Master of Arts in Jewish Liberal Studies

Jewish imagination knows no bounds. Discover your personal connection to Judaism through the creative vision of Jewish artists, poets, writers, musicians, philosophers and historians. A Master of Arts in Jewish Liberal Studies will enable you to define or refine your personal Jewish history via an interdisciplinary exploration of Jewish culture and civilization, viewed through the lens of the Jewish humanities.

Course of Study

Many students complete the MJLS degree via distance learning; if you live locally, you may select from a mix of online and on-campus courses. All students participate in a weeklong summer residential seminar (three credits) held on campus, during the course of their studies.

Degree Requirements

• Basic Hebrew reading proficiency (phonetically read Hebrew and a basic beginning Hebrew vocabulary)
• Completion of 30 credits, detailed below:

Course	Division	Credits
Texts and Contexts: Biblical and Rabbinical Periods; History and Memory: Medieval and Modern Periods (three credits each)	History and Culture	6
Essential Texts of Jewish History and Culture (two courses, four credits each)*	Text	8
Summer Weeklong Residential Seminar	Seminar	3
Choose three, three-credit courses from among music, art, literature, Jewish thought, history and culture	Jewish Culture	9
Independent study with a faculty member (begin work on capstone project)	Independent Study	2
Graduate research seminar (culminates in completion of capstone project)**	Seminar	2

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* These courses include one hour of study each week with a study partner.
** Taken during last semester prior to graduation.

Transfer Credit

A student may take one graduate-level courses in Jewish studies from an accredited institution and apply to Hebrew College to accept that credit toward the MJLS degree.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate study
• Application, two essays, phone interview