Introduction
The Master of Family Justice Legislation at Ajman university has been developed in alignment with the University’s commitment to academic excellence and its vision of linking educational outcomes with national and societal needs. The program also supports the UAE National Family Growth Agenda 2031 and the vision of the United Arab Emirates in strengthening the family justice system and promoting social stability.
The program is considered one of the first specialized postgraduate programs in the UAE and the region that integrates Islamic jurisprudential depth, modern legal and legislative frameworks, and the psychological and social dimensions associated with family protection and family disputes. Unlike traditional private law programs, this program places direct emphasis on family justice, domestic violence legislation, mediation, family protection systems, and contemporary family-related challenges.
The program has been developed in collaboration with a distinguished group of judges and judicial experts in the United Arab Emirates, ensuring its direct relevance to actual judicial and societal needs while enhancing graduates’ readiness to address evolving legal and social issues related to family matters.
The program also offers academic flexibility by allowing students to choose between completing a traditional academic thesis or a practical Capstone Project, in line with their academic interests and professional aspirations.
As an independent and specialized program, it also possesses the potential to serve as the foundation for a specialized research center in family-related issues, in collaboration with courts, the Ministry of Community Development, and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, thereby contributing to academic research and the development of family-related policies and legislation in the UAE and the region.
The program extends over two academic years (four semesters) with a total of 30 credit hours and aims to equip students with specialized knowledge and professional skills necessary for excellence in the field of family justice.
In addition, 30% of the program is delivered through blended learning (online), providing flexibility for working professionals, while Arabic is adopted as the primary language of instruction in alignment with the legislative and jurisprudential nature of the program.
Program Educational Objectives
The program aims to:
- Prepare graduates as specialized legal experts in family justice legislation, capable of understanding the interaction between Islamic jurisprudential principles and modern legislative systems, and responding to legal and social challenges related to family protection.
- Develop applied legal research skills in personal status matters in accordance with academic and professional standards, while promoting the production of innovative and critical legal knowledge.
- Contribute effectively to supporting the UAE Vision 2071 and the National Family Growth Strategy 2031 by graduating qualified national professionals capable of serving judicial authorities, family protection units, and institutions concerned with family affairs.
- Provide a flexible academic program suitable for working professionals through a hybrid education model that balances rigorous academic quality with flexibility in time management, while maintaining direct academic engagement in practical components.
- Enhance comparative legal and professional understanding through integrating the study of federal legislation (such as the Personal Status Law and the Domestic Violence Law 2024) with the analysis of regional and international legal systems, with particular focus on contemporary issues such as child protection, family mediation, and scientific evidence (DNA fingerprinting).
- Ensure the sustainability and regional distinction of the program through a focused curriculum designed according to international best practices in legal education, offering highly specialized and high-quality content that meets labor market expectations in both the public and private sectors.
Career Opportunities
The program prepares graduates for specialized careers in fields including:
- Family justice systems
- Judicial and prosecution sectors
- Arbitration and mediation centers
- Governmental, developmental, and social institutions
- Family counseling and protection services
Potential career paths include:
- Sharia Judge
- Judicial Researcher
- Family Protection Investigator
- Family Mediator
- Specialized Legal Practitioner
- Legal Consultant
- Domestic Violence Specialist
- Academic Researcher
- Positions within ministries and judicial institutions concerned with family affairs and social protection
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Master’s Program, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
Academic Requirements
- A recognized Bachelor’s degree and official transcript, duly attested, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or equivalent.
- Submission of an equivalency certificate issued by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for degrees obtained outside the UAE.
- Two recommendation letters.
- A valid English language proficiency certificate:
- IELTS Academic with a minimum score of 4.5, or
- TOEFL ITP with a minimum score of 450, or equivalent.
Conditional Admission
Applicants must submit all the required documents listed above. Conditional admission may be granted in the following cases:
First: Conditional Admission Based on GPA
- Applicants with a cumulative GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 may be admitted conditionally, provided that they enroll in no more than 6 credit hours and achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 by the end of the conditional admission period; otherwise, they will be dismissed from the program.
- Applicants with a cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 may be admitted conditionally, provided that they complete no more than 6 credit hours of remedial courses (which are not counted toward the program requirements or GPA) and achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 by the end of the conditional admission period; otherwise, they will be dismissed from the program.
Second: Conditional Admission Based on English Language Proficiency
Applicants who do not meet the required English language proficiency score may be admitted conditionally, provided that they fulfill the following requirements during the first semester of conditional admission; otherwise, they may be dismissed from the program:
- Register for no more than 6 credit hours during the first semester (excluding intensive English language courses).
- Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the first 6 credit hours of coursework.
- Obtain, by the end of the conditional admission period, a minimum IELTS Academic score of 4.5 or its equivalent.
Program Delivery Mode
In line with the program’s commitment to providing flexible learning opportunities for working professionals, and in accordance with Ajman University’s approved hybrid education policy, the Master of Family Justice Legislation program will be offered in a Hybrid format combining online and face-to-face learning as follows:
- Total Credit Hours: 30 credit hours
- Online Learning: 9 credit hours (30% of the program), delivered through the Moodle learning platform with both synchronous and asynchronous interaction.
- In-Person Learning: 21 credit hours (70% of the program), delivered on campus and including interactive lectures, workshops, practical training, and thesis/capstone defense.
Program Completion Requirements
To successfully complete the Master of Family Justice Legislation program (30 credit hours), students must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete the coursework phase (24 credit hours), including:
First: Compulsory Courses
- 18 credit hours (6 courses × 3 credit hours).
Second: Elective Courses
- 6 credit hours, where students select two elective courses from the approved elective course list (3 credit hours each).
- Complete the graduation requirements (6 credit hours) through one of the following options:
Option A:
- Master’s Thesis (6 credit hours).
Option B:
- Capstone Project (3 credit hours) plus Practical Training (3 credit hours).
- Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
Program Duration
Two academic years (4 semesters).