Jewish Studies and Public Administration

Rebecca Grabiner, Program Adviser

Program

The Jewish Professional Leadership (JPL) Program is the umbrella for the two dual-degree programs offered 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 masters as well as other relevant issues in the Jewish community. Some examples of previous topics covered in the 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 The Jewish Theological Seminary and the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) of Columbia University prepares students for professional leadership careers in the Jewish community. With simultaneous admission to both schools and concurrent attendance, students receive both an MA in Jewish Studies from JTS and an MPA in Public Administration from Columbia.

Our goal is to provide future Jewish communal and professional leaders with the essential knowledge, skills, and experience to meet the challenge of building Jewish community in an increasingly complex world.

The program in Jewish Studies and Public Administration is offered by the The Graduate School of JTS and the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. Students study simultaneously at both schools and are awarded two degrees: master of arts in Jewish Studies (JTS) and Master of Public Administration (SIPA).

At The Graduate School, students take 24 credits toward a master of arts degree in Jewish Studies. In order to fulfill prerequisite requirements, a student may need to take additional Jewish studies and Hebrew courses prior to graduation. An additional 6 credits toward the degree are transferred from SIPA.

The curriculum at The Graduate School emphasizes an academic approach to Jewish studies. Students study Jewish history, tradition, and culture with JTS’s esteemed faculty. Through elective courses, students can take advantage of the full spectrum of study available at JTS.

At Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, students take a minimum of 45 credits in Public Administration. Up to an additional 15 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 (21 points), a workshop (3 points), and a summer internship (up to 6 points).

Degrees

Master of Arts

Admission Requirements

See The Graduate School Admissions page.

Degree Requirements

Courses

In addition to any prerequisite courses mandated by The Graduate School, a minimum of sixty-nine graduate credits are required as follows:

  • A minimum of 45 credits in public administration (to which the School of International and Public Affairs adds a maximum of 15 transfer credits for work completed at JTS);
  • 24 credits in Judaic studies (to which The Graduate School adds 6 transfer credits for work completed at Columbia) as follows:
    • 6 credits (two courses) in American Jewish social history;
    • 3 credits (one course) in the analysis of contemporary Jewish issues with traditional Jewish sources;
    • 3 credits (one course) in Jewish history, either in modern Jewish history or medieval Jewish communities and culture;
    • 3 credits (one course) earned in the Israel seminar; and
  • 9 credits (three courses) of electives, approved by the adviser. All students must register for four semesters of a noncredit Jewish Professional Leadership seminar.

All students must register for four semesters of a noncredit Professional Leadership seminar.

In addition to the courses described in the preceding section, students who wish to pursue teacher certification for noneducation majors will be required to take between two and five additional courses. Students may choose to take courses that meet the certification requirements as their three electives in the MA program. These courses must be approved by the Public Administration Program and the teacher certification advisers.

Degrees are awarded only upon successful completion of both (JTS and Columbia) parts of the program. Students can generally complete the program in four-to-six semesters plus one or two summers (two-to-three years).

Search the Course Catalog for courses.