Admission Requirements

Degree Requirements

Languages
In addition to languages required of all students in The Graduate School, proficiency must be demonstrated in Hebrew; French or Spanish; German; and Latin or Arabic, depending on the cultural sphere in which the student intends to specialize.

Courses
In addition to courses required of all students in The Graduate School, at least thirty graduate credits beyond the MA are required as follows:

• At least nine credits (three courses) in each of the three disciplinary areas (history, literature, philosophy) and special concentration in one of them;
• At least three credits (one course) in Hebrew manuscripts and paleography or the equivalent;
• Cognate courses in one or more disciplines of medieval studies outside of Judaica (e.g., medieval history, Latin or vernacular literature);
• Participation in a multidisciplinary seminar on a problem in medieval Jewish studies (in years when such a seminar is not offered, this requirement can be fulfilled through independent study).

Students who have not received an MA in medieval Jewish studies may be required to complete additional courses as prerequisite work. All courses are determined in consultation with the adviser.

Comprehensive Examination
Upon satisfactory completion of all course work, students must take an oral examination on defined topics in three disciplines of the major fields and in the minor area(s) of cognate studies.

Dissertation
An original monograph-length dissertation that demonstrates the candidate's ability to pursue original research in at least two disciplinary areas, to be approved by a faculty committee.