ACADEMIC PROGRAMS  //  Check out our academic programs for the 2023-2024 academic year

Fluency Program

Fluency in Hebrew

Overview

This program offers undergraduate and graduate students, teachers and academics from any field the possibility of mastering Biblical and Modern Hebrew. In the second year, students will be able to choose a specialization between Biblical Hebrew and Modern Hebrew and cover all the levels of the language of choice from a total beginner's level to acquire reading, writing, and speaking proficiency, with the option to take additional theoretical and practical courses closely linked to the target language’s cultural milieu.

The application form is available online. Scholarships are also available for this program.

Enrollment

Open

Start Date

Aug 28, 2024

Program Length

2 Years

Location

Jerusalem

Courses

Mandatory Courses

First Year: 2024–2025
Second Year: 2025-2026
Language CoursesECTS
Biblical Hebrew I/II20.0
Oral Proficiency in Biblical Hebrew I-II (Lunches)3.0
Modern Hebrew Aleph/Aleph+/Beth30.0
Theoretical & Practical CoursesECTS
Introduction to Hebrew Literature1.5
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Philology1.5
Jewish Feasts1.0
Biblical Hebrew TrackECTS
Biblical Hebrew III-IV-V20.0
Oral Proficiency in Biblical Hebrew III-IV (Lunches)3.0
Biblical Hebrew Readings3.0
Qumran Hebrew Readings (taught in Hebrew)2.0
Mishnaic Hebrew Readings (taught in Hebrew)2.0
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Phonology1.0
Speech in Biblical Hebrew2.0
Modern Hebrew TrackECTS
Modern Hebrew Beth+/Gimel/Gimel+30.0
Modern Hebrew Literature2.0
Speech in Modern Hebrew2.0

Elective Courses

Students may register for extra courses from the Elective list below over the two years without additional fees. Elective registrations outside of this amount will be subject to the regular course fee as listed in the Administrative Office. Elective courses are subject to change.

Other CoursesECTS
Introduction to Jewish Sources1.5
Rabbinic and Early Christian Literature2.0
Modern Hebrew Dalet10.0
Ancient Greek6.0
Classical Syriac5.0
Coptic3.0
Spoken Arabic80.0
Modern Standard Arabic10.0
Lexicon, Code, and Interaction2.0
Syntax of Natural Languages2.0
Phonetics and Phonology2.0
Derivational Morphology2.0
Bible and Shovel: Biblical Archaelogy of Jerusalem and Environs2.0
The Notion of God According to the Tanakh, Christian Bible and Qur'an2.0
Semitic Palaeography2.0
Applied Philology Seminar 3-6: Practicum40.0
Seminar Paper10.0
Historical Geography I2.0
Historical Geography II2.0
Historical Geography III2.0
Historical Geography IV2.0
History of the Near East I2.0
History of the Near East II2.0
History of the Near East III2.0
History of the Near East IV2.0
Selected Near Eastern Language I2.0
Selected Near Eastern Language II2.0
Issues in Semitic Languages1.5
The Genre of Parables in Gospels and Early Jewish Texts1.5

Mandatory Academic Hours

900.0

Minimum Elective Academic Hours

300.0

Total Academic Hours

1200.0

Emphasis in Teaching Ancient & Modern Languages

MA graduates and students registered in the second year of the MA or have the equivalent language level according to the Polis method may apply to the Emphasis in Teaching Ancient & Modern Languages, a track that focuses on the particularities of teaching languages in an immersive setting. Students following this track will gain first-hand experience in teaching and the ability to participate in methodological courses and workshops. Registration for the Emphasis track grants an additional 8.5 ECTS free of charge.

Theoretical & Practical CoursesECTS
Issues in Teaching Ancient Languages1.5
Teaching Workshops3.0
Assistant Teaching4.0
Entry Requirements
How to Apply
Scholarships
Fees
Syllabus

Entry Requirements

  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • Students are expected to be fluent in English.

Admissions

Please prepare the following documents in order to apply. Application can be submitted online or by mail.

  • A filled application form
  • A letter of motivation
  • Two academic letters of recommendation
    Letters of recommendation must be sent directly by each reference (both through email or post).
  • A copy of your B.A. diploma or equivalent with description of courses and grades
    Transcripts must be sent directly from each university
  • CV or résumé
  • A copy of the main page of your passport, with Israeli stamps if applicable
  • Two passport photographs
    Passport photos should be sent by post. Candidates who submit their applications after May 1 may submit clear digital passport photos.
  • Application Fee of 600 NIS

All documents must be submitted as PDF. Files should include the candidate’s family name followed by the item name (ex: Rodriguez passport copy). Documents can be sent individually.

Applications are examined by the Academic Board, which decides on the admission in the weeks following the submission of the full application.

Scholarships

Hierosolyma

13 000 NIS | One Academic Year | 10 hrs/wk of volunteer work

Hierosolyma is a 13,000 NIS scholarship in the form of a tuition discount for one academic year. Students who receive this grant will be required to fulfill 10 hours of volunteer work per week during the academic year.

Prerequisites: All applicants should be students of the MA, One Year, or Fluency program at Polis or have begun the application process for the program. All applicants will be required to submit a writing sample once the application form and other documents have been submitted.

NB: This grant is subject to the General Requisites of the Grant Fund, which can be found on the application form and upon request from the Administrative Office. These policies are in effect for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Deadline: March 15, 2024

Origen

7 500 NIS | One Academic Year | 7 hrs/wk of volunteer work

Origen is a 7,500 NIS scholarship in the form of a tuition discount for one academic year. Students who receive this grant will be required to fulfill 7 hours of volunteer work per week during the academic year.

Prerequisites: All applicants should be students of the MA, One Year, or Fluency program at Polis or have begun the application process for the program. All applicants will be required to submit a writing sample once the application form and other documents have been submitted.

NB: This grant is subject to the General Requisites of the Grant Fund, which can be found on the application form and upon request from the Administrative Office. These policies are in effect for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Deadline: March 15, 2024

Plato

18 500 NIS | One Academic Year | 12 hrs/wk of volunteer work

Plato is a 18,500 NIS scholarship in the form of a tuition discount for one academic year. Students who receive this grant will be required to fulfill 12 hours of volunteer work per week during the academic year.

Prerequisites: All applicants should be students of the MA, One Year, or Fluency program at Polis or have begun the application process for the program. All applicants will be required to submit a writing sample once the application form and other documents have been submitted.

NB: This grant is subject to the General Requisites of the Grant Fund, which can be found on the application form and upon request from the Administrative Office. These policies are in effect for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Deadline: March 15, 2023

Fees

Application Fee

ILS 600

For processing the application

Registration Fee

ILS 5000

For language courses: To book a seat in the course, the student needs to pay the full tuition or the registration fee.

For academic programs: Students who have been accepted to a program will be asked to confirm their attendance by paying the registration fee which is part of the total tuition fee for the academic year when they begin their studies.

Self-Financed Student Discount

ILS 8000

Discount is available for students who are financing their studies from their own resources or loans or their close family.

Early Registration Discount

ILS 2000

Discount is available for students who register and pay in full by June 1, 2024.

Tuition Fee

ILS 28 000 to 38 000 / year

Disclaimer

This program entitles the student to receive a Certificate of Fluency in Hebrew from the Polis Institute.