Doctor of Hebrew Letters
Guided independent study for ordained rabbis.
If you're an HUC-ordained rabbi seeking to further your intellectual journey, consider this flexible, part-time non-residential doctoral program.
Focusing on three subject areas, you’ll expand your knowledge while satisfying your love of learning. The DHL program is designed primarily for guided independent study, though it may be combined with formal coursework. The program involves a course of study in three subject areas (one major and two minors) designed by the student in collaboration with three faculty advisors (one for each area) chosen from among the entire HUC faculty; a set of oral examinations (or the equivalent); and a doctoral dissertation. Major and minor fields include: Bible and Related Literature; Jewish Liturgy and Worship; Talmud and Rabbinic Literature; Judaism and Early Christianity; Jewish Thought; Jewish History; Human Relations (minor only); and Jewish Religious Education (minor only). The three areas of study may be completed concurrently or sequentially within seven years.
