Common Questions, Direct Answers.

Mishkah University — also known as the Islamic University of North America — is an Islamic educational institution delivering its programs fully online, in both English and Arabic. Programs range from Qur'an certification (Ejaza Online) to graduate studies. The name "Mishkah" (مشكاة) refers to "a niche in the wall where lamps are placed" — a Qur'anic image from Sura An-Nur (24:35): "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth..."

To be a beacon that lights the path to spiritual enlightenment and moral reformation through authentic, applicable Islamic education. The institutional tagline: "Authentic. Applicable. Illuminating Minds."

Dr. Salah As-sawi is the President. He is the former President of American Open University and President of the International University of Latin America (UIAL).

Mishkah operates fully online. For inquiries: English Department (866) 808-0813, Arabic Department (855) 575-6665, or info@mishkahu.com.

The Board includes Dr. Hussein Hamid Hassan (President of the Board), Dr. Salah As-sawi (President of the University), Dr. Muwaffak Abd Allah Al Ghaylany, Dr. Ahmed Albatrawy, Dr. Salem Morgen, and Sheikh Walid Bassiouni. The full Board is published on our Board of Trustees page.

Mishkah's faculty includes Dr. David Solomon Jalajel (Islamic & Arabic Studies, UWC), Muhammad Sa'eed Alrahawan, PhD (Hadith Sciences, Al-Azhar), Mir Rizwan Ali, EdD (Sharia, Al-Azhar), Muthanna Alkhaldi, PhD (Quranic Linguistics), Shoaib Ahmed Malik, PhD (Philosophy & Science), Zehra Hazratji, MA (Sharia, Al-Azhar), and Haroon Baqai, PhD (Qur'an Ijazah, Jeddah). Arabic-medium faculty includes Dr. Muhammad Hassan Othman, Dr. Ahmed As-sawi, and Dr. Muhammad Abu Al-Naja, among others.

Mishkah offers five academic programs: Associate Degree (2 years, 81 credit-hours, 28 subjects), Bachelor's Degree (3–5 years, 127 credit-hours, 47 subjects, 9 tracks), Graduate Studies (Master's and Doctorate, six specialisations each: Sharia, Usul al-Din, Arabic Language, Islamic Culture, Sharia Politics, and Islamic Economics), the Language Prep Diploma for non-Arabic speakers, and the PCTAFL Arabic Teacher Diploma.

The Bachelor's in Islamic Studies runs 3–5 academic years totalling 127 credit-hours across 47 subjects (44 required + 3 electives from a list of 15). It is organised in nine tracks: 'Aqidah (17h), Qur'an Sciences and Tafsir (13h), Hadith Sciences (12h), Da'wah and Islamic Culture (8h), Fiqh and Usul (30h), Arabic Language (19h), History and Civilisation (9h), Educational subjects (9h), and Tazkiyah (4h). Requirements include memorisation of 4 juz' of the Qur'an (or a sanad ijaza). Arabic is the primary medium; an English-medium track is available on arrangement.

The Associate Degree in Islamic and Arabic Studies runs 2 years totalling 81 credit-hours across 28 subjects, organised in seven tracks: 'Aqidah (18h), Qur'an Sciences (11h), Sunnah Sciences (9h), Fiqh and Usul (24h), Civilisation and History (5h), Arabic Language (8h), and Educational subjects (6h). Language of study is Arabic. Suitable for students continuing into the Bachelor's or finishing at the Associate level.

Mishkah offers two graduate degrees — Master's and Doctorate — each with six specialisations: Islamic Sharia, Usul al-Din, Arabic Language, Islamic Culture, Sharia Politics, and Islamic Economics. A Master's-to-Doctorate transfer pathway is available. Language of study is Arabic. For current programme duration and credit-hour requirements, contact admissions at (855) 575-6665.

The Professional Certificate in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language is a 12-month, 128-hour diploma for holders of a Bachelor's in Arabic-language sciences. It focuses on everyday communication, teaching methods, functional grammar, and Arabic writing. The certificate is authenticated by the U.S. Department of State for a $200 fee.

Teaching Arabic to non-native speakers — for adults with limited or no prior Arabic. Built on the "Your Bridge to Arabic" textbook series across nine levels (elementary, intermediate, and advanced — three books per level), targeting the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Prepares students to enter the Arabic-medium Bachelor's.

Yes. Mishkah University (Sharia Academy of America) is accredited by the International University of Latin America (UIAL) — an independent accredited university based in Latin America. The UIAL licence is publicly verifiable at uial.org, and accreditation details are published on the accreditation page.

Yes. Students may submit a certified transcript of credit hours successfully completed at any accredited university, college, or institute. The terms include: hours registered at Mishkah must be at least 50% of the total required for the degree, and the courses submitted for accreditation must be equivalent to those taught at Mishkah.

The public accreditation page links directly to the UIAL licence page. For an official copy or further inquiries, contact info@mishkahu.com.

Register through the student portal from the registration page, or contact admissions directly. The Dean of Admissions and Registration is Dr. Muhammad Abdul-Hakim.

A valid ID, prior academic transcripts, a short statement of purpose, a passport-style photo, and payment of the registration fee. Specific requirements vary slightly by program.

Mishkah runs three consecutive semesters per year — Summer, Fall, and Spring. Current dates are published in the student portal.

Yes. Non-degree student enrollment is available for those who want to take one or two courses without committing to a full program.

Some advanced programs may require a brief online interview, but foundational tracks typically do not.

Yes. Mishkah is a fully online university and accepts students from around the world.

Tuition varies by program. Current fees are published in the student portal after you create an account, or you can call the administration at (866) 808-0813 (English) or (855) 575-6665 (Arabic) for guidance.

Yes — semester-based instalment plans are available. For scholarships and aid, contact administration directly to learn what is available in the current cycle.

A stable internet connection, a modern smartphone or computer, and an up-to-date browser. The Mishkah platform (mishkahu.instructure.com) works without additional software.

Yes — live sessions are scheduled with diaspora students in mind, and all sessions are recorded for anyone who can't attend in real time.

Written and oral exams are conducted at scheduled times through the platform, following the institution's academic-quality policy.

Yes. Certificates are awarded after successful completion of all program requirements. The physical certificate is mailed with the institutional seal, with a verified digital copy provided.