Jewish Studies Degree Programs
Spertus College offers students a number of degrees at the Masters and Doctoral levels
- Master of Science in Jewish Studies (MSJS)
- Master of Science in Jewish Education (MSJE)
- Master of Arts in Jewish Education (MAJED)
- Master of Arts in Jewish Studies (MAJS)
- Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies (MAJPS)
- Doctor of Jewish Studies (DJS)
- Doctor of Science in Jewish Studies (DSJS)
Doctor of Science in Jewish Studies
The DSJS program has been designed primarily for graduates of the Spertus Master of Science in Jewish Studies program or an equivalent program. While basic reading comprehension in Hebrew, equivalent to two years of college-level Hebrew, is required for the DSJS program, advanced facility in Hebrew, is not.
The overall structure of the DSJS program is similar to the Doctor of Jewish Studies (DJS) program, and includes directed reading courses, intensive seminars, and a final project. There are, however, a number of important differences in the two curricula. Unlike the DJS program which focuses upon Jewish spirituality, the DSJS program focuses on six core issues that characterize the development of Jewish religious, intellectual and cultural history since its inception. The DSJS program, therefore, allows a wider variety of courses than the more "fixed" curriculum of the DJS program. Finally, the DSJS requires a series of qualifying examinations and the option of writing a more traditional, less applied, dissertation.
The DSJS program has been designed for those who want to explore how the wisdom of the Jewish past — as embodied in its sacred and significant texts and in the diverse historical experiences of the Jewish people — can be utilized to address the perplexities and problems of Jewish life in the present — both communal and individual. Students in the DSJS program do not seek solely to increase their inventory of information or enhance the professional "skills" that relate to programmatic implementation. Rather, DSJS students are primarily interested in addressing problems that have been and that continue to be challenging and critical to Jewish life and thought, i.e., gaining knowledge that can be applied to visceral problems facing Jews and Judaism today.
Further Information
Contact
Phone 312.322.1794
A variety of classes and public programs take place in the evening and on Sunday. See our calendar of events for more details.
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