Summer Language FAQ

Each summer, we offer introductory Greek and Hebrew courses as summer intensive classes. Each summer language course is six credits, a full year of study over the span of eight weeks. For 2024, these classes will be virtual and are scheduled to run online from June 24-August 16.

For entering degree students, registration for summer language is available upon completing the enrollment steps and closes on June 14.

Once the enrollment steps are complete, contact [email protected] and let us know you want to register for summer language. We will then forward your file to the Registrar, and they will assist you in registering for a summer language class.

External (non-degree) students interested in taking summer language courses need to apply separately and more information about the application process is available here.

Fall courses: Registration for the fall semester will open in mid-July, and you will receive an email from the registrar with instructions about how to access the registration module and select your classes. You should plan to complete all enrollment steps by July 1 to ensure that you are able to register for classes as soon as the registration period opens.

For those enrolled in degree programs, summer languages at the Seminary count as elective credits. Each summer language course is six credits, usually covered in a full year of study over the span of eight weeks. The course is intensive, and it will require you to focus your time and energy during those eight weeks on the study of the language. You will be doing so, however, with a committed teaching team (a faculty instructor who delivers lectures and designed the course, a PhD student instructor who facilitates the day-to-day aspects of the course, and a teaching assistant who leads your small group time throughout the week. Many students who have not studied any foreign language before can learn biblical Greek or Hebrew with dedication and hard work. An important piece of advice: Because of the intensive format, this course amounts to the work of a full-time job and should be your main priority for the eight weeks of the summer term.

For those enrolled in a PTS degree program, the advantages of taking a summer biblical language course as an incoming student include:

1. Ahead of the early September orientation you will develop a close-knit relationship with a group of Princeton Seminary students, as you experience together the challenges and joys of learning an ancient biblical language.
2. Taking a summer language course as your one object of study for eight weeks allows you to be single-minded in studying Greek or Hebrew without the distractions and demands of several other courses at the same time, as is the case during the full academic year language courses.
3. Taking a summer language course as an incoming student will earn you six credits upfront before the fall semester, which will allow you more flexibility and space for electives during your seminary career.
4. You will immediately be able to enroll in upper-level biblical exegesis courses that require either Greek or Hebrew beginning in your first semester.

The summer language courses will follow a cohort model, facilitating personal connections no matter where you are. Small groups will walk through the material together, engaging many different modes of learning, including: participating in small groups on zoom, watching recorded lecture videos, meeting with a tutor virtually one-on-one, and working through vocabulary and translation exercises independently and at your own pace.

To allow for maximum flexibility to suit a wide variety of learner’s schedules, the bulk of the course will be taught asynchronously, with lectures, exercises, and quizzes watched and completed at a time of each student’s convenience each day. There will also be small group meetings for 90 minutes per day that will be available at different times to suit student schedules, as well as optional meetings for enrichment exercises.

The classes are offered in two formats—online and in a hybrid model. In the fully online version, all parts of the course—lectures, small groups, activities, assessments—take place online. In the hybrid version, students participate in an in-person small group (precept) on campus most class days. All other parts of the course (lectures, activities, assessments) are online. Select the small group section that best fits your needs and location.

While students should expect to devote a significant amount of time to the course, the online format will allow students much more flexibility in how they allocate that time throughout the day than a traditional classroom format. If you have additional questions about the summer language program or the technological requirements, please email [email protected].

For those in degree programs who choose to enroll in a summer language course, you should plan to enroll in a fall semester course in which to continue your new language skills. You may keep your Hebrew fresh through the one-credit OT1153 Hebrew Translation course and/or with any Hebrew exegesis course with the prefix OT34XX. For Greek, the options are NT1153 Greek Translation and/or any Greek exegesis course with the prefix NT34XX.

• Tuition cost: $4,830 ($805 per credit for 6-credit course) - 20% discount available
  
• NO APPLICATION FEE
• Application Deadline for Non-Degree Students is May 24- NO APPLICATION FEE
• $350 non-refundable deposit payment due after admission to confirm placement in the program (before June 14)
• 20% discount available for students who confirm (with deposit) by June 14, 2024. (With discount, cost is reduced to $3,840)
• Full payment (minus nonrefundable $350 deposit, and discount if applicable) due by the first day of the course to officially enroll (before June 24) - 50% refundable between June 24 - July 1
• No refunds after July 1

For Entering or Returning Students:

Summer language courses are billed on a per-credit basis. For 2024, the cost per credit is $805, so the total cost of summer language is $4,830. However, the same scholarship/grant that you have for the normal academic year is also applied to the summer. Any costs left over are due at the start of the summer session (June 24).

Someone with a full tuition scholarship would not be responsible for any payment toward summer tuition.

Once you have a network account, you can view and pay your bill on the Bursar's page of Inside PTS (our internal website).