Curriculum Overview

The three-year full-time MIRL program comprises 102 academic credit hours: a 90-credit core curriculum and 12 credits of field education and integrative work. Supervised experience develops problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills. Students also complete the required capstone and exit requirements.

A student may earn a master’s degree with distinction by taking at least three optional courses (for a total of 9+ extra credit hours) in a variety of subjects, in addition to maintaining a higher GPA on all required and optional master’s degree coursework. The mark “With Distinction” will be posted on the student’s transcript and will also appear on the diploma.

Curriculum component	Credit hours
Core curriculum (24 courses)	90
Field education and integrative work	12
General degree total	102
Additional distinction coursework	9+
Distinction degree total	111 minimum

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Master in Islamic Religious Leadership, graduates will be able to:

1. Explain Islamic teachings clearly on the basis of normative religious texts and recognized interpretive frameworks.
2. Analyze contemporary realities critically from an informed Islamic perspective.
3. Integrate text and context in analyzing and addressing new questions while considering the needs of different audiences and diverse community members.
4. Observe and lead Islamic religious rituals and services in accordance with normative practices.
5. Embody humility, selflessness, and dedication to service and apply the principles of religious leadership in community and institutional settings.
6. Demonstrate commitment to Islamic ethics and spirituality in personal conduct and through ongoing plans for spiritual and professional development.
7. Engage constructively with diverse individuals and groups within and beyond Muslim communities and collaborate on matters of common concern.
8. Communicate effectively in oral and written forms across religious, academic, professional, and public settings.
9. Demonstrate advanced competencies in critical thinking, research and writing, Islamic leadership, and pastoral care.

An Integrated Educational Approach

The MIRL program recognizes that responsible religious leadership cannot be developed through academic study alone. It requires integrating knowledge, spiritual character, ethical conduct, contextual awareness, practical judgment, and professional competence.

Islamic Texts and Disciplines

Students study the Qurʾān, Sunna, and key Islamic disciplines like theology, law, and ethics. The curriculum focuses on foundational methods and interpretive frameworks, highlighting their importance for religious leadership and service.

Contemporary Context

Students explore the intellectual, religious, historical, social, cultural, and institutional forces influencing contemporary life, focusing on the United States. This program dimension equips students to understand the opportunities and challenges for American Muslims and to engage responsibly with modern issues.

Spiritual and Ethical Formation

The program aims to cultivate leaders who embody humility, sincerity, selflessness, discipline, compassion, and a dedication to service. Spirituality and ethics are integrated into the educational process, fostering personal development in aspiring Muslim religious leaders.

Practical Application and Leadership

Students gain skills in religious leadership, pastoral care, communication, and community collaboration. Courses focus on practical application in real settings, emphasizing preparation for service over academic scholarship.

Field Education and Integrative Learning

Field education is a central component of the MIRL program. The 12-credit field-education and integrative component includes supervised internships and the capstone project. Internship placements are approved for their relevance to religious and community leadership.

Each summer field-education sequence includes:

• a supervised internship placement;
• a minimum of 150 hours of field experience;
• an approved on-site supervisor;
• consultation with a faculty adviser;
• reflective integration of academic and professional learning; and
• a faculty-supervised project symposium.

Approved fields may include chaplaincy, mosque leadership, counseling, outreach, and other appropriate religious or community-service settings. A unit of Clinical Pastoral Education may fulfill an internship requirement when approved by the Seminary.

The internship project enables students to reflect spiritually and theologically on their experience and integrate it with prior coursework. Internships and the capstone project together comprise 12 credits of the 102-credit program.

Graduation Requirements

• Completion of all MIRL coursework and degree requirements (102 credit hours), including required internships and capstone work.
• Maintenance of an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.5 scale throughout the program.
• Demonstrate intermediate level of competency in classical Arabic.
• Passing of a Qur’an recitation (tajwīd) and memorization (ḥifẓ) exam, demonstrating the ability to recite at least 3 thirtieth portions (juz’) from memory.
• Memorization of at least forty hadiths in accordance with the approved graduation guidelines.
• Passing of an exit exam and interview, including an assessment of moral character, comportment, religious integrity, and readiness for service and leadership.

Additional Requirements for Distinction Designation

• Completion of distinction courses (9+ additional credit hours).
• An overall cumulative GPA of 3.7/4.5 scale.

The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (MDHE) has granted Boston Islamic Seminary the authority to award the Master in Islamic Religious Leadership graduate degree.

Explore MIRL

Questions? Contact mirl@bostonislamicseminary.org.