Returning Students: Students accepted into the Online MAJS program prior to the 2005–2006 academic year may refer to the previous degree requirements [PDF - 349k].

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The Online MAJS program incorporates new formulations of courses of study beginning with the 2005–2006 academic year:

Three Framework courses—Bible: Text and Context; History and Memory: Rabbinic and Medieval Periods and History and Memory: The Modern Period—cover a broad spectrum of Jewish history and culture, focusing on content as well as methods of study. These courses replace Introduction to Jewish History, Culture and Civilization and the two-course sequence, Study of Judaism I and II, as the introductory courses for the master's degree program, and may be taken in any order.

The Framework courses focus on the major transitions and defining moments of Jewish history, the collective memories of the Jewish people and how the past has been made present through commonly held beliefs, dispositions and patterns of conduct. Students with a background in Jewish studies may be exempted from two of the three Framework courses by passing an examination.

Gateway courses provide entrée into the classical texts of the Jewish tradition, launching students into the academic study of texts in the original Hebrew. These courses require additional hevruta study in a "virtual bet midrash" and generate four credits each.

For the 2005–2006 academic year, satisfactory completion of Hebrew V Online or its equivalent is required for entry into Gateway courses as well as subsequent advanced core text courses. A two-semester, credit-bearing sequence advancing online students beyond Hebrew V Online is in development and will be instituted in the near future.

As in prior years, a key component of the Online MAJS is a weeklong summer residential institute at the Newton Centre campus. Matriculated students build personal connections with one another and faculty as they study on campus during this intensive seminar. Degree candidates are required to attend two summer residential seminars, which generate three credits each, during their course of study.

Students are also required to enroll in a noncredit workshop focusing on library and research skills.

Students choose a concentration in one of several possible areas of study:
Bible
Rabbinic Literature
Exegesis
Hebrew Literature
Jewish Thought, Religion and Civilization
Jewish History and Society

The number of credits required for the degree has been increased from 39 to 45:
3 Framework courses (9 credits)
3 Gateway courses (12 credits)
2 advanced core text courses (6 credits)
5 additional courses (15 credits), of which 3 must be in the area
        of concentration
graduate research seminar and master's paper (3 credits)

Students with substantial background can be exempted by exam from 6 of these credits.

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