The educational philosophy of BIS puts great weight on students’ moral, religious and spiritual development by making the quest for spiritual excellence a central component of all activities, both inside and outside the classroom. The program imparts knowledge and skills in all subjects with an eye to practical applicability and on-the-ground implementation through case studies, internships and other forms of field work.
Full time students take four to five courses per semester and complete the program in three years. Part time students should complete the program within four to six years depending on their course enrollment (normally a minimum of two courses per semester). Course topics are broadly categorized into three broad areas:
Internships are a required part of the degree, in order to give students hands-on experiences in problem-solving, communication and leadership. BIS offers some internal internships, but students can also, subject to BIS approval, complete an internship at an external institution that aligns with the academic and/or professional interests of the student.
The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (MDHE) has granted Boston Islamic Seminary the authority to award the Master in Islamic Religious Leadership graduate degree.