The MA is designed to prepare students from diverse backgrounds to become Jewish educators. The program accommodates full- and part-time students and online learners. All students admitted to the MA program enroll in a core curriculum that provides a solid grounding in Judaica and

education. Once core classes are completed students choose an area of focus: Education Leadership or Pedagogy and Teaching.

In the first year, each MA Davidson School student is assigned a program advisor with whom the student will make decisions regarding course work, internships, and practicum placements appropriate to his or her future career goals. Students select from one of the following two focus areas for their program of study:

Pedagogy and Teaching

This area of focus prepares students for early childhood and day school teaching positions. In addition to the practicum classes, students are required to take two other Jewish Studies courses.

During the final year of the program, students participate in a yearlong student-teaching placement and weekly seminar (EDU 5312 and EDU 5313). This practicum, designed in collaboration with participating day schools in the metropolitan area, consists of 16 hours of fieldwork per week throughout the academic year. In conjunction with the student-teaching placement, a student is assigned a mentor and a supervisor.

Educational Leadership

This area of focus prepares Davidson School students to become outstanding educational leaders who will serve a changing American Jewish community in the 21st century. Students in the Educational Leadership area of focus make the transition from expert learners to novice professionals in a collegial setting that supports the development of relationships, exposes them to practice in the field through internships, and provides mentoring with outstanding practitioners. This area of focus builds a vibrant community of practice that supports individual and collective growth, and creates an emerging cadre of reflective Jewish educational leaders.

MA Learning Outcomes

By the time of graduation, Davidson MA students will be able to…

1. Demonstrate pedagogic content knowledge through appropriate lesson planning and implementation
2. Apply knowledge and wisdom derived from Jewish texts and traditions to engage learners in Jewish learning
3. Use Hebrew language proficiency to effectively communicate in Jewish settings and provide basic guidance and leadership related to Hebrew in educational contexts.
4. Plan and implement programming within a variety of key Jewish education settings (e.g. adult learning, teacher professional development, day school classes, synagogue programs) 
5. Develop strategies for ongoing reflective practice in their career as an educator
6. Engage diverse learners in the exploration of spiritual connection

MA Degree Requirements

The MA curriculum is designed to provide all students with a strong foundation in Judaica and education, in addition to fostering religious development and personal growth. 

In order to meet graduation requirements, a student must earn a minimum of 45 credits above any course work needed to complete the Hebrew requirement. Hebrew requirements and Judaic course requirements differ depending on the student’s area of focus.

Full-time students at The William Davidson School take 12 credits or more per semester. Part-time students take 6 credits per semester. The curricular requirements for online and in-person students are the same.

Courses

Students must complete a minimum of 45 credits, distributed as follows:

Education Requirements (4 courses, 12 credits)

• EDU 5031: Pedagogic Skills
• SEM 5005: First Year Seminar: Becoming a Jewish Educational Professional
• EDU 5116: Developmental Issues in Jewish Education
• EDU 5158: Curriculum and instruction

Note that EDU 5031: Pedagogic Skills and EDU 5158: Curriculum and Instruction must be completed before students begin their practicum.

Foundation Courses in Judaic Studies (3 courses, 9 credits)

• BIB 5011: Introduction to Bible
• RLC 5025: Introduction to Rabbinic Literature
• MDS 5102: Classics of the Jewish Tradition

If a student has previously taken a comparable course(s) to a Foundation course(s), the student can request to be exempted from the course(s) by consulting with the associate dean of The Davidson School. Students exempted from Foundation courses are required to take higher-level courses in the same areas.

Judaica/Jewish Education Requirements (4 courses, 12 credits)

• Students may select 4 elective courses (12 credits) in Jewish Studies and/or Jewish Education.

Focus Area Requirements (2 courses, 6 credits)

• Students in the Pedagogy and Teaching focus area take 6 credits in this area selected in consultation with the advisor.

Students in the Educational Leadership area of focus are required to enroll in:

• EDU 5609: Leading and Managing Jewish Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Practice
• EDU 5559: Staff Development and Supervision in Jewish Educational Settings

Practicum (2 courses, 6 credits)

• All students complete a field placement (practicum) and associated academic seminar. Further details on the practicum are found below.

Practicum

All students are required to complete a two-semester practicum consisting of an academic class and 2 full days per week of placement. The practicum takes place within the student’s area of focus. Practicum placements are arranged only by the faculty practicum coordinators.

Students who hold a full-time position at the time of enrollment fulfill their practicum on their full- time position and take a year-long practicum seminar offered online.  

Language Requirements

Before registering for courses, all entering students are required to take the Hebrew placement examination administered by the Hebrew Language faculty. The following levels are required for completion of the focus areas. Courses taken to achieve required Hebrew proficiency are not counted towards the overall degree, though students are able to register for Hebrew courses while also pursuing the normal degree program. Hebrew courses are also offered over the summer.

In order to receive their degree, students who choose the Pedagogy and Teaching area of focus must demonstrate proficiency in Hebrew (speaking, reading, and writing) equivalent to the level of HEB 5205: Gimmel I (Intermediate-Advanced Hebrew I).

In order to receive their degree, students who choose the Educational Leadership area of focus must demonstrate proficiency in Hebrew (speaking, reading, and writing) equivalent to the level of HEB 2201: Bet I (Intermediate Hebrew I).

Online MA Degree

Participants in the online program cover the same 45 credits of comprehensive curriculum as their colleagues who study at our New York City campus but take most of their courses online.

Students are accepted into the school with an Online MA designation and are also designated as parttime students. In-house students may change their status to become Online MA students with the permission of the Dean’s Office. In addition to online work, students are encouraged to take advantage of summer courses.

Online Practicum

Students in the online program fulfill the practicum in their job settings.

Dual Degree Opportunities

The Davidson School offers several opportunities for students to concurrently pursue two degrees.

MA in Jewish Education and MA in an Area of Jewish studies

Davidson School students may apply to the Gershon Kekst Graduate School of JTS for an MA in any field of Jewish studies.

A student may apply 9 credits of Judaica from a Davidson School transcript toward the Kekst Graduate School’s credit requirements, subject to the approval of the Kekst Graduate School academic advisor. Likewise, students enrolled in the Kekst Graduate School (upon completion of all Kekst Graduate School prerequisites and Hebrew requirements) may apply for the MA in Jewish Education through The Davidson School and count 9 credits of subject-area Judaica from the Kekst Graduate School transcript toward the Davidson School MA.

MA in Jewish Education and Rabbinic Ordination

Students enrolled in the JTS Rabbinical School wishing to also obtain an MA in Jewish Education complete the same core MA program but can transfer seven Jewish Studies courses from The Rabbinical School. The following courses from the Davidson core are required:

To receive the MA in Jewish Education, students enrolled in the JTS Rabbinical School take the following Davidson courses and double-count five Jewish Studies courses from their rabbinic program for a total of 45 credits. 

Required Davidson courses: 

• EDU 5031: Pedagogic Skills*
• SEM 5005: First Year Seminar: Becoming a Jewish Educational Professional
• EDU 5116: Developmental Issues in Jewish Education
• EDU 5158: Curriculum and instruction
• Two education electives at the 5000 level
• Two semesters of practicum and associated courses

Students in the Educational Leadership area of focus also take:

• EDU 5609: Leading and Managing Jewish Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Practice*
• EDU 5559: Staff Development and Supervision in Jewish Educational Settings

Students in the Pedagogy and Teaching area of focus take two additional Jewish studies courses, one of which may be double-counted. *

*Note that this Davidson core course and one course in each focus area may also be double-counted, for a total of 7 double-counted courses.

MA in Jewish Education and Cantorial Ordination

In order to receive the MA in Jewish Education, students enrolled in the JTS Cantorial School take the same MA core courses and transfer five Jewish Studies courses.

• EDU 5031: Pedagogic Skills
• EDU 5127: Foundations of Jewish Education
• EDU 5116: Developmental Issues or equivalent
• EDU 5158: Curriculum and Instruction
• Two education electives at the 5000 level
• Two practicum courses

Students in the Educational Leadership area of focus also take:

• EDU 5609: Leading and Managing Jewish Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Practice
• EDU 5559: Staff Development and Supervision in Jewish Educational Settings

Students in the Pedagogy and Teaching area of focus take two additional Jewish studies courses.

Additional MA Program Opportunities

Graduates of List College Entering the Davidson School MA Program

Graduates of List College are permitted to apply 12 credits of graduate-level education course work from the BA transcript toward the MA in Jewish Education.

Pardes Davidson Experiential Educators Program

Students who are accepted to the experiential education program at Pardes and to the MA program at The William Davidson School are allowed to transfer up to five Judaica courses (15 credits) towards their MA in Jewish education at The William Davidson School.

Pardes/Davidson students need to take the same core ten courses (30 credits) at The William Davidson School and complete their Hebrew requirements.

List college graduates enrolling at the Pardes Experiential Educator program are allowed to transfer up to seven courses (21 credits) from both List College and Pardes towards the MA in Jewish education.

Program Components of Pardes Experiential Educators Program

• Jewish Studies: Courses in Bible, rabbinics, and Jewish thought, prayer, and history, to be taken as a full-time student at Pardes in Jerusalem.
• Hebrew Language: Students need to complete the required Hebrew level according to their track. They will fulfill this requirement by taking Hebrew at ulpan in Jerusalem and continue their Hebrew studies at JTS.
• Education Coursework: 10 courses to be completed at JTS, in-residence or online during fall, spring, and summer semesters.
• Education Practicum: Part-time placement to be completed with supervision from Davidson School faculty in the United States.
• Year-round field trips and seminars at Pardes.
• Professional Enrichment: Participation in a professional cohort of the Pardes Experiential Educators Program and in a collegial network of The William Davidson School (i.e., biannual day trips, and annual “lunch and learns”).

Doctorate in Jewish Education (EdD)

The doctoral programs at the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education prepare academics and senior professionals to address evolving educational needs in North American Jewish communities. Our graduates go on to hold senior roles as influential educators, researchers, academicians, administrators, and leaders in the field of Jewish education.

Students enrolled in The William Davidson School’s doctoral programs receive deep training in research skills, achieved through both the dissertation and a series of intimate colloquia in which students and faculty come together to present and discuss new research.

The full-time doctoral program of The Davidson School is designed to prepare students for senior roles as researchers, academicians, and administrators in the field of Jewish education.

Doctoral Program

Our doctoral program is designed for educators who can dedicate their time completely to their doctoral studies.

This track provides an immersive experience in applied research and the chance to work closely with The William Davidson School faculty and project directors. Students have the opportunity to:

• Collaborate with faculty on research.
• Take an active role in one of The William Davidson School’s educational leadership projects.
• Consult on projects and new initiatives at the school and in the community.

EdD Learning Outcomes

EdD students will achieve all of the outcomes of the MA program, as well as also be able to…

1. Demonstrate analytic abilities through academic writing 
2. Analyze and synthesize educational scholarship 
3. Craft an original research question, theoretical framework, and literature review that are aligned and cohesive 
4. Apply educational research methodologies to produce new knowledge 
5. Demonstrate familiarity with and integration into original research of circles of scholarship, practice, and leadership within Jewish education 

EdD Degree Requirements

The EdD requires the completion of 63 credits and the successful completion of comprehensive examinations and a research-based dissertation. Students entering with an MA or M.Ed. in a relevant field may apply the credits of that degree towards the doctoral degree at the discretion of the deans.

A candidate must complete all requirements for the doctoral degree, including courses, comprehensive examination, and the submission of the dissertation no more than seven years from the date of formal admission to the program. In most cases, students take courses during the first two to three years, study for the comprehensive examination during the third or fourth year, write the proposal, and dedicate the last years to research and writing the dissertation.

Program Plan

After the first semester of residence, but no later than the beginning of the third semester, the candidate, with the assistance of the program advisor, completes a program plan that details the student’s projected course of study to satisfy requirements for the EdD degree.

This plan includes:

• Courses at JTS, Union Theological Seminary, Teachers College, and courses transferred from other institutions.
• Proposed research and field experiences required, taking into consideration the candidate’s professional and academic goals. Each student’s program plan must be submitted to the dean and will be reviewed by the doctoral committee and signed by the candidate, the advisor, and the dean.

Hebrew Language Requirement

All entering students must take the Hebrew placement examination. To receive the doctoral degree, students must demonstrate a proficiency in Hebrew language equivalent to Hebrew 5301 (Dalet I: Advanced Hebrew). Students must register for Hebrew every semester that they are in residence until this level of proficiency is attained. Hebrew courses do not count towards overall credit requirements for the degree, but courses may be taken while the student is enrolled in degree coursework.

Courses

Judaica (5 courses, 15 credits): Students are required to take at least five advanced graduate-level courses in Judaica beyond the MA. (These do not include any prerequisite courses indicated in the student’s letter of acceptance.)

Education (9 courses, 27 credits): Courses will be selected in consultation with the program advisor and dissertation advisor and should reflect a balance among the following areas: history and philosophy of education, curriculum and instruction, and administration and supervision.

Research Methods (4 courses, 12 credits): Doctoral students are expected to attain competence in understanding and conducting research through the completion of at least three semester-long courses in statistics, research methodology, and research design, to be selected in consultation with the dissertation advisor. Taking three research methods courses, students will gain an understanding of educational research and develop facility in applying research skills through enrollment in three types of courses and seminars, as well as through their involvement in research projects related to their work in The Davidson School.

Electives (9 credits): Electives may be chosen in any area offered at JTS relevant to the student’s research, development, and academic progress. Electives are chosen in consultation with the advisor and may include additional education courses or additional Jewish studies courses.

EdD First-Year Review

The candidacy of all first-year doctoral students will be reviewed during their second semester of residence. The doctoral committee and the dean will review the progress the student has made to date and assess the student’s potential to complete the degree. Occasionally a review may result in a recommendation to terminate the student’s candidacy in the program.

Comprehensive Examinations

Upon completion of course work, doctoral candidates are required to take a written and oral comprehensive examination on topics decided upon in consultation with the advisor.

The exam will consist of a two-part take-home exam. Students will have 10 days to complete the exam. Page limits will be specified for each question.

The General exam will consist of three questions determined in the manner described above. The Specific exam will now consist of two questions determined in the manner described above.

Students will work with their advisors to choose a set of 45 to 60 readings from the General List. The readings are divided into 11 areas. Students must choose some readings from all areas, but the choices need not be perfectly balanced. It is the responsibility of the advisor to make sure that the student has chosen a varied-enough list. In a case in which the student’s Specific list is the same as one of the categories in the General list (e.g., if a student chooses Moral Education as his or her Specific area), the student will not be responsible for that area on the General exam.

Dissertation Proposal

Upon approaching completion of all courses and comprehensive examinations, the candidate:

• Formally selects a dissertation advisor from among the faculty members in Jewish Education and requests approval from the dean.
• With the guidance of the dissertation advisor, develops an appropriate dissertation topic and proposal.
• Presents a preliminary version of the proposal.

When the advisor approves the written proposal, a hearing is scheduled with the dissertation committee.

Proposal Hearing

The proposal is presented to the dissertation committee. Committee members must receive copies of the proposal at least two weeks before the committee hearing. After the hearing, the student will receive written notice as to whether the proposal is accepted or rejected, along with a summary of the issues that the committee suggests the student address. A copy of the letter must be filed with the dean. After the proposal has been vetted, two final copies are to be given to The Davidson School Office; one is to be kept in the student’s file, and the other is to be kept in the communal proposal bank.

Dissertation

Once the proposal is approved by the committee, the candidate is ready for the research and writing of the dissertation.

The dissertation is written under the direct guidance of the candidate’s dissertation advisor and a second member of the faculty, selected by the advisor and the student with the approval of the dean. The committee will consist of three members. In most cases, the dissertation committee includes the same individuals who were on the proposal hearing committee, but in certain cases changes in the makeup of the final dissertation committee can be made. The dissertation committee includes two education faculty and one faculty member from outside the institution. The committee will be selected by the dean, the advisor, and the student.

Scheduling the Hearing, Advanced Seminar, and Defense

After approval by the advisor and the second reader, a dissertation defense is scheduled through the Office of the Dean. A student must apply for permission to defend the dissertation during the registration period of the semester in which he or she plans to defend. Copies of the approved dissertation must be submitted to the Office of The Davidson School for distribution to the members of the committee at least four weeks before the defense.

The dissertation committee may approve the dissertation as submitted, accept it with minor or major revisions, or reject it. If major revisions are required, a subcommittee will be appointed by the dissertation committee chair, in consultation with the dean, to review the revised dissertation. Rejection of a dissertation automatically terminates the student’s participation in the program.

After final approval by the dissertation committee or the subcommittee, the dissertation shall be prepared in final form for deposit at least six weeks before commencement. Guidelines for the preparation and deposit of doctoral dissertations are available in The Davidson School Office.