The Master of Arts in Islam combines the study of classical Islam with the study of the contemporary Islamic world. This approach is premised on the assumption that an understanding of today’s Islamic world cannot be achieved without a thorough grounding in the history of Islamic religion and civilization, an assumption often overlooked by scholars and analysts.

The curriculum is constructed with this dual focus in mind. Students are expected to take a number of core courses in the Religion Department that provide familiarity with Islamic religion throughout the centuries, alongside courses in other departments and schools at GW that provide insight into current politics, society, and culture in the Islamic world. Most prominent among these departments and schools is the Elliot School of International Affairs which offers a wide array of courses on the contemporary Islamic world.