Dual degree ma Curriculum

The first two semesters take place through MEI at Columbia University and the last two are held at ISMC at Aga Khan University. Students must complete all course work for semesters 1 and 2 to progress to coursework at AKU-ISMC.

Program Structure

Semesters 1 & 2 In New York

These first two semesters require 30 credits including the following requirements:

  • Core seminar Foundations to Islamic Studies and Muslim Societies (4 credits)

  • MA Research Seminar (4 credits)

  • At least three courses within the student’s concentration plus three electives (22 credits)

While the program at Columbia encourages students to pursue language study and achieve proficiency, there is no language requirement for the Columbia degree. Only one language course, worth no more than 5 credits, may be credited toward the MA degree in Islamic Studies. This course must be in a regional language at the advanced level (3rd year and above) and must be relevant to the student’s scholarly interests.


Semesters 3 & 4 In London

The remaining two semesters encompass a required 21 credits. The required courses include:

  • Muslim Societies in a Changing World in semester 3 (3 credits)

  • Two language courses, one in semester 3 and one in semester 4 (6 credits total)

  • Two electives (6 credits total)

  • Thesis and fieldwork (6 credits)

Students have the option to travel to a country relevant to your language studies to undertake a three to four-week intensive language course and complete a language-based assignment. This feature exposes you to cultures, communities and ways of life different from those to which you are accustomed. This option provides the opportunity to experience language in its social and lived dimensions while furthering your understanding of diversity and pluralism.

Please Note: The above information is subject to change.

Course Descriptions

Required Courses at Columbia University in New York

ISCR GR5000:

Foundations to Islamic Studies and Muslim Societies

(4 credits)


This course provides students with a foundation to the key concepts, theories and debates in the field of Islamic and Muslim studies. Drawing from the expertise of Columbia’s faculty members, the course aims to introduce students to the faculty’s research areas, scholarly inquiries and approaches. Interdisciplinary in scope, Students are exposed to diverse histories, cultures, and social formations of Muslim societies around the world. Interdisciplinary in scope, the course critically addresses scholarly questions and debates in the field, including culture and civilization, religion, secularization, law and authority, nation-states, globalization, minority politics and technology. The course helps students identify their own interests and foci to specialize in throughout the dual degree program. 

ISCS G4990 MA Thesis Research Seminar 

(4 credits) 

In this course, students begin the thesis process. At CU, students identify research areas and survey the relevant literature. After gaining broad exposure to available scholarship, students prepare a thesis project proposal and an annotated bibliography, forming the backbone to more in-depth research carried out during semesters 3 and 4.

During the summer following semester 2 there is time to attend language summer schools or undertake fieldwork, at the students' own cost.​

Elective Course List at Columbia

Required Courses at Aga Khan University- Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations in London

Muslim Societies in a Changing World

(3 credits) 

Muslim Societies in a Changing World (MSCW) examines the historical setting of modernity and its impact by engaging with various theories and the responses in Muslim societies. It begins with the decline of the Ottoman Empire and expansion of western European countries, and later North America, as colonial powers. This provides the historical backdrop for discussions of, and debates on, the loss of Muslim pre-eminence. The course examines the more tangible, material and physical forms and impact of colonial rule as well as the ideas that are usually linked to the conceptualisation of the term “modernity". It takes into account discussions in Muslim societies as necessary to understand Muslims as producers of modern life. It does this by scrutinising the ideas of individual Muslim intellectuals and religious scholars in the 18th and 19th centuries, their responses to philosophies produced primarily in Europe, and the emergence of various social, political and religious movements in the 20th century. These ideas and movements are placed in a historical context that includes the study of political and social responses within colonial and post-colonial states and societies.

Dissertation

(6 credits) 

This full-time course of study at CU-MEI supports students' academic growth as they prepare for their MA thesis project that will be further developed and completed at AKU-ISMC.

Students must complete all course work for semesters 1 and 2 at CU-MEI to progress to course work at AKU-ISMC. This full-time course of study at CU-MEI supports students' academic growth as they prepare for their MA thesis project that will be further developed at AKU-ISMC. CU and AKU-ISMC faculty will consult regarding students' topic choice and help students identify supervisor(s) for their thesis. 

Elective Course List at Aga Khan- Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations