Language Requirements

Entering students

All students are expected to demonstrate a reading competence in at least one approved language other than English upon matriculation, by passing an examination in that language in the August examination period preceding the first semester of study. Ph.D. students will be expected to pass an examination in a second approved language by the beginning of the second year. (For students in the two biblical fields, the examination in the second language is to be taken no later than May of the first year.)

The approved languages in which examinations may be taken in both degree programs are:

• French
• Spanish
• German
• Greek
• Hebrew
• Latin

Another pertinent language may be substituted with the approval of the Steering Committee.

It is strongly recommended that Ph.D. students enter the program with a solid reading knowledge of the two (or more) languages in which they expect to be examined, since there is little time or opportunity for basic language acquisition during graduate study.

Degree language requirement

M.A.: Demonstrate, by examination, a reading competence in an approved language, other than English, relevant to the field of study.

Ph.D.: Demonstrate, by examination, a reading competence in two approved languages, other than English, relevant to the field of study. (For students in the two fields of biblical studies, four languages are required. Examinations must be passed in both Hebrew and Greek as well as in two additional languages.)