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Phone 312.322.1794
A variety of classes and public programs take place in the evening and on Sunday. See our calendar of events for more details.
Jewish Studies Degree Programs
Spertus College offers students a number of degrees at the Masters and Doctoral levels
- Master of Science in Jewish Studies (MSJS)
- Master of Science in Jewish Education (MSJE)
- Master of Arts in Jewish Education (MAJED)
- Master of Arts in Jewish Studies (MAJS)
- Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies (MAJPS)
- Doctor of Jewish Studies (DJS)
- Doctor of Science in Jewish Studies (DSJS)
Master of Science in Jewish Studies
Master of Science in Jewish Education
The MSJS/MSJE degrees are innovative graduate programs that are similar to a Master of Liberal Studies, except they focus exclusively on Jewish Studies. Unlike its Master of Arts in Jewish Studies, Master of Arts in Jewish Education, Doctor of Science in Jewish Studies, and Doctor of Jewish Studies, Spertus' MSJS/MSJE degree programs do not require extensive previous formal study of Hebrew or Judaica.
The MSJS/MSJE degree programs have been designed for those who:
- have an accredited undergraduate degree, but who have had little or no undergraduate coursework in Jewish Studies,
- desire to enhance their understanding of the intellectual, spiritual and textual heritage of Judaism and the social, cultural, spiritual and intellectual expressions of the Jewish people throughout the ages,
- desire to enrich their Jewish education and to enhance their intellectual and spiritual edification,
- wish or need to acquire a graduate degree in Jewish Studies,
- desire or may need to acquire a professional credential in Jewish education or in Jewish communal service.
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Program Components
Academic depth, flexible scheduling, accessibility to coursework, and a nurturing learning environment characterize all Spertus degree programs. The MSJS/MSJE programs offer structure as well as flexibility. There are four major components of the programs:
- Core Courses = 6 courses (18 quarter hours)
- Concentration Area Courses = 6 courses (18 quarter hours)
- Elective Courses = 3 courses (9 quarter hours)
- Hebrew Language Requirement = 1 course (3-5 quarter hours)
A total of 16 courses (48-50 quarter hours) are required for the degree. The MSJS & MSJE programs are the same except the MSJE requires a Concentration Area in Jewish Education.
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Core Courses
Six core courses are required.
- The Religion of Biblical Israel
- The Rabbinic Mind
- Medieval Judaism
- Modern Judaism
- Jewish Theology
- Jewish Practices
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Concentration Area Courses
Six concentration area courses are required.
Concentration areas may be chosen from broad areas within Jewish Studies, e.g., Jewish Religion, Jewish Social History; or, they may relate to professional studies, e.g., Jewish Education, Jewish Communal Studies; or, they may reflect more specific interests, e.g., Biblical Studies, Jewish mysticism, Jewish ethics. Concentration areas in any facet of Jewish Studies can be designed by a student with the advice and approval of his/her program advisor, e.g., liturgy, Jewish women's studies, Jewish medical ethics. Each MSJS/MSJE student is assigned to an academic program advisor who is responsible for helping him/her construct a program of study toward the MSJS/MSJE degree.
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Elective Courses
Three elective courses are required.
Hebrew Language Requirement
Each participant in the MSJS/MSJE programs is expected to demonstrate the ability to decode the Hebrew alphabet (i.e., to have a "mechanical" ability to read Hebrew--as distinct from the ability to read Hebrew with comprehension), and to have a rudimentary knowledge of basic Hebrew grammar and vocabulary.This requirement may be fulfilled in one of three ways:
- successful completion of a course (3-5 quarter hours) entitled "Foundations of the Hebrew Language," or "Introduction to the Hebrew Language," or its equivalent, offered at Spertus,
- a passing grade on Spertus' Hebrew Language Competency exam for MSJS learners (those wishing to take this exam should contact the Director of Student Services),
- successful completion of one semester of Hebrew language taken at the undergraduate college level, or its equivalent.
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