How to Apply

Submit Online

Complete the online application:  

  • Academic history  
  • Official transcripts from all postsecondary studies. (If you’re currently enrolled in a degree program, you may submit an unofficial transcript. An official transcript will be needed to enroll. All Master’s applicants must have completed, or be on track to complete, a bachelor’s degree by the term for which you are applying.)  
  • Resume  
  • One letter of recommendation  
  • Personal Statement  

Application Deadlines

Applications for the MA program are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis after the priority deadline. Please see below for specific application deadline information.  

TERMAPPLICATION DEADLINENOTIFICATION OF ADMISSION STATUS FROM JTS
Fall 2026 startApril 1April 30, rolling after

Recommendation 

We encourage you to contact your recommender before submitting your application, as they receive notice of your request immediately upon submission of the online application.  

We also recommend informing your recommender whether you have waived your right to view the recommendation should you enroll. Applicants should seek out recommenders who can address their academic qualifications, leadership capacities, and personal or professional character.  

Essay Supplements  

Applicants to the MA Spiritual Care & Counseling program are required to submit a personal statement.

Required Exams and Score Reports  

GRE and/or MAT results are encouraged but not required for admission to the MA in Ritual Leadership.

If you have completed testing, we encourage submission of your scores as this information can be a valuable addition in our review. JTS has always practiced a holistic, individualized approach to reviewing our applicants and selecting individuals who are the best fit for our unique graduate programs. Consideration of an applicant includes many factors beyond test scores; we are confident our applicants will continue to demonstrate those qualities to us through their applications again this year.  

  • All applicants who have completed testing must submit official scores on the general test of the GRE (JTS GRE code is 2339) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Please note the above update to JTS’s testing policy.  
  • Official scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Duolingo English Test for applicants whose native language is other than English and who have not been educated at a college where English is the language of instruction. These test scores are valid for two years from the date taken.  

Testing may be waived for one of the following reasons and is at the discretion of the admissions director or dean:  

  • Applicant is a graduate of List College at JTS with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.  
  • Applicant holds a relevant graduate degree from an accredited university and can provide an official transcript that indicates successful completion of all required course work.  
  • Applicant has completed non-degree courses at JTS with a GPA of 3.3 or higher (excluding courses in Hebrew language and the summer Nishma program).