Jewish Studies - Rutgers University

Rutgers University

Rutgers University has the largest Department of Jewish Studies among public research universities in the U.S. The Department serves as the academic home of seven fulltime faculty members, who are supported by a dozen associated faculty members from other academic departments, Hebrew and Yiddish language instructors, and visiting fellows sponsored by the Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life. The academic program addresses the historical, social, cultural, religious and political life of the Jewish people from ancient times to the present. Students pursuing a B.A. degree may major or minor in Jewish Studies. In addition, the Department offers two specialized minors, one in Modern Hebrew Language and one in the Language and Culture of Ancient Israel.

The M.A. degree in Jewish Studies is designed for those seeking to advance their knowledge at the graduate level to prepare for doctoral-level work in Jewish Studies or to further their careers in fields such as education, communal service, library science, and public affairs. The program affords both recent college graduates and non-traditional students, including those individuals shifting from other disciplines, the opportunity to strengthen their candidacy for admission to top-ranked Ph.D. programs in Jewish Studies. Students, particularly educators and professionals working in Jewish communal fields, may pursue the M.A. part-time. The Department also offers a Certificate in Jewish Studies to graduate students at Rutgers pursuing master’s level or doctoral level work in the humanities and social sciences or in professional programs such as Education, Social Work, and Library and Information Science.