A degree in Islamic Studies provides you with a knowledge and understanding of the core textual tradition of Islam, allowing you to engage with religious, philosophical and the wider intellectual discourses of Islam. If you are English speaking, for example, you will study the texts in translation, but you will typically receive a foundation in Arabic or another language which is widely used in Islamic societies.
With a Masters in Islamic Studies at Columbia University in the City of New York you will have received a solid grounding in the areas of, for example, introduction to Islam, reading Qur'anic Arabic, Islamic law and society, reading and translation, Islamic devotional life, Sufism, an introduction to Persian history and culture, armed Islamist movements and others