Admissions

Breaking news: We are now accepting international students at Zaytuna College.
We welcome applications from all around the world. The future awaits you in Berkeley, California.

Apply

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

Admission Deadlines

Undergraduate Bachelor's Degree 

(inclusive of financial aid deadlines)
Early decision standardized testing
December 2017
Early decision application
January 2018
Regular decision standardized testing
March 2018
Early decision notification
March 1, 2018
Early decision enrollment
March 15, 2018
Regular decision application
March 15, 2018
Regular decision admission notification
April 15, 2018
Regular decision enrollment
May 1, 2018

* Zaytuna College accepts applications after the March 15 deadline on a rolling basis. However, there is no guarantee that your application will be considered after the deadline.

Graduate Master's Degree (Pending WASC Approval)

Application due date
March 1, 2018
Admissions notification date
April 15, 2018
Enrollment
May 1, 2018

* Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Summer Arabic Intensive 

Priority application deadline
January 30, 2018
Priority notification date
March 1, 2018
Priority enrollment deadline
March 15, 2018
Regular application deadline 
March 15, 2018
Regular application deadline
April 15, 2018
Regular enrollment deadline
May 1, 2018

* Zaytuna College accepts applications after the March 15 deadline on a rolling basis. However, there is no guarantee that your application will be considered after the deadline.

Summer Arabic Intensive

The Summer Arabic Intensive is a residential language program in Berkeley, California, designed for those motivated by any number of reasons, such as for personal enrichment, the serious study of the Islamic tradition, or future academic study. The program incorporates classical Arabic texts and modern academic rigor within a nourishing spiritual environment. Students complete the program with the tools to begin a lifelong journey of learning Arabic.

Learn More

International Students

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:

Q: What are the steps to apply as an international student?
A: The process is the same as it is for U.S students. In addition to all regular admissions requirements, international applicants must also submit TOEFL scores.
Q: Does my foreign diploma qualify me for undergraduate studies?
A: Zaytuna College assesses transcripts based on the educational system of your country and the level of studies.
Q: My transcripts are not in English. What do I do?
A: All transcripts in a language other than English must be translated by your school or a professional translating service. Transcripts that are not translated will not be accepted.
Q: When do I submit a financial verification form or proof that I am able to pay for my studies?
A: Financial verification is requested after you are admitted to Zaytuna College. Please do not send financial information prior to admission.
Q: Does Zaytuna offer financial aid to international students?
A: At this time, financial aid is not available for international students.

Student Terms

Download the PDF below for more information about our International Student Terms.

Download Here

Tuition & Financial Assistance

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

Tuition$19,000
Nonrefundable enrollment$250
Textbooks and readers$900
Housing (includes a $250 nonrefundable fee)$10,000
Refundable security deposit$500
Refundable key deposit$75
Annual Student Activities$100

Graduate Program Costs
2018 - 2019 Academic Year

Tuition$27,592
Continuation fee$4,400
Records Maintenance fee during leave of absence (per semester)$100
Special fees: M.A. Application fee$40
Housing$12,000
Reinstatement fee (for students who have withdrawn and wish to return)$150
M.A. Graduation fee$150
Transcript fee$10
ID card placement$25
Parking (per semester)$350

Refund Policy

All enrollment cancellations and requests for refunds must be made in writing to the Office of Enrollment Management.

2401 Le Conte Ave.
Berkeley, CA
94709

Forms

Undergraduate Program

To commence your Undergraduate Program application process please fill out our Online Application here and follow the steps on the apply page. We look forward to journeying together.

Summer Arabic Intensive

To commence your Summer Arabic application process please fill out our Summer Arabic Intensive Application and begin the enrollment process. We look forward to learning our sacred language together.

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

Our commitment to breaking economic barriers: 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.

Need-based Financial Assistance: Financial Aid-Other

Need-based financial assistance is awarded to students who do not meet the requirements of the merit-based scholarship or who are not qualified for Zakat. Such students can be awarded this third type of financial aid.

The College strives diligently to assist students in securing the funds needed to study at the college. Students may apply for financial assistance by filling out the online financial aid application or seek other private sources of financial assistance.

Admission and financial aid applications must be submitted simultaneously. Continuing students deadline for financial aid is March 15, annually.

Registrar

Transcripts must be requested from the Registrar's office through the online request form.

Undergraduate Liability Release form for minors
Summer Arabic Intensive Liability Release form for minors
Merit Scholarship acceptance form
Need based (Zakat) aid acceptance form
Audit Authorization form - Student
Audit Authorization form - Employee
Audit Authorization form - General Public
Summer Arabic Intensive Audit Authorization form
Honors Program Enrollment form
Voluntary Leave of Absence form
Pass/Fail form
Summer Arabic Intensive Pass/Fail form
Catalog Acknowledgement form
Student Handbook Acknowledgement form
Academic Integrity Pledge form
Medical Release form
Medical Release form - Summer Arabic Intensive
Request for Incomplete form
Senior Thesis form
Special Reading Course form
Withdrawal form
Visitor Information form
Image Release/Waiver form
Student Health Information form
Permission to share information with parents or legal guardians

For questions please contact:
[email protected]

Rania Awaad

Headshot of Rania Awaad

[email protected]

Rania Awaad received classical training in the I...

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Headshot of Rania Awaad

Rania Awaad

Email: [email protected]

Rania Awaad received classical training in the Islamic Sciences while studying in Damascus, Syria. She has received traditional licenses (ijazah) to teach Qur’anic recitation (tajwid) in both the Hafs and Warsh recitations from the late eminent Syrian scholar, Shaykh Abu Hassan al-Kurdi. In addition to completing several advanced texts of the Shafi’i school (madhhab), she is licensed to teach texts of Maliki jurisprudence (fiqh), Islamic character (adab), and spirituality (ihsan). She is also a Stanford trained physician and is currently on the faculty of the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She serves as the Director of the Stanford Muslims Mental Health and Wellbeing Program and Clinical Director of the Bay Area branch of the Khalil Center, a wellness center pioneering the application of traditional Islamic spiritual healing methods to modern clinical psychology. She is also a faculty affiliate in the Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies at Stanford University and a member of its Education Advisory Board. Additionally, she serves at the Director of the Rahmah Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating Muslim women and girls.

Education: Ijazah to teach Shafi’i and Maliki Fiqh, Adab, Ihsan and Tajwid in both the Hafs and Warsh Qur’anic recitations. MD, faculty Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University.

Selected Works: Awaad R, Ali S. A Modern Conceptualization of Phobia in al-Balkhi's 9th Century Treatise: Sustenance of the Body and Soul. Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 2015 Dec 18;37;89-93. PMID: 26741063

Awaad R, Ali S. Obsessional Disorders in Al-Balkhi’s 9th Century Treatise: Sustenance of the Body and Soul, Journal of Affective Disorders. 2015 Jul 15;180:185-9. PMID: 25911133

Awaad R. “A Journey of Mutual Growth: Mental Health Awareness in the Muslim Community” in Partnerships in Mental Health. Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015 L.W. Roberts et al. (eds.)

Awaad R, Ali S, Salvador M, Bandstra B. A Process-Oriented Approach to Teaching Religion and Spirituality in Psychiatry Residency Training. Academic Psychiatry. 2014 Dec 16. PMID: 25510222

Awaad R., Reicherter D. “Cultural Perspectives in the Context of Western Psychological Mind-sets: The Need for Cultural Sensitivity in the Mental Health of Immigrant Youth” in Psychotherapy for Immigrant Youth. Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 S.G. Patel, D. Reicherter (eds.).