(All references in the masculine gender are to be read as referring equally to the feminine gender, unless stated otherwise.)

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1. Nature of the studies and their purpose

1.1 The studies towards the degree "Doctor of Philosophy" (Ph.D.) constitute the highest stage in studies towards a degree at the University of the Holy Land.
A student who is admitted to studies towards receipt of a doctoral degree as above, shall be called a "doctoral student".
1.2 The program of studies includes:
[a] Supplementary studies (including study of languages); [b] Writing of an academic paper (hereinafter: "doctoral dissertation").
1.3 The doctoral dissertation is a research work which makes an original and significant contribution to the advancement of science, and which is written in accordance with the rules of structure, terminology and style customary in the literature in the field.

2. The Authority for Doctoral Students

2.1 The Authority for Doctoral Students is the highest academic body dealing with doctoral students at the University of the Holy Land.
The Authority is responsible for the standard of doctoral dissertations, and it is responsible for controlling the level of instruction required for the doctoral students.
The Authority shall strive for the development of excellence in doctoral studies, and it shall initiate steps to attract excellent students from among the students of the University of the Holy Land and other universities in Israel and abroad. The Authority shall assist in the process of allocating scholarships and awards to doctoral students.
2.2 The main functions of the Authority for Doctoral Students are:
[a] To approve proposals of doctoral topics, doctoral programs, supplementary studies and supervisors; [b] To appoint Advisory Committees (see below); [c] To approve decisions of the Advisory Committees, and to hear appeals on these decisions; [d] To follow up on the progress of the research; [e] To terminate the studies of a doctoral student; [f ] To appoint referees for doctoral dissertations; [g] To approve doctoral dissertations, after discussion of the referees' written opinions; [h] To propose amendments to the Regulations for Doctoral Students and to determine ongoing work procedures.

3. Admission requirements for doctoral students

3.1 Each Faculty is authorized to decide on the process for determining the suitability of a candidate to commence studies for a doctoral degree. The Authority for Doctoral Students shall approve this process. However, a candidate shall not be admitted as a doctoral student if he does not meet the following condition: He studied at the University of the Holy Land and holds a Master of Arts Degree with a thesis, with the following grades: Master of Arts Degree - minimum grade 80; Thesis - minimum grade 85.
3.2 Candidates from other institutions
A candidate who completed his required studies in another institution may be admitted as a doctoral student if he holds a diploma or academic degree and the level of his achievement is equal to that of a candidate who studied at the University of the Holy Land, as specified in sec. 3.1.
3.3 Preliminary doctoral student
A candidate whose qualifications fall only slightly below the requirements specified in sec. 3.1, but who is deemed capable of reaching the required level by means of studies at the University of the Holy Land over a period not exceeding two years, may register as a "preliminary" doctoral student; a preliminary doctoral student will follow a special program of studies to be determined in consultation with his supervisor.
The program shall include preliminary supplementary studies which the preliminary doctoral student must complete with a minimum grade of 80 (and not less than 75 in each course), and/or with a written paper equivalent to a master's thesis at the University of the Holy Land with the grade of 85. If he is accepted at a later date as a doctoral student, this paper may be included as a chapter of his doctoral dissertation.
At the end of the period, the Authority for Doctoral Students shall consider his admission as a doctoral student in view of the results of his studies.

4.Course of Studies

The studies of a doctoral student shall comprise two stages:
4.1 Stage A
4.1.1 The doctoral student who is admitted for Stage A shall begin preparation of a dissertation proposal, and this shall be submitted to the Authority for Doctoral Students within two years of the date of registration.
4.1.2 The Authority for Doctoral Students shall approve a Faculty member in the field of the doctoral dissertation, as a supervisor for the student in his doctoral dissertation. If the subject so requires, the Authority for Doctoral Students may approve two supervisors, who will have equal standing. The Authority may, in exceptional cases, if the nature of the subject so requires, approve an additional supervisor who will guide the student in specific aspects of his research.
4.1.3 An Advisory Committee shall be set up for each doctoral student during the course of Stage A of the studies.
4.1.4 A Stage A doctoral student who completes preparation of his dissertation proposal and receives the approval of the supervisor, shall present it for approval by the Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee shall meet with the student to discuss the doctoral program and the student's ability to carry out independent research, and it shall decide whether to approve the proposal as a program for a doctoral dissertation. The Advisory Committee shall also examine the student's knowledge of the field.
The examination of the knowledge of students with Master of Arts degrees will cover the subjects related to the proposed doctoral program, in order to evaluate the student's readiness to embark on independent research.
The examination of the knowledge of students in the direct track, who have not been tested in a comprehensive examination, and who were accepted under sec. 3.1, or of students who change fields, will cover subjects related to the proposed doctoral program as well as more extensive material in the field.
4.1.5 Inclusion of a Master's thesis in the doctoral dissertation
A student who received a Master of Arts Degree with a thesis, may request to expand the thesis for the doctoral dissertation, or to include the thesis in the doctoral dissertation.
The student must specify this intention when presenting the proposal for the doctoral dissertation program, and he must submit the Master's thesis to the Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee shall consider the student's request in the framework of its consideration of approval of the doctoral program and the progression of the student to Stage B, and it shall make a recommendation to the Chairman of the Authority for Doctoral Students on this matter. The Advisory Committee must specify in its recommendation that the doctoral dissertation contains a significant contribution over and above the Master's thesis.
When the doctoral dissertation is submitted for evaluation, the part based on the Master's thesis shall be evaluated as an integral part of the doctoral dissertation.
4.1.6 Confidential material
A doctoral program relating to classified subjects or a program based on confidential sources will not be approved.
4.1.7 Supplementary studies
As a rule, a doctoral student will be required to complete supplementary studies amounting to 12 credit points, primarily in seminars, in laboratories, in the study of methodology and techniques, and where necessary, in the study of languages. The supplementary studies shall be determined, according to the proposal of the supervisor, by the Advisory Committee on the basis of an examination of the student and the subject of the doctoral dissertation.
The Advisory Committee may authorize supplementary studies in another academic institution, provided that they do not, as a rule, exceed 4 credit points.
The student may, with the approval of the supervisor, commence his supplementary studies prior to the establishment of an Advisory Committee.
A student who is required to participate in a course must meet all of the requirements of that course. The requirement of participation in a seminar involves active participation.
Supplementary studies must be completed within two years from the date of approval of the doctoral program by the Authority for Doctoral Students (date of acceptance to Stage B).
In exceptional cases in which the Advisory Committee finds that the student possesses the qualifications required for doctoral work, it may recommend an exemption from supplementary studies, either in whole or in part.
4.1.8 Languages
Every doctoral student shall be required to be sufficiently fluent in English or French (passive and active knowledge) for the purposes of the academic work. The Advisory Committee may, upon the recommendation of the supervisor, require the student to study any additional language necessary for his research. If the student is not a native speaker of the language, they shall be required to pass a test in this additional language within two years of his admission to Stage B.
A doctoral student may be required to show proficiency in additional languages, dependent upon the field and topic of his dissertation.
The Authority for Doctoral Students, upon the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, may exempt a student from the tests in English and other languages.
4.2 Stage B
4.2.1 After approval of the doctoral program, the student shall be admitted to Stage B.

5. Supervisors

5.1 Faculty members of the rank of lecturer and above, in the regular academic track, are eligible to serve as supervisors for doctoral dissertations. In some Faculties, a teacher at the rank of lecturer may only supervise jointly with another Faculty member at the rank of senior lecturer at least. Teachers from other recognized universities in Israel and abroad may participate in supervision, together with teachers from the University of the Holy Land who are entitled to supervise.
5.2 A teacher who retired from the University may supervise doctoral students.
5.3 A Faculty member may not supervise his child, his parent or his spouse, including common law spouse, relatives up to the third degree (such as uncle, nephew), people who serve as the teacher's employer outside the University, or others with whom the teacher's relationship creates a possibility of conflict of interest. In the event of a possible conflict of interest, the Chairman of the Authority for Doctoral Students shall decide.
5.4 Sabbatical or extended vacation do not release the supervisor or Advisory Committee from their obligations. Before leaving for vacation or sabbatical, they must undertake to continue the supervision and follow-up, or find an appropriate replacement.

6. Carrying out of doctoral research work outside the University

6.1 The research must be carried out at the University of the Holy Land.
6.2 The Authority for Doctoral Students may permit the doctoral student to carry out his research in a recognized university abroad or in another scientific institution in Israel, on condition that the University of the Holy Land recognizes that institution, at the institutional or relevant departmental level, for the purpose of research work for doctoral students. In the event that a request is submitted to carry out doctoral research in an institution which is not recognized by the University, the Authority for Doctoral Students shall examine, according to the circumstances, whether to allow the research to be conducted according to the proposed program in that institution. A positive decision by the Authority in this regard requires the approval of the President.
6.3 In cases in which the doctoral research is carried out at another institution, the Authority for Doctoral Students will appoint a supervisor from among the teachers of the other institution in addition to the supervisor from the University of the Holy Land.

7. Period of Study

7.1 A doctoral student must be registered and pay tuition during a minimum period of two consecutive years.
7.2 The Authority for Doctoral Students may consider the time devoted to preparation of the research, while in contact with a teacher who is eligible to supervise, as part of the required period of studies.
7.3 A doctoral student shall renew his registration annually until such time as he submits his doctoral dissertation for evaluation.
7.4 A doctoral student is entitled to interrupt his studies for a specific period. For this purpose, he must request and be granted leave for that period from the Authority for Doctoral Students. If he interrupts his studies without being granted leave, or does not renew them at the end of the approved leave, the Authority for Doctoral Students may cancel his standing as a doctoral student.
7.5 The period of studies of a doctoral student (Stages A and B) will not exceed six consecutive years (including leave). In exceptional cases the Authority for Doctoral Students may extend the period of studies for one additional year.

8. Doctoral Dissertation

8.1 Language of the Doctoral Dissertation
8.2.1 The doctoral dissertation shall be written in English.
8.2.2 At the request of the student and with the approval of the supervisor, the Authority for Doctoral Students may approve the writing of the doctoral dissertation in another language, in the following cases: [a] Referees in this field who read English cannot be found; [b] The Advisory Committee decides, in view of the research material and its subject, that it is preferable that the doctoral dissertation be written in a foreign language; [c] The student is from a non-English speaking country, is not sufficiently fluent in English in order to write a scientific paper independently, and intends to return to his mother country and to engage in professional activity there. The student must be able to illustrate the value for future work, of writing the dissertation in his mother tongue. In such cases, the student must work together with the Advisory Committee to find sufficient, qualified referees to guide the dissertation in the student’s mother tongue.
8.3 Doctoral Dissertation that includes articles (or chapters from books)
8.3.1 A student who takes a central part in a research project which is reported in articles or in chapters of a book, and also participated actively in writing the articles or chapters, is entitled to submit a doctoral dissertation that includes the articles or chapters, if they are directly related to the subject of his doctoral dissertation.
8.4 Plagiarism. Plagiarism will disqualify the student from further study at the University of the Holy Land. The student will be subject to the laws governing plagiarism where the offense takes place. The student alone will bear the legal responsibility for the offense. Upon submission of the dissertation, the student will be required to sign a statement attesting to the originality of the work and to proper citation of source materials.

9. Presentation of Doctoral Dissertation

9.1 A doctoral student who has been registered for at least two years and has fulfilled all of the requirements set by the Authority for Doctoral Students, may submit his doctoral dissertation for evaluation.

10. The Title

The title "Doctor of Philosophy" shall be awarded in all fields.

The University of the Holy Land also offers various other post graduate studies.