Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies
Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies alumni Rabbi Kari Tuling, Diana Kalef, Lori Tessel, Cathy Winick, and Shelly Dresdner at their 2022 graduation. About her Spertus Institute experience, Rabbi Tuling said, “You will emerge a better leader for having done this program.”
Be part of a unique accelerated graduate program for senior-level Jewish communal professionals. Gain new qualifications, advance your career, and enhance your leadership expertise.
Complete your degree in approximately 18 months.
Fellowships cover 60% of costs for qualified applicants.
Executive coaching is an integrated part of the program.
View the video above to hear what Spertus executive program participants have to say.
The Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies is for those with 12+ years in the field.
Relevant right now, the program’s course content is designed so you can put your new expertise immediately into practice. Participants learn to leverage opportunity, inspire excellence in staff and trustees, and lead through times of change.
- Courses meet during seminars at our downtown Chicago campus and online to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals.
- Professors are leading real-world practitioners who draw from extensive nonprofit, foundation, and corporate experience.
- Learn with a cohort of Jewish organizational executives from across North America.
- Taught in a welcoming, nondenominational environment.
- Priced to be affordable—with financial assistance available for professionals working full time in the Jewish community.
At Spertus, I was able to profoundly elevate my leadership skills.
VICTORIA RAGGS
Executive Director
Atlanta Jews of Color Council
A Graduate Degree is Important For Your Growth and Career
Is this program right for you? Make an appointment to talk to Amie Barrish, Associate Director for Recruitment, and she’ll help you explore if this program is right for you.
At this time of rising antisemitism and anti-Israel activity on campus, I rely on the powerful leadership training I received at Spertus.
JARED ISAACSON
Executive Director
Cleveland Hillel Foundation
For those in leadership positions at Jewish organizations, Spertus Institute’s Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies is the model program.
MICHAEL SOBERMAN
Senior Educational Consultant
The iCenter for Israel Education
Toronto, Canada
Next Step
Applications for the fall 2025 cohort have closed. The 2026 cohort details are currently in development. Please click the button below to make an appointment to talk to Amie Barrish, Associate Director for Recruitment, to find out if the Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies is right for you.
Cost
The total tuition is $23,000. Every student is eligible for fellowship and/or scholarship funds of $13,000, thus the out-of pocket tuition cost for all students is $10,000 for the entire program. (Does not include travel or housing for onsite seminars and additional fees may apply.)
Fellowship funding through the Midcareer Fellowship covers $5,750 per eligible student. These funds are made possible by a generous outside foundation. The Midcareer Fellowship is supplemented by Spertus Scholarship funds of $7,250 per student. These funds are made possible by Spertus donors. For students who are not eligible for a Midcareer Fellowship, Spertus Scholarships will cover the full $13,000 Fellowship/Scholarship tuition reduction. For details, see Scholarships & Fellowships >
Professionals working for Jewish organizations in the Chicago area may be eligible for additional scholarship funds.
MAJPS Learning Outcomes (all cohort formats including Executive)
MA in Jewish Professional Studies students learn to:
- Understand the key themes in Jewish communal life today
- Possess a grounding in classical Jewish thought and texts in these areas
- Understand the best practices in non-profit management that most affect Jewish communal work
- Develop skills for critical self-reflection and career planning
- Integrate theory and practice in the professional environment
- Learn to work constructively with a diverse group of constituents and colleagues