Second Year Program

Seminary Program

Deepen your sacred knowledge through advanced Arabic, in-depth study of classical texts, and knowledge-in-practice through seminars and service.

Year two

The two-year program provides a solid foundation for the lifelong pursuit of Islamic knowledge. The first year consists of an intensive study of Arabic, Qur'an memorization, and spiritual cultivation. In the second year, students continue their Arabic study while engaging in a broad-based study of the Islamic sciences in Arabic and English.

By the end of the second year, students will have gained a thorough introduction to the tradition of Islamic scholarship: advanced proficiency in Arabic, a solid grounding in Qur'an memorization, and a strong foundation in all major Islamic sciences.

Pillar one

Building advanced proficiency in Arabic so students can access the Qur'an, Sunna, and classical texts in the core Islamic sciences. Our approach is rooted in both classical methods and the latest research on second-language acquisition.

A lively classroom environment that develops the full variety of communication skills. Students hone a natural, intuitive command of the language through daily speaking and listening practice.

Sustained reading of classical Arabic texts builds genuine fluency. Students develop the skill to engage with the foundational works of the Islamic tradition in their original language.

Formal instruction in the rules of Arabic grammar (nahw) and morphology (sarf). A solid grasp of these rules is indispensable to building real fluency.

Pillar two

Second-year students engage in in-depth study of classical texts in the core disciplines of Islamic scholarship. Emphasis is placed on detailed understanding of texts in their original language as a basis for wide-ranging conversation about how each discipline has been shaped by its historical context and how it speaks to contemporary issues.

Advanced study of hadith terminology, classical compendia, and the sciences of transmission. Students engage with hadith texts in Arabic and learn to navigate the scholarly apparatus.

In-depth study of Islamic jurisprudence with emphasis on detailed textual analysis. Students examine how the schools of law developed in their historical contexts.

The principles and methodology of Islamic jurisprudence. Students learn the analytical framework that enables scholars to derive rulings from the Qur'an, Sunna, and other sources.

Advanced engagement with classical works of Islamic theology, building on the foundation established in the first year.

Continued formation in tasawwuf and the spiritual disciplines that have shaped the lives of Muslim scholars for centuries.

Pillar three

Through enrichment seminars and hands-on service activities, students bring what they learn to bear on some of the most pressing spiritual, intellectual, and practical challenges of the day. This tangible experience prepares graduates for future roles of service and leadership.

Focused seminars designed in consultation with faculty that connect classical scholarship to contemporary challenges facing Muslim communities.

Hands-on projects in the Knoxville community and beyond. Students apply their learning to real spiritual, intellectual, and practical needs, building the experience required for future leadership.

Second-year students continue to be part of Tayseer's tight-knit Knoxville campus community, with deeper relationships with faculty and the cohort developed over the first year. Daily prayers, study circles, and shared meals make the second year a year of intellectual deepening as much as social.

Beyond the campus, students remain integrated into the broader Knoxville Muslim community, with opportunities to teach, serve, and lead at local masajid as part of their formation.

Upon graduation

Two-Year Seminary DiplomaRecognition of a complete two-year course of study in the classical Islamic sciences with advanced Arabic.

Advanced Arabic ProficiencyThe reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills to access the Qur'an, Sunna, and classical texts in their original language.

Letters of RecommendationPersonal recommendations from Tayseer faculty for academic, professional, or chaplaincy pursuits.

Access to Alumni NetworkJoin a growing community of Tayseer graduates serving in over 20 states.

Service & LeadershipTake on roles of service and leadership in mosques, schools, chaplaincies, and community institutions.

Further StudyPursue advanced study in the Islamic sciences locally, in the Muslim world, or in academic programs in religion.

Vocational IntegrationApply Islamic scholarship to your existing or future profession with depth and grounded confidence.

Continued GrowthBuild on the foundation of Arabic and classical text study for a lifetime of learning.

Reach out to learn more, or begin your application today.