Master of Science in Islamic Studies

Duration

4 Semesters

Total Credits

120 ECTS

Teaching Language

Albanian

Qualification Level

Type

Apply

Master of Science in Islamic Studies

Master of Science in Islamic Studies Program

The Master of Science program in Islamic Studies offers education to students interested in building their professional careers both in the public and private sectors within the field of Islamic Studies. This program lasts for two years and is designed to provide students with an intellectual horizon by presenting a variety of conceptual frameworks and perspectives in Islamic Studies.

Mission

The mission of the Master of Science in Islamic Studies program is to develop individuals who embody the qualities and skills needed to read and interpret the fundamental sources of Islamic studies. This includes staying informed about the needs and progress of information in this field, being inquisitive, active, collaborative, integrated into society, and possessing ethical, aesthetic, cultural, and professional qualities.

Students enrolled in this program are expected to be active and ready to collaborate, well-integrated into society, socially aware, and to hold universal as well as religious values. They should represent their profession in the most suitable way concerning Albanian and European culture and tradition, in line with 21st-century developments.

Vision

The Master of Science in Islamic Studies program aims to help students acquire skills in reading and evaluating classical and contemporary Islamic studies resources; educate students in such a way that they gain deep knowledge about religious and social aspects in harmony with the field of Islamic Studies, and prepare them through the integration of tradition, culture, and contemporary realities.

Program Type, Duration, Number of Credits, etc.

The Master of Science in Islamic Studies program is a full-time study program lasting 2 academic years/4 semesters. Students must complete 120 ECTS credits to graduate. The program is offered in the Albanian language. Upon completion, students receive a diploma: Master of Science in Islamic Studies.

Opportunities

For students aiming to build their professional and academic careers in the field of Islamic Studies, the Master of Science in Islamic Studies program offers:

Preparation of qualified specialists in Islamic Studies who can serve as personnel in various institutions related to Islamic communities and Muslim communities, such as religious institutions, schools, and other related structures in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albanian territories, and the diaspora, as well as institutions like KU Bedër, educational and training institutions, hospitals, orphanages, prisons, etc., in various countries around the world.
Graduates of the second cycle “master” in Islamic Studies and further study opportunities in the third cycle not only in Islamic Studies but also in other fields of Social Sciences, such as history, psychology, sociology, philosophy, etc., both domestically and internationally, will have employment opportunities in other public and private institutions in Albania, the region, and globally.
Provision of opportunities for professional internships, exchange programs, organization of extracurricular activities by students themselves, student conferences, and study opportunities through “Erasmus +” programs.
Equipping students with knowledge, skills, and experience in various areas of Islamic Studies intertwined with social sciences and disciplines such as sociology, philosophy, psychology of religion, pedagogy, etc.
Formation of specialists in the field within government institutions and various national and international NGOs.
The program offers the perspective of becoming a national, regional, and international center for Islamic Studies.
Collaborations with various institutions through joint projects and student engagement serve as an opportunity to promote the Department and institution, influencing the increase of practical experiences and creating broader employment opportunities for students.
Opportunities to participate in various national and international projects, primarily in the field of Humanities, Islamic Studies, social projects, counter-radicalization, and violent extremism, etc.

Strengths

The Master of Science in Islamic Studies program is the only program offering studies in Islamic Studies in Albania. As such, it allows students to receive a formation that encompasses the qualities and skills needed to read and interpret fundamental sources of Islamic studies, closely follow the needs and progress of information in this field, and be inquisitive, active, collaborative, integrated into society while acquiring national and universal values, along with ethical, cultural, and professional qualities.
The need for graduates in this specialized field, such as Islamic Studies in Albania, the region, and the West, emphasizes not only the academic aspect but also the preservation of the centuries-old Albanian Islamic tradition in our territories as a model for Europe.
One of the most comprehensive libraries with Islamic literature in Albania in several languages, which provides a great opportunity for scientific research in this field, not only for the department’s academic staff but also more broadly.
High opportunities for student mobility offered by the department for professional internships and training both within and outside the country at various educational, training, and academic institutions provide valuable career experiences.
Official collaborations with national and international universities and other institutions, through which the Department of Islamic Studies achieves its objectives in practice, scientific research, sharing experiences, and employment of graduates.
The Master of Science in Islamic Studies program aligns with and serves the national strategy for combating radicalization and violent extremism.
Academic activities such as panels, workshops, seminars, symposiums, and conferences help students engage with academic life from the start of their education journey, providing them with a broader academic and professional horizon.
The opportunity to publish the best master's theses and other student projects in the cultural magazine “Drita Islame” and the scientific journal “Zani i Naltë,” publications of the KMSH (Muslim Community of Albania), enhances motivation for further scientific research in the field of Islamic Studies.

Admission Criteria

Students for the Master of Science in Islamic Studies program offered by the Department of Islamic Studies are admitted based on three main criteria, each with a specific percentage:

Average grade from the first cycle of studies, accounting for 70%.
Interview by the Scientific Committee of the relevant Department, accounting for 30%.
Fulfillment of the requirement for proficiency in one of five foreign languages at the B1 level, according to the guidelines specified in instruction no. 52, dated 3.12.2015.

Curriculum / Study Plan

The curriculum, module organization by subject, and formative activities for the Master of Science in Islamic Studies program are presented in the tables below:

About the Study Program

Master of Science in Islamic Studies

Master of Science in Islamic Studies Program

Mission

Vision

Program Type, Duration, Number of Credits, etc.

Opportunities

For students aiming to build their professional and academic careers in the field of Islamic Studies, the Master of Science in Islamic Studies program offers:

Preparation of qualified specialists in Islamic Studies who can serve as personnel in various institutions related to Islamic communities and Muslim communities, such as religious institutions, schools, and other related structures in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albanian territories, and the diaspora, as well as institutions like KU Bedër, educational and training institutions, hospitals, orphanages, prisons, etc., in various countries around the world.
Graduates of the second cycle “master” in Islamic Studies and further study opportunities in the third cycle not only in Islamic Studies but also in other fields of Social Sciences, such as history, psychology, sociology, philosophy, etc., both domestically and internationally, will have employment opportunities in other public and private institutions in Albania, the region, and globally.
Provision of opportunities for professional internships, exchange programs, organization of extracurricular activities by students themselves, student conferences, and study opportunities through “Erasmus +” programs.
Equipping students with knowledge, skills, and experience in various areas of Islamic Studies intertwined with social sciences and disciplines such as sociology, philosophy, psychology of religion, pedagogy, etc.
Formation of specialists in the field within government institutions and various national and international NGOs.
The program offers the perspective of becoming a national, regional, and international center for Islamic Studies.
Collaborations with various institutions through joint projects and student engagement serve as an opportunity to promote the Department and institution, influencing the increase of practical experiences and creating broader employment opportunities for students.
Opportunities to participate in various national and international projects, primarily in the field of Humanities, Islamic Studies, social projects, counter-radicalization, and violent extremism, etc.

Strengths

The Master of Science in Islamic Studies program is the only program offering studies in Islamic Studies in Albania. As such, it allows students to receive a formation that encompasses the qualities and skills needed to read and interpret fundamental sources of Islamic studies, closely follow the needs and progress of information in this field, and be inquisitive, active, collaborative, integrated into society while acquiring national and universal values, along with ethical, cultural, and professional qualities.
The need for graduates in this specialized field, such as Islamic Studies in Albania, the region, and the West, emphasizes not only the academic aspect but also the preservation of the centuries-old Albanian Islamic tradition in our territories as a model for Europe.
One of the most comprehensive libraries with Islamic literature in Albania in several languages, which provides a great opportunity for scientific research in this field, not only for the department’s academic staff but also more broadly.
High opportunities for student mobility offered by the department for professional internships and training both within and outside the country at various educational, training, and academic institutions provide valuable career experiences.
Official collaborations with national and international universities and other institutions, through which the Department of Islamic Studies achieves its objectives in practice, scientific research, sharing experiences, and employment of graduates.
The Master of Science in Islamic Studies program aligns with and serves the national strategy for combating radicalization and violent extremism.
Academic activities such as panels, workshops, seminars, symposiums, and conferences help students engage with academic life from the start of their education journey, providing them with a broader academic and professional horizon.
The opportunity to publish the best master's theses and other student projects in the cultural magazine “Drita Islame” and the scientific journal “Zani i Naltë,” publications of the KMSH (Muslim Community of Albania), enhances motivation for further scientific research in the field of Islamic Studies.

Admission Criteria

Students for the Master of Science in Islamic Studies program offered by the Department of Islamic Studies are admitted based on three main criteria, each with a specific percentage:

Average grade from the first cycle of studies, accounting for 70%.
Interview by the Scientific Committee of the relevant Department, accounting for 30%.
Fulfillment of the requirement for proficiency in one of five foreign languages at the B1 level, according to the guidelines specified in instruction no. 52, dated 3.12.2015.

Curriculum / Study Plan

The curriculum, module organization by subject, and formative activities for the Master of Science in Islamic Studies program are presented in the tables below: