Master of Science in Religious Studies

The Master of Science in Religious Studies offers three profiles: 1. Interfaith Dialogue; 2. Religious Education; and 3. Religious Leadership. This program is designed for students interested in building their professional careers in both the public and private sectors within the Humanities field, including human rights, diplomacy, justice, interfaith dialogue, social sciences such as sociology, philosophy, psychology, anthropology, etc. The program lasts two years and is designed to provide students with an intellectual horizon by presenting a variety of concepts and perspectives in the Humanities.

The interdisciplinary Master on Interfaith Dialogue provides students with the opportunity to reflect on the role of religion in peace and during conflicts in society. This program aims to enhance students' cultural, political, and religious awareness, which will sensitize them to the importance of living in harmony with people who have different religious or political worldviews. Interfaith dialogue is seen as a tool to eliminate misunderstandings and accept differences, aiming to create a climate of harmony and peaceful coexistence in society.

Mission

The mission of the Master of Science in Religious Studies program is to develop an individual who encompasses the qualities and skills necessary for reading and perceiving fundamental sources in the Humanities, who closely follows the needs and progress of information in this field, and who is a researcher, active, collaborative, socially integrated, and possesses ethical, aesthetic, cultural, and professional qualities.

Students in this program are expected to be active and ready to collaborate, socially integrated and appropriately socialized, to possess universal values, and to represent their profession in the most suitable way according to Albanian and European culture and tradition, in line with developments in the 21st century.

Vision

The Master of Science in Religious Studies program aims to help students acquire skills in reading and evaluating classical and contemporary Humanities sources; educate students to gain deep knowledge about interfaith and intercultural dialogue in harmony with Humanities studies; and prepare them through a blend of tradition, culture, and contemporary reality.

Program Type, Duration, and Credits

The Master of Science in Religious Studies is a full-time study program with a duration of 2 academic years/4 semesters. Students must complete 120 ECTS to graduate. The program is offered in English. Upon completion, students are awarded a diploma titled “Master of Science” in “Religious Studies” with one of the three profiles: 1. Interfaith Dialogue; 2. Religious Education; or 3. Religious Leadership.

Opportunities

For students aiming to build their professional and academic careers in the Humanities, the Master of Science in Religious Studies with three profiles offers:

1. Preparation of qualified specialists in the Humanities, who can serve in various state institutions, non-governmental organizations promoting interfaith dialogue, educational and training institutions in Albania and worldwide.

2. Graduates of the Bachelor’s cycle in Islamic Sciences who continue their studies in the second and third cycles, not only in Islamic Sciences but also in other Humanities and Social Sciences fields such as history, psychology, sociology, philosophy, etc., within and outside the country, will have employment opportunities in other public and private institutions in Albania, the region, and globally.

3. Opportunities for professional internships, exchange programs, organizing extracurricular activities by students, student conferences, and study opportunities through “Erasmus+” programs.

4. Providing students with knowledge, skills, and experience in various directions of Islamic Sciences intertwined with social sciences and disciplines such as sociology, philosophy, psychology of religion, pedagogy, etc.

5. Opportunities to participate in advanced studies or professional internships both within and outside the country.

6. Training specialists in intercultural and interfaith relations in government and non-governmental organizations at national and international levels.

7. The program offers the perspective of becoming a national, regional, and international center for Religious Studies and Interfaith Dialogue.

8. Opportunities to participate in various national and international projects, mainly in the fields of Humanities, Islamic Studies, Interfaith Dialogue, Religious Studies, social projects, combating radicalism and violent extremism, etc.

Strengths

1. The Master of Science in Religious Studies is the only program offering studies in Interfaith Dialogue in Albania. This enables students in the Master’s program to gain training that encompasses the qualities and skills of reading and perceiving fundamental sources in Humanities, religious studies, and interfaith dialogue.

2. The need for graduates in this field through a specialized program such as Religious Studies in Albania, the region, and the West, where alongside the academic aspect of the field, emphasis is also placed on preserving Albania’s centuries-old tradition of interfaith harmony as a model for Europe and the world.

3. High student mobility opportunities offered by the department for professional internships and training both within and outside the country at various educational, training, and academic institutions, providing valuable career experiences.

4. The department's contribution to maintaining interfaith harmony and coexistence in Albania and beyond through periodic and ongoing organization of panels, seminars, symposiums, and national and international conferences on interfaith dialogue in collaboration with various universities and academic institutions.

5. The Master of Science in Religious Studies program aligns with and best serves the national strategy against radicalism and violent extremism.

6. Integration of teaching with scientific research, encouraging students to organize and participate in student scientific activities.

Admission Criteria

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

1. Undergraduate GPA, accounting for 70%.

2. Interview by the department's scientific committee, accounting for 30%.

3. Fulfillment of the requirement of proficiency in one of five foreign languages at the B1 level, as specified in Instruction No. 52, dated 3.12.2015.

Curriculum

The Master of Science in Religious Studies program offered by the Department of Islamic Sciences aims to prepare professionals for implementing the latest theories in Islamic Sciences integrated with Social Sciences.

The curriculum, module organization according to subjects, and formative activities for the Master of Science in Religious Studies program are presented in the tables below: