Main navigation
- Programs
- Subjects
- Universities
- Destinations
- Advice
Established in the late 1950s, UCLA's Islamic Studies program ranks among the nation's oldest. This interdisciplinary initiative focuses on Islam and Muslim communities worldwide. Learners collaborate with faculty experts specializing in regions from North Africa and the Middle East to Central and South Asia, covering Islamic history from its origins to contemporary times. Course offerings span diverse fields: history, legal studies, Arabic language, comparative literature, anthropology, sociology, religious studies, philosophy, and art history.
The Islamic Studies PhD program primarily prepares scholars for academic careers, encouraging customized study plans that foster innovative research. The MA program functions both as a stepping stone to doctoral studies and as valuable preparation for professions in education, business, media, public service, policy-making, and other fields requiring deep understanding of Islamic civilizations and Muslim cultures.
A master's degree from a program with requirements equivalent to those of the M.A. at UCLA is required. Advanced-level proficiency in Arabic is also required for admission to the Ph.D. program.
IELTS Academic overall band score should be at least 7.0 is the minimum required.
TOEFL score on the paper and pencil test must be at least 560 or at least 87 on the internet-based test.