Master of Arts in Jewish Studies

Degree Overview | Current Offerings | Certificate Program | Graduate Courses/Descriptions


The Program in Jewish Studies offers a Master of Arts degree through the Graduate Department of Religion, a division of the Graduate School of Vanderbilt University.

How to apply

The Masters degree requires 24 hours and may be pursued via various interdisciplinary programs such as the human sciences, historical and literary studies, philosophical descriptions and analyses, and theological and ethical interpretations.

The MA in Jewish Studies addresses those who wish to end their formal education in the field at the MA level and also those who wish to do graduate work in Jewish Studies with the expectation that they might matriculate elsewhere in a doctoral degree. Students who apply for this degree can expect to deepen their preparation in Jewish studies and to strengthen their credentials for application to other programs.


Degree Overview


PREREQUISITE

• Knowledge of Intermediate Biblical or Modern Hebrew*

*In place of biblical or modern Hebrew, interested students may substitute one of the following languages of the Jewish people: Rabbinic Hebrew, Aramaic, Yiddish, Ladino, or Judaeo-Arabic.

• A broad background in Jewish history and civilization

REQUIREMENTS (24 Hours)

• Focus Courses (18 hours)
• Minor (6 hours)
• Thesis (no credit)

• 1 modern foreign research language
(GDR requirement)

FOCUS COURSES (18 Hours)

Graduate-level courses with a minimum of three courses from one of the following sub-fields of study, two of which must be text-centered, and a minimum of one course from each of two other subfields. (see Catalogue or Internet listing):

Area 1. Bible
Area 2. Antiquity and the Medieval World
Area 3. Modern and Contemporary Experience
Area 4. Culture, Philosophy, and Literature

MINOR (6 Hours)

Selected from any GDR or graduate field of studies and designed to complement area of specialty or methodology.

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NOTE!!! Courses other than REL are offered through the College of Arts and Science and require the completion of the "Request for Permission to Receive Graduate Credit for an Undergraduate Level or Professional Course" form. There must be one form per course, signed by all appropriate parties, and returned to the Jewish Studies Office (140 Buttrick Hall) no later than the tenth (10th) day of classes (end of the "Change-of-Course" period). Download form here (.pdf)


Course Offerings

Fall 2011 MA Course Schedule | Fall 2011 MA Course Descriptions

Spring 2012 MA Course Schedule | Spring 2012 MA Course Descriptions


2011-12 Graduate Catalog

Click here for the complete list of Jewish Studies courses
that can be counted towards the Jewish Studies MA or Certificate

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Certificate Program

Graduate Certificate Program in Jewish Studies

Vanderbilt University offers an interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Jewish Studies. The Certificate provides graduate and professional students with access to interdisciplinary scholarship in the field of Jewish Studies, supplies them with a valuable professional credential, and strengthens their ability to compete for jobs as well as for national fellowship and postdoctoral awards.

Courses taken at Vanderbilt University prior to admission to the program may be counted toward the certificate requirements with the approval of the director of the Program in Jewish Studies. Any student enrolled in a graduate or professional program at Vanderbilt University is eligible to apply for the Certificate in Jewish Studies. Acceptance to the program requires a minimum GPA of 3.3, and the approval of both the student's adviser and the director of Jewish Studies.

Requirements for the Certificate in Jewish Studies (18 hours minimum)
18 hours Graduate-level courses from fields other than the student's major area of graduate or professional studies. Select from three of the subfields listed below, with 9 hours coming from a single subfield.

• Biblical Studies
• Antiquity and Medieval World
• Modern and Contemporary Experience
• Culture, Philosophy, and Literature

A non-credit final project/paper submitted to the JS steering committee that demonstrates an application of Jewish Studies contents or methodology to research, teaching, or fieldwork. The project/paper may originate as an assignment in a JS graduate level class.
The recording of certificates on official Vanderbilt transcripts is currently under discussion.


How to apply:

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