Master of Arts Degree Requirements

Candidacy Requirements

Since study on the graduate level implies intellectual maturity above that of the undergraduate, the student is expected to demonstrate this scholarly attitude in his work. Admittance to the Master of Arts program is not automatic acceptance into candidacy for the degree. Students will be recognized as candidates for the degree only after fulfilling the following:

1. Completion of a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate study with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale) or a B average.
1. Display of a working knowledge of the English Bible.
2. Removal of all deficiencies for the Master of Arts degree program.
3. Demonstration of proficiency in the area of specialization and supporting fields, and adequate proof of ability to complete successfully the degree requirements.

The University of the Holy has a policy of non-discrimination. Students are accepted without consideration of sex, race, religion, age, national, or ethnic origin. Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to consider realistically the physical demands of living in Israel.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of 48 hours of graduate credit (not including language courses). A maximum of 12 semester hours may be transferred from an accredited graduate school.
2. Compilation of a B (3.0) average in course work.
3. Requirements for the M.A. degree must be completed while the student is resident in Israel. While two years is considered the normal length of the program, the course of study must be completed within three years from matriculation.
4. Thesis.

Language Requirements

(Language requirements do not constitute a part of the required 8 units of study.)

The student must show proficiency in both Biblical Hebrew and New Testament (Koine) Greek before beginning the second year of course work. This may be done either by satisfactorily completing the relevant courses at UHL, by courses taken at other institutions, or by passing the proficiency tests given at UHL. Any waiver of language requirements does not reduce the required 48 credit hours of study.

Thesis Requirements

All candidates for the M.A. degree are required to present a research thesis to the faculty. In order to fulfill this requirement within the standard two-year program, the student should begin his/her thesis plan and process as early as possible in the program of study. The student must seek a sponsor from the members of the faculty who will be his/her thesis supervisor. In so far as possible, the sponsor should be one whose research interest coincides with that of the student and his thesis topic. After conference, the topic title will be selected and its focus and scope will be decided. The sponsor will expedite the presentation of the thesis topic to the faculty, by whom it will be accepted or modified. The thesis sponsor, or a faculty member of his selection, will conduct any directed study regarding thesis research. An oral examination on the final revision will be supervised by the entire faculty.

Students may also select an available scholar, who is not a regular member of the faculty, for a thesis sponsor. However, prior permission of the Academic Affairs Committee is required. It is the responsibility of the student to determine that an extra faculty sponsor will be available for supervision and directed study during the tenure of thesis preparation and presentation. All expenses involved in such selection are the responsibility of the student.

The student, in conference with his thesis sponsor, shall determine when to submit his thesis. A general length for a thesis is 100 pages of double spaced typing in addition to the bibliography. It shall be submitted in two unbound copies to the Thesis Committee.

A Thesis Committee of three persons, approved by the Academic Committee of the faculty and chaired by the thesis sponsor, shall consist of two additional members of the faculty, selected jointly by the candidate and the thesis sponsor and/or visiting scholars. This committee shall evaluate the presented thesis as (a) acceptable, (b) needing revision, or (c) non-acceptable and report the results to the candidate. In the event that revision is required, specific recommendations by the committee shall be made to the candidate as to data and dates involved in the revision. Once the thesis is approved, the student shall present a bound version to UHL for the library.

Program Requirements

General

All degree candidates must take course numbers 1086 and 1087 Land, Nature, and Society in Biblical Times I and II (LNS).

Master of Arts Program

All candidates for Master of Arts degrees must demonstrate proficiency in Biblical Hebrew and New Testament Greek, either by course work or examination. However, course work in these two languages does not count toward the 48 required units of the degree program.

Master of Theological Studies

The M.Th.S. requires 12 credit hours (180 physical hours) of cross-cultural, service-orientated experience in lieu of an M.A. thesis. A student must submit the proposed practicum to the Academic Affairs Committee including the details of the position, requirements, location, and supervisor. Upon completion of the program, an evaluation from the supervisor and a personal evaluation from the student is required every semester until the requirement is fulfilled.

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