The Jewish Theological Seminary
Academics
Jewish Studies
Shira Kohn, Program Advisor
This program is designed for students who wish to obtain a strong foundation in Jewish Studies through a well-rounded course of study in four major areas: Hebrew Bible and Its Interpretation, Rabbinic Literatures and Cultures, Medieval and Early Modern Jews of the Mediterranean World, and Modern Jewish Communities and Cultures. Students who successfully complete the Jewish Studies MA program go onto a variety of educational and professional settings, including doctoral studies and professional careers in the Jewish world.
Degrees
Master of Arts
Admission Requirements
Visit The Graduate School Admissions page.
Degree Requirements
Courses
In addition to courses required of all students in The Graduate School, 30 additional graduate credits are required as follows:
- 1 First-Year Seminar - 3 credits
- 1 course in Hebrew Bible and Its Interpretation - 3 credits
- 1 course in Rabbinic Literatures and Cultures - 3 credits
- 1 course in Medieval and Early Modern Jewish Studies - 3 credits
- 1 course in Modern Jewish Communities and Cultures - 3 credits
- 4 courses in area of concentration - 12 credits
- 1 elective - 3 credits
Courses will be chosen in consultation with the program advisor and "area" courses need to be distributed as follows:
- One course must be cross listed with Jewish Gender and Women's Studies
- One course must be cross listed with History
- One course must be cross listed with Jewish Thought
- One course must be cross listed with Jewish Literature
Comprehensive Exam
Students must take a written comprehensive examination, which tests their understanding of a list of readings and their ability to place the readings in the broader contexts covered in course work.