In the academic study of Talmud

Talmud

The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....

, Jewish Law, Philosophy

Philosophy

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...

, Ethics

Ethics

Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...

, Rabbinic literature

Rabbinic literature

Rabbinic literature, in its broadest sense, can mean the entire spectrum of rabbinic writings throughout Jewish history. However, the term often refers specifically to literature from the Talmudic era, as opposed to medieval and modern rabbinic writing, and thus corresponds with the Hebrew term...

 the Master of Rabbinic Studies (MRb) is a graduate degree granted by a Yeshiva

Yeshiva

Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...

 or Rabbinical School.

In many institutions, this degree is a standard component in the study for Semicha

Semicha

, also , or is derived from a Hebrew word which means to "rely on" or "to be authorized". It generally refers to the ordination of a rabbi within Judaism. In this sense it is the "transmission" of rabbinic authority to give advice or judgment in Jewish law...

, Rabbinic Ordination

Ordination

In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...

. At accredited institutions this degree requires between 72 and 90 credit hours of study (72 being the minimum determined by academic accrediting agencies and 90 being on the upper end of certain schools that wish to ensure a broader study of the related material).

Contemporary usage

The MRb is a significantly more extensive program than most master's degrees. The degree usually consists on average of 90 semester hours, as opposed to the usual 36 or 48. Ordination in a mainstream Yeshiva

Yeshiva

Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...

 or Rabbinical School requires seven or eight years of education past high school: the first four in undergraduate studies leading to a Bachelor of Talmudic Law

Bachelor of Talmudic Law

The Bachelor of Talmudic law is a law degree, comprising the study, analysis and application of ancient Biblical sources. The laws derived from these texts comprise the origin of many of today’s judicial systems....

 and then three or four years of seminary or rabbinical school leading to the MRb.

Accreditation and recognition

In North America, four entities that accredit religious schools in particular are recognized by the United States Department of Education

United States Department of Education

The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...

 and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Council for Higher Education Accreditation

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a United States organization of degree-granting colleges and universities. It identifies its purpose as providing national advocacy for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation in order to certify the quality of higher education...

:

1) Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)

2) Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools

Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools

The Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools is a faith-based national accreditation association for Rabbinical and Talmudic schools...

 (AARTS)

3) Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada

Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada

The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada is an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools of theology. ATS has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has more than 250 member institutions...

 (ATS)

4) Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools

Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools

The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools is a U.S. national educational accreditation agency for Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries...

 (TRACS)


Since these accreditors meet Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Council for Higher Education Accreditation

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a United States organization of degree-granting colleges and universities. It identifies its purpose as providing national advocacy for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation in order to certify the quality of higher education...

  and United States Department of Education

United States Department of Education

The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...

recognition criteria, standards correspond to those of regional accreditors. Contrary to the principles laid out by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Council for Higher Education Accreditation

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a United States organization of degree-granting colleges and universities. It identifies its purpose as providing national advocacy for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation in order to certify the quality of higher education...

 in Transfer and the Public Interest: A Statement to the Community , many regionally accredited institutions continue to base transfer credit decisions solely or primarily upon regional accreditation.

See also

• Graduate programs in religion
  Graduate programs in religion
  In the United States, graduate departments of religion tend to provide programs for the advanced study of both theology and religious studies. Generally Ph.D. programs exist at universities, but there are some notable seminary exceptions...
  
  
• Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools
  Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools
  The Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools is a faith-based national accreditation association for Rabbinical and Talmudic schools...
  
  
• Bachelor of Talmudic Law
  Bachelor of Talmudic Law
  The Bachelor of Talmudic law is a law degree, comprising the study, analysis and application of ancient Biblical sources. The laws derived from these texts comprise the origin of many of today’s judicial systems....
  
  

External links

http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg8.html
http://www.ajrca.org/programs/rabbinicalschool.shtml
http://admissions.ajula.edu/Content/ContentUnit.asp?CID=5&u=749&t=0
http://www.lecfl.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/243685/jewish/Yeshiva-Gedolah-Rabbinical-College.htm
http://www.citytowninfo.com/school-profiles/ner-israel-rabbinical-college