Requirements

Credit Requirement

Thirty credits distributed among introductory (survey) and advanced courses in the area of concentration and electives outside that area. The distribution of these courses differs in the various areas of concentration.

Comprehensive Examination

All students are required to take a written comprehensive examination in their field of concentration. The examination is based on coursework and a reading list. It is offered at the beginning and end of the fall semester and at the end of the spring semester. Students must be registered for courses or Master's Research during the semester in which they expect to take the comprehensive examination.

In the case of the September examination, this registration requirement can also be fulfilled by registration in the previous spring semester. The student must file for the comprehensive examination by the date appearing in the academic calendar. The comprehensive examination must be taken during or after the semester in which the student completes his or her course work. For students concentrating in Bible, it may not be taken in the same semester in which the student is taking basic courses required for the concentration unless special permission has been obtained from the dean. A student who fails the examination is provided one additional opportunity to pass it.

Residence Requirement

A minimum of 24 credits must be taken at Revel. Thus, up to 6 credits may be transferred toward the Master of Arts degree from other institutions. These must be master's- or doctoral-level courses taught in accredited graduate programs. The applicability of a course to our master's program is determined on a case-by-case basis. Students registered for 9 credits in a semester are considered full time.

Administrative Requirement

• Approbation of the faculty and president
• Filing an Application for Graduation during the registration period of the semester in which the student completes all requirements

Distribution of Courses for the Various Areas of Concentration

Bible 

• Introduction to Biblical Studies I & II (6 credits)
• Biblical Hebrew I & II (6 credits)
• 12 credits of advanced courses (numbered 6000 and higher) in Bible
• 6 credits of electives in or outside the field of Bible to be chosen in consultation with the faculty adviser.

Medieval Jewish History 

• 6 credits of basic source courses (those numbered 5000-5999) in medieval Jewish history
• 12 credits of advanced courses (numbered 6000 and above) in medieval Jewish history
• 12 credits of electives of which at least 6 must be outside the field of medieval Jewish history

Modern Jewish History 

• 18 credits of basic source courses (those numbered 5000-5999), 6 in American, 6 in Eastern European, and 6 in Central/Western European history. The basic course in Jews in Islamic Lands during the modern period may be substituted for one of the basic courses in European History.
• 6 credits of advanced courses (numbered 6000 and above) in modern Jewish History
• 6 credits of electives in or outside the field of modern Jewish history to be chosen in consultation with the faculty adviser.

Jewish Philosophy 

• Survey of: (1) Medieval Jewish Philosophy and (2) Modern Jewish Philosophy (6 credits)
• An introductory course in: (1) Jewish Mysticism and (2) Hasidism (6 credits)
• 12 credits of advanced courses (numbered 6000 and above) in Jewish philosophy
• 6 credits of electives in or outside the field of modern Jewish history to be chosen in consultation with the faculty adviser.

Talmudic Studies 

• 6 credits of basic source courses (those numbered 5000-5999) in Talmudic studies
• 12 credits of advanced courses in Talmudic studies
• 12 credits of electives of which at least 6 credits must be outside the field of Talmudic studies

In instances where a student's schedule makes it very difficult to take a required course, substitution of another course may be authorized in writing by the dean in consultation with the relevant department.