Advanced courses teach the methodology of scholarly investigation.
The department offers a Master of Arts degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Hebrew and Semitic Studies. The Phd in Biblical Studies has a language and literature focus. It is structured to bring the student a high level of competence in Biblical language, texts, and literature and to provide a strong foundation for these studies through courses in other Northwest Semitic languages. At a later time, a second track in the Bible and its Interpreters may be developed. This will focus on rabbinic and medieval Jewish interpretations.