic Law at the Foundation. It requires Arabic language proficiency. This degree program requires the completion of twelve courses from the specialized curriculum and a research-based thesis for the Master of Theology in Islamic Studies. Membership in the North American Imams Federation is a requirement.
English/Arabic Curriculum of the Foundation
English/Arabic Curriculum of the Foundation
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Program Cost: $8,600
Coursework
The fee for each course is $600 which is paid directly to Dr. Omar Shahin, Director of Islamic Studies.
Degree candidates are bound by the regulations of the Student Handbook of the year in which they are accepted into their program of study. Tuition fees will not change during a student’s course of study, providing the student submits payments and papers on schedule and completes the degree program within the prescribed time. If the student does not conform to scheduled payment and/or paper submission deadlines, the student’s file will be deactivated. Upon reactivation, the student will be responsible for the tuition and degree requirements which are current at the time of reactivation.
Transfer Credit
Any student wishing to have previously completed academic work evaluated for possible transfer credit or wishing to complete coursework through a venue other than the Graduate Theological Foundation for use as transfer credit toward a degree, must contact the Office of the Registrar for approval. Accepted transfer credit has the potential to decrease the total tuition paid by the student. Requests for acceptance of transfer credit are reviewed on a case by case basis.
Tuition payment schedule for Masters Degrees
1/3 of total fees paid within 30 days of acceptance
1/3 of total fees paid within one year of the date of acceptance
1/3 of total fees paid by March 1 of the year of graduation
Payment Plan Option
Students who are unable to make tuition payments in three installments may request to be placed on a payment plan. The payment plan option allows the student to make small monthly or quarterly tuition payments for the duration of the degree program. There is no interest charged on payment plans. If a student requests a mailed invoice as a reminder to make payment, there is a ten dollar fee per invoice.
To make tuition and fee payments online click here.
The thesis supervisor for students in the Master of Theology in Islamic Studies degree program will be Dr. Omar Shahin, Director of Islamic Studies and Professor of Islamic Law at the Foundation. At the discretion and approval of Dr. Omar Shahin, a thesis supervisor other than himself may be chosen.
The Thesis Supervisor must give final approval of the student’s work by submitting the Thesis Supervisor’s Report Form. The assessment from the Thesis Supervisor is due by February 1 of the intended year of graduation. The candidate must submit a Master’s Thesis of 35,000-40,000 words (140-160 pages), which addresses some topic, issue, or problem in the field of theological enquiry and demonstrates a grasp of the literature and philosophy/theological components required in the treatment of the selected project. Each candidate must present to the Foundation one copy of the thesis. The M.Th. Thesis is considered a major component of this degree program and is valued most highly. One copy of the thesis must be submitted to the Foundation by February 1 prior to graduation.
The master’s thesis is a research based academic work of 35,000-40,000 words (140-160 pages), which addresses some topic, issue, or problem in the field of theological inquiry and demonstrates a grasp of the literature and philosophical/theological components required in the treatment of the selected topic. The master’s thesis must include a table of contents and bibliography of a minimum 20 sources, with annotations for the 10-12 key sources. The thesis must be written in 12 point Times New Roman (or comparable) font, and double spaced.
When the thesis in its final form has been reviewed and approved by the student’s Thesis Supervisor, it must be submitted to the Foundation for final review. One copy of the master’s thesis must be submitted by email to the Office of the Registrar or in hardcopy by mail to the Foundation’s general mailing address, by February 1 of the intended year of graduation. Click here to fill out the form to request the email address of The Office of the Registrar.
