The Academic Program 

Who is eligible to enroll in Ribaat?

The Ribaat program is open to Muslim women over age 17. 

How long do I have to complete the program?

A student may complete the courses at her own pace, whether that be one course per term or more. We advise new students to enroll in no more than 2 courses, until they can assess the course load they can manage each term.

How many courses should I take?

New students are advised to start with 1 or 2 courses in their first term. After that, you will be able to gauge how many you can manage in one course. To ensure that students have time to absorb the material and complete the coursework to achieve maximum benefit, the maximum course load allowed per student is as follows:

• Fall and Spring Terms: 6 courses per term for Level 1-2 courses, and 4 courses per term for Level 3-4 courses
• Summer Intensives: 3 courses per term 

These max course loads are only advisable for those studying full time.

Can I take a course without doing the assignments?

This is discouraged because we know that the benefit of the reading, writing, and reflecting is as important as listening to the lectures, and this is what makes Ribaat unique. For Tajwid and Arabic courses in particular, it is not advisable as these are skills based classes and to be successful in mastering these skills, the assigned coursework needs to be done. 

For some Level 1 and 2 courses, students can register as auditing, meaning they do not need to submit assignments or exams. However, this is not advisable, as we know that the full benefit of the course will be achieved by participating fully in all course activities.

Will courses be repeated next term/next year?

Some courses are offered every term, while others are offered once a year or once every two years. Click here to see when each course is offered: Ribaat Course Descriptions

Payment

How much do the courses cost?

The registration fee varies from one course to another and does not include the cost of the course materials.

Please click here for Registration Fees & Policies.

How do I pay for my course?

When enrollment for a term is open, you will be able to enroll:

To enroll:

1- Visit the Ribaat Forum.

2- Create a Username and password and build your profile.

3- Make sure you are logged in to the site.

4- Scroll down the Ribaat homepage and click on the course you wish to enroll in.

4- Scroll to the bottom and choose one of the registration options.

5- Make your payment via PayPal or credit card.

6- Repeat for any other courses you wish to enroll in.

How can I pay in installments?

When enrollment for a term is open, you will be able to click the "Enroll" button for your chosen course. Then, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click "Pay in Installments".

Can I enroll in a course after registration closes?

If seats are still available, you may still have the option to enroll. However, a late fee may apply. 

Are there possibilities for financial aid?

Students may apply for a full or partial scholarship or opt to pay for Ribaat courses in monthly installments.

How can I apply for financial aid?

Visit the Ribaat Financial Aid page and apply through the relevant form. Scholarships are reviewed on a case by case basis and are subject to space availability. Applicants will be contacted before the start of the term. 

What is the eligibility criteria for financial aid?

Scholarships are need-based, with the aim of offering the opportunity to continue Islamic learning for those who would otherwise not be able to afford the course.

 

Courses

How long is the term?

Ribaat terms last generally 14 weeks in all, beginning the first week of class and ending the week of the final exam. Some upper level courses run two or more terms. 

How long is each session?

Class sessions generally last between 1 and 1.5 hours. 

How much time commitment will I need to dedicate to each course outside of class time?

That will vary depending on the course and the student. As a general rule of thumb, Level 1 courses are light in regards to readings, coursework and expectations, Level 2 courses are moderate, and Levels 3-4 are moderate to heavy.

Keep in mind that these are academic courses, which means students will be expected to listen to the weekly online lectures, complete one or more weekly assignments, read the assigned material, review and sit for tests, participate in class and on the forum, and complete projects and/or papers as assigned by the instructor. 

How are recitation teachers designated?

Ribaat recitation teachers are trained and certified in the science and practice of tajwīd. We will do our best to assign you to a teacher near you. If there are no teachers in your area, we will pair you with a teacher with whom you can work online.

I won't be able to attend the live class every week. Is that ok?

While some instructors do require live attendance (see the course descriptions for more details), and live attendance is encouraged whenever possible, for the most part, recordings of Ribaat courses will be made available to students who cannot attend the live class. Attendance is taken during class for administrative purposes, but as long as you are diligent about keeping up with the recordings and handing in coursework on time, you should be fine without affecting your grade.

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Contact registration@rabata.org for further inquiries.

For questions specific specific to Ribaat certifications, please see Ribaat Certification FAQs