Ph.D Requirements

 

School of Basic Jewish Studies Guidelines for Doctoral Degree (Ph.D) Candidates:

  1. Basic Jewish Studies courses consist of four fields: Bible–Code 01, Talmud–Code 02, Jewish Thought–Code 03, Jewish History–Code 04. (The code signifies the first two digits of each course number in the catalog).
    Note that only courses which begin with these digits count towards the Basic Jewish Studies course requirements!
    Courses which were not completed in the School of Basic Jewish Studies will not be recognized towards fulfillment of the requirements unless they have been preapproved by the School (please direct inquiries in advance to the School Coordinators about these courses).

  2. Ph.D Students who studied for and completed one of their previous degrees (B.A. or M.A.) at Bar-Ilan University are obligated to complete credits equal 2 annual course hours of Basic Jewish Studies courses during their Ph.D studies.
     
  3. Ph.D Students who did not study for their previous degrees at Bar-Ilan University are obligated to complete credits equal 4 annual course hours of Basic Jewish Studies courses (credits equal 2 annual course hours of which must be in the fields of Bible or Talmud(. This requirement must be fulfilled before completing the Ph.D degree.

  4. Students who studied for both their B.A. and their M.A. degrees at Bar-Ilan University and completed all Basic Jewish Studies requirements are exempt from the requirement for the Ph.D.

  5. Ph.D Students who specialize in Jewish Studies (Bible, Talmud, or Jewish Thought) are exempt from the Basic Jewish Studies requirement.

  6. It is possible to complete the requirement with online courses. However, students must ensure that the required fields are represented (credits equal 2 annual course hours in Bible or Talmud and credits equal 2 annual course hours from the fields Bible–Code 01, Talmud–Code 02, Jewish Thought–Code 03, Jewish History–Code 04 ). 

  7. Students must pass an exam and receive a passing numerical grade in each course (60 and up).

  8. Students who completed a Master’s Degree in the Concentrated Program of the Faculty of Law and did not complete Basic Jewish Studies courses (only courses beginning with 01, 02, 03, and 04), are obligated to complete the Basic Jewish Studies requirements according to protocol when studying for Ph.D Degree. Students who are not graduates of Bar-Ilan University or did not complete their B.A degree at Bar-Ilan University are obligated to complete credits equal 4 annual course hours in Basic Jewish Studies (credits equal 2 annual course hours in Bible or Talmud). Students who are graduates of Bar-Ilan University are required to complete credits equal 2 annual course hours from each of the four fields of Basic Jewish Studies. Furthermore, they will not be able to apply a course from their academic program, such as Family Law or ISHUT Law דיני אישות)), if these courses are used to meet degree requirements in the Faculty of Law.

  9. Students who studied for and completed a Ph.D at Bar-Ilan University and completed all Basic Jewish Studies obligations will be exempt from the requirement if they pursue an additional Ph.D at Bar-Ilan University.
     
  10. Students studying directly for the Ph.D (without obtaining a Master’s Degree) receive only the Ph.D degree. Thus, Bar-Ilan University graduates (B.A) are obligated to complete credits equal 2 annual course hours of Basic Jewish Studies. Graduates of other universities are obligated to complete credits equal 4 annual course hours of Basic Jewish Studies.

  11. Non Jewish students are exempt from the Basic Jewish Studies requirements. However, the credits equal annual course hours must be completed in full with appropriate general courses. Students selecting this option must submit an Official Request Form to School of Graduate StudiesThe Department for PhD Studies [(add the official document from Ministry of Interior (summary of population registry)] and formally request replacing the Basic Jewish Studies requirement with general courses.

  12. Students who in their previous studies have amassed credits equal annual course hours similar to those required from B.A students of Bar-Ilan University in primary Basic Jewish Studies fields (Bible and Talmud) may submit a formal request for exemption from the requirements.

Instructions for obtaining an exemption from the Basic Jewish Studies course requirements

  • Students may submit the Official Request Form only after formal acceptance to the University and enrolling in courses. The form must be submitted before the end of the first year of study.
  • An exemption from the Basic Jewish Studies requirement will not be granted on the basis of individual Jewish Studies courses completed. Only students with credits in Jewish Studies similar to those required from Bar-Ilan graduates will be eligible for an exemption.
  • Requests for exemptions may only be submitted during the first year of study towards the Ph.D's Degree.
  • Please note, the exemption has financial implications for tuition for that academic year in which it is granted.
    For further information, please contact the Tuition department directly, before submitting the request for exemption in the In-Bar system.

The following documents are required:

A certificate from an Yeshiva for studies completed from age 18 or older: This certificate must include the logo of the Yeshiva, signature and official stamp of the Yeshiva, the students full name and Israel ID number (Te’udat Zehut), period of study including month and year that studies began and ended and number of weekly study hours.

A certificate from a Yeshivat Hesder (joint Yeshiva study and Israeli army service): This certificate must include the logo of the Yeshiva, signature and official stamp of the Yeshiva, the students full name and Israel ID number (Te’udat Zehut), period of study including month and year that studies began and ended and number of  weekly study hours . Periods of army service must also be noted as such. Only actual Yeshiva studies will be recognized in fulfillment of the Basic Jewish Studies requirements.

A certificate from a Women’s Midrasha (other than the Midrasha of Bar-Ilan University): This certificate must include the logo of the Midrasha, signature and official stamp of the Midrasha, the students full name and Israel ID number (Te’udat Zehut), period of study including month and year that studies began and ended and number of  weekly hours study. A transcript including numerical grades received for coursework must be included.

A Certificate from BAHAD 1: only for years 2008–2010!

A transcript of courses from an academic institution: This certificate must include the logo of the institution, signature and official stamp of the institution, the students full name and Israel ID number (Te’udat Zehut), period of study including month and year that studies began and ended and number of  weekly study hours. A transcript including numerical grades received for coursework in the central Basic Jewish Studies fields (Bible and Talmud) must be included. Neither course research papers (Seminarion) composed by the student nor passing grades which are not numericized will be accepted.

“Extra” courses from the B.A. program: If “extra” Basic Jewish Studies courses were completed by a student during their B.A. studies (only course codes 01, 02, 03, and 04) or in the Midrasha at Bar-Ilan and were not noted in the transcript as extra courses over and beyond those required for the B.A. degree, certification of the courses must be obtained from RASHAM Office of Bar-Ilan University that these courses were extra and not applied to the B.A. degree requirements. (This certification can be obtained from the RASHAM Office via email.)

Students mentioned above may be granted an exemption from a single course (credits equal 2 annual course hours) or full exemption.

Only student requests whose certificates are submitted in order will be advanced to the Committee which decides on exemptions from the Basic Jewish Studies requirement. The application will not be checked in any way.

It is the sole responsibility of the student to strictly follow all guidelines in submitting a request for exemption.

Our office will be happy to assist and advise students. Please contact us as yesod@biu.ac.il

It is only possible to submit a request for exemption after all certificates and documentation are in order.

How does one submit the request for exemption?

The IN-BAR website is the sole vehicle for delivery of the request for exemption and recognition of previous studies.

Any attempt to submit a request through alternative channels will only result in unnecessary extended delays.

The sequence for submitting the request via the Hebrew IN-BAR website is:

יש לגשת בתפריט הימני באינ-בר ל>'בקשות ואישורים'>הגשת בקשה> בקשת פטור/הכרה בלימודים קודמים

Administrative Requests>Submitting a Request>Exemption Request/Recognition of prior studies Select the relevant question according to the academic degree (from the Basic Jewish studies for Ph.D degree תואר שלישי )

 For instructions or technical assistance, please contact our office.

Request Status

Viewing the status of and updating the request can be found on the INBAR site at:

מצב>פניות מנהליות>רשימת בקשות

Status>Administrative Requests>List of Requests

An official response will be sent by mail from mail from the School of Basic Jewish Studies.

Appeals on requests for exemption

Appeals on requests for exemption can only be submitted on the following dates:

Appeals on requests for exemption submitted during the registration period for the first semester will be submitted during  December-January.

Appeals on requests for exemption submitted during the registration period for the second semester will be submitted during  May.

Appeals should be submitted by opening a new request in the In-Bar only.

Requests for canceling exemptions

One may submit a request for canceling exemption via E-mail:  yesod@biu.ac.il

Requests for canceling exemptions which were given during the first semester can be submitted during December-January.

Requests for canceling exemptions which were given during the second semester during May.