Designed to prepare students for careers in Jewish academic scholarship, to build a foundation for rabbinic or cantorial study, or to enrich personal knowledge of Judaism, the MASTER OF ARTS IN JEWISH STUDIES combines in-depth study of Jewish texts with a thorough grounding in academic approaches to Jewish history, culture and religion.

Whether seeking the degree to prepare for a career in Jewish academic scholarship, the rabbinate or cantorial study, or to enrich personal knowledge of Judaism, students in the 50-credit MASTER OF ARTS IN JEWISH STUDIES program gain a broad understanding of Judaica, as well as mastery of the Hebrew language. Students choose an area of concentration, which then provides the academic foundation for their master's paper, prepared under the guidance of a faculty advisor during the program's final semester. Hebrew proficiency is a significant component of the program; students must achieve proficiency at the equivalent of Hebrew VI. Students may be given exemption by exam from Hebrew V and VI, which are offered for credit.

Three Framework Courses (Bible: Text and Context; Jewish History and Memory: Rabbinic and Medieval Periods; and Jewish History and Memory: The Modern Period) cover a broad spectrum of Jewish history and culture, focusing on content as well as methods of study. In these Framework Courses, students will study the the major transitions and defining moments of Jewish history, the collective memories of the Jewish people, and how the past has relevance today through commonly held beliefs, dispositions and patterns of conduct. Students may be given exemption by exam from two of the three Framework courses. Gateway Courses provide entry into the classical texts of the Jewish tradition and require students to have completed Hebrew VI or its equivalent. These courses launch the student into the academic study of texts in their original language of Hebrew.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The MASTER OF ARTS IN JEWISH STUDIES program requires students to concentrate in one of several possible areas of study, as follows:

• Bible
• Rabbinic Literature
• Exegesis
• Hebrew Literature
• Jewish Philosophy
• Jewish History and Society
• Liturgy
• Jewish Mysticism or Hasidut

While the requirement is 50 credits, students may be given exemption for up to 14 credits, bringing the degree requirements down to 36 credits.

Students are also required to enroll in a non-credit workshop, focusing on library and research skills. Prior to graduation, students must pass a Hebrew reading proficiency exam. Before enrolling in the Graduate Research Seminar (usually the final semester of residence), students must demonstrate proficiency in their chosen area of concentration.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate level study
• GRE results

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the MASTER OF ARTS IN JEWISH STUDIES, please contact the Office of Admissions at 617-559-8610 or email admissions@hebrewcollege.edu.


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