Number of hours:

The number of hours prescribed for the doctoral stage is (60) study hours.

Study System:

Studying in the doctoral program is in one of two tracks: 

(the scientific thesis is compulsory in both track).

First track: the course track with the thesis:

The student in this track studies three semesters, with an average of four courses in the first semester, four courses in the second semester, and two courses in the third semester. The student is allowed to start submitting his research plan for the thesis project after completing the study of four courses.

Courses Track and Thesis

First Semester Second Semester Third Semester Thesis
12 hours Equivalent to (4) courses 12 hours Equivalent to (4) courses 6 hours Equivalent to (2) courses 30 hours
Total
60 hours
Note: The number of thesis pages in this track is not less than 200 pages.

Second track: the thesis track only:

A doctoral student can proceed to the thesis track only without studying the courses, if the following conditions are met: 

  • His doctoral specialization is compatible with the major he studied at the master's level. 
  • The student has studied at the master's level all credit hours in the same major, with at least 30 credit hours.
  • The submitted plan should be approved by the department council. 
  • The number of thesis pages in this track should not be less than (250) pages.

The maximum and minimum limits for enrolling in courses per semester:

  • The maximum registration for courses in the first and second semesters for a doctoral student is four courses, equivalent to a maximum of (12 hours).
  • A doctoral student is allowed to register for a minimum of three courses in the first and second semesters, equivalent to (9) credit hours.
  • The maximum registration for courses in the summer semester for a doctoral student is only two courses, equivalent to (6 hours).
  • The student in the course and thesis track must submit a research plan for his thesis after completing the study of four courses or the equivalent of (12) credit hours.
  • The student in the course and thesis track is required to discuss his thesis after completing (10) courses and having spent the required time period in the doctoral stage.

Study Duration of the Program:

The duration of study in the doctoral stage is two years, and the student enrolled in the doctoral program in both tracks is not allowed to discuss his thesis before the lapse of at least one year and eight months from the time he receives the acceptance notification in the program.

Islamic University of Minnesota

in Islamic Studies online

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