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​Certificate in Islamic Thought (CIT)
 
About The Fairfax Institute (TFI)
 
The Fairfax Institute (TFI) is a school of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT). Its main aims are continuing education, community outreach, and interfaith dialogue which are accomplished by providing enrichment courses, training workshops, seminars, and career development programs. TFI connects IIIT’s global networks of scholars and ideas to the community by translating scholarship into practical courses and training programs, with the objective of enhancing spiritual and religious understanding.
 
CIT Program Description and Objective
 
The Fairfax Institute’s Certificate in Islamic Thought (CIT) combines Islamic credentials with academic rigor, along with a flexible schedule which suits working professionals, Imams, chaplains, community leaders, and students. CIT core courses are designed to give students a general overview of Islamic knowledge, while focusing on some of the pertinent issues Muslims are facing today. Students will learn major concepts in Islamic thought, acquire an insight into an Islamic methodology, and understand their relevance as well as application in contemporary society.
 
Students are required to take twelve courses: seven core courses and three electives (10 hours each), plus two Arabic language courses (40 hours each), for the total of 180 hours of instruction. The Certificate can be completed in a year but most students will take 1-2 years to complete the program. Courses are offered on-site in Herndon, VA, except Arabic language courses which are administered online.
 
The Arabic language courses are taught by our partner organization, Fawakih Institute. Students will take an Arabic language placement test and be matched with the appropriate Arabic class level. If students excel in the placement test, they will not have to take the Arabic language courses and a note will be made in their transcripts.
 
Students should take a minimum of two courses in a semester to remain in good standing. Failure to do so may result in withdrawal of financial aid.
 
Target Audience/Eligibility
 
The CIT is ideal for working professionals, Imams, chaplains, community leaders, college and university students who would like to expand their Islamic knowledge, and community members who are seeking a more rigorous approach to Islam. Applicants should have at least a high school degree and be residents of the US or Canada. TFI courses are only offered to adults. You must be 18 or older to take classes at The Fairfax Institute.
 
​Non-Discrimination Policy
 
The Fairfax Institute admits students of any race, faith, color, gender, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, faith, color, gender, national, and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship/loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
 
Application Process
 
Interested applicants should fill out the online application form and submit the following as part of the application package:
 
1. Current resume/C.V. (not longer than 4 pages)
2. Most recent academic transcript
3. A 1000-word (maximum word length) statement on why the student wants to attain the Certificate in Islamic Thought and what s/he hopes to accomplish through completion of the program.
4. Financial Aid and Scholarship Application forms (included in online application)
 
Upon notification of acceptance, successful applicants will be provided a welcome packet consisting of the course schedule, travel information, financial aid package (if any), scholarship information (if any), and more. Admitted students will need to provide evidence of legal presence in the United States or Canada.
 
Schedule
 
Courses for CIT will be offered on a semester basis. Students may view the CIT Academic Calendar on the TFI website to register for courses. Several courses will be offered each semester. Classes will only be offered on weekends to accommodate travel schedules of students and instructors. The duration of each class is 10 hours. Some courses may be offered in online or hybrid format (on-site and online).
 
Fees
 
An initial registration fee of $200 (two hundred US dollars) will be required for this program. No additional fees are required as long as the student remains in good standing in the program. Students should take a minimum of two courses in a semester to remain in good standing. If the student fails to maintain this designation, s/he may lose financial aid and will have to pay a $200 fee to get reinstated into the program.
 
Scholarship and Financial Aid Opportunities
 
IIIT/TFI provides scholarship and financial aid opportunities for eligible applicants. Scholarship Application forms and Financial Aid forms are part of the application. There are no separate scholarship forms to fill out.
 
Travel funds
 
Applicants are eligible to apply for travel funds through the online application.
 
Stipends
 
Based on need, TFI may award a monthly stipend to qualified students.

Credit Hours 
 
Through its partnership with Shenandoah University, IIIT/TFI will offer the possibility of earning four (4) graduate (MA) course credits upon completion of the program.
 
Continuing Education Units
 
The Fairfax Institute is a religious institution exempt from state regulation and oversight in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It provides religious training and theological education. TFI holds authority to offer continuing education units (CEUs) through this designation. Students will receive one CEU for each course they complete. One 10-hour course is equal to 1 CEU.
 
Certificate
 
Upon completion of all requirements for the Certificate in Islamic Thought (CIT), students will be issued a certificate of completion.
 
Accommodations
 
IIIT/TFI will provide students coming from outside VA/MD/DC area (50 miles distance from Herndon or more) with accommodations at a local hotel every time a course is offered on-site in Herndon, Virginia.
 
Application Deadline
 
Applications are now open for Spring 2018 intake. The application deadline for Spring 2018 is Monday, January 8, 2018. 

​For questions and inquiries, please email tfiadmissions@iiit.org.
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The Fairfax Institute is a religious institution exempt from state regulation and oversight in the
Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Pursuant to 8 VAC 40-21-50 of the Virginia Administrative Code, The Fairfax Institute is exempt from regulations of the State Council for Higher Education for Virginia for a period of five years, beginning June 8, 2016, and ending June 8, 2021, as long as the institution's primary purpose remains to provide religious training or theological education.
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