Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies

List College provides undergraduates with a Jewish studies education of the highest quality, creating an environment in which a variety of Jewish identities are supported and a mature exploration of Judaism is encouraged.

List College grants the degree of bachelor of arts and offers a full spectrum of courses in Bible, Hebrew language, Jewish history, Jewish literature, Jewish thought, Talmud and Rabbinics, Jewish gender and women’s studies, Jewish ethics, and more. Students study Jewish texts in the original language.

Through the Joint Program with Columbia University’s School of General Studies and the Double Degree Program with Barnard College, students also receive a superior liberal arts education. While some graduates of the program choose to go on to careers in the Jewish community, most students pursue a wide variety of professions.

Joint Program with Columbia University

Students in the Joint Program earn two bachelor’s degrees—one from List College and another from the School of General Studies of Columbia University.

Established in 1953, the Joint Program enables qualified students to follow a simultaneous dual-degree program, with two majors and a coordinated program of study. Students earn the BA degree at Columbia by taking at least 64 credits in residence there and applying 60 credits earned at List College toward the Columbia requirement of 124 credits. Up to 15 elective credits in the List College program may be taken at Columbia. The liberal arts requirement for the List College BA degree is fulfilled by 60 credits taken at Columbia. Students are usually able to complete both degrees within four years. Students may choose from any one of more than 50 majors offered at Columbia University.

For detailed information regarding major fields, individual courses, credits, privileges, calendars, and general regulations governing students, consult the area requirements under Courses of Instruction, and the bulletin of Columbia University’s School of General Studies, which may be accessed on the Columbia University website.

Programs with Barnard College

Barnard College and JTS adopted an inter-institutional agreement in 1979 by which matriculated students in each school are eligible to take courses in one of several ways.

1. Through the Double Degree program:
   • Students apply to both institutions for a coordinated program of study, which leads to a BA from Barnard and a BA from List College.
   • Students electing the Double Degree option take a minimum of 62 credits at Barnard, which also fulfills the liberal arts requirement for the List College BA degree.
   • Credits earned in List College courses are applied toward the Barnard requirement of 122 credits for the BA. Students are usually able to complete both degrees within four years.
   • Double Degree students are required to enroll full time (i.e., for 12 or more credits) at Barnard for at least three semesters. The full-time designation refers only to the number of credits; students are still expected to enroll in one or two List College courses during these semesters.
2. Barnard students may apply to spend their junior year at List College as visiting students, and List College women may apply to Barnard for a year of study as Other College Degree Candidates.

The Barnard College bulletin may be found on the Barnard website.

Sample First-Year Program

FALL SEMESTER—16 CREDITS

• (3 credits) Foundations of the Jewish Canon and Thought I
• (1 credit) List 101
• (6 credits) Elementary Hebrew II
• (3 credits) First-Year Writing at Columbia/Barnard
• (3 credits) Social Science at Columbia/Barnard

Spring Semester—18 Credits

• (3 credits) Foundations of the Jewish Canon and Thought II
• (3 credits) Intermediate Hebrew I
• (3 credits) Introduction to Rabbinic Literature
• (3 credits) Literature at Columbia/Barnard
• (3 credits) Science at Columbia/Barnard
• (3 credits) Humanities at Columbia/Barnard

Admission Requirements and Procedures

List College is open to individuals 16 years of age or older who have completed high school and demonstrated academic excellence. Because students at List College study texts in the original language, proficiency in Hebrew, while not a prerequisite for admission, is a critical segment of the List College curriculum. The program is open to qualified students irrespective of age, sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin.

List College accepts applications exclusively through the Common Application. Applicants to List College must submit both the Common Application and the List College Supplement, which is found on the Common Application site. A full list of application requirements can be found through the List College website. Questions about the List College application should be directed to the Office of Admissions, List College, 3080 Broadway, Box 32, New York, NY 10027-4649, (212) 678-8832.

Applicants to the Joint Program with Columbia University’s School of General Studies submit an application and supporting documents to List College only; copies of all materials will be forwarded to Columbia University. Applicants to the Double Degree Program with Barnard College must submit the List College application and supporting documents to List College, as well as a separate Barnard application and supporting documents to Barnard College.

To receive a Barnard application, visit the Barnard College website.

While an interview is not required for first-year applicants, it is strongly recommended; interviews are required for transfer applicants. Call the List College Office of Admissions at (212) 678-8832 to schedule one. Interviews are available in person and via video conference.

The Regular Decision application deadline is February 1 for List College and the Joint Program with Columbia University. The Regular Decision deadline for the Double Degree Program with Barnard College is January 1. All Regular Decision applicants will be notified by April 1.

EARLY DECISION

Well-qualified high school seniors who have selected List College as their first-choice college may apply under one of the two Early Decision plans. Fall Early Decision applications and all supporting documents for candidates to the Joint Program must be received in the Office of Admissions by November 1. Fall Early Decision applications and all supporting documents for candidates to the Double Degree Program must be received in the Office of Admissions by November 1. Specific directions for Early Decision Double Degree Program applicants can be found on the Common Application FAQs for both List College and Barnard College. Applicants will be notified by December 15.

Winter Early Decision applications and all supporting documents must be received in the Office of Admissions by January 1. Winter Early Decision is only available for Joint Program applicants. Applicants will be notified by Late February.

Candidates not accepted under the Early Decision plan may be deferred to Regular Decision. In this event, candidates must submit a record of school work from the first half of the senior year. Applicants will be notified by April 1.

List College Fellows Program

The List College Fellows Program is designed to attract undergraduates of exceptional promise and superior achievement and to enrich their academic experience. As a supplement to the existing curriculum, the program fosters students’ continued intellectual growth and enables them to explore subjects in greater depth than is normally possible in an undergraduate program of study. Under the guidance of List College faculty members, participants in the Fellows Program contribute to the creation of an academic environment of intellectual excitement and rigor.

Students selected for the Fellows Program are awarded a merit scholarship upon their entry into the program. They have the opportunity to participate in occasional co-curricular events sponsored by the program. Fellows participate in a series of seminars that are interdisciplinary in structure and thematic in content. Fellows are required to participate in at least two such seminars during their college careers. Each seminar is specially developed for the Fellows Program, and Fellows have priority registration. Non-Fellows who have a cumulative GPA greater than 3.5, with permission of the instructor, may enroll in the course.

It is expected that Fellows remain in good academic standing. A grade point average of less than 3.33 in any semester may subject a student to suspension or dismissal from the Fellows Program.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

An applicant who has studied at another college or university and wishes to transfer to List College must follow the admissions procedures previously outlined. In addition, candidates must submit current official transcripts from colleges and universities attended.

Students must take at least 54 of the 82 credits required for graduation from List College in residence. In addition, a student must complete 60 credits of general liberal arts at an accredited college or university. Students who wish to transfer to List College with fewer than 60 liberal arts credits may transfer to the Joint Program with Columbia University or the Double Degree Program with Barnard College, or they may complete the remaining liberal arts credits at an accredited college of their choice. Candidates applying to transfer to either the Joint Program or the Double Degree program will also need to complete the residency requirements set by those schools.

The application deadline for transfer students to the Joint Program is April 1; the deadline for Double Degree Program applicants is March 15.

VISITING STUDENTS

A student enrolled at another accredited four-year college or university may apply to List College for visiting student status. Visiting students may study at List College part-time or full-time for one or two semesters. A visiting student may receive credits at his or her own institution for courses successfully completed at List College, subject to the approval of the student’s own dean. In addition to the application, a candidate must submit a letter from his or her current dean indicating that he or she is a student in good standing and has approval for this program.

NONMATRICULATED ADMISSION

Students who wish to take courses for credit but do not intend to earn a degree may be admitted as nonmatriculated students. Applicants need to submit only an application, along with the fee and proof of high school graduation. Students who may be attending other colleges or universities must submit an official college transcript and a letter attesting to their good standing.

Scholarships and Fellowship Opportunities

List College offers a number of special scholarships in recognition of student potential.
All entering students are automatically considered for the following awards:

• List College Fellows Program: our most competitive four-year award for select students with superior high school academic and leadership records (See Financial Aid for a full description.)
• Dean’s Award: a four-year award offered to a select group of students with outstanding high school academic records
• Achievement Award: a four-year award offered to a select group of students with excellent high school academic records awarded upon matriculation to an incoming student who has distinguished him/herself in the area of community service
• Hodas Service Award: awarded upon matriculation to an incoming student who has distinguished him/herself in the area of community service
• Ramah Leadership Award: awarded upon enrollment to two incoming students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to the ideals of Camp Ramah
• USY Leadership Award: awarded upon enrollment to two entering students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to USY—one who enters List College directly from high school and one who defers admission for one year to attend the Nativ program in Israel
• YAD (Young Alumni Division) Award: awarded upon enrollment to an incoming student who displays remarkable potential
• Essay Award: awarded to an incoming student who demonstrates writing excellence in his or her admissions essay
• Legacy Award: an award given to an incoming student whose parent(s), sibling(s), or relative(s) have attended List College or another school of JTS
• Family Fund: awarded to incoming students who are the first members of their immediate families to attend college

FELLOWSHIP IN JEWISH SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Launched in January 2009, the Fellowship in Jewish Social Entrepreneurship (FJSE) is a year-long intensive that helps students develop and strengthen the skills needed to become effective change-makers. The fellowship is open to seniors with a demonstrated commitment to social innovation.

Fellows intern 10–12 hours per week throughout New York City with social-change agencies tackling a range of issues. Additionally, students participate in a weekly seminar designed to help cultivate connections between Judaism, activism, and professional development. Through reflection, peer learning, team building, and project planning, fellows develop concrete ways to put their passion for Jewish social justice into action. A $2,500 per semester stipend is offered to participating fellows.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The family of Elie Schwartz (z”l) has established a scholarship fund at List College to honor his memory. The fund is used for students interested in careers in business, providing summer stipends that enable List College students to take unpaid internships to explore aspects of the business world. In establishing the scholarship fund, Elie’s family meets students’ needs while perpetuating Elie’s love for both Jewish life and business.

Students involved in unpaid internships are eligible for this scholarship grant, which is awarded on a competitive basis. Award amounts vary, depending on the merit and duration of the internship and available funding. Students apply for this award according to the schedule disseminated by the Dean’s Office each spring.

Course of Study

List College courses emphasize Jewish studies, content acquisition, and skill development in the areas of oral and written communication, as well as critical analysis and reasoning. The knowledge acquired and skills developed through JTS classes complement what students learn in their liberal arts curricula.

The course of study leading to the BA consists of a minimum of 82 credits, 54 of which must be completed in residence at List College, and a minimum of 60 credits in liberal arts at another accredited college or university. Of the 82 List College credits, 37 are core requirements, 30 make up the major (with 6 credits “double counting” from the core requirements), and 21 are electives.

Of the 60 required liberal arts credits, 18 must be distributed as follows: 6 in English; 6 in history, philosophy, or the social sciences; and 6 in mathematics or laboratory sciences. The remaining 42 credits may be taken as electives. Only grades of C- or better in liberal arts classes will be applied toward graduation requirements. Courses taken Pass/Fail will not count unless they were taken as Pass/D/Fail—thus ensuring that the requisite grade of C- was earned. The Joint Program, a cooperative arrangement with Columbia University, and the Double Degree Program, a cooperative arrangement with Barnard College, are two ways of fulfilling this requirement. In addition, students at Columbia or Barnard may apply up to 15 credits from Columbia or Barnard (in excess of the 60 required) toward the credits required by List College.

CORE CURRICULUM

In consonance with List College’s commitment to providing its students with the strongest grounding in Jewish Studies, the curriculum mandates a 37-credit core. The courses offer a solid foundation in Jewish history, literature, and thought; Bible, Rabbinic Literatures & Cultures, and in the Hebrew language. Several courses require facility with Hebrew texts. All students will take courses that cover textual analysis, Jewish ethics, critical methodologies, and the modern/contemporary Jewish experience. In addition, all first-year students are required to take Foundations of the Jewish Canon and Thought, as well as a 1-credit extended-orientation course, List 101, intended to ease the transition from high school to college. The core includes courses at both the introductory and advanced level. Students may apply transfer credit to the List College core, excluding courses taken before matriculation or courses taken at Columbia or Barnard. One course from each area must be completed at List College.

The 37-credit core is distributed as follows with students expected to fulfill the 1000-level requirement with a survey course and the 3000-level or higher course with a more specialized class. Students should consult their advisor about which courses can be used to fulfilled specific core and breadth requirements.

List 101 (1 credit)
All first-year students register for this 1-credit course designed to ease the transition to college life in general and to List College specifically. Significant academic, social, and religious issues are addressed and discussed in an informal setting over lunch. List 101 is recommended but not required for students who transfer from other universities.

Foundations of the Jewish Canon and Thought: 6 credits
These courses are designed to provide students with a strong foundation in Jewish texts and thought from which they can draw as they progress through the List curriculum. The class meets twice a week. Once a week there will be a lecture for all students. In the alternating class period, students will be divided into three groups for discussions guided by the professor and two TAs. This year-long course exposes students to the central and formative books and ideas that have shaped Judaism. The course introduces students to canonical texts and helps students understand the interplay between text and history and the complexities of the formation of the Jewish canon.

Part I (3 credits), which covers the Bible through the Middle Ages, must be taken during the fall semester of one’s first year.

Part II (3 credits), which covers the Middle Ages through contemporary culture, may be taken in the spring of either one’s first or second year.

Bible: 6 credits
One 1000-level (or higher) Bible course (3 credits)

One 3000-level (or higher) Bible course (3 credits)

Rabbinic Literatures and Cultures: 6 credits
One 1000-level (or higher) Rabbinic Literatures & Cultures course (3 credits)

One 3000-level (or higher) Rabbinic Literatures & Cultures course (3 credits)

Jewish Liberal Arts: 15 credits*

One 1000-level (or higher) Jewish Thought course (3 credits)

One 1000-level (or higher) Jewish Literature course (3 credits)

One 1000-level (or higher) Jewish History course (3 credits)

One 3000-level (or higher) course in either Jewish Thought, Jewish Literature, or Jewish History (3 credits)

One 3000-level (or higher) course in either Jewish Thought, Jewish Literature, or Jewish History (3 credits)

*Please note: Students can take up to two Jewish liberal arts classes in the same subject area.

HEB 5203: Hebrew Language (3 credits)
All students are required to take a Hebrew placement exam on entry into the program. A student who does not place into HEB 5203 will be required to take the appropriate prerequisite Hebrew courses, which will count toward elective requirements. Progress toward fulfilling this requirement must be made each semester until HEB 5203 is completed. A student who exempts from HEB 5203 must complete the 3 credits with an upper-level Hebrew language class or a literature course that is taught in Hebrew. HEB 5203 or the upper-level course used to fulfill this requirement must be taken at JTS.

BREADTH REQUIREMENTS

Of the courses taken for the core, major, and electives above, at least four must be distributed as follows:

• One modern period/contemporary
• One text-intensive
• One ethics
• One that engages critical methodologies

Courses used to fulfill breadth requirements must be taken in residence at JTS. Each breadth requirement is fulfilled by a single course. Fulfillment of the breadth requirements should not necessitate additional coursework beyond core, elective, and major requirements.

LIST COLLEGE MAJOR

By November 1 of the junior year, students must declare a major field. The choice of major must be approved by the academic-area undergraduate advisor. Students declare their major by filling out a major declaration form, available in the List College Office, and meeting with and obtaining the signature of the major advisor. The form is then returned to the List College Office. All List College majors consist of 30 credits. A total of 24 of the 30 required credits must be taken at List College; 6 of these may be double-counted to fulfill a List College core requirement. No more than 6 credits will be counted as transfer credit toward the major from outside of JTS. In the senior year, 3 of the 30 required credits may be fulfilled by a senior seminar, thesis, independent study*, or an additional elective selected in consultation with the major advisor. Students may major in Ancient Jewish Studies, Bible, Jewish History, Jewish Literature, Jewish Texts and Interpretations, Jewish Gender & Women’s Studies, Jewish Thought, Jewish Ethics, Modern Jewish Studies, Medieval and Early Modern Jewish Studies, or Rabbinic Literatures and Cultures. Each area or program determines the specific distribution of courses and requirements for majors. An initial declaration of major may be, with approval, modified at any time up to the fall semester of the senior year.

*Students may petition the Dean’s Office to take 3 of the 30 required major credits as a directed independent study only during the spring of their senior year. This independent study would be in lieu of senior seminar or a thesis.

SUMMER STUDY

Many students choose to take courses during the summer to earn credits toward core and major requirements. All course choices must receive the approval of the dean or academic advisor. List College students are permitted a maximum of 15 total credits at JTS, Columbia, and/or Barnard in any one summer.

Summer study for List College students is offered over three separate sessions. Summer Session I, often called “minimester,” offers intensive study, typically focused on biblical and rabbinic topics. Enrollment is determined by the List College Dean’s Office, and students who have just completed their senior year are not eligible for enrollment in Summer Session I. No single area of the List College core may be fulfilled through minimester classes and no more than two minimester courses may be applied to the List College BA degree. Please note, Columbia and Barnard do NOT accept minimester courses for transfer credit.

STUDY ABROAD

List College students in good academic standing, with no incomplete work from a prior semester, may spend one or both semesters of their junior year abroad. Semester study abroad at accredited universities around the world is encouraged. Programs must be approved by the deans and area/departmental advisors of both List College and Columbia University or Barnard College. Students must also register and pay the appropriate fee at JTS for each semester abroad. Credit will be determined upon receipt of an official transcript from the foreign university. No more than 6 transfer credits will be counted toward the major.

Pre-Professional Programs

While the majority of List College students choose our dual-degree programs with an eye toward ultimately choosing a career in the secular world, and alumni typically exercise leadership roles through a wide variety of careers and in volunteer capacities, a select number of prospective students become interested in careers of Jewish professional leadership. These include careers in the rabbinate, cantorate, Jewish education, academic Jewish studies, or Jewish communal service. For them, the Joint and Double Degree Programs afford the opportunity to gain accelerated admission toward an advanced degree in one of our graduate-level schools.

Acceptance to these pre-professional programs does not ensure admission to any of JTS’s graduate-level schools, each of which requires the completion of the BA degree and retains its own admissions procedures and requirements.

ACCELERATED ORDINATION TRACK

List College students interested in the rabbinate can apply to the Accelerated Ordination Track (AOT) during their junior year. Students with a GPA of 3.5 or better are eligible to apply. Students accepted to the AOT will be permitted to apply up to 15 credits of graduate-level course work to both the BA and the Rabbinical School curriculum. Each student should meet with the dean of each school to determine exactly what combination of elective and major credits toward the BA will also be accepted toward the Rabbinical School and what additional course work will be required.

Interested students should be in touch with the Rabbinical School Dean’s Office and their List College academic advisor in the fall of their junior year to begin discussions on how to move forward.

BA/MA OPTION WITH THE GERSHON KEKST GRADUATE SCHOOL

A special BA/MA option has been developed in conjunction with the Gershon Kekst Graduate School. Students in List College who successfully maintain at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average at List College and a 3.33 in the liberal arts courses required for the BA are eligible to apply for an accelerated MA degree.

List College students accepted to the Kekst Graduate School will be permitted to apply up to 9 credits of graduate-level Jewish Studies course work to both the BA at List College and the MA at Kekst. These 9 credits (3 courses) must be in the MA area of study. Students will also be permitted to apply additional graduate-level Jewish Studies credits, beyond the 82 credits required for the BA, toward the MA at Kekst. Only credits that are approved by the MA advisor may count toward the MA, and such credits are provisionally approved, pending admission to Kekst Graduate School.

List College students interested in the BA/MA program should first meet with their List College academic advisor. The academic advisor will then refer students to the appropriate MA advisor to review MA requirements and discuss course selection. Students then apply to the Kekst Graduate School during the fall semester of their final year at List College. The Kekst Graduate School maintains its own admissions procedures, and admission is contingent upon completion of both BA degrees alongside the Admissions Committee’s review. Details on the Gershon Kekst Graduate School application requirements and deadlines, as well as the online application, can be found here.

BA/MA OPTION WITH WILLIAM DAVIDSON GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JEWISH EDUCATION

A special BA/MA option has been developed in conjunction with the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education. Students in List College who successfully maintain at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average at List College and a 3.33 in the liberal arts courses required for the BA are eligible to apply for an accelerated MA degree.

List College students accepted to the William Davidson School will be permitted to apply up to 12 credits of graduate-level course work to both the BA at List College and the MA at Davidson. These 12 credits (4 courses) must be in the MA area of study. Students will also be permitted to apply additional graduate-level credits, beyond the 82 credits required for the BA, toward the MA at Davidson. Only credits that are approved by the MA advisor may count toward the MA, and such credits are provisionally approved, pending admission to William Davidson School.

List College students interested in the BA/MA program should first meet with their List College academic advisor. The academic advisor will then refer students to the appropriate MA advisor to review MA requirements and discuss course selection. Students then apply to the William Davidson School during the fall semester of their final year at List College. The William Davidson School maintains its own admissions procedures, and admission is contingent upon completion of both BA degrees alongside the Admissions Committee’s review. Details on the William Davidson School application requirements and deadlines, as well as the online application, can be found here.

Completion of Requirements

Most students complete both BA degrees in four years. The dean and academic advisors regularly review student files to ascertain that appropriate progress is being made toward the completion of degree requirements.

Students are considered full-time when taking a minimum of 12 credits in the Joint Program or Double Degree Program. The total number of credits for which a student is registered at both schools is taken into account.

Since the bachelor’s degree requires the completion of 144-146 credits depending on where a student is dually enrolled, students must complete a minimum of 31 credits each academic year for their progress to be considered satisfactory and to continue to receive Federal Title IV student assistance (Pell Grant and Direct Loans).

Students must take at least 54 of the 82 Jewish Studies credits in residence at the New York City campus of JTS. Students in the Joint Program need to take 64 credits in residence at Columbia. Students in the Double Degree Program need to take 62 credits in residence at Barnard.

Matriculated students must continue to register each semester until they have completed all requirements for the degree. Part-time matriculated students must register for at least 3 credits per semester.

Students who have finished their work at JTS but have not finished their 60 liberal arts credits must register for continuous registration each semester until they complete this course work.

Students in the Joint Program will not be allowed to graduate from either Columbia/Barnard or JTS until they have completed all requirements for both degrees.

Students may take no more than six classes in a given semester. If a student wishes to take a seventh class they must submit a petition to their academic advisors at Columbia/Barnard and JTS before the semester begins.

 

Academic Standards

The following standards and regulations apply to all List College students.

ATTENDANCE

Students are expected to attend classes regularly. If the absence of the student exceeds three class hours, that fact shall be reported to the dean, who will arrange for a meeting with the student to decide upon appropriate action.

GRADES/GPA

Grade point averages are computed on the following scale:

A+ 4.33	B+ 3.33	C+ 2.33	D+ 1.33
A 4.00	B 3.00	C 2.00	D 1.00
A- 3.67	B- 2.67	C- 1.67	D- 0.67

No more than 12 credits with a grade lower than C- will be accepted toward the degree, and no work with a grade lower than C- will be accepted toward core or major credit. No credit toward degree or specific requirements will be granted for courses in which a grade of F was received or from which a student withdrew.

No student whose grade point average is lower than 2.0 shall be eligible for graduation.

No credit shall be granted for a course unless the student is officially registered for that course.

Pass/D/Fail and “Uncovering” Policy

Students may opt to take two courses Pass/D/Fail during their college careers, but may not take more than one in a given semester. This option may not be used for first-year seminars or core Hebrew language requirements. Please note Columbia and Barnard do NOT accept P/D/F courses for transfer credit.

Students in the pre-requisites Hebrew courses (HEB 1001, 1101, 2103, and 2201) can, with permission from their instructor, with at least a C+ average in the 10^th week of the semester, who fully have met the attendance and homework requirements of the course, opt to take two of the four prerequisite Hebrew courses P/F.  There is no D option.  These two P/Fs can be in addition to the two P/D/Fs students can take in their regular course of study.

Course instructors are typically not aware of which students in their courses choose the Pass/D/Fail option. Therefore, faculty members submit a regular grade which students will see. Students may then elect to keep the letter grade submitted, i.e., “uncover” the grade of Pass. Students have until the deadline listed in the academic calendar to uncover the grade. At the end of this period, grades that have not been “uncovered” as a result of a written request by the student to the registrar will return to the P/D/F grade earned. Seniors graduating in May who wish to uncover the grade of Pass for their spring courses must do so by the Monday of Commencement week. Whether or not a student uncovers the Pass, the Pass/D/Fail option may only be utilized twice. Also, once a student has chosen to uncover a grade, the Pass cannot be reinstated. All Pass/D/Fail requests must be approved by the dean no later than the date indicated on the Academic Calendar.

INCOMPLETES

A student who, for compelling reasons, finds it necessary to postpone the submission of required course work may petition for the grade of Incomplete (INC). The student must first meet with his or her advisor and then obtain a Request for Incomplete form from the Office of the Registrar. This form must contain all information requested, including a description of the work to be completed and the due date, which cannot be later than the date specified in the Academic Calendar. The form must be signed by the student, instructor, and dean, and submitted to the Registrar’s Office. The last day to submit a Request for Incomplete form is indicated in the Academic Calendar.

Outstanding work must be submitted no later than the date listed in the academic calendar. If a student fails to submit the outstanding work by the specified due date, the grade of INC will be converted to a final grade of F.

In special circumstances, the dean has the authority to grant an extension for the submission of overdue work as long as it is agreeable to the instructor. This extension must be sent in writing by the dean to the Registrar’s Office.

ABSENCE FROM FINAL EXAMINATIONS

A student who, because of illness or personal emergency, cannot be present for a scheduled final examination must inform the Registrar’s Office as soon as possible and indicate the reasons for the absence. The Registrar’s Office will contact the instructor to arrange for a make-up examination if the student still cannot be present for the regularly scheduled make-up examination day. The instructor will inform the Registrar’s Office of the arrangement and provide the office with the exam so that it can be given to the student.

Students may not request incompletes in advance for an in-class final examination. The student must take the make-up examination as soon as possible, but no later than the date indicated in the Academic Calendar governing the completion of outstanding work.

ACADEMIC PROBATION

A student who receives 6 credits (or two courses, regardless of the number of credits) of work graded D, 3 credits (or one course, regardless of the number of credits) of work graded F in any given semester, or who receives 3 credits (or one course, regardless of the number of credits) of work graded D in two consecutive semesters (including Summer Sessions) shall be placed on academic probation for the following semester. A student may be placed on probation on the basis of academic performance during a summer session, but probation itself will apply only during the fall-to-spring academic year.

If a student’s grade of Incomplete or Work in Progress is subsequently changed to an F, the student will be placed on probation for the semester immediately following the change in grade.

If a student is making insufficient academic progress in the combined program with Columbia or Barnard (sufficient progress is defined as successful completion [with a C- or better] of at least 24 credits per year in the combined program, a Hebrew class each semester until the Hebrew language requirement is completed, and at least one List College core requirement each semester until the core is completed), the student will be subject to academic discipline at one or both schools.

To be restored to good standing in the probationary semester, a student may not receive any grade for that semester lower than C- or take an Incomplete for any reason whatsoever. If, during a probationary semester, a student takes fewer than 9 credits at JTS and 3 credits at Columbia/Barnard, probation may continue for a second semester.

Students who are placed on academic probation can receive financial assistance, including Title IV funds, for only one semester of probation.

Except in the case where probation continues because the student has taken fewer than the 12 credits specified above, a student may not be placed on academic probation more than twice during his/her tenure in List College. A student who is placed on academic probation for a third time at JTS, for any reason whatsoever, will be automatically suspended from List College. A student who is placed on academic probation in consecutive semesters, at JTS and/or at Columbia/Barnard, may face suspension. A student who earns suspension at either JTS or Columbia/Barnard will be placed on suspension at both institutions.

A student who has been suspended from List College will have the right to appeal that decision in accordance with the student disciplinary procedures.

DEAN’S LIST

A student registered for 9 or more letter-graded credits who attains a grade point average of 3.5 or higher shall be on the Dean’s List of academic excellence. Students who receive an Incomplete are not eligible for the Dean’s List until after the grade is recorded.

SENIOR THESIS

A limited number of students may be eligible to graduate from List College with honors by writing an honors thesis during their senior year. Students who have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 may submit an application during the winter of their junior year to write an honors thesis. The List College dean and the coordinator of the thesis program, in consultation with faculty in the student’s major area, will determine whether an applicant will be invited to pursue a thesis. Decisions are reached not only on the basis of a student’s academic record, but also take into account faculty availability, the feasibility of the proposed topic, and the student’s overall course load. The thesis must be a substantial research paper developed in close consultation with a thesis advisor, who will be selected from the faculty of the student’s major field of study.

Those students who accept the invitation to pursue an honors thesis are required to participate in the yearlong supervised Thesis Writing Seminar, led by the senior thesis coordinator. This thesis seminar is taken in lieu of the senior seminar. Students receive a total of 6 credits for completing the senior thesis. They will fulfill 3 (of the required 30) credits in their given major and an additional 3 credits to be used towards their general elective requirements by successfully completing both seminar and thesis. Students will receive traditional letter grades for both courses.

ACADEMIC HONORS

Students who have demonstrated academic excellence throughout their years at List College are eligible to graduate with academic honors. Students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 will graduate cum laude; those with a 3.67 will graduate magna cum laude; and those with a 3.9 will graduate summa cum laude. These academic honors will be noted on the List College diploma and on the student’s transcript.

REGISTRATION

A student is expected to have registered for all courses by the date listed in the Academic Calendar. Once courses are added by a student, an academic advisor must approve course selections to confirm registration.

Students are able to make changes to their registration online during the add/drop periods each semester. If a student has not attended the first meeting(s) of a class, permission of the instructor is needed to approve registration in the second week of the add/drop period. All class additions must be finalized by the end of the add/drop period.

Students who discontinue attendance in a course and who fail to formally withdraw within the designated period will receive the appropriate letter grade, ordinarily an F.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Matriculated students in good standing who must discontinue studies for a semester or longer may request a leave of absence. The dean will approve such requests on a semester by semester basis for a period of time that shall not exceed three years. A student who discontinues studies without submitting a formal written request to the dean will be required to reapply in order to resume studies. Students must register for leave of absence each semester and pay the appropriate fee. Joint Program and Double Degree students are expected to take a leave of absence at both school simultaneously.

READMISSION

A student in good standing who withdraws from List College may apply for readmission. Upon the recommendation of the Admissions Committee, the student may be granted full credit for all course work up to the time of withdrawal. The student will, however, be subject to all new requirements established during the period of absence from the school.

TRANSFER CREDITS

A student who wishes to transfer credit for a college-level course taken at another institution of higher learning must submit an official transcript, syllabus, and course description to the Dean’s Office for approval. Students may only receive transfer credit for in-person course work taken for a letter grade at accredited institutions of higher education. Credit will be awarded based on an equivalent course offered at JTS. No credit will be offered for courses that duplicate JTS’s offerings. No credit will be accepted for transfer in which a grade lower than C- was earned. Students considering Pass/Fail for a course taken outside List College in fulfillment of liberal arts requirements should note that unless the course is graded Pass/D/Fail, credit will not be awarded for a grade of P.

Students who study Hebrew at another university may be eligible to receive transfer credit. For Ulpan classes taken at Israeli universities, students may be eligible to receive credit on the same basis as it is for courses offered during the regular academic year. Courses at the alef, bet, or gimel level will be awarded up to 6 credits per semester, and courses at the dalet, heh, or vav level will be awarded up to 3 credits per semester. Students who receive transfer credit for Hebrew must still be examined upon their return to campus to reassess their placement.

Entering students who wish to receive credit for college-level courses taken prior to enrolling in List College may only receive credit for work done after the junior year of high school on the campus of an accredited college or university. This work must not have been counted toward high school graduation requirements. Requests for transfer credit must be accompanied by official transcripts and made to the dean.  Pre-college credits may only be counted toward general elective credits at JTS. They can NOT be used toward the JTS core or the JTS major.

In addition, students who earned upper-level scores on certain Advanced Placement (AP) exams and those who earned an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma may receive college credit in fulfillment of their general elective requirement. For the specific AP and IB scores that will be accepted and the amount of credit to be awarded, please see Barnard College’s list of accepted scores (https://barnard.edu/apscores).

Students may bring in a maximum of 15 pre-college transfer credits, including those earned in connection with college-level courses taken at another accredited institution of higher learning (prior to becoming a matriculating student), and/or AP and IB scores.

STUDENT CONDUCT

A violation of the Guide to Residents resulting in a student’s dismissal from the residence hall may result in a student’s dismissal from List College.

In addition, List College students are governed by the JTS Policies, including the Academic Integrity Policy, as well as federal, state, and city laws and regulations. A violation of these codes, laws, and regulations may also result in a student’s dismissal from the college.