Islam and Interreligious Engagement
Program Director:
Jerusha Tanner Rhodes, Ph.D.
[email protected]
Why Study Islam at Union Theological Seminary? | What Makes The IIE Program Unique? | What Degrees Are Available? | Who Teaches In The IIE Program? | Why Study Islam at a Historically Christian Seminary? | Is Financial Aid Available for IIE Students? | Ready to Apply? | News and Programming
Why Study Islam at Union Theological Seminary?
Studying Islam at Union Theological Seminary prepares students to understand and contribute to crucial conversations within Muslim and interreligious contexts.
Through coursework, practical experiences, and community involvement, IIE students explore the following questions:
- How do Islamic and Muslim traditions, practices, and sources respond to oppression, white supremacy, gender-based exclusion, and environmental and economic injustice?
- How do we engage Islamic traditions and practices in committed and critical ways?
- How do we cultivate inclusive Muslim communities?
- How do we engage diversity with the goal of fostering more justice?
IIE students develop knowledge of Islamic and Muslim traditions and practices, interreligious engagement, and social justice while preparing for diverse leadership, academic, and professional roles.
What Makes The IIE Program Unique?
The IIE program at Union is unique in its commitment to diversity; emphasis on cultivating commitment through curiosity and exploration; and location.
Diversity: IIE students enter with varying degrees of knowledge of Islam: some have studied Islam in university contexts, some in religious settings, and some have never formally studied. Some were born Muslim, others embraced Islam. IIE students are also diverse in terms of race, gender, ethnic background, sexuality, and ability. Diversity is an asset to the program. Muslim students learn together in conversation with students from other traditions and perspectives.
Commitment & Curiosity: The IIE program is grounded in the idea that commitment, responsibility, and awareness (taqwa) are expanded through a deep understanding of Islam, acknowledgment of diversity within Muslim perspectives and practices, and questioning and curiosity. Questioning is not antithetical to commitment. It often opens the door to greater commitment, especially when coupled with learning about the richness of Islamic and Muslim traditions and bringing that learning into conversation on contemporary topics of concern.
Location: New York City offers IIE students a unique opportunity to engage diverse Muslim communities, participate in global organizations and movements, and experience religious diversity in an urban setting.
What Degrees Are Available?
Master of Arts in Religion in Islam and Interreligious Engagement, MAR IIE, (2 Years)
This degree allows students to deepen their knowledge of Islamic tradition and practice while acquiring broad knowledge of the Qur’an and other texts, history, theological studies, practical theology, and interreligious engagement.
- View the MAR IIE degree planner for a detailed overview of the course requirements.
- View general information about the Master of Arts in Religion program.
- View the Sample Courses for the MAR-IIE Degree Program.
Master of Divinity in Islam and Interreligious Engagement, MDiv IIE, (3 Years or Part-Time)
This degree program prepares students for leadership roles working with and in Muslim communities, including chaplaincy. The degree prepares future leaders to respond ethically to contemporary questions while drawing upon Islamic traditions and practices.
- View the Degree Planner for a detailed overview of the course requirements.
- View general information about the Master of Divinity program.
- View the Sample Courses for the MDiv-IIE Degree Program.
Students can also apply to study Islam in the PhD and STM programs.
Who Teaches In The IIE Program?
- Dr. Jerusha Rhodes
- Dr. Simran Jeet Singh
- Dr. Aliou C. Niang
- Dr. John J. Thatamanil
- Dr. Su Yon Pak
- Adjunct Faculty in Islamic Studies (rotates annually with at least 2 courses a year)
Students also take graduate-level courses with Arabic and Islamic Studies faculty at Columbia University and Barnard College.
Students also take courses with other Union faculty. These courses fulfill requirements for courses in other traditions, concentrations, and electives.
Why Study Islam at a Historically Christian Seminary?
Union Theological Seminary is a historically Christian seminary with a deep interest in interreligious engagement. Union’s student body and faculty are increasingly multireligious, and Union has formal degree programs in Islam and Buddhism.
Union has a long-standing commitment, shared across all degree programs, to social justice and to preparing students for leadership roles that engage diverse traditions in pursuit of justice.
Is Financial Aid Available for IIE Students?
Financial aid is available for students in all degree programs. For more information, visit the financial aid page or contact:
Vanessa Hutchinson
Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid
212.280.1317
[email protected]
Ready to Apply?
You can apply for the IIE Program by clicking the button below.
If you need more information on the IIE program, contact Dr. Jerusha Rhodes.
If you need more information on admissions, contact Vanessa Hutchinson and visit the Admissions page.
News and Programming
Union's Commitment to Interreligious Engagement
From a young age, Ali Hameed had a deep curiosity about faith. Born and raised Muslim, he felt a calling to uncover more about his religion.
Read the Article
IIE Open House
Studying Islam within the Interreligious Engagement field at Union prepares students to contribute to crucial conversations with Muslim communities and interreligious contexts. Interested in combatting Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment, while also cultivating sustaining and inclusive Muslim communities? Join us for our 45-minute virtual information session on Islam and Interreligious Engagement at Union!
REGISTER NOW
Union Welcomes Dr. Simran Jeet Singh as Assistant Professor in Interreligious Histories
Union Theological Seminary is excited to welcome Dr. Simran Jeet Singh as an Assistant Professor in Interreligious Histories.
Meet Simran!
Union Theological Seminary Board of Trustees Endorses Divestment
With respect to companies that are profiting from the present war in Palestine, we continue to hold these standards high and have taken steps to identify all investments, both domestic and global, that support and profit from the present killing of innocent civilians in Palestine, whose numbers are now over 34,000 – and a humanitarian crisis of ever-growing magnitude.
Learn More
Discovering Islam’s Beauty at Seminary
When I discovered that Union offered an Islamic Studies program that merged a deep theological engagement with a commitment to social justice, I knew I had found a home for the spiritual and intellectual yearnings.
Read the ArticleMuslims, #BlackLivesMatter, & Race in America
Su’ad Abdul Khabeer is a scholar-artist-activist who uses anthropology and performance to explore the intersections of race and popular culture.
Cultivating Ethical Responses to Hate & Islamaphobia
Dr. Simran Jeet Singh discusses how the Sikh community stands in solidarity with Muslims, and what an ethical response to Islamophobia looks like.