Master’s degree

Master’s Degree Program in Islamic Education

The Master’s Degree in Islamic Education encompasses two tracks with three options.

• For students who have not completed a teaching certification elsewhere, successfully
  completing the two tracks (40 credit hours) will entitle the Master’s candidate to a Master’s Degree in Islamic Education.
• Certified teachers, who have also already completed a secular Master’s degree in Education, from an accredited university or college, may be able to transfer Master’s level classroom management and child development courses, thereby decreasing the time needed to complete their Master’s degree in Islamic Education.
• Students who only wish to earn a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Islamic Studies are not required to complete the teaching portion of the program. Completing the Islamic Studies course list (total of 20 credit hours) would result in earning a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Islamic Studies.

Program Focus

Guidance College’s Master of Arts in Islamic Education (MAIE) program is primarily
designed for individuals currently teaching or preparing to teach in Islamic educational settings, including elementary, middle, and secondary (K–12) schools, as well as mosque-based or weekend (Sunday) school programs. The program serves educators seeking to deepen both pedagogical knowledge and Islamic educational foundations within faith-based contexts.

Consistent with expectations in U.S. education, teachers at the elementary and secondary levels typically hold, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree. Individuals teaching in Islamic schools may or may not hold a state-issued teaching license, depending on the requirements of their employing institution.

Curriculum Alignment and Educational Standards

The MAIE curriculum is intentionally designed to reflect recognized principles of effective teaching and learning commonly found in U.S. elementary and secondary education. Coursework incorporates foundational elements such as:

• Instructional planning and delivery
• Assessment and evaluation of student learning
• Classroom management and student engagement
• Developmentally appropriate teaching practices
• Ethical and culturally responsive pedagogy

In addition, the curriculum integrates Islamic educational philosophy and values, preparing graduates to teach in faith-based environments while maintaining familiarity with broadly accepted educational practices.

While the MAIE program is not designed as a state-approved teacher preparation program, its curriculum demonstrates general comparability to pedagogical competencies often expected by state education agencies, thereby supporting graduates in their professional effectiveness within Islamic school settings.

State Licensure and Certification

Teacher licensure requirements are established by individual state education agencies. Students who wish to pursue state teacher certification or licensure should contact the appropriate state authority for specific requirements.

Guidance College does not offer a state-approved licensure track and does not facilitate the licensure process. Completion of the MAIE program does not, by itself, qualify graduates for state teacher certification.

For information regarding teacher licensure requirements and reciprocity by state, students may consult the following resource:  
https://internal-search.ecs.org/comparisons/teacher-license-reciprocity-01