Best Islamic Studies graduate certificate programs - Updated 2020

Just steps from the State Department and numerous other government agencies, nonprofits and NGOs, the Graduate Certificate in Islamic Studies provides valuable insight into the world of Islam both Sunni and Shi'ite. The conflict between these two factions lies at the root of many contemporary issues in the Middle East and beyond. This turmoil has made the Islamic world a priority in foreign affairs, and knowledge of the faith complex cultural intricacies is important than ever.

The region commonly referred to as the Middle East includes over 20 Arabic speaking countries, as well as Iran, Turkey, and Israel, and spans Southwest Asia and North Africa. A culturally, religiously, and linguistically diverse region, the Middle East today is one of the most geo-politically critical regions in the world. Islam, a monotheistic faith that began in the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century, is today practiced by over one billion people and is diversely expressed through a vast geographic, linguistic, and cultural terrain, from West Africa to East Asia. The Certificate in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies provides students the opportunity to formally explore the cultural, political, and religious diversity of the Middle East and the Islamic worlds. Students who have completed the requirements for the MEIS certificate and are graduating in December or May must complete the Program of Study form and the Certificate Completion form and submit them to Erin Ashbaugh, 240A Eaton Humanities, Asian Languages and Civilizations:. MEIS Certificate Statement of Intent Form (PDF)MEIS Certificate Completion Form (PDF)MEIS Certificate Program of Study Form (PDF). The certificate requires a total of 19 credit hours to include both language and content courses. One year of either Arabic or Farsi language. Only language courses beginning at the Intermediate level (2000 level) will count toward fulfilling certificate credit hour requirements. Advanced Arabic language courses can also fulfill content course requirements. In addition to Arabic or Farsi, students are encouraged to study another Middle Eastern language, such as Hebrew or Turkish (although Turkish is not currently offered at CU, there may be a possibility for interested students to study Turkish through Direct Independent Language Study). The certificate also requires that students complete 9 additional credit hours (three upper division courses), at least one of which must be a course designated ARAB.

The graduate certificate allows students to examine the complex issues involved in understanding the Middle East and the broader Islamic world from a variety of perspectives. Students study both contemporary and historical developments in these regions they take core courses in various disciplines, including political science, history, and religious studies, and have the opportunity to take elective courses in an even broader set of disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, literature, and art history. Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to the graduate certificate in Middle East and Islamic Studies, see Application Requirements and Deadlines. This certificate may be pursued on a full-or part-time basis.

The certificate would help students in world religions, international studies, history, geography, political science, etc. enter graduate programs or careers connected with the Near East, Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. The Islamic studies certificate program requires a minimum of 15 hours, plus 16 hours from the language requirement. Under certificate adviser direction, complete 4 courses at University level in one language relevant to the area of historical concentration (AKAN, ARAB, HIND, INDO, or SWAH).