Students are required to take twelve courses, and this is normally done during the first two years of study. A minimum quality requirement, set by the Graduate School, must be met. This stipulates that a student must earn a grade of Honors in two graduate courses. The purpose of course work is to prove that the student possesses a survey knowledge of Islamic Studies, and this must be shown before taking qualifying examinations. In addition to taking the regular courses offered by the Department of Religious Studies, students may remedy gaps in knowledge through directed readings or by auditing appropriate courses.