Information and Guidelines for Basic Jewish Studies Requirements– PhD program

Information and Guidelines for Basic Jewish Studies Requirements – PhD program

The School for Basic Jewish Studies calls on you to embark on a fascinating journey of self-discovery and cultural familiarization with the breadth of the Jewish experience through the ages. You will experience an innovative model of learning that combines traditional and contemporary perspectives. You will be able to explore Jewish society and culture and your own place within them, to hold an open dialogue with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and to experience innovative methods of learning such as hybrid courses, on-line courses and interactive workshops. Join us to deepen your knowledge, expand your horizons and take part in a meaningful discourse independent of your ethnic, religious or sectorial identification. Discover how Jewish studies could enrich your learning experience at Bar-Ilan University and open you up to a new world of insights and inspirations.

Student requirements:

1. PhD students who hold a single degree from Bar-Ilan (a bachelor's degree or a master’s degree) and have taken all required Basic Jewish Studies courses in practice must complete 4 credits* of Basic Jewish Studies by the end of their degree studies.
2. PhD students who do not hold a degree from Bar-Ilan in either prior degree must take 8 credits* of Basic Jewish Studies by the end of their degree studies.
3. Students who hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Bar-Ilan and have taken all required Basic Jewish Studies courses in practice, are exempt from further Basic Jewish Studies courses.
4. Students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree from Bar-Ilan but do hold a PhD from Bar-Ilan in which they took 8 credits* of Basic Jewish Studies and then pursue a master’s degree at Bar-Ilan, must complete 4 credits* of Basic Jewish Studies as part of their master’s degree – for a total of 12 credits* during their graduate studies.
5. Only PhD students in Jewish studies disciplines (Bible Studies, Talmud Studies or Jewish Philosophy) are exempt from Basic Jewish Studies.
6. Online courses [via LAMDA platform]: Up to 4 credits in the first year and up to 8 credits in the second year may be taken in online format.
7. Grades in Basic Jewish Studies courses: Students must fulfill all the requirements of Basic Jewish Studies courses (as stipulated in each course syllabus) and achieve a numerical passing grade (60 or higher).
8. Non-Jewish students are exempt from Basic Jewish Studies but are instead required to take an equivalent number of credits of General Studies courses. Students must fulfill all the requirements of Basic Jewish Studies courses (as stipulated in each course syllabus) and achieve a numerical passing grade (60 or higher). A contact form must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies including all relevant documents; the Committee will then instruct the Curriculum Planning (Talam) Office to convert the Jewish Studies clusters to the General Studies clusters.
9. Medical studies:
   Medical studies for MD-PhD medical students:
   Students who hold a bachelor’s degree from Bar-Ilan must complete 4 credits* of Basic Jewish Studies in their master’s and PhD degrees.
   Student who do not hold a bachelor’s degree from Bar-Ilan must complete 8 credits* of Basic Jewish Studies in their master’s degree and 4 credits* in their PhD – for a total of 12 credits* in the master’s and PhD degrees.
   Students in the 81601 medical sciences (PhD) track:
   Students who hold both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Bar-Ilan are exempt from Basic Jewish Studies on this track. Students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree from Bar-Ilan but do hold a master’s degree from Bar-Ilan are required to complete 4 additional credits* of Basic Jewish Studies for their PhD.
10. Law students:
    Students who hold a master’s degree from the intensive law program (non-thesis based master’s degree) and did not take Basic Jewish Studies (courses from the Basic Jewish Studies cluster), are required to take Basic Jewish Studies as part of their PhD.
    Students who hold a bachelor’s degree from Bar-Ilan must take 4 additional credits* of Basic Jewish Studies.
    Students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree from Bar-Ilan must complete 8 credits* of Basic Jewish Studies.
    Moreover, students may not choose the course in Jewish family / marital law, as their content is covered in mandatory courses in the Faculty of Law.
11. Students who hold a PhD from Bar-Ilan and have completed all corresponding Basic Jewish Studies requirements will be exempt from any further Basic Jewish Studies courses if they choose to pursue an additional PhD.
12. Students in the direct PhD track are eligible for a PhD only. Such students who hold a bachelor’s degree from Bar-Ilan must therefore take an additional 4 credits* of Basic Jewish Studies. Students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree from Bar-Ilan must take 8 credits* of Basic Jewish Studies.
13. Students who hold a master’s degree or a PhD from Bar-Ilan and did not take courses in the Basic Jewish Studies cluster will be required to take Basic Jewish Studies if they choose to pursue an additional graduate degree (master’s or PhD) per policy.
14. Students who took courses in Jewish studies or hold a degree in Jewish studies from a different academic institution equivalent to the number of credits required by Bar-Ilan undergraduate students, may submit a request to exempt them from Basic Jewish Studies. 
    
    Alternative options: Students could opt for fulfilling their Jewish Studies requirements through the Institute for Advanced Torah Studies (men) or at the Midrasha (women). Each course at the Institute for Advanced Torah Studies or the Midrasha is equivalent to half a Basic Jewish Studies course. Students must verify that the fulfil the requirements. 

Guidelines for submitting a request for exemption from Basic Jewish Studies may be found here.

*For Details on the change in credit specification terminology look here.