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Ijāza Certifications
Graduate Certificate in Islamic Belief and Practice
The Graduate Certificate in Islamic Belief and Practice is designed for students seeking to move beyond foundational study into the advanced disciplines of Islamic thought. This program deepens scholarly understanding and explores how belief is understood, practiced, and lived across time and tradition.
Through rigorous study of Sunni theology, comparative fiqh, tafsīr methodology, sīra analysis, and tazkiya, students encounter the great thinkers, debates, and interpretive methods that have shaped the intellectual heritage of Islam. Attention is also given to contemporary applications and questions of religious leadership, connecting classical knowledge to the realities of modern Muslim life.
Intended for students advancing in Islamic studies, this certificate cultivates academic excellence and spiritual maturity—preparing graduates to continue higher studies, contribute to scholarship, and serve their communities.
Graduates are prepared to bring informed perspectives to their communities, pursue further advanced study, or contribute thoughtfully in faith-based, educational, and professional settings.
Degree
Graduate Certificate
Required credits
18 Credit hours
Areas of Focus
Islamic Disciplines, Independent and Contextual Analysis, Leadership
Admissions Dates
Open: January 5, 2026
Closes: February 22, 2026
TuitionPrerequisites
To qualify for admission into the program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree and basic Islamic knowledge.
Requirements can be met with: a BA in Islamic Studies, an ʿalīma degree, or 12 years in an Islamic school with transcripts that demonstrate Islamic studies background in addition to a bachelor’s in another field.
Program Objectives
Advanced Knowledge
Attain advanced understanding of Islamic disciplines through both thematic and text-based study, engaging directly with classical sources and scholarly traditions.
Independent and Contextual Analysis
Apply advanced interpretive and comparative methods to assess scholarly debates, analyze historical and modern contexts, and articulate nuanced positions grounded in tradition and reason.
Leadership
Translate advanced study of belief into reflective practice, articulate principled approaches to contemporary issues, and model leadership rooted in intellectual rigor, ethical responsibility, and spiritual depth.
Admissions Requirements
We review your admission holistically, to understand your academic readiness, character, and commitment to learning. A holistic review refers to an applicant’s academic record, volunteer/ community service, optional exams submitted, awards and recognition, and perspectives that can contribute to the academic and spiritual goals of being a student at Ribāṭ University.
The Graduate Certificate application process includes, but is not limited to:
Application basics
- Completed application
- A non-refundable fee of $35 submitted with the application
- An interview may be requested
Academic records
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Demonstrate well-developed written and oral communication skills
- Provide strong academic references
- Exhibit critical thinking skills, and research capabilities
- MAT and/or GRE scores are preferred but not required
- Official transcripts from all prior academic institutions attended
Writing and recommendations
- Personal narrative essay and short responses
- Three to four email addresses for people who will provide a recommendation by submitting an online questionnaire. Referees can be personal, professional, academic, and/or community leaders.
If applicable
- English proficiency results for non-native speakers (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test results)
Course Outline - Required Courses
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Course Outline - Electives (Choose 1)
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 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.
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.
Have questions?
For more information or assistance, applicants may contact the Admissions Office at
Email: admissions@rabata.org