General Information

• What are the features of a BYU Jerusalem Center program?
• What are the approximate dates and costs of Jerusalem Center Programs?
• What are the requirements for admission?
• How are applicants selected for admission?
• What classes are offered at the BYU Jerusalem Center?
• Is financial aid available?

What are the features of a BYU Jerusalem Center program?

Through the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, Brigham Young University offers students a remarkable opportunity for study on location in the Holy Land. A correlated curriculum of survey courses provides students with an introduction to biblical studies and in Near Eastern history, geography, culture, and current events. Classroom study is built around field trips that cover the length and breadth of the Holy Land and includes travel to Jordan and Turkey. The extended nature of this program provides an ideal environment to study the life and teachings of Jesus and the early apostles and prophets in their original settings. In addition, students have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the peoples of the Near East by living among them and comparing cultural and religious traditions and practices.

Each Jerusalem Center program includes the following:

• An individual interview for final admission (can be conducted by phone, if necessary)
• A mandatory orientation meeting in Provo the day prior to departure
• Group travel to Tel Aviv
• A study and field trip experience in the Holy Land

As you will notice, the Jerusalem experience begins before students actually reach the Holy Land. We wish to emphasize that each of the above items is an integral part of each Jerusalem Center program. Students will be expected to participate in all of these activities. Please make sure you are willing to commit to the entire package as outlined above before submitting an application. Additional details are included in Program Information for each program.

What are the approximate dates and costs of Jerusalem Center Programs?

2012 Fall Program: August 28–December 13
Applications accepted: March 12–23, 2012
Mandatory orientation meeting in Provo: Monday, August 27
Preliminary program cost: $10,500

2013 Winter Program: January 8–April 25
Applications accepted: July 9–20, 2012
Mandatory orientation meeting in Provo: Monday, January 7
Preliminary program cost: $10,500

2013 Spring/Summer Program: April30–August 15
Applications accepted: November 5–16, 2012
Mandatory orientation meeting in Provo: Monday, April 29
Preliminary program cost: $10,500

The preceding costs include tuition, books and fees, room and board, round-trip air transportation from Salt Lake City, field trip expenses, medical insurance, and laundry. Personal expenses are not included.

What are the requirements for admission?

In order to participate in a Jerusalem Center Program, applicants must meet the following admissions criteria:

• Eligibility is limited to matriculated full-time students currently enrolled in a four-year undergraduate program at either BYU, BYU-Idaho, or BYU-Hawaii at the time of application, prior to departure, and during the program. This means attending at least two semesters in each academic year.
• Applicants must have completed at least two semesters of full-time attendance in on-campus study (AP and other “earned” credit does not count towards this requirement, but it can include transfer credit/attendance at another university)
• Applicants must have a current and cumulative 2.5 GPA or better in core academic courses and must be in good standing (no academic or honor code warning, probation, etc.)
• Applicants must sign the Center’s non-proselyting agreement; agree to adhere to the BYU Code of Honor and dress and grooming standards as well as any other special rules governing conduct and appearance while enrolled in a Jerusalem Center program; meet the Center’s application, informational and payment deadlines; and be able to actively participate in a rigorous field trip program.

Students who are married or pursuing graduate degrees are not eligible to attend. The above admission requirements are subject to change for future programs. Please review individual program information as it becomes available and prior to submitting an application.

Full-time missionaries who apply must return from their missions at least two months prior to the program departure date. This requirement allows for completion of the orientation course, personal interview, and any other required procedure. Missionaries should be concentrating on missionary work and not on final preparations for a study abroad experience.

How are applicants selected for admission?

The Jerusalem Center has a two-part admissions process:

Part I.
The Jerusalem Center accepts applications during a two-week application window for each program. (Refer to specific program information for individual submission dates.) All qualified applications received or postmarked during those two weeks are considered on an equal basis. If, during the two-week period, more students apply than the Jerusalem Center can accommodate, students will be randomly drawn for Part II of the admissions process (or for the waiting list for Part II). In the event that both the randomly drawn list and the waiting list for Part II are filled, any remaining applications will be returned. Qualified applications received after the application window will be considered for Part II of the admissions process only on a space-available basis and in the order they are received. The Jerusalem Center has separate lists for men and women; therefore, the need for a random drawing as Part I of the application process will depend on the number of applications received for each gender.

Part II.
Each applicant considered or randomly drawn in Part I of the admissions process will be interviewed. Applicants on the waiting list may also be interviewed, as necessary or as space becomes available. Applicants will be admitted for study at the Jerusalem Center based on their preparation for and ability to benefit from study at the Jerusalem Center as well as their ability to contribute to the success of the experience for others in the unique Jerusalem Center setting.

What classes are offered at the BYU Jerusalem Center?

Tentative Curriculum (15 credit hours):

• Religion 303—Old Testament Studies (3 credit hours)
• Religion 311—New Testament Studies of the Gospels (3 credit hours)
• Near Eastern Studies 336—Ancient Near Eastern Studies (3 credit hours)
• Near Eastern Studies 347—Arab and Islamic Civilization (2 credit hours)
• Near Eastern Studies 349—Israeli and Jewish Civilization (2 credit hours)
• Near Eastern Studies 395—Jerusalem Center Field Trips (1 credit hour, graded pass/fail)
• Arabic 100 or Hebrew 100—Introductory language studies (1 credit hour)
• Forum: special lectures

Electives (1-2 credit hours):

A selection of more specialized elective courses may be offered in such areas as religion, archaeology, geography, history, and culture of the Near East. The electives offered vary according to the expertise and interest of the current faculty members.

Is financial aid available?

BYU Jerusalem Center Financial Aid

The Jerusalem Center awards both grants and scholarships. Grants are based on financial need and can range from $200 to $2,200 each. The same information submitted to apply for financial aid from the Federal Government is used to determine a Jerusalem Center Grant. Scholarships, which are based on academic performance, range from $400 – $1,000. To be competitive for a scholarship, you must have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA and have completed at least 24 semester hours (32 quarter hours). A.P. credit does not count in this total.

Both grant and scholarship awards vary with the number of students who apply, and the funds available. Students may be eligible to receive both a scholarship and a grant; however, no student will receive more than 50 percent of the Jerusalem Center program cost through BYU funding (Jerusalem Center scholarships and grants, BYU scholarships, employee benefits, etc.). Government aid (Pell grants, Stafford loans, etc.) is not included in the 50 percent.

While Jerusalem Center financial aid is not a loan that must be repaid, recipients of financial aid are encouraged, if they are able in future years, to replenish the financial aid fund so that future students will also have financial aid available when they need it.

Applications for Jerusalem Center financial aid are available with other program materials.

Other Financial Aid

BYU scholarships and faculty dependent benefits are applicable to the Jerusalem Center programs. Other financial aid (Pell grants, Stafford loans, etc.) can also be used. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate the amount of these awards to the Jerusalem Center office prior to the final payment deadline. These funds will be deducted from the final payment.

BYU-I and BYU-H students who received university scholarships and/or government funding cannot typically transfer these funds for use on a BYU-Provo program. Students should contact their individual financial aid advisors for more information.