Eligibility & Transfer Admission

Eligibility Requirements

Please note that since the applications are read holistically, the admission may be granted to applicants lacking in certain discrete criteria if other indicators suggest probable success in the program. If this applies or for future inquiries, please reach out to mirl@bostonislamicseminary.org.

Prior Education

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Arabic Proficiency

The ability to read and write in Arabic at an intermediate level.

Qur'anic Memorization

The ability to recite at least one thirtieth (juzʾ) of the Qurʾān from memory.

Foundational Islamic Knowledge

To have basic competencies, both linguistically and theoretically, in the core Islamic sciences which include Qur’an, Prophetic Traditions (Hadith), Prophetic Biography (Sira), Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), and Islamic Spirituality (Tazkiya).

Transfer Admission

This section provides essential information for students interested in transferring to our program from other graduate-level institutions.

Definition of a Transfer Applicant

A transfer applicant is defined as:

A student currently pursuing a Master's degree (or higher).
Enrolled at an eligible non-BIS institution.
Has successfully completed at least one graduate-level course in a field similar to or overlapping with BIS’s MIRL program.
Wishes to transfer into BIS’s MIRL program.

Relevant Fields of Study: Islamic Studies, Chaplaincy, Counseling, Leadership. Other fields may be considered at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.

Eligible Institutions: All regionally accredited institutions in the US. Nationally-accredited, non-accredited, and non-US institutions are subject to Admissions Committee approval.

Transfer of Credit Policy

The transfer applicants are not automatically granted credit for courses completed at their current institution. The admitted students must petition for transfer credit per the standard policy. The criteria for transfer of credit:

Eligible Credits: A maximum of 32 credit hours with a minimum grade of ‘B’.
Course Relevance: Transfer credit is generally approved only if the course content closely matches a MIRL course. Elective transfer credit is limited.
Documentation: Official transcript and course syllabus for each course are required. For non-English or Arabic transcripts, a certified translation is necessary.
Credit Impact: Transferred credits count towards graduation requirements but do not affect GPA at the seminary.
Competency Assessment: Applicants may undergo an oral/written examination to assess competency in relevant subjects.

Need Assistance?

For more information or assistance with the transfer admission process, please contact our admissions office at mirl@bostonislamicseminary.org.

Please review the MIRL Admissions Policy for the complete transfer policy: click here.

Per the law of State of Massachusetts, a student under the age of 30 planning to pursue studies on a full-time in-person basis, must show proof of vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. A student studying entirely online is exempt, and need-not to show proof.