Master of Arts in Jewish Studies

The Master of Arts in Jewish Studies degree gives you the keys to unlocking Judaism and Jewish texts and defining your own path of original study and research. Students who earn this degree use it to enrich their personal knowledge of Judaism at an advanced level, advance professionally in Jewish communal organizations, build a foundation for rabbinic or cantorial study or prepare for a career in Jewish academic scholarship.

Jewish text study is essential to Jewish learning. Accessing Jewish texts, from classical to modern, in a variety of genres, in the original Hebrew — and understanding how to conduct independent research — is the essence of Jewish scholarship. Courses include asynchronous instruction and discussion opportunities for students as well as real time learning and study in hevrutah with study partners via video chats and other mechanisms. In addition to regular Hebrew College faculty, courses are taught by scholars and academics from other institutions locally, in Israel, and around the world.

Course of Study

Combining in-depth study of Jewish texts with a thorough grounding in academic approaches to Jewish history, culture and religion, the MAJS may be completed entirely via distance learning, or as a combination of online and on-campus courses. Full-time and part-time study options are available. Many students complete the program in two to four years. Students with substantial background in Hebrew and Jewish studies, or who take courses that are part of the on-campus Mekorot program, may receive advanced standing toward completing the degree requirements.

Degree Requirements

• Hebrew proficiency requirement for graduation: Level 4 or higher
• Total credits: 36

History and Culture: 6 credits

• Texts and Contexts: Biblical and Rabbinic Periods (three credits)
• History and Memory: Medieval and Modern Periods (three credits)

Text Courses: Essential texts of Jewish History and Culture: 16 credits

• Four text courses; three of these must be Hebrew Language-centered, with at least one in a biblical text and one in a rabbinic text (Hebrew level 4 must be completed before enrolling in these Hebrew centered courses)
• All text courses are four credits each and include a one hour real time hevrutah session with study partner
  

Summer weeklong residential seminar: 6 credits

• Required to attend two summer residency courses
• Content will vary in each course

Electives: 6 credits

Two courses

Graduate Research Seminar: 2 credits

The Graduate Research Seminar is taken during the last semester prior to graduation and focuses on the writing of the final master’s paper.

Transfer Credit

Hebrew College may accept a limited number of transfer credits from other institutions; official transcripts must be submitted for review.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate study
• Application, two essays, phone interview
• Hebrew placement test