This graduate-level course offers an in-depth examination of the principal Sunni theological traditions, including Ashʿarī, Māturīdī, and Ṭaḥāwī writings. Through critical engagement with primary texts, the course highlights the dynamism and depth of theological discourse with academic rigor and spiritual insight.

This course examines the legal reasoning, methodological diversity, and shared principles among the major Islamic legal schools. Students explore points of convergence and divergence across madhāhib, developing a nuanced understanding of juristic plurality and interpretive tradition.The course will engage in comparison activities in order to highlight detailed differences and similarities between the schools. It is not intended as a thorough study on any single madhab, but rather a comparative exercise that prepares students for flexibility, understanding, and clarity regarding questions of fiqh.

An in-depth study of the thought and legacy of major figures in Islamic intellectual history. Students explore the selected scholars’ works, historical context, and lasting contributions to theology, law, ethics, or society. Thinkers may vary by term and field.

This course introduces students to key exegetical methodologies and figures in the development of Quranic interpretation. Emphasis is placed on classical, thematic, and modern approaches, with attention to epistemological frameworks and hermeneutical tools.

This course provides foundational training in academic research methods within the study of religion, including textual analysis, historical inquiry, and qualitative approaches. Students learn to formulate research questions, evaluate sources, and navigate ethical considerations in both confessional and academic contexts.

Designed to support graduate-level scholarship, this course develops advanced writing skills for theological research. Students practice critical reading, argumentation, citation methods, and genre-specific writing in preparation for thesis work and academic publication.

This course explores how classical principles of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) apply to the complex questions of modern life. Designed for advanced adult learners, it bridges traditional scholarship with contemporary realities—examining issues related to finance, technology, medicine, family, and public ethics through the lens of uṣūl al-fiqh and the higher objectives of the law (maqāṣid al-sharīʿah). Students will engage with scholarly debates, analyze real-world case studies, and reflect on how Islamic legal thought continues to guide ethical decision-making today. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, spiritual insight, and the balance between timeless principles and modern contexts.

A study of the inner and outer dimensions of Islamic ethics, with focus on personal purification (tazkiya) and character (akhlāq). Students engage classical texts and contemporary reflections to develop spiritually grounded approaches to moral cultivation and community life.

This course examines the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through multiple lenses, including classical Muslim narratives, modern historiography, and Orientalist critiques. Students analyze methodological assumptions, source traditions, and the theological significance of the sīra across time.

This course explores the principles, challenges, and responsibilities of religious leadership in modern Muslim communities. Topics include authority and trust, spiritual care, ethical leadership, gender dynamics, and the role of public scholarship in digital and institutional spaces.

The capstone of the MTS program, the Scholarly Personal Narrative (SPN) invites students to integrate academic research with personal experience and theological reflection. Through this distinctive writing project, students articulate a deeply informed perspective on a religious or spiritual question that intersects with their lived reality, drawing on classical sources, contemporary scholarship, and personal insight. The SPN demonstrates the student’s ability to contribute meaningfully to theological discourse through a voice that is both scholarly and authentic.

All MTS students are assessed for Arabic language proficiency to ensure their ability to engage directly with foundational Islamic texts. Placement or exemption is determined through testing, with additional coursework recommended as needed to support advanced theological study. To qualify for graduation, students should be at or above Advanced Beginner 1.

Students demonstrate proficiency in Quran recitation (fluency and tajwīd) through a placement assessment administered by qualified instructors. Where needed, students are directed to supplementary study to strengthen their recitational skill as part of their academic and spiritual development.