The Claremont School of Theology (CST) and Bayan Islamic Graduate School today announced a renewed institutional partnership that will commence this June. This agreement reunites two institutions dedicated to graduate level theological education and interfaith studies, establishing CST as Bayan’s primary academic partner and returning to the foundational relationship that supported Bayan’s launch in 2011.

The move follows nearly a year of thoughtful planning and coordination between the institutions. Designed to support the long-term institutional stability, program expansion, and strategic visions of both CST and Bayan, the partnership has been formally approved by the respective Boards of Trustees of both institutions, as well as by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Beginning with the Summer 2026 academic term, most continuing Bayan students and all newly admitted students will be formally enrolled at Claremont School of Theology. Bayan will maintain its academic identity, curriculum, faculty, and educational mission. Students will continue to take courses in Bayan’s established hybrid learning format, taught primarily by Bayan faculty, while benefiting from CST’s expanded institutional resources, relevant courses and academic infrastructure.

Operating at CST’s facilities in the Westwood area of Los Angeles, Bayan sits at the heart of academic and civic life, engaging the region’s Muslim and interfaith communities, universities and Muslim student associations, partnering with researchers, and contributing toward public scholarship and discourse.

As students transition to the CST environment, CST and Bayan are coordinating closely to ensure they experience continuity in instruction, advising, academic resources, and degree progress. Both institutions will provide comprehensive, individualized advising to all students to ensure they can make informed decisions that best align with their academic and personal goals. Tuition for Bayan MA and MDiv students will remain comparable, while DMin tuition will see a slight reduction for students enrolling in new cohorts at Claremont in Fall 2026 and thereafter.

Bayan will continue to offer substantial scholarships to eligible students, including the Muhammad Ali Scholarship offered with the blessings and partnership of the late champion’s family, which supports leaders who are making a transformative impact in underserved communities. Furthermore, Bayan plans to expand professional education and short-format seminars to serve a broader audience of Muslim professionals and community leaders.

For more information about the transition and a detailed list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the move to CST, please visit https://bayanonline.org/cst.