Master of Science Program in Religious Studies with Three Profiles: 1. Interfaith Dialogue; 2. Religious Education; and 3. Religious Leadership

The Master of Science program in Religious Studies offers education for students interested in building their professional careers in both the public and private sectors within the field of Humanities, such as human rights, diplomacy, justice, interfaith dialogue, and social sciences including sociology, philosophy, psychology, anthropology, etc. This cycle lasts two years, and the program is designed to provide students with an intellectual horizon by presenting a variety of conceptual frameworks and perspectives in the field of Humanities.

The interdisciplinary master's program 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 raise students' cultural, political, and religious awareness, which will make them aware of the importance of living in harmony with people who have different religious or political worldviews. Interfaith dialogue is seen as a tool that can contribute to removing misunderstandings and accepting differences, aiming to create a climate where harmony and peaceful coexistence prevail in society.

Mission

The mission of the Master of Science in Religious Studies program is to develop individuals who encompass the qualities and skills of reading and interpreting fundamental sources in the Humanities, closely following the needs and progress of information in this field, being inquiring, active, cooperative, integrated into society, and possessing ethical, aesthetic, cultural, and professional qualities.

Students in this program are active and willing to cooperate, integrated into society and socially well-adjusted, possessing universal values, and representing their profession in the most appropriate way relative to Albanian and European culture and tradition, in line with the developments of the 21st century.

Vision

The Master of Science in Religious Studies program aims to help students acquire the skills to read and evaluate both classical and contemporary sources in the Humanities; educate students in a way that allows them to gain deep knowledge about aspects of interfaith and intercultural dialogue in harmony with the field of Humanities; and prepare and shape them through a blend of tradition, culture, and contemporary reality.

Program Type, Duration, Credits, etc.

The Master of Science in Religious Studies program is a full-time study program with a duration of 2 academic years/4 semesters. To graduate, students must complete 120 ECTS credits. The program is offered in English. Upon completion, students receive a "Master of Science" diploma 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 program with three profiles offers:

1. Training of qualified specialists in the Humanities who can serve as personnel in various state institutions, non-governmental organizations promoting interfaith dialogue, educational and training institutions in Albania and around the world.

2. Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Studies who continue their studies at the second and third cycles not only in Islamic Studies but also in other Humanities and Social Sciences fields, such as history, psychology, sociology, philosophy, etc., both 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, student-organized extracurricular activities, student conferences, and study opportunities according to "Erasmus +" programs.

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

5. Opportunities to be part of advanced studies or undertake professional internships both within and outside the country.

6. Training of specialists in intercultural and interfaith relations in governmental 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. The opportunity to participate in various national and international projects primarily in the fields of Humanities, Islamic Studies, Interfaith Dialogue, Religious Studies, social projects, counter-radicalization and violent extremism, etc.

Strengths

1. The Master of Science in Religious Studies program is the only program in Albania that offers studies in the field of Interfaith Dialogue. As such, it provides students with training that includes the qualities and skills of reading and interpreting fundamental sources in the Humanities, religious studies, and interfaith dialogue.

2. The need for graduation in this field through a specialized program such as Religious Studies in Albania, the region, and the West, where, alongside the academic aspect of this field, the preservation of the century-old Albanian tradition of interfaith harmony is emphasized as a model for Europe and the world.

3. High mobility opportunities for students provided by the department for professional internships and training within and outside the country at various educational, training, and academic institutions offer valuable experiences for their careers.

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

5. The Master of Science in Religious Studies program aligns with and supports the national strategy for combating radicalization and violent extremism.

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

Admission Criteria for the Study Program

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. Average grade from the first cycle of studies, at 70%.

2. Interview by the scientific committee of the relevant department, at 30%.

3. Fulfillment of the requirement for proficiency in one of the five foreign languages at the B1 level, according to the guidelines in instruction no. 52, dated 3.12.2015.

Curriculum / Study Program

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 combined with Social Sciences.

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