Enrolling in an accredited online Islamic university is a decision that shapes years of your life and, for many, the direction of a career. It is not a small choice — and unfortunately the online Islamic-studies market is full of programs that borrow the vocabulary of a real university without doing the work.
This is the short checklist we wish every prospective student ran before enrolling anywhere, including at Mishkah University.
1. Verify the accreditation independently
An institution can call itself a university. It can post a certificate on the website. What matters is whether the accrediting body is a real, independent authority that can be verified from a source that is not the university itself.
Mishkah is accredited by the International University of Latin America (UIAL), and the licence page is publicly hosted on the UIAL site. See our accreditation page for the direct link — and please, do open that link and confirm for yourself. We would rather you enroll after verifying than trust our word for it.
2. Look at who is teaching, not just what
Every course at a serious Islamic university is taught by a named scholar whose ijazahs (chains of authorised transmission) can be traced. If a program lists courses but not instructors, or lists instructors without credentials, that is a red flag. A degree is only as good as the scholars behind it.
3. Ask: is the curriculum taught in Arabic?
Classical Islamic sciences are written in Arabic. A degree that avoids the primary sources — that summarises everything through English translations — will not prepare you to engage with the tradition on its own terms. At Mishkah, both an Arabic-medium and an English-medium track are offered, but even the English track requires meaningful Arabic study.
4. Understand the degree structure
A real degree follows the structure of recognised Islamic universities: preparatory / language track, then undergraduate (Associate, Bachelor), then graduate. Certificate programs have their place, but a "certificate" from a two-week workshop is not the same thing as a Bachelor of Sharia. Know what you are enrolling in.
5. Watch the total cost, not the monthly price
Divide the total tuition by the number of credits, then compare against equivalent programs. Beware of programs that reveal their real pricing only after you have committed emotionally. A transparent cost sheet is a marker of institutional seriousness.
Also check whether the institution offers installment plans, so tuition can be paid in stages rather than as a single large upfront amount. At Mishkah, installment plans are available on every program — see the admission page for the current terms.
6. Talk to a graduate before you enroll
Any accredited program should be able to connect you with an alumnus who is willing to answer questions. If the admissions team gets uncomfortable when you ask, that is your answer.
The bottom line. Choose slowly. Verify everything. And if you would like to see how Mishkah answers each of these questions in detail, browse our programs or read our about page.