This course introduces the major theories, concepts, and subfields of psychology, while exploring how culture, worldview, and ethics shape our understanding of the human mind and behavior. Islamic and secular psychological perspectives are examined in parallel and in dialogue.

Students explore major theories of personality and identity development, comparing psychoanalytic, humanistic, trait-based, and Islamic models of the nafs (self), motivation, and character formation.

This course traces the development of psychology in the Islamic world, from classical scholars to modern practitioners. Students explore the integration of traditional Islamic concepts with contemporary therapeutic approaches. The course will also critically examine the impact of colonization on Islamic healing traditions, including the marginalization, medicalization, and suppression of Islamic healing practices.

A comprehensive study of human development from birth to old age, with attention to biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. Students examine rites of passage, moral development, and resilience through multiple cultural lenses.

An introduction to the neurological and physiological foundations of behavior, emotion, and cognition. Topics include brain structure, neurotransmission, and the psychobiology of stress and mental illness.

Students explore family systems theory, attachment, parenting, and marital dynamics. The course also considers kinship structures, intergenerational trauma, and Islamic principles of family and relational ethics.

An overview of psychological disorders and diagnostic systems, including critiques of pathology frameworks. Students consider how mental health, suffering, and healing are understood in Islamic and cross-cultural contexts.

This experiential course introduces foundational counseling techniques such as active listening, empathy, and reframing. Students explore the role of values, presence, and spirituality in effective helping relationships.

An exploration of how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts. Topics include conformity, authority, group identity, and moral reasoning. Case studies include historical and contemporary Muslim societies including the role of social media in changing values.

Students examine the psychological and physiological impact of trauma, as well as evidence-based interventions. The course also introduces spiritual models of healing, forgiveness, resilience, and post-traumatic growth.

This course explores the intersection of applied psychology, quantum physics, and energy healing through an Islamic lens. Students will examine how consciousness, intention, and energy impact mental and physical well-being. Topics include energy psychology, metaphysical models of illness as well as spiritual afflictions such as the evil eye (‘ayn), jinn possession, and black magic (siḥr). The course equips students to engage these concepts critically and ethically within holistic psychological care.

This integrative course prepares students for ethical and professional practice in the field of psychology. Students explore career pathways, role expectations, and settings where applied psychology is practiced—such as counseling, education, community health, and research. Special attention is given to ethical standards (i.e., APA, relevant regional codes), cultural and religious values, and the unique challenges of navigating identity, power, and responsibility in professional contexts. Students reflect on their own vocational goals, examine case studies, and develop practical tools for decision-making, supervision, boundary-setting, and service delivery. The course culminates in the creation of a personalized professional development plan.

A methods course that prepares students to conduct and evaluate psychological research. Emphasis is placed on research ethics, cultural humility, and the limitations of Western empirical norms.

In this culminating course, students synthesize their learning through a major applied project. Emphasis is placed on integrative thinking, ethical responsibility, and practical engagement in a chosen area of interest.