Master of Arts in Islamic Studies by IOU (4 Semesters)

About the University

The Islamic Online University (IOU) was launched by Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips in 2007 as a higher education institution that offers intensive online undergraduate and graduate programs completely tuition-free. The university is committed to spreading beneficial knowledge that is easily affordable and will benefit not only individual students, but also empower entire communities. The IOU provides an equal opportunity for all students and makes earning a degree a real possibility even for the neediest of students. Students can benefit from tuition-free accredited BA and MA degrees alongwith short courses in various fields of study.

Overview of the Degree Program

The Islamic Online University (IOU) has launched the world’s first tuition-free Master’s degree in Islamic Studies program, which is offered completely online and in English as a medium of instruction. This is an excellent opportunity for the BA students to continue, further, and enhance their understanding and knowledge of the religion.

This graduate program consists of 15 courses, thesis preparation and the master’s thesis in the fourth semester. The regular duration of the program is two years. Nevertheless, students may complete it within one and half years minimum. One can take a maximum of four years to complete the program.

In general, higher education will enable students to expand their knowledge and skills, and be more effective and eloquent in speech and writing. For those who wish to enter the working field, higher education is a great asset in acquiring valuable and respected positions.

To be specific, higher education in Islamic studies will provide the opportunity to earn beneficial knowledge that will enable one—by the will and mercy of Allah—to perfect their religion, and obtain the pleasure of Allah by seeking and spreading knowledge of His religion. It is, in fact, one of the ways to gain Sadaqa Jariya (continuous rewards). It is evident that the more one knows, the more one can share. And the more one shares, the more one can gain which enables to reach higher levels of paradise.

The knowledgeable and the ignorant is never the same in the eyes of Allah as He says (interpretation of the meaning),

“Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?'” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:9)

Course Overview

The course is consists of Four Semester. Following are the details of subjects in each semester:

Semester 1

1 - Aqeedah (501)

2 - Hadeeth (501)

3 - Fiqh (501)

4 - Arabic Morphology

5 - Tafseer (501)

6 - Orientalism

Semester 2

1 - Aqeedah (502)

2 - Contemporary Fiqh Issues

3 - Arabic Communication Skills

4 - Hadeeth (502)

5 - International Relations

6 - Tafseer (502)

Semester 3

1 - Qada-Wa-Siyaasa-Shareeyah

2 - Arabic Literature

3 - Thesis Preparation and Research

4 - Hadeeth (503)

Semester 4

1 - MA Thesis

To enroll and further details, please visit Islamic Online University - Master of Arts in Islamic Studies