MA in Jewish Education: Experiential Education Program Details

Course Work

The MA in Jewish Education: Experiential Education Track requires 46 credits, including at least 9 credits of electives.

Course work involves:

• Core courses and electives in Hebrew language and Judaic content taught by JTS's esteemed faculty
• Courses and seminars in pedagogy, program planning, and educational techniques
• Modules in experiential learning techniques and settings from the fields of secular and Jewish education
• Courses and Seminars in leading and managing Jewish non-profits and developing staff

See a list of FAQs (frequently asked questions).

External Field Work (Year One) and Internship (Year Two)

During the first year, students will visit Jewish and secular educational organizations where they will:

• Meet personally with leading experiential educators and administrators
• Observe the day-to-day operations of the organizations
• Participate in action-research and meaningful projects, on which they will reflect in the first-year integrative professional seminar

Meet the experiential "first year" mentors

During the second year, students will intern for 20 hours a week at a Jewish educational organization where they will:

• Work with an individual mentor to receive weekly advising, guidance, goal setting, and opportunities for discussion and reflection
• Create and oversee meaningful work projects
• Engage in skill-set building, reflective practice, and evaluation of their placement in the second-year integrative professional seminar

See sample field placements.

Meet the experiential practicum mentors

Cohort

Students are part of a close-knit caring community in which they:

• Attend retreats prior to and during each year of study
• Work on core competencies and discuss their experiences with faculty
• Meet regularly for discussion of their experiences, reflection, and added study
• Attend professional seminars, social gatherings, and ritual events together to enhance the educational experience through community, networking, and shared learning

Meet our 2011 - 2013 Experiential Cohort! Meet our 2012 - 2014 Experiential Cohort!