Master of Arts in
Jewish Professional Studies
Earn your graduate degree
(without leaving your job).
Add leadership skills
to your existing expertise.
Move forward in your career
serving the community you love.
View the video above to hear what Spertus students have to say.
An accredited Master’s degree program for professionals serving the Jewish world. Because Jewish communities need creative professionals who are ready to lead.
- Taught in a welcoming, pluralistic environment
- Relevant right now, with course content you can immediately put into practice
- No need to move or quit your job
- Designed to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals, courses are offered via online evening courses and five-day seminars in Chicago
- Priced to be affordable for those working in the nonprofit sector, with significant scholarship funding available for all qualified applicants
If you want to work in the Jewish communal world, this is a step-by-step handbook.
JAIME FOX
Director
Jewish National Fund-USA
Program Highlights
Be Matched With a Mentor
Work with a professional mentor as an integrated part of the program.
Learn From Real-World Leaders
Courses are taught by passionate, effective faculty who bridge theory and practice.
Earn Your Degree in 30 Months
75% of graduates secure a promotion or higher-level job within one year.
Graduate School is an Important Next Step
Find out more. Download the Program Overview PDF below for more details. Feel free to share this document with those who will help you make your decision.
For me, the immediate applicability was the best part.
RACHEL WIMBERLEY
Senior Social Services Director
Shalom Austin, Austin, TX
Apply now for North American Cohort 9
Cohort begins in summer 2027 with reading and coursework. The first classes will meet in person at Spertus Institute in Chicago from September 12 through 16, 2027. The program is hybrid, with courses meeting both online and in-person.
Application Deadlines
- Preferred Application Deadline ($50 application fee waived): February 1, 2027
- Final Application Deadline: May 10, 2027
Ready to Apply?
Curriculum Integrates Courses Across Two Areas
Ready to learn more? Register for our Fall 2026 Open House (Thursday, September 3, 2026, 12:30-1:30pm CT) to hear from Spertus staff and students about the MAJPS curriculum, scholarships, how to apply for the next cohort, and more!
Want to Learn More?
Please click the button below to make an appointment to talk to Amie Barrish, Associate Director for Recruitment, to find out if the MA in Jewish Professional Studies is right for you.
Cost
The total tuition is $25,000. Every student is eligible for fellowship and/or scholarship funds of $14,000, thus the out-of-pocket tuition cost for all students is $11,000 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 $6,250 per eligible student. These funds are made possible by a generous outside foundation. The Midcareer Fellowship is supplemented by Spertus Scholarship funds of $7,750 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 $14,000 Fellowship/Scholarship tuition reduction. For details, see Scholarships & Fellowships >
Professionals working for Jewish organizations in the Chicago area as well as those working for Jewish Federations may be eligible for additional scholarship funds.
MAJPS Learning Outcomes
- 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