Special Student Program

• Are you interested in taking (or auditing) master’s-level courses – for your own research or interest – without committing to pursuit of a degree at BIS?
• Are you an `Alimiyyah graduate who wants to supplement your traditional Islamic learning with courses on contemporary context and leadership skills?
• Are you considering applying for BIS’s MIRL degree in the future?
• Do you want to directly experience the rigor, time commitment, and workload for MIRL courses?
• Would you like to interact with Muslim leaders-in-training, and engage in stimulating discussions with them in a classroom setting?

In 2021, the Master’s in Islamic Religious Leadership (MIRL) degree was launched, carrying the approval of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. This 3-year degree program is rooted in the tradition of Islamic scholarship and relevant to the contemporary Western context. 

Until now, MIRL classes have only been open to students who have been admitted to the MIRL degree program after a rigorous application process. But BIS is piloting the Special Student Option, whereby anyone with a bachelor’s degree or demonstrated capacity for graduate study can take these MIRL courses!

Each of these spring courses can be used to earn credit towards two Islamic Leadership Diploma programs that we are newly launching.

Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Context for Muslim Leaders

Graduate Diploma in Islamic Leadership Skills

Finally, note that if you take any of the above courses, and then later apply to and are admitted to the MIRL degree program, your credits would count towards the degree!

Tuition for Spring Courses:

The cost for each spring course is as follows:

Note that to take these classes for academic credit, you must have a bachelor’s degree. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, or you prefer not to submit assignments and exams, you may apply to audit the course(s), which is subject to space availability and approval by the BIS Academic Committee.

Click here to register for Spring 2026 Islamic Leadership Courses (one or more).

The registration deadline is January 26th, 11:59pm EST.