Jewish Theological Seminary, The The Graduate School Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation Graduate Admissions 3080 Broadway, Box 74 New York, NY 10027 US   Phone: 212-678-8032   At a Glance Program Requirements Tuition & Financial Aid Institution Overview Important Dates Upcoming Events Degrees: Program Format: Master's M.A.-Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation Doctoral D.H.L.; PhD On Campus   The program in Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation is interdisciplinary, designed to enable students to gain expertise in the broad varieties of rabbinic biblical exegesis and rabbinic narrative. Students are exposed to critical study of the Bible and rabbinic literature; current methodologies in the study of Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation; and appropriate cognate literatures. Background is offered in the social history of late antiquity through the medieval period. A concentration in Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation focuses on exegesis of biblical and rabbinic texts from the second century through the medieval period. Students must choose a concentration in either Midrash or medieval Bible exegesis and focus course work and comprehensive examinations accordingly. The program emphasizes acquisition of critical methodologies current in the study of Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation. To that end, students learn historical-critical techniques such as philology and historiography. At the same time, a focus is given to rabbinic narrative. Students learn modern and postmodern literary theories, as well as feminist and gender readings. All texts are studied in their original languages and students are expected to develop fluency in those languages as well as competence in cognate languages. Graduates of the various programs teach at universities throughout North America, Europe, and Israel.     Accreditation Information: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools  # Of Credits Required: 30  Time To Degree:     Previous Degrees Applicants to The Graduate School, regardless of whether they seek matriculated or nonmatriculated status, must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and present evidence of the ability to pursue studies on the graduate level. Additionally, DHL and PhD candidates must have a master's degree or its equivalent in Midrash, or a cognate field with the approval of the Midrash program adviser.  Pre-Requisite Courses In addition to department or program requirements, all students must complete the year-long interdisciplinary seminar MDS 5101-5102; or demonstrate that the course material was taken for credit previously; or show proficiency by examination. Students who have never studied Bible in the original with a scholarly perspective are required to take BIB 5011. Students who have never studied Talmud in the original are required to take TAL 5025.  International Student Requirements Applicants whose native language is other than English and who have not been educated at a college where English is the language of instruction must submit official scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 100 (Internet-based) is required. The Graduate School also may require that nonnative English speakers prove satisfactory proficiency by scoring at level 10 on the placement test administered by Columbia University's American Language Program (ALP).  Requirements Qualifying Exam: GRE Minimum Exam Score: GPA or Equivalent: English Proficiency: Yes Research Competency: Clinical Internship:   Work Experience Volunteer Experience Publications Experience Foreign Language Requirement Students must demonstrate proficiency in Hebrew equivalent to the level of HEB 5203. Reading proficiency must be demonstrated in Greek and any other language the adviser deems necessary.  Other Requirements Prior to taking the Comprehensive Examination, doctoral students are required to pass a proficiency exam in reading Hebrew academic texts, for which HEB 5999: Reading Academic Texts provides the requisite skills.    Cost Per Credit Hour: $ 1000.00  Tuition: 21200  Financial Aid Offered:       # of Students Enrolled Full Time: 88  # of Students Enrolled Part Time: 44  Average GPA:   Average Test Scores:   Charge Per Credit: $1000  Annual Full Time Avg Institution Tuition: $21200  Financial Aid Offered: Yes  Average Work Experience: Less than 1 Year  Specializations:   # of Terms Per Year: Semester  Placement Percentage:   Historically Black: No   Religious Affiliation: