Master of Arts in Jewish Studies

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.

The Master of Arts in Jewish Studies (MAJS) degree gives you the key to unlocking 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.

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. Most students complete the program in 2-4 years. Students with substantial background in Hebrew and Judaics or who take courses that are part of the on-campus Mekorot program may receive advanced standing toward completing the degree requirements.

Delve into Text, History, and Tradition

The new Master of Jewish Studies at Hebrew College is an online text-based program designed to offer introductory mastery of Jewish texts in the original. As a hybrid of online and on campus learning, the MAJS at Hebrew College includes some asynchronous courses and live online learning with hevruta (study partners). The text courses require that students meet, with instructor participation, via video conferencing with one another to study texts together. Once students are matched up, they schedule times when they are available to study together. Students complete Hebrew 4, or the equivalent before registering for three text courses where Hebrew Hevruta study is integrated into the course. The student can take one text course using only English.

Degree Requirements

Hebrew Proficiency Requirement for graduation: Level 4 or Higher

Level 4 is required before student can take the TEXT Courses.

Total Credits: 36

History & Culture: 6 credits

Must take 2 courses:

Texts & Contexts: Biblical and Rabbinic Periods 3 credits

History & Memory: Medieval and Modern Periods 3 credits

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

Minimum requirement: Hebrew 4
Three courses must be Hebrew Language centered, with at least one in a biblical text and one in a rabbinic text.

Courses are worth 4 credits each.

Summer week-long residential seminar: 6 credits

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

Courses worth 3 credits each.

Electives: 6 credits

Two courses totaling 6 credits

Graduate Research Seminar: 2 credits

Course is taken during last semester of school and produces a final thesis which will be presented before graduation.

Transfer Credit

If a student has taken one or two graduate level courses in Jewish Studies from an accredited institution, Hebrew College may accept that credit towards the Jewish Studies degree.

Admission Requirements