THE ISLAMIC PSYCHOLOGY & COUNSELLING PROGORAMME - MASTER’S LEVEL (M.IPC)

Programme Introduction

The Islamic Psychology & Counselling Programme (M.IPC)) - A Master’s Level Module-Based Course (M.IPC)

The Islamic Psychology and Counselling Programme is designed not only for mental health professionals, psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and social workers but also for Islamic scholars, imams, Muslim clergy, Muslim chaplains, Muslim pastors, and any Muslim who would like to apply Islamic-scientific psychology and counselling in da’wah, tarbiyah, and charity activities, as far as professional ethical guidelines allow.

The programme aims to provide:

An overview of Islamic-scientific psychology.
An overview of Islamic-scientific psychology.
An overview of Islamic-scientific psychology.

We recognise that the professionals who attend this master’s level (M.IPC) course will have a vast array of experiences and awareness in their areas of work. The course will provide an authentic methodology to amalgamate conventional and Islamic practices, faithful to both the context and the Islamic tradition.

It offers various level of licensure (ijazah) from intermediate-level certification (Islamically-informed), advanced-level certification (Islamically-integrated LIPC), and Master’s level certification (Islamic Psychology and Counselling LIPC).  LIPC refers to Licensed Islamic Professional Counsellor.

As graduates enter their professional careers, the Muslim community will recognise those who have completed this process and achieved various levels of licensures (Ijazah) as qualified and trustworthy professionals. This will provide the community with confidence and assurance that these qualified professionals will help demystify the issue of mental health within society.


Key Benefits:

Practical approach

Equip yourselves with the skills and knowledge to become authentic Islamic-scientific psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, social workers, or authentic users of Islamic-scientific psychology in various areas of work.

Trust

Gain the community's trust and reliance through recognized qualifications on Islamic-scientific psychology and counselling.


Bridging the Gap

Bridge the gap between conventional and Islamic practices in psychology, counselling, and mental health.

Programme Features

  • Online, on-demand course, with Q&A via chat with some of the leading experts on Islamic psychology and counselling
  • Seven unique free books peer-reviewed exclusively written and compiled for the programme
  • Access from anywhere in the world at any time
  • Additional reading materials and resources
  • Practical demonstrations on how to apply Islamic principles
  • Tips on how to improve Islamic psychology and counselling theory and practice
  • Islamic counselling supervision
  • World-class authentic Islamic qualifications

Islamic Qualifications

Ijazah or Ijaza: Authorisation in Islamic Tradition

Ijazah or Ijaza is an Arabic word that means “permission,” “authorization,” or “license.” Technically, in Islam, Ijazah is a license authorizing its holder to transmit sacred knowledge, issued by someone already possessing such authority. In other words, Ijazah is a certificate used primarily by Muslims to indicate that one has been authorized by a higher authority, who already holds Ijazah, to practice the given subject.


There is a difference between Shahada and Ijazah. Shahada means that the teacher authorises the student to teach the subject. In contrast, Ijazah, in the context of the Master's level (M.IPC), means that the student has completed a certain area of study and is able to practice it. It should be noted that those who are awarded the advanced and Master's level Ijazah would already possess a conventional (or PCSP) qualification.

The focus of the Islamic Psychology & Counselling Programme (M.IPC) is to provide an Islamic traditional method of learning and dissemination. The programme aims to articulate the Islamic foundations without any external restrictions and constraints. This programme has been developed by experts with both secular and Islamic, academic, and traditional grounding in psychology and counselling.


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The M.IPC & LIPC

Traditionally, Islamic knowledge was handed down from teacher to student in an unbroken chain going back to the Prophet ﷺ. This isnad system is unparalleled in the Islamic tradition, ensuring the authentic transmission of knowledge. Muslim societies eventually developed universities; indeed, the first known universities, as we understand them now, were established by Muslims.

However, with the rise of secular globalization, even universities in Muslim countries rapidly changed the ways in which they provide learning. Despite this shift, there have been notable exceptions in Islamic history, such as Al Azhar University, which has maintained its traditional methods.

The institutionalisation of psychology and counselling in the West developed distinct approaches that often contrast with religious teachings. The imposition of secular frameworks in these fields has posed challenges for integrating traditional Islamic perspectives on mental health and counselling.

In many societies where Muslims reside, there are numerous limitations and restrictions on practicing authentic Islamic psychology and counselling. Muslims often need to operate within a purely secular system, which creates problems and limits the development of approaches grounded in Islamic tradition.


The M.IPC & LIPC programme does not operate under any such restrictions. Similar to how many Islamic seminaries produce scholars, the Islamic Psychology & Counselling Master’s Level programme is independent of external limitations. It stands as the premier programme globally, professionally developed with high academic standards that surpass most MA programmes at universities. This independence instils confidence and trust in professionals and the global Muslim community, demonstrating that world-class Islamic standards are met. A unique aspect of the programme is its development and instruction by experts in both the Islamic tradition and psychology and counselling.

There was an attempt to get the programme accredited by universities, and many showed keen interest. However, we did not pursue accreditation for two main reasons: 1) the high fees charged by universities would hamper eager students' participation, and 2) accreditation would impose restrictions on what can be taught and said.

We believe we have developed a unique world-class course that does not compromise on Islamic teachings nor on high academic standards. The M.IPC & LIPC operates at an informed level, meaning graduates will be able to practice Islamic psychology and counselling while remaining faithful to their faith and Islamic teachings. However, it does not necessarily equip graduates to undertake the task of legal reasoning (Ijtihad). It is independently accredited by The Association of Islamic Mental Health Specialists (AIMS). 

Three levels of expertise in this programme

Islamically Informed Level (cert) – completed 8 modules, 2,000-3,000-word essay.

Certificate Level is (open to and) awarded to all with various practical, Islamic, professional and academic background. (imams, scholars, chaplains, social workers, religious ministers, teachers, community activists, and students of metal health). On the certification it will state the person has attended the programme. The attendee is not required to complete the essay. However, those who have prior counselling qualification and complete the essay, the cert will state LIPC informed level. 

Islamically Integrated LIPC Level (Advanced Level) - completed 8 modules, 2,000-3,000-word essay, video-recorded role-play, and 50 -hours online Islamic counselling supervision and clinical work.

Advanced LIPC level is (open to and) awarded to only those with practical and professional and academic backgrounds in psychology, psychiatry, counselling, and mental health. (Qualified practitioners). Those who complete the programme with the additional advanced level assessments will obtain the LIPC advanced level ijazah (authorisation). They may add the post nominal letters ‘LIPC’ and M.IPC after their names. If they do not complete the role play and the supervision & clinical hours, the cert will state LIPC informed level.

Islamic Psychology & Counselling LIPC level (Master Level) - completed 8 modules, 2,000-3,000-word essay, video-recorded role-play, and 50-hours online Islamic counselling supervision, and clinical work.

Master Level LIPC is (open to and) awarded to only those with practical and professional and academic backgrounds in psychology, psychiatry, counselling, and mental health. They should have at least 2 years of practical experience in their respective fields. (Qualified practitioners). Those who complete the programme with the additional master level assessments will obtain the LIPC master level ijazah (authorisation). They may add the post nominal letters ‘LIPC’ and M.IPC after their names. Upon completion the master’s level the Islamic practitioner is able to provide Islamic supervision.

Note: LIPC = Licensed Islamic Professional Counsellor

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Month 1 : An Introduction to Islamic-Scientific Psychology

Module 1 - Overview of Islamic Scientific Psychology

Aims/Objectives

To acquaint the student with a high-level overview of Islamic-scientific psychology:

1. Compare and contrast various approaches to Islamisation of psychology
2.Compare and contrast various definitions of psychology
3. Evaluate various issues and debates in secular psychology from Islamic-scientific perspective  

Coverage (3-5 hours for each on demand learning) and 5 hours per module live session (each month)

1.Various approaches to Islamisation of psychology

2.Definitions of Islamic psychology and Islamic-scientific psychology

3. Issues and debates in psychology from Islamic-scientific perspective e.g. nature vs nurture, consciousness vs unconsciousness, observable behaviours vs internal mental processes, free-will vs determinism, and universalism vs uniqueness
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