Graduate Certificate
in Islamic Psychology

The Graduate Certificate in Islamic Psychology is designed for people who aspire to have a grounded understanding of Islamic psychology in order to enhance their current profession or to further understand the intersection between Islam and psychology in everyday life.
The course explores the theory and practice of psychology, human behaviour, human experience and counselling from Islamic perspectives with a focus on culture and religion sensitive practice to meet Muslim needs. This course is also a great opportunity for self development as it helps to understand emotions, behaviour, thoughts and other important concepts which are critical to self growth.

Key Features

1 Year Part-Time

FEE-HELP Option

Experienced Lecturers

Get Started Today

Join the hundreds of seekers of knowledge who have enrolled into our degrees
and start your journey today.

Subjects

To graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Islamic Psychology, students must complete the below 4 subjects:

This subject introduces students to Islamic psychology, its context, definitions, framework and perspectives. Understandings of human nature will be explored from an Islamic perspective. The importance of the integration of psychological theories and interventions in the life of a Muslim will be discussed with a focus on the need to decolonise psychology and its content. This subject also provides a brief history of Islamic psychology and its origins, looking at early classical scholars, their worldviews and their heritage. Some of the classical scholars studied include al-Kindi, al-Farabi and Ibn Rushd (Averroes); physicians studied include al-Balkhi, al-Razi and Ibn Sina (Avicenna); and theologians studied include al-Ghazzali, Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Qayyim.

This subject provides an introduction to the fundamental sub-disciplines and theories in psychology and critically evaluates these theories from Islamic perspectives. The sub-disciplines of contemporary psychology including health, behavioural, developmental, personality, social and cognitive psychology are analysed using the latest research and evidence. The subject also includes Islamic perspectives in relations to human nature, experiences and behaviour. Parallels between contemporary psychological perspectives and Islamic psychology are explored.

This subject covers counselling interventions for various mental health conditions using principles of Islamic psychology. It utilises current theories, research and culturally-competent practices in the delivery of effective counselling interventions. The subject provides the essential Prophetic principles of giving counsel and its application. Islamic value systems in relation to mental health issues are explored, giving consideration to scriptural, spiritual, ethical, social and cultural contexts. The subject develops skills to enable counselling and therapeutic support for the well-being of the diverse Muslim community.

This subject addresses the importance of self development based on the teachings of the Qur’an and hadith (Prophetic narratives). Foundational Islamic spirituality concepts will be covered, such as ihsan (spiritual excellence), ikhlas (sincerity), istiqama (balance) and taqwa (righteousness). These concepts will be discussed alongside ibada (worship) to appreciate the relationship between all these concepts. The spiritual meaning of the five pillars of Islam will also be covered; what each practice signifies; their relationship with one another within the framework of purification of the nafs (ego); and how the five pillars assist in the spiritual development of the practitioner. The importance of the Sunnah (practical teachings of the Prophet Muhammad) in the everyday life of a Muslim will also be discussed, with a particular focus on their application in contemporary times.