Jewish Studies and Public Administration

Program Background
The Jewish Professional Leadership (JPL) Program is the umbrella for the two dual-degree programs of The Graduate School of JTS and Columbia University, one with the Columbia School of Social Work (CUSSW) and one with Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Students in the JPL Program participate in an integration seminar that 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 and the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) of Columbia University prepares students for leadership careers in the Jewish community.

Program Requirements
Students are awarded two degrees: master of arts in Jewish Studies (JTS) and master of Public Administration (Columbia). Students spend their first year in the program attending JTS and begin studies at SIPA in the second year. At The Graduate School, students take 24 credits. In order to fulfill prerequisite requirements, a student may need to take additional Jewish studies and Hebrew courses prior to graduation. In addition, 6 credits toward the degree are transferred from SIPA.

See a sample course schedule.

At Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, students take a minimum of 30 credits in Public Administration. Fifteen credits of JTS coursework are transfered to SIPA to fulfill the SIPA concentration requirement.

JTS Course Requirements

  • Graduate-Level First-Year Seminar (one course–3 credits)
  • American Jewish Social History (two courses–6 credits)
  • Analysis of contemporary Jewish issues with traditional Jewish sources (one course–3 credits)
  • Jewish History (one course–3 credits): either Medieval Jewish History or Modern Jewish History
  • Elective courses approved by the adviser (three courses–9 credits)
  • Jewish Professional Leadership Seminar (noncredit–four semesters)
  • Israel Seminar (one winter session course–noncredit)

Additional Requirements
All students in The Graduate School are required to demonstrate a basic level of Judaica competency in addition to the courses they take toward their master's degree. In their first year, all students must complete a one-semester course, Classics of the Jewish Tradition, or demonstrate proficiency in this area. Students who have not studied the Hebrew Bible or Talmud with a scholarly approach and who have not yet acquired proficiency in Hebrew at an intermediate level will be required to fulfill these requirements before graduation, according to Graduate School procedures. Students in the dual-degree program must also fulfill a liturgy requirement or demonstrate corresponding proficiency.

View a detailed description of the requirements for the SIPA MPA.

Program Highlights

Jewish Professional Leadership Seminar
Every other week, students participate in a seminar that focuses on different aspects of their work in the Jewish community and synthesizes what they are learning at JTS and SIPA or CUSSW. Speakers and case presentations bring ideas, ethics, and social responsibility to life. Students participate in planning the topics and themes for the seminar.

Israel Seminar
This seminar, which takes place in Israel, focuses on the complexity of social, religious, political, and economic issues in Israeli society; the changing relationship between Israel and world Jewry; and the challenges North American Jewish communal professionals face in interpreting and integrating Israel into their work. This seminar is typically conducted in alternating years, often in partnership with other New York–area graduate programs and partner agencies.

Site Visits to Jewish Communal Agencies
With its location in New York City, the program takes advantage of the rich resources of the city's vibrant Jewish communal network of agencies. Site visits to national and international agencies give students the opportunity to meet with key professionals in the field, and explore the most current issues facing their organizations and the Jewish community at large. Student input into the selection of agencies and the themes to be explored is essential to the success of these visits.

Length of Study
The program can be completed in as little as two years and no summers, or any combination up to three years. The length of time depends on the student's previous background and requirements at JTS.