M.A. Requirements

Master’s Degree

School of Basic Jewish Studies Guidelines for Master’s Degree 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. 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. This requirement also applies to students who were exempt from Basic Jewish Studies courses during their B.A studies (such as graduates of Hesder Yeshivas).

  3. 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 during their M.A. studies (of which credits equal 2 annual course hours must be in the fields of Bible 01 or Talmud 02).

  4. It is possible to complete the requirement with on-line courses, up to a limit of credits equal 2 annual course hours during the first year and up to credits equal 4 annual course hours during the second year. Note that the following course fields must also be represented: credits equal 2 annual course hours in Bible or Talmud and credits equal 2 annual course hours from the fields noted in paragraph 1 above.  

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

  6. 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 an additional Master’s Degree. They are not exempt.

  7. Students who completed the Basic Jewish Studies courses during their Master’s Degree studies (only courses beginning with 01, 02, 03, and 04) , are exempt from the Basic Jewish Studies requirements when studying for an additional Master’s Degree and there is no need to submit an exemption request.

  8. Students who completed a Master’s Degree at Bar-Ilan University and, according to a course plan set at that time, did not complete Basic Jewish Studies courses (course codes 01, 02, 03, and 04) are obligated to complete the Basic Jewish Studies requirements should they seek an additional Master’s Degree. They are not exempt.

  9. Students studying for a Master’s Degree in the fields of Bible, Talmud or Jewish Thought are obligated to complete only one course of credits equal 2 annual course hours in a field other than that of their specialization.

  10. Master’s Degree students in the Concentrated Program (this formal program only) of the Faculty of Law are exempt from Basic Jewish Studies courses. Students are advised to verify in advance that their program in the Faculty of Law is indeed one of the exempt programs. As mentioned above, in the event that graduates enroll in an additional Master’s Degree Program, they will not be exempt from Basic Jewish Studies course requirements. 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.

  11. Students in the Faculty of Law may not fulfill their course obligations in Basic Jewish Studies with courses on Talmud, ISHUTאישות)  ) and Talmud Halacha תלמוד הלכה) ) as these topics overlap with courses in their field of specialization in the Faculty of Law.

  12. Master’s degree students  are exempt from Basic Jewish Studies course requirements if they are studying full-time for a minimum of one year in the program of the Institute for Advanced Torah Studies of Bar-Ilan University or are enrolled in at least  credits equal (eight) 8 annual course hours in the Midrasha for Women of Bar-Ilan University.

  13. Master’s degree students who are not graduates of Bar-Ilan University and are simultaneously studying towards a teaching certificate are obligated with credits equal 4 annual course hours (of which credits equal 2 annual course hours in Bible of Talmud) and an additional credits equal 2 annual course hours for the teaching certificate (credits equal 6 annual course hours total).

  14. Master’s degree students who are not graduates of Bar-Ilan University that have studied for a teaching certificate at Bar-Ilan University and have completed credits equal 4 annual course hours in Basic Jewish Studies are only obligated to complete credits equal 2 annual course hours during studies towards a Master’s Degree.

  15. Students who are not graduates of Bar-Ilan University and completed Ph.D studies at Bar-Ilan University and completed credits equal 4 annual course hours in Basic Jewish Studies (during their Ph.D studies) will be obligated to complete an additional credits equal 2 annual course hours if they subsequently purse a Master’s Degree at Bar-Ilan University. A total of credits equal 6 annual course hours are required during graduate studies.

  16. 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 Studies - The Department for Master's 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.

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.

  • Students who 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.

  • 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 Master’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 BA 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 Master’s Degree תואר שני )

 For instructions or technical assistance, please contact our office.

Request Status

Viewing the status of and updating the request can be found on the IN-BAR site at:

מצב>פניות מנהליות>רשימת בקשות

Status>Administrative Requests>List of Requests

An official response will be sent by 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.