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Enrollment Open for Fall Courses: Islamic Thought, Public Speaking & Resilience!

by Hassan Masood -

As-salamu `Alaykum Wa Rahmatu Allah,

Registration for our Fall '23 graduate certificate courses is now open!

Dive deep into contemporary Islamic thought, master the art of public speaking, and explore empowerment and resilience tailored for the modern Muslim. 

This semester's courses are designed to provide students with comprehensive knowledge and skills to navigate the challenges of today's world.




Learn more about the courses!

Courses Offered:

IHC 310: Thinking About Islam: Modernity, Ideas, Institutions
Taught by Dr. Ermin Sinanovic, Affiliated Adjunct Faculty
Delve into the historical context of Western modernity and colonization, the emergence of new theories in tafsir and fiqh, and the influence of liberalism on contemporary Muslims. Read more
MLC 310: Empowerment & Resilience for the Modern Muslim
Taught by Dr. Mohamed AbuTaleb, Dean of Administration
Discover Islamic beliefs, frameworks, and tools for building resilience across spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical dimensions. This course is a requirement for the Muslim Chaplaincy certificate. Read more
PPS 110: Mastering Public Speaking
Taught by Dr. John Robbins, Adjunct Faculty
Equip yourself with the art of public speaking for both religious and non-religious occasions. By the end of this course, you'll be ready to communicate effectively in various settings. Read more

Click here to enroll in a course!

Any student who completes all courses required for a Graduate Certificate will be awarded the corresponding certificate.

Financial aid and student discounts (click here) are available!

May Allah guide and bless you on your continued journey of knowledge!

With gratitude,

Boston Islamic Seminary



Available courses

What you write might be less effective because of how you present it. This workshop is designed for graduate students (and advanced undergraduates) who are pursuing studies vocational or academic studies in the broad area of Islamic Studies. It will provide a systematic introduction to:

  • Citation conventions
  • Principles of Arabic transliteration
  • Common grammatical and stylistic errors to be avoided in writing

This course engages participants in a semester-long joint deliberation on contemporary Islamic thought, focusing on addressing several pertinent questions. The themes explored in this course encompass the historical context of Western modernity and colonization and scrutinize their impact on the Muslim community. It delves into the renewed interest in understanding the Qur’an and Sunnah, reflecting on the profound questions of decline, renewal, and reform, represented by the concepts of tajdid and islah. The course also examines the emergence of new theories in tafsir and fiqh, shedding light on Muslim modernism and the Qur’an-centric approaches that have surfaced. Additionally, it investigates the Islamic revival witnessed in the 20th century and evaluates the influence of liberalism on contemporary Muslims, offering a comprehensive insight into the multifaceted dimensions of modern Islamic thought.


In this course, we explore Islamic beliefs, frameworks, and tools for building resilience across four dimensions: spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical. Resilience acts as a shield and a filter, promoting a positive, growth-centered mindset even when facing tragedy, loss, and traumatic life events. We delve into self-development and tarbiyah methodologies that interrupt cycles of negativity and cultivate the inner strength needed to bounce back from setbacks and tragedies. 



This certificate course trains students in the art of public speaking, including giving speeches and sermons for both religious and non-religious occasions. Students will examine how to structure speeches, manage oral anxiety, and develop their oratory skills. Students will also learn how to tailor their communication for greater impact and how to navigate communications with a variety of audiences. At the end of the course, students will possess the competence necessary to communicate effectively in multiple settings, from academic to professional and community-based.