Faculty of Divinity, Spirituality & Moral Philosophy (FDSMP)

Degree Programs

I. Undergraduate Certificate Programs

(Designed for continuing education or entry-level academic formation)

A. ENTRY-LEVEL PROGRAMS (Certificates & Diplomas)

Target: Clergy-in-training, educators, community leaders

1. Certificate in Hebrew Scriptures & Civilization

Total: 18 credits

Required (12 credits):

• HEBR 1101 – Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (3)

• HEBR 1102 – History of Israel and Judah (3)

• HEBR 2101 – Civilizations of Canaan, Aram & Mesopotamia (3)

• HEBR 2001 – Research Design (3)

Electives (6 credits, choose 2):

• HEBR 2301 – Prophetic Literature (3)

• AHCDS 1701 – Beta Israel (3)

• JPMR 1501 – Introduction to Judean Philosophy (3)

Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Certificate in African–Hebraic Studies

Total: 18 credits

Required (12 credits):

• AHCDS 1701 (3)

• AHCDS 2701 (3)

• AHCDS 3701 (3)

• HEBR 2001 (3)

Electives (6 credits)

3. Certificate in Hebrew Scriptures & Moral Foundations
   Credits: 18–24 credits (6–8 courses)

Core Courses (Sample):

• HEBR 1101 – Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (3)

• JPMR 1501 – Introduction to Judean Philosophy (3)

• SLECC 1801 – Foundations of Spiritual Leadership (3)

• AHCDS 2701 – African Presence in Biblical Sources (3)

• HEBR 1201 – Biblical Hebrew I (4)

• APAW 5002 – Academic Writing & Ethics (3)

Outcomes:

• Scriptural literacy

• Ethical reasoning foundations

• Entry into BA/BS programs

Career Entry Points:

• Faith-based educator assistant

• Community ethics facilitator

• Religious studies tutor

4. Diploma in Religious & Civilizational Studies

Total: 30 credits

Core (18 credits)

• HEBR 1101 (3)

• HEBR 1102 (3)

• HEBR 1201 (4)

• AHCDS 1501 (3)

• HEBR 2001 (3)

• HEBR 2301 (3)

Electives (12 credits)

Prerequisite:
Certificate OR equivalent first-year university coursework.

5. Diploma in Sacred Leadership & Community Ethics

Credits: 30–36 credits

Core Courses (28)

• HEBR 1101 – Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (3)

• JPMR 1501 – Introduction to Judean Philosophy (3)

• SLECC 1801 – Foundations of Spiritual Leadership (3)

• AHCDS 2701 – African Presence in Biblical Sources (3)

• HEBR 1201 – Biblical Hebrew I (4)

• APAW 5002 – Academic Writing & Ethics (3)

• SLECC 2801 – Ritual Systems: Text & Development (3)

• SLECC 3801 – Ethics in Spiritual Leadership (3)

• RESC 4001 – Research Methods (3)

Electives (2–8 credits)

Career Roles:

• Community spiritual leader

• Faith-based NGO coordinator

• Chaplaincy assistant

B. Associate Degrees (2-Year Programs – 60 Credits)

1. Associate of Arts (AA) in Hebrew Scriptures & Civilization

Total: 60 credits

Core (24 credits):

• HEBR 1101 (3)

• HEBR 1102 (3)

• HEBR 1201 (4)

• JPMR 1501 (3)

• AHCDS 1701 (3)

• HEBR 2001 (3)

• HEBR 2301 (3)

• HEBR 2101 (3)

Electives (12 credits)
General Education (24 credits)

Career Paths

• Religious education assistant

• Cultural heritage educator

• Community program coordinator

• Transfer to BA program

2. Associate of Arts in African–Hebraic Studies

Total: 60 credits

Focused on diaspora, identity, migration, and civilizational exchange.

Career Paths

• Cultural research assistant

• Nonprofit community educator

• Intercultural program facilitator

C. Academic Minors (18–21 Credits)

Available to all UIJ BA students.

Minor in Hebrew Language

• Biblical Hebrew I & II (8 credits)

• Intermediate Hebrew (4 credits)

• Textual Reading Seminar (3 credits)

• Elective (3 credits)

Minor in Paleo-Hebrew & Epigraphy

• Biblical Hebrew I (4)

• Introduction to Paleo-Hebrew Script (3)

• Northwest Semitic Epigraphy (3)

• Archaeological Inscriptions Seminar (3)

• Field Methods in Textual Analysis (3)

Minor in African–Hebraic Civilizational Studies

18 credits drawn from 1701, 2701, 3701, 4701, and upper-level electives.

Minor in Covenant Leadership

18 credits from leadership, ethics, governance courses.

D. Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Divinity & Civilizational Studies

Total: 120-128 credits

Structure

General Education: 30-40 credits
Faculty Core: 33 credits
Major Track: 36 credits
Electives: 15 credits
Capstone Thesis: 6 credits

Faculty Core (33 credits required)

• HEBR 1101 (3)

• HEBR 1102 (3)

• HEBR 1201 (4)

• HEBR 1202 (4)

• FDSMP 1501 (3)

• HEBR 2001 (3)

• HEBR 2101 (3)

• HEBR 2301 (3)

• HEBR 3101 (3)

• RESC 4001 (3)

BA Concentration Tracks (Choose One – 36 credits)

Track A: Ancient Israelite Studies

Includes:

• HEBR 3201

• HEBR 3301

• HEBR 2201

• 3 upper-level electives

• HEBR 4901 (6 credits thesis)

Career Pathways:

• Religious studies teacher

• Museum or archival assistant

• Graduate school (MA / MDiv / JD / PhD)

Track B: Judean Law & Ethics

Includes:

• JLCJ 1401

• JLCJ 2401

• JLCJ 3401

• JPMR 3501

• Upper-level electives

• HEBR 4901 (6 credits thesis)

Career Pathways:

• Legal research assistant

• Ethics & compliance associate

• Pre-law / rabbinical studies

Track C: African–Hebraic Civilizational Studies

Includes:

• AHCDS 1701

• AHCDS 2701

• AHCDS 3701

• AHCDS 4701

• Upper-level electives

• HEBR 4901 (6 credits thesis)

Prerequisites for BA:
High school + language placement exam if entering advanced Hebrew.

Career Pathways:

• Cultural historian

• Diaspora studies researcher

• NGO program officer (heritage & identity)

F. Bachelor’s Degrees (BA) in Hebrew Language & Philology

Total: 120 credits

Core Hebrew (32 credits)

• Biblical Hebrew I & II (8)

• Advanced Hebrew Grammar (4)

• Aramaic (4)

• Paleo-Hebrew Script (3)

• Epigraphy (3)

• Translation Seminar I & II (6)

• Linguistics of Northwest Semitic Languages (4)

Capstone (6 credits thesis)

Career Paths

• Graduate studies in Semitic languages

• Archivist or manuscript specialist

• Translator

• Academic researcher

• Museum or heritage preservation specialist

G. BA in Congregational & Covenant Leadership

(For Hebrew-Israelite or Judean congregational settings)

Total: 120 credits

Academic Core (36 credits)
Leadership & Pastoral Formation (36 credits)
Field Practicum (12 credits)
Electives (30 credits)
Capstone Project (6 credits)

Includes:

• SLECC 1801

• SLECC 2801

• SLECC 3801

• SLECC 6501 (advanced)

• Conflict Resolution

• Community Governance

This degree is transparent that it prepares leaders for:

• Hebrew-Israelite congregations

• Judean congregations

• Diaspora covenant communities

Career Paths

• Congregational leader

• Community educator

• Chaplain (with additional certification)

• Youth ministry director

• Faith-based nonprofit leadership

II. MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMS (36–48 credits)

1. Master of Arts (MA) – Research Track

Concentrations (choose one):

• Hebrew Scriptures & Textual Studies (48 credits)

• Judean Law & Jurisprudence (42 credits)

• Moral Philosophy & Ethics (36 credits)

• African–Hebraic Studies (42 credits)

Structure:

• Core Methodology: 9 credits

  • Research Methods (6 credits)

• Concentration Courses: 18–24 credits

  • Advanced Hebrew (12 credits)

  • Epigraphy & Inscriptions (9 credits)

• Thesis: 6 credits (HEBR 5991 / equivalents)

• Electives (9 credits)
  

Prerequisite:

• Accredited BA in related field.

Career Paths

• Doctoral studies

• University lecturer (where permitted or with PhD)

• Archaeological research assistant

• Textual preservation consultant

• Academic research

• Policy & ethics analyst

• Senior congregational leadership

• Faith-based NGO leadership

• Interfaith liaison

• Community justice organizer

2. Master of Divinity Equivalent (MDiv-style)

Title Option:
Master of Sacred Leadership & Covenant Community Formation

Credits: 72 - 80 credits
Includes:

• Academic Core: 36 credits

  • SLECC 6501–6901

• Leadership & Formation: 18 credits

• Supervised Field Education (12)

• Interfaith, governance, pastoral care

• Capstone Project: 6 credits

Language Requirement:

• Reading proficiency in Biblical Hebrew (0–8 credits depending on entry level)

Prerequisite:

• BA degree + admissions interview.

Career Path

• Ordained leadership

• Chaplaincy (with licensure)

• Faith-based organizational leadership

• Senior congregational leadership

• NGO leadership

III. DOCTORAL PROGRAMS (PhD / ThD / JD-Equivalent Research Doctorates)

1. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Divinity, Spirituality & Moral Philosophy

Total: 60–72 credits beyond MA

Fields (Tracks):

1. Hebrew Scriptures & Ancient Near East

2. Judean Law & Covenant Jurisprudence

3. Judean Philosophy & Ethics

4. African–Hebraic Civilizational Studies

Doctoral Structure:

• Coursework: 24–36 credits

• Doctoral Colloquia: 3–6 credits

• Comprehensive Exams

• Dissertation Research: 18–24 credits
  

Dissertation Expectations:

• Original contribution

• Textual + historical rigor

• Publishable chapters

Career Outcomes (Doctoral Level):

• University professor / researcher

• Think tank scholar

• Policy advisor (ethics, religion, human rights)

• Seminary dean or academic director

• Author / public intellectual

2. Leadership Certification Programs (Non-Degree)

12–24 credits

Certificate in Hebrew-Israelite Community Leadership
Certificate in Cantorial Arts
Certificate in Covenant Governance
Certificate in Diaspora Identity & Education

Career:

• Lay leadership

• Community program director

• Ritual leader

• Cultural instructor

IV. FACULTY-WIDE METHODOLOGY & ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Faculty-Wide Core is exceptionally strong and accreditation-ready:

Course Purpose

HEBR 2001 Disciplinary research foundations

RESC 4001 Social science & humanities methods

APAW 5002 Academic publishing standards

RESC 7002 Doctoral-level methodologies

✔ Ensures methodological transparency
✔ Supports peer-reviewed publication
✔ Aligns with global doctoral norms

V. CREDIT & QUALITY ASSURANCE SUMMARY

✔ Undergraduate: 120–128 credits
✔ Master’s: 36–48 credits
✔ Doctoral: 24–36 coursework + dissertation

✔ Language-intensive courses properly weighted (4 credits)
✔ Thesis & dissertation blocks aligned with North American, European, and African frameworks
✔ Clear academic ladder from certificate → PhD

VI. VISUAL IDENTITY CONCEPT (for your “plaques on a wall”)

Symbolic Interpretation:

• Each specialization = engraved plaque

• Each level (Cert / BA / MA / PhD) = ascending row

• Inscribed with:

  • Discipline name

  • Covenant principle

  • Scholarly method

This visually reinforces:

• Continuity of knowledge

• Covenantal responsibility

• Intellectual ascension