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.

Criteria for Admission

Prior Education

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, normally with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Qur'anic Memorization

Demonstrated memorization and recitation of at least one juz of the Qur’an.

Foundational Islamic Knowledge

Foundational knowledge of the Islamic sciences, including Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh, and Aqida.

Arabic Proficiency

Demonstrated intermediate proficiency in reading and writing Arabic.

Prior Disciplinary History

Applicants who have been subject to serious disciplinary action or non-academic dismissal at a previous institution may be denied admission.

Required Application Materials

Completed admissions application.
Non-refundable application fee.
Up to four letters of recommendation, including academic and community
references as specified by the Admissions Committee.
Current résumé or curriculum vitae.
Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
Personal statement addressing the applicant’s educational goals, leadership
aspirations, and commitment to serving Muslim communities.

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.

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Philosophy

The program imparts knowledge and skills in all subjects with an eye to practical applicability and on-the-ground implementation.

Travel Seminars

Travel seminars will help students establish relationships and networks with others that will support their work as leaders in the future.

Opportunities

MIRL graduates will be well-positioned to bring an Islamic framework to all sorts of career paths and disciplines.

Internships

MIRL students participate in extracurricular activities designed to support their personal, professional, and spiritual development.