Jewish Studies M.A.

Degree: Master of Arts
https://www.towson.edu/cla/departments/interdisciplinary/grad/jewishstudies/

Program Director: Dr. Benjamin Fisher
Phone: 410-704-2910
Email: bfisher@towson.edu

The Jewish Studies M.A. is a liberal arts program that offers students immersion in the history, literature and culture of Judaism as well as comprehension of the scope of the Jewish experience. Graduates of this program typically go on for a Ph.D. or seek employment requiring a depth of Judaic knowledge. The program consists of a five-course core sequence and a concentration in one of five fields: Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Civilization, Rabbinic Literature, Jewish Thought and Mysticism, Jewish History, or Contemporary Jewish Studies.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university**
  • Minimum of a “B” average: overall GPA of 3.00/4.00

Submit the online application plus the following:

  • Official transcript from all post-secondary institutions
  • Statement of Intent: a one-page essay describing your academic and professional goals and how this degree program can help you achieve these goals.
  • Writing sample: an academic research paper, thesis chapter or a published writing sample, no more than 20 pages
  • Three letters of recommendation, at least one from an academic source.
  • Interview with the director, in person or by phone
  • Current résumé
  • Applicants from other countries are subject to the same requirements for admission as applicants from the U.S. Applicants from countries where English is not the language of university-level instruction will be required to submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). JDST prefers a minimum score of 223 (computer-based) and 84-85 (internet-based). For information about testing center locations, visit the TOEFL website.
  • Applicants from other countries will be required to demonstrate proof of funding in order to obtain a visa to attend school in the U.S. This information is not required for admissions consideration.
  • Applicants may be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).

Non-immigrant International Students

Program Enrollment: F-1 and J-1 students are required to be enrolled full-time. The majority of their classes must be in-person and on campus. See the list of programs that satisfy these requirements, and contact the International Student and Scholars Office with questions.

Admission Procedures: See additional information regarding Graduate Admission policies and International Graduate Application online.

**See Exceptions to Policy in Graduate Admissions.

Degree Requirements

The M.A. in Jewish Studies requires successful completion of 35 units with an average GPA of 3.00 or higher. Core Courses: 15 units; Concentration Courses: 12 units; Jewish Studies Seminar: minimum 2 units; Culminating Experience (either Master’s Thesis or Comprehensive exams): 6 units.

Jewish Studies Core Courses
Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Civilization
JDST 600BIBLICAL LITERATURE AND CIVILIZATION3
Rabbinic Literature
JDST 680INTRODUCTION TO RABBINIC LITERATURE AND HISTORY3
History
JDST 630MEDIEVAL JEWISH HISTORY3
or JDST 631 JEWS IN THE MODERN WORLD
Jewish Thought and Mysticism
JDST 666INTRODUCTION TO JEWISH THOUGHT3
Contemporary Jewish Studies
Examples of courses that fulfill this requirement include:3
DIASPORA JEWISH COMMUNITIES
AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY
CONTEMPORARY JEWISH ETHICS: RESHAPING THE JEWISH IDENTITY IN OUR GENERATION
Concentration
Select 4 courses in a concentration: Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Civilization; Rabbinic Literature and History; Jewish Thought and Mysticism; Jewish History; or Contemporary Jewish Studies12
Degree Completion
Select one of the following options:6
Option 1 - Take additional Jewish studies electives and sit for a Comprehensive Exam in their major field of study
Option 2 - Write a thesis in their major field of study:
JDST THESIS (6 units–one term)
JDST THESIS (3 units–two consecutive terms)
THESIS CONTINUUM (1 unit–thesis continuum)
Jewish Studies Practicum Seminar
The following is required every term until student graduates (2-unit minimum):2
JEWISH STUDIES SEMINAR
Total Units35

Hebrew Requirement

Knowledge of Hebrew is the foundation of Judaic learning. All entering students must take the Hebrew placement examination. In order to receive the degree, students must demonstrate proficiency in the Hebrew equivalent to the level of two years of college Hebrew (through Biblical or Modern Hebrew IV). Beginning with their first term of matriculation, students must study Hebrew every term until this proficiency is attained. Students taking Hebrew course work at TU must attain a grade of “B” or better each term in order to be considered proficient. Courses through Biblical Hebrew IV or Modern Hebrew IV do not count toward the 35 units required for the degree.

HEBR 101ELEMENTS OF HEBREW I3
HEBR 102ELEMENTS OF HEBREW II3
HEBR 201HEBREW INTERMEDIATE I3
HEBR 202HEBREW INTERMEDIATE II3
JDST 544BIBLICAL HEBREW I3
JDST 545BIBLICAL HEBREW II3
JDST 546BIBLICAL HEBREW III3
JDST 547BIBLICAL HEBREW IV3
  1. Students will demonstrate content knowledge in Jewish Studies ranging from the world of the Bible and ancient Near East to modernity in the West and Middle East.
  2. Students will acquire a mastery of the Hebrew language that will be sufficient to facilitate serious academic work in Jewish Studies.
  3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of research techniques in order to:
  • access information effectively and efficiently
  • evaluate critically the sources and content of information
  • use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose, be it ones thesis or a research paper for a particular course