EDUCATION

The ISAR Education Program spans four years, while the ISAR Theology Program encompasses an intensive five-year educational process. Throughout this period, courses are offered in Classical and Modern Arabic, core Islamic sciences, social and human sciences, methodology, and statistics. At the end of the second year, students are sent to an Arabic-speaking country for an overseas summer program, where they have the opportunity to improve their language skills, conduct field research, and engage with diverse cultures and communities.

The first two years of the program focus primarily on language education, offering students in-depth instruction in both Modern and Classical Arabic. The Modern Arabic unit follows a curriculum in accordance with ACTFL standards, taught by native Arabic-speaking instructors. At the end of this two-year intensive program, students who successfully complete the curriculum are sent to partner institutions in the Arab world with equivalent standards to continue their language training on-site. Additionally, students who are exempt from the Modern Arabic program due to their proficiency, and who have already studied Arabic abroad, are sent to participate in a summer school program in Europe, provided they have English proficiency.

Alongside Modern Arabic, Classical Arabic is taught by expert academics to enhance students’ ability to engage with classical texts. In the subsequent years of the ISAR program, emphasis is placed on Islamic sciences and social sciences. Students read texts related to Islamic disciplines such as fiqh, kalam, tafsir, hadith, and usul al-fiqh, while also taking courses in sociology, psychology, political science, economics, and statistics. The program works in tandem with the Academic Writing Center each semester to help students acquire academic writing skills.

Students who have not studied English in a preparatory year at their universities receive intensive English education during the final two years of the program. As a result, each ISAR graduates with advanced proficiency in both Arabic and English. Additionally, based on students’ interests and requests, elective courses such as Latin, Persian, and German are also offered.

Throughout the ISAR Basic Education Program, students have the opportunity to participate in reading groups and workshops organized by the Research Center, tailored to their interests and academic pursuits. These groups, focused on fields such as medical ethics, law, economics, and psychology, facilitate in-depth study and provide occasions to engage with a diverse range of researchers.

Students in the education program are supported and rewarded through merit-based financial assistance, such as periodic cash stipends or book scholarships, depending on their performance at ISAR and their respective universities. Throughout the program, students also receive mentorship from alumni who have previously completed the program; these mentors provide one-on-one guidance to support the students’ academic development.

The foundation of the education provided at ISAR is based on Arabic, Islamic Sciences, Social Sciences, and Islamic Ethics. Within the Arabic program, modern and classical Arabic education is intensively taught as a whole during the first two years of the program. In the second phase of the four-year basic education program and the five-year theology program, the fundamental works of Islamic sciences such as fiqh, sirah, hadith, kalam, ethics, and sufism are taught. In addition to these sciences, seminars in fields such as philosophy, politics, literature, economics, and social theory also gain prominence in the second two-year period of the program. Islamic ethics are studied with students through the reading of distinguished works in this field, such as Riyazü's-salihîn, İhyâu Ulûmi’d-dîn, and Minhâcü'l-'âbidin.

You can review the curriculum of our 4-year education program at the link.

You can review the curriculum of the 5-year theology program at the link.

The ISAR Business program is a comprehensive educational program followed within İSAR, designed to prepare university students for professional life after graduation. Open to students enrolled at Turkey’s leading universities who possess proficiency in English, this three-year program offers participants a multidimensional platform for both intellectual and professional development.

The foundation of the program consists of a strong grounding in Islamic sciences alongside theoretical and practical courses in fields prominent in the business world. In addition to core Islamic disciplines, participants receive education from competent academics and professionals with sectoral experience in areas such as business management, digital technologies, finance, marketing, and personal development. In this way, students have the opportunity to develop both their scholarly and professional competencies concurrently. More than an academically focused program, ISAR Business provides a multi-layered learning environment that prioritizes students’ personal, social, and intellectual growth. Project work, institutional and corporate visits, seminars, and cultural activities organized as part of the program allow participants to reinforce their knowledge and skills while establishing organic ties with the professional world.

The program also contributes to the formation of a student community united by shared goals and values. The spirit of collaboration and friendship that flourishes among participants often evolves into a sustained network of solidarity after graduation. ISAR Business stands as a pioneering model that aims at fostering individuals who are grounded in Islamic values, capable of understanding contemporary needs, and marked by productivity and a strong sense of responsibility.