MA in Jewish Studies

Designed for students who wish to obtain a deep grounding in advanced Judaica (such as those planning to pursue doctoral studies or work in the non-academic professional Jewish world), this interdisciplinary MA program offers a broad overview of classical and modern Jewish studies with an emphasis on developing skills for textual analysis. Students who successfully complete the Jewish Studies MA go on to a variety of educational and professional settings, including doctoral studies and professional careers in the Jewish world.

Learning Outcomes

By graduation, students should be able to…

  1. Identify key Jewish texts as well as historical and cultural trends throughout Jewish history
  2. Apply intermediate Hebrew skills to reading and engaging with Jewish texts in the original language
  3. Articulate an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Jewish life, thought, history, and cultural production, informed by a diversity of disciplinary methods

Degree Requirements

Prerequisites

Students must demonstrate Hebrew competency at the level of HEB 5203, either through the Hebrew courses at JTS or by exemption through examination upon entering the program. Hebrew courses taken to achieve proficiency do not count towards the overall degree.

Courses

Students must complete 33 credits, including:

  • One course (3 credits) MDS 5102: Classics of the Jewish Tradition
  • Two courses (6 credits) in Bible o One of these courses may be BIB 5011: Introduction to Hebrew Bible.
  • Two courses (6 credits) in Rabbinic Literatures and Cultures o One of these courses may be RLC 5025: Introduction to Rabbinic Literature
  • Four courses (12 credits) in the following areas (at least 3 credits in each area and 6 credits in History if MDS 5102 is included):
    • History (can include MDS 5102)
    • Thought
    • Literature
  • Two courses (6 credits) of electives, chosen in consultation with the advisor

Capstone Project

Students must complete a capstone paper/project that is designed in consultation with the program advisor. The nature and content of the capstone will reflect the student’s academic and professional trajectory and future goals.

Jewish Studies MA for Rabbinical School Students

For the Jewish Studies MA degree, offered through the Kekst Graduate School, students are required to take an additional 21 credits in Jewish Studies courses beyond the Rabbinical School curriculum and complete a capstone project. These credits are generally distributed as follows: 

  • One additional course (3 credits) in texts and interpretation (e.g. parshanut, midrash)
  • One additional Bible course (3 credits) 
  • 15 additional credits distributed across History, Thought, and Literature 

Capstone projects must be developed in consultation with the DRL deans and approved by the Kekst School deans. Capstone projects should be developed no later than the spring semester of the year before graduation (usually Year 4). Proposals must be submitted to the DRL and Kekst deans by August 15th of the year preceding graduation. 

Examples of capstone projects for Rabbinical School students include the following: 

  • A paper (15-20 pages) synthesizing the experience of rabbinical school study 
  • An artistic project with an accompanying narrative that relates to the student’s course of study 
  • Creation of a community code of ethical and halakhic conduct developed for a specific context, drawing on resources from classical and contemporary CJLS responsa 
  • A collection of poems or creative writing with an accompanying narrative connecting the work to the student’s rabbinic education 
  • A curriculum for a chosen context that covers the entire arc of a selected subject and includes a minimum of six lesson plans for specific units within the curriculum.