Jewish Studies and Public Administration

Please note: The JTS/SIPA program is currently on hiatus.

Program Background:

The Jewish Professional Leadership (JPL) Program is the umbrella for the two dual-degree programs through The Graduate School of JTS and Columbia University. Students in the JPL Program participate in an integration seminar which allows them to explore the intersection of their two master's as well as other relevant issues in the Jewish community. Some examples of previous topics covered in seminar are the Role of the Professional in the Jewish Community, Issues of Diversity in the Jewish Community, and Community Building.

The dual-degree program of The Graduate School of JTS and the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) of Columbia University prepares students for leadership careers in the Jewish community.

Students study simultaneously at both schools and are awarded two degrees: Master of Arts in Jewish Studies (JTS) and Master of Public Administration (Columbia). At The Graduate School, students take twenty-for credits. In order to fulfill prerequisite requirements, a student may need to take additional Jewish studies and Hebrew courses prior to graduation. An additional six credits toward the degree are transferred from SIPA.

See a sample course schedule.

At Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, students take a minimum of forty-five credits in Public Administration. Up to an additional fifteen credits may be transferred from JTS. JTS courses fulfill the concentration requirement, and any additional courses beyond the core completed at SIPA count as electives.

The MPA program at SIPA is taught by the case method, which uses a "hands-on" applied approach common to the social sciences. The MPA curriculum for an MPA/JTS dual-degree student includes the SIPA core requirements (twenty-one credits), a workshop (three credits), and a summer internship (up to six credits).

Applicants should be aware that SIPA requires an undergraduate-level background in economics, including both macro- and microeconomics. Students without these courses will have to take them before beginning at SIPA.

Israel Seminar:

During the course of their studies JPL students also participate in an Israel Seminar, which takes place in Israel during winter break. This seminar allows students to explore major issues in Israel firsthand, delve deeper into areas of professional interest, and meet with various leaders in Israel.

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Degrees and Courses