Bachelor’s Degree in Islamic Law and Theology

Zaytuna College has developed a unique curriculum for its Bachelor’s degree program that incorporates both ancient and modern pedagogy, from selective memory training to critical analysis. The curriculum emphasizes key foundational texts, in-depth examination of critical methodological issues, command of the Arabic language, familiarity with the most important Islamic sciences, and grounding in law, history, philosophy, natural science, astronomy, literature, ethics, and politics.  

Our educational philosophy also reflects the conviction that a student becomes part of a living intellectual and spiritual tradition by an ongoing engagement with an active community of believers as well as the larger, pluralistic world around them. As our students pursue their studies, they deliver lectures and sermons, join partners of other faiths and perspectives in service, provide counsel, especially for the youth of the community, and involve themselves in the full range of daily trials and triumphs that characterize the world in which they live. 

Zaytuna undergraduates study in cohorts, with each cohort taking all its classes together and in the same sequence. The cohort benefits each student by enhancing the communal dimension of learning, offering strong peer support for study and academic achievement, and providing an interactive setting for an individual to grow in knowledge, skills and language proficiency. As distinct from the more familiar model of learning which views the instructor as provider-of-learning-commodities, the Zaytuna cohort program brings our students together as a community to foster creativity, develop leadership, and encourage one another. 

To learn more about our undergraduate program, please download our College Catalog. 

Master’s Degree in Islamic Texts 

Zaytuna College’s Master of Arts degree in Islamic Texts is intended to provide students a higher-level access to the Islamic tradition through a guided course of study in Islam’s primary sources. The master’s degree is a two-year program that culminates in a summative thesis. The degree is intended for students who have completed a degree in Islamic Studies or ancillary fields (e.g. Theology, Philosophy, Arabic, Islamic Law, History) and have substantial knowledge in the Islamic tradition. In addition, the master’s degree program seeks students who can read, discuss, and engage the primary Arabic texts of the Islamic tradition at an advanced level. 

The coursework includes studies of Classical Arabic language and literature, Qur'an, Qur’anic commentaries, Islamic Philosophy, Theology and Mysticism, Islamic Law, and the History of Islam. Furthermore, in each of the concentrations, there is a comparative track that will allow the student to study texts in the European tradition that parallel the Islamic texts in their ideas and methods. For example, the study of Islamic Philosophy can be augmented by the study of Latin Scholasticism or the study of Islamic Mysticism by the readings in Greek Neoplatonism.

The goal of our master’s level courses and teaching methods is to sharpen the student’s ability to read and analyze the primary texts, consider the socio-religious contexts and scholarly sources out of which the texts emerged, while continuing to engage in well-reasoned academic and scholarly discussion and research. Students will also be introduced to methods and research tools in both the Western and Islamic tradition.

Applicants to the Zaytuna Master’s program are required to have advanced Arabic. Accordingly, before acceptance into the academic program, all students are required to take an Arabic language admittance exam. Students who fail this exam and yet show significant promise as scholars in the field must bring their Arabic skills to the required level before being admitted to the program.

To learn more about our graduate program, please download our Academic Catalog for our Master's program. 

Undergraduate Bachelor's Degree

The undergraduate degree program at Zaytuna College has a rolling admissions system, and any candidate who has completed their junior year of high school may apply at any time. The College will consider complete applications and will communicate admissions decisions periodically, starting in the Fall of each year. It is in the applicant’s interest to apply as early as possible. 

All offers of admission are contingent upon (1) the satisfactory completion of academic work in progress, and (2) passing the Arabic proficiency exam administered by Zaytuna College or passing the Zaytuna College Summer Arabic Intensive Program.

Graduate Master's Degree

The master’s degree program at Zaytuna College has a rolling admissions system. Any candidate who has earned a terminal degree, such as a bachelor’s degree or seminary (madrasa) equivalent, may apply at any time after October 15th, 2019. The College will consider complete applications and will communicate admissions decisions periodically, starting in the late Fall of each year. It is in the applicant’s interest to apply as early as possible.

Curriculum

Q: How many degrees does Zaytuna offer?

A: Zaytuna offers one bachelor of arts (BA) in Islamic law and theology and one master of arts (MA) in Islamic texts.

Q: Is there a part-time program?

A: No

Q: Is there an online program?

A: No

Q: Can students select courses?

A: Undergraduate students take a standardized curriculum with their cohort to foster a community of learning with their peers. Students in our master's program will select one of two areas of concentration: philosophy and theology or Islamic law.

Q: Is their a way to pursue other courses outside of Zaytuna?

A: Yes. Zaytuna students have the option of simultaneously enrolling in University of California Berkeley Extension courses. 

Financials

Q: How much is tuition?

A: Please find a detailed breakdown of our fees under "Tuition & Financial Assistance" on this webpage. 

Q: Are there scholarships and financial aid?

A: Yes. There are merit-based scholarships and zakat-based, financial-need grants. 

Q: Can international students apply for scholarships and financial aid? 

A: Yes   

Student Life

Q: Is there on-campus housing?

A: Yes

Q: How much does on-campus housing cost?

A: $10,000/year

Q: Is there on-campus housing for married students?

A: Yes, but it is very limited. 

Q: Is there a dress code?

A: Yes. Please see the Zaytuna College Catalog for more details.

Q: Is there a meal plan?

A: No. However, three free dinners are provided every week by the Zaytuna College Office of Student Life. 

Q: Is there a laundry room?

A: Yes. There are communal laundry machines in each dormitory. 

Q: Is there a kitchen in the dorm?

A: Yes. There is a communal kitchen and dining area in each dormitory. 

Q: How many students share one dorm room?

A: Most students share a room with one other person. A few students have two roommates in a large room, and some fourth-year undergraduates live alone. 

Prerequisites

Q: Do I need to know Arabic to apply?

A: No; however, you must acquire one year of college-level Arabic before the fall semester of your freshman year at Zaytuna. You may either do this on your own or attend the Zaytuna College Summer Arabic Intensive (SAI). One year of college-level Arabic is equivalent to the first ten chapters of Al-Kitaab fii Ta‘allum al-‘Arabiyya; (Georgetown University Press, 2011). 

Q: Do I need to have a background in Islamic studies?

A: No, but having a background in Islamic studies greatly strengthens your application. 

Q: Do I need to have a background in the liberal arts?

A: No, but having a background in the classical liberal arts greatly strengthens your application.

Application

Q: Who is eligible to apply?

A: Any student who has completed the junior year of high school is eligible to apply to our undergraduate program. 

Q: Can international students apply?

A: Yes

Q: How much does the application cost?

A: $50

Q: Is there a minimum SAT/ACT/CLT score to apply?

A: No

Q: Is there a minimum high school GPA to apply?

A: No

Q: Where can I get my forty hours of community service?

A: Time spent volunteering at a recognized organization whose leadership will attest to your community service may be counted toward your application. Examples of official organizations range from local community centers to international nonprofit organizations. 

Q: Who should write my three letters of recommendation?

A: We suggest that at least two of your letters of recommendation come from educators. 

Q: What can I do to strengthen my application?

A: Demonstrating a background in Arabic and/or the liberal arts will strengthen your application. 

We are excited to announce that Zaytuna College has been approved to accept international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), and we will begin accepting applications for start dates as early as Fall 2018! As the first Muslim liberal arts college in the United States, Zaytuna offers an opportunity for international students to pursue an education under the guidance of scholars dedicated to the preservation of the Islamic spirit and the foundation of the liberal arts. International students studying at Zaytuna College will receive a transformative educational experience, as they will become part of a living intellectual and spiritual tradition that is enhanced by an ongoing involvement with an active community of believers, the larger, multi-religious world around them, as well as the full range of daily trials and triumphs that characterize modern American society. 

Students will work towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Islamic Law and Theology, and will be immersed in Zaytuna’s unique curriculum, which emphasizes key foundational texts; an in-depth examination of critical methodological issues; a command of the Arabic language; a familiarity with the most important Islamic sciences; and grounding in law, history, philosophy, science, astronomy, literature, ethics, and politics. 

Our beautiful ten-acre historical campus situated at the top of “Holy Hill” in Berkeley California offers an accommodating academic environment that supports our students’ spiritual and intellectual endeavors.  

Question & Answer:

Zaytuna College does not participate in state or federal grant or loan programs, we do however strive to assist students who need funds to study at the College. We also offer merit scholarships for students that demonstrate the potential for exceptional academic achievement. Additionally, other financial aid options are available, please contact the financial aid office for more information at [email protected] or call 510-900-3134.

Undergraduate Program Costs
2018 - 2019 Academic Year

Graduate Program Costs
2018 - 2019 Academic Year

Scholarships 

Merit-based financial assistance includes scholarships awarded by the college. Scholarships are awarded for outstanding academic achievements, although some merit scholarships can be awarded for leadership potential. A cumulative GPA of 3.7 is required to qualify for a scholarship. Contact [email protected] for details. 

Financial Aid 

As a Muslim college, Zaytuna is an inheritor of a centuries-long tradition that enables and encourages students to pursue knowledge as a right, regardless of economic circumstances. Hence, we have a financial aid policy that removes economic barriers to seeking knowledge by offering any admitted student who cannot afford the cost of education a generous financial assistance package. We also offer merit-based scholarships for qualified students. Zaytuna College is dedicated to delivery of this highest quality of educational experience to each of its students. Zaytuna College views its financial aid program as an investment in students and their futures. We seek a diverse student body and are committed to ensuring aided students can take full advantage of the Zaytuna experience.

Need-based (Zakat) Financial Assistance: Financial Aid

Need-based financial aid (Zakat) is awarded on the basis of the financial need of the student for undergraduate studies.

Who Qualifies for Zakat?

Anyone that can prove they are not able to pay for a College education. Need-based financial aid for the Summer Arabic Intensive is not governed by GPA since this is a prerequisite program for anyone granted admissions into Zaytuna that cannot test out of Arabic level I. Anyone that is granted need-based aid for undergraduate studies is automatically granted need-based aid for the Summer Arabic Intensive.

To maintain Zakat, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required.

Refund Policy

All enrollment cancellations and requests for refunds must be made by email to the Financial Aid Office by emailing [email protected].

To apply to Zaytuna College, click here for the steps you will need to take.