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Program Description
The Master of Arts in Hebrew and Judaic Studies provides students with a world class education set in the fast-paced environment of New York City. Students will focus their studies on Hebrew and Judaic courses, while also sharpening their writing, critical thinking, and language skills.
The Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies has a cooperative arrangement with the Program in Museum Studies that allows students to pursue the MA degree in Hebrew and Judaic Studies with a concentration in Museum Studies.
See Hebrew and Judaic Studies for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Dual Degree
The dual degree program in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy and Hebrew and Judaic Studies is intended to train students for careers in Jewish communal service. It leads to the MPA degree in public and nonprofit management policy and the MA degree in Hebrew and Judaic Studies.
See Hebrew and Judaic Studies for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Admissions
All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:
See Hebrew and Judaic Studies for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Program Requirements
The program requires the completion of 32 credits, and offers a concentration in Museum Studies (38 credits). See concentration requirements below.
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| HBRJD-GA 1004 | Recent Developments in Hebrew and Judaic Studies | 3 |
| or HBRJD-GA 1005 | Prob & Meth in Hebrew & Judaic Studies |
| HBRJD-GA 3224 | The Jewish Community: Classical Institutions | 3 |
| | 26 |
| Total Credits | 32 |
Museum Studies Concentration
The Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies has a cooperative arrangement with the Program in Museum Studies that allows students to pursue the MA degree in Hebrew and Judaic Studies with a concentration in Museum Studies. Completion of the MA with this concentration requires 38 credits, of which 24 are taken in Hebrew and Judaic Studies; a full summer internship in a museum or cultural institution; and all examination and paper requirements for the MA degree in Hebrew and Judaic Studies. This specific area of study is intended primarily for those who are or will be working as museum professionals in collections relating to Jewish history and civilization. Students interested in the MA with a concentration in museum studies should consult the director of graduate studies of the Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies or the Program in Museum Studies.
Program Requirements with Museum Studies Concentration
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| HBRJD-GA 1004 | Recent Developments in Hebrew and Judaic Studies | 3 |
| or HBRJD-GA 1005 | Prob & Meth in Hebrew & Judaic Studies |
| 8 |
| History and Theory of Museums | |
| Museum Collections and Exhibitions | |
| Museum Management | |
| | 21 |
| | 8 |
| Total Credits | 40 |
Capstone
Students have two options to fulfill the capstone requirement:
Comprehensive Exam and Research Paper
Comprehensive Exam: This written examination is based on the student’s course work and a reading list prepared in consultation with the student’s advisor. The comprehensive examination is generally taken in the student’s final semester in the program. The exam is evaluated by the student’s advisor.
Research Paper: The research paper submitted for the MA degree is a research paper written as part of the requirements for a departmental seminar course. The MA degree version of the paper will be evaluated by two members of the faculty who must certify the paper has achieved a master’s level of research competence. Research papers are generally 15-20 pages in length.
Thesis
Master's Thesis: Students selecting this option write a master’s thesis. By fall of the second year, students should submit a prospectus to a thesis committee (consisting of the student’s advisor and a second reader approved by the department). This prospectus should be 3-5 pages plus bibliography. It should clearly identify the research question, methodology, and plan of research. The thesis will involve a substantial piece of research 50-70 pages long written under the direction of the student’s advisor. It should be divided into appropriate chapters or sections, follow the field-specific format and style, and include a bibliography. With the approval of the MA Director of Graduate Studies, students may take a credit-bearing independent study with their advisor in order to work on the thesis. The thesis will be evaluated by the thesis committee.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have:
- Familiarity with the theories and methodologies of the study of Jewish history and literature.
- Mastery of the history and literature of a particular period of Jewish History.
- The ability to present an original research paper in clear, succinct prose.
- Familiarity with the tools of historical research (bibliographical databases, libraries etc.)
- Proficiency in Hebrew language.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies
Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.