Admission to Bayan Islamic Graduate School programs is currently granted through the Chicago Theological Seminary and prospective students can complete an application on this site.
Bayan admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, or gender to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, or gender in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Admissions Requirements
MASTER OF ART IN RELIGION WITH A CONCENTRATION IN ISLAMIC STUDIES, ISLAMIC LEADERSHIP, ISLAMIC THEOLOGY, OR ISLAMIC EDUCATION
1) Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; a few exceptions may be made in lieu of relevant academic background and extensive community involvement. Applicants without a bachelor’s degree may be admitted as ‘Students-at-Large,’ and must successfully complete four graduate courses in order to be formally admitted to the MA degree program. These four courses will then be credited toward their MA degree program. While in the ‘Student-at-Large’ category, students are not eligible for institutional scholarships or government financial aid programs.
2) Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended.
3) Four letters of reference: at least two must be academic, plus one from an imam, religious leader or other ministry professional, and one from a supervisor or colleague.
4) Written materials, including an autobiographical essay (2000 words or less) describing your interest in advanced theological study.
5) Current resume or curriculum vitae including description of recent work experience, participation in volunteer and community service, involvement in Islamic or other religious organizations.
6) TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores are required of applicants for whom English is a not first language. The exam must be completed no more than two years prior to application. The TOEFL may only be waived if the applicant has completed another degree in English in the United States.
7) $50.00 application fee.
MASTER OF DIVINITY WITH A CONCENTRATION IN ISLAMIC CHAPLAINCY
1) Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; a few exceptions may be made in lieu of relevant academic background and extensive community involvement. Applicants without a bachelor’s degree may be admitted as ‘Students-at-Large,’ and must successfully complete four graduate courses in order to be formally admitted to the MDiv. degree program. These four courses will then be credited toward their MDiv. degree program. While in the ‘Student-at-Large’ category, students are not eligible for institutional scholarships or government financial aid programs.
2) Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended.
3) Four letters of reference: at least two must be academic, plus one from an imam, religious leader or other ministry professional, and one from a supervisor or colleague.
4) Written materials, including an autobiographical statement (250 words or less) describing your interest in theological study.
5) Current resume or curriculum vitae including description of recent work experience, participation in volunteer and community service, involvement in Islamic or other religious organizations.
6) TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores are required of applicants for whom English is a not first language. The exam must be completed no more than two years prior to application. The TOEFL may only be waived if the applicant has completed another degree in English in the United States.
7) $50.00 application fee.
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY WITH A CONCENTRATION IN ISLAMIC LEADERSHIP
1) A Master of Divinity degree or equivalent in theology or religious studies from an accredited college,
university, seminary, or professional school.
2) A superior academic record in previous undergraduate and graduate education.
3) Four letters of reference and recommendation from relevant referees, e.g., faculty and/or
clinical supervisors.
4) Autobiographical Essay and Sample Ministry Paper
5) Doctor of Ministry Essay
6) Complete a minimum of three years of professional ministry or its equivalent
7) Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended.
8) Current resume or curriculum vitae including description of recent work experience, participation in volunteer and community service, involvement in Islamic or other religious organizations.
9) TOEFL scores for international students for whom English is not their first language.
10) $50.00 application fee.
The application period for Fall 2023 is now closed. All applications for Fall 2024 entry into the DMin program must be received by February 1, 2024.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN ISLAMIC CHAPLAINCY
Students must apply for admission to Bayan’s degree and certificate programs through Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS). This can be done here. Select “Student at Large and Certificate Programs (SAL)” when starting a new application. Requirements for the certificate program are as follows:
1) Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended.
2) Autobiographical statement (250 words or less) describing your interest in theological study.
3) Current resume or curriculum vitae including description of recent work experience, participation in volunteer and community service, involvement in Islamic or other faith organizations.
4) 2 letters of recommendation as described within the application instructions.
5) $50.00 application fee.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
All students are assessed full tuition for each course they are enrolled in by the school
through which they are seeking a Bayan degree or certificate program, in accordance with the school's
present tuition rate.
FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid may be available through the school's financial aid office, based on results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must fill out the FAFSA in order to be evaluated and counseled on financial aid options. FAFSA can be filled out by clicking
here. Please make sure and use CTS' School Code of G01661. Completing the FAFSA is not a requirement to apply or be considered for any of the below scholarship programs.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Currently, Bayan provides scholarship support through named scholarships to students who meet the eligibility criteria. Outside of the named scholarships, no scholarships or discounts are available at present.
Muhammad Ali Scholarship for Spiritual Leadership
Eligible incoming students may be awarded this $24,000/year scholarship.
The Bayan Muhammad Ali Scholarship for Spiritual Leadership is an honor bestowed upon deserving
and highly qualified full-time entering graduate students enrolled in Bayan’s degree programs. In certain cases, eligible part-time students may be considered for this scholarship. Prospective awardees are individuals admitted to the school for graduate study and who currently
work in an under-served community.
To support this program as a donor, please click here.
The Muslimah Changemaker Scholarship at Bayan
Eligible students may be awarded this $24,000/year scholarship.
The Muslimah Changemaker Scholarship at Bayan enables eligible Muslim women to build upon their Islamic knowledge and pursue education at a graduate level. Awardees become better equipped to lead and serve their communities and benefit society at large. Bayan is committed to providing women with access to Islamic and interdisciplinary knowledge along with a range of skills that enhance authority and opportunities to make significant impact in their communities.
To support this program as a donor or start a fundraiser, please click here.
THE EMBRACE SCHOLARSHIP AT BAYAN
Eligible students may be awarded this $24,000/year scholarship.
The Embrace Scholarship at Bayan empowers committed members of the organization to build upon their Islamic knowledge and its understanding at a higher level of education. The scholarship supports study in a Bayan master's degree program at the Chicago Theological Seminary. Embrace scholarship recipients will be taught and trained in the skills to apply their education for communal benefit.
To support this program as a donor or start a fundraiser, please click here.
Omar and Azmeralda Alfi Scholarship for Educational Leadership
Eligible full-time students may be awarded this $24,000/year scholarship
The Bayan Omar and Azmeralda Alfi Scholarship for Educational Leadership is an honor bestowed
upon exceptional, highly qualified full-time entering or continuing graduate students enrolled in
Bayan’s M.A. in Islamic Education degree program.
For one incoming full-time student per year admitted into the M.Div. in Islamic Chaplaincy degree program.
Bayan, in partnership with the Hassan Hathout Legacy Foundation, awards a full tuition
merit-based scholarship for exceptional incoming full-time graduate students admitted to Bayan’s
Master of Divinity in Islamic Chaplaincy program. The scholarship is named after the late Dr.
Hassan Hathout, who was a physician, ethicist, and Islamic leader who contributed to the Muslim
American community for decades. His emphasis on human dignity, ethics, peacemaking, harmony, and
love are characteristics Bayan seeks to inculcate in its student body, especially among those
dedicating their lives to chaplaincy.
Bayan’s degree programs are accredited with the partnership of Chicago Theological Seminary, and Bayan’s students are matriculated at CTS. Thus, Bayan students are assessed the prevailing tuition rates at CTS for their courses. The current rate for a 3-unit course is $3,210.
Interested applicants can explore applying for Bayan Scholarship Programs if they meet requirements and/or for federal financial aid with the CTS Financial Aid office. We also encourage students to investigate external scholarships, and support from their local communities or employers.
Students interested in a Graduate Certificate are assessed the standard tuition rate. Certificate students are not eligible for scholarships or federal financial aid.
Transcripts
TRANSCRIPTS
In order for your Application for Admission to be complete, official transcripts must be received from all academic institutions you have attended. These should be sent directly from the respective institutions. They can be sent either electronically or by mail:
Office of Admissions
Chicago Theological Seminary
1407 E. 60th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
United States of America admissions@ctschicago.edu
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation are required for admission for any of our degree and certificate programs. Please see Admissions Requirements section to determine what types of letters of recommendation will be required for the program you are applying for. When you apply, you will have the opportunity to provide us with the names and contact information of who we should contact to obtain letters of recommendation on your behalf. If you have already applied and want to send requests for letters of recommendation, please click here.
Information Sessions
The Bayan admissions team periodically schedules virtual information sessions. However, you can reach us at any time to learn more about Bayan’s academic programs, review admissions requirements, and discuss your educational and professional plans.
If you would like to speak with a graduate of Bayan, or a current student, please let us know.
You can reach us at admission@bayanonline.org or at (714) 862-2926.
Bayan academic programs are hybrid. Students study online and in person. During a period of up to two weeks in the middle of each semester, a number of Bayan courses have in-person meetings with faculty. These classes are held at the Chicago Theological Seminary campus. During the rest of the semester, classes are conducted virtually. Attendance during online sessions and in-person meetings is required.
