Admissions Requirements for the
Spertus Institute Master of Arts in Jewish Studies (MAJS) Program

1. An accredited undergraduate degree
2. Submission of an admissions application, including transcripts of earlier collegiate studies, and application essay, and a $50 non-refundable application fee
3. Recommendation for acceptance by the admissions committee
4. Sometimes a personal interview is also requested

How to Apply for the MAJS Program

1. Complete and return the Application for Admission form to the Spertus Academic Office. The completed form may be faxed to the attention of the Dean at 312.922.6406.
2. Request transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (including those where no credit was received) to be sent to the Spertus Academic Office. No student will be considered fully admitted until all official transcripts are received.
3. Submit the non-refundable application fee of $50.
4. Submit on a separate sheet the Admissions Essay, which is a short (500 words or less), autobiographical essay. Include information about your educational background, work experience, and personal and professional goals. Your essay will be reviewed by the admissions committee. Spertus is interested in the writing and presentation skills of our applicants, therefore the essay must be clear, concise, and persuasive. Spertus is also interested in the needs and goals of our applicants, so please discuss what you hope to learn in our program as well as your post-graduation plans.

Admission Requirements for the
Spertus Institute Doctor of Science in Jewish Studies (DSJS) Program

Applicants must have a master’s degree in Jewish Studies (or the equivalent) and the equivalent of at least two years of college-level Hebrew language to be considered for admission.

Admission Requirements for the
Spertus Institute Doctor of Jewish Studies (DJS) Program

Applicants must have a master’s degree in Jewish Studies (or the equivalent) and the equivalent of at least two years of college-level Hebrew language to be considered for admission.

How to Apply for the Spertus Institute DSJS and DJS Programs

1. Complete and return the Application for Admission form to the Spertus Academic Office. The completed form may be faxed to the attention of the Dean at 312.922.6406.
2. Request transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (including those where no credit was received) to be sent to the Spertus Academic Office. No student will be considered fully admitted until all official transcripts are received. • Submit the non-refundable application fee of $75.
3. Complete this form to submit two letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to evaluate your academic achievement and potential for successful completion of the DSJS or DJS program. Please indicate whether you wish to waive your right of access to the letters.
4. Submit, on a separate sheet, your Admissions Essay. These essay will be used to assist our admissions committee in deciding whether your past experience and future goals are compatible with the purpose and the design of the DSJS or DJS program. The Admissions Essay should be thoughtfully composed.
   
   No specific length is required, but please have your Admissions Essay address the following:

• Tell us who you are — your background, education (formal and informal), your professional life, experience and accomplishments.
• Tell us about your goals — personal and professional.
• Tell us about why you want to pursue the DSJS or DJS degree, for example, describe the relationship between your past, your goals, and your decision to pursue a Doctorate degree at Spertus.

Transfer Credit

Students may receive transfer credit for appropriate courses taken at an accredited institution of higher learning. However, regardless of the number of credit hours accepted by Spertus as transfer credit, all students must nonetheless fulfill the requirement of completing a minimum of one year of full-time study or its equivalent (45 quarter-hour credits), registered at Spertus (on campus or through distance learning).

Being Excused From Course Requirements

Students in the MAJS program may be excused from taking certain core courses and from fulfilling the Hebrew language requirements on the basis of previous study. The Dean determines whether specific course competencies have been satisfied. Students excused from specific courses usually do not receive transfer credit (unless such courses were previously taken at the graduate level). Students excused from taking specific courses are nonetheless required to fulfill the requirement of completing a minimum of one year of full-time study or its equivalent (45 quarter-hour credits), registered at Spertus. This is usually done by substituting elective courses for those from which the student has been excused.

For More Information

Email Dr. Dean P. Bell, Spertus Dean & Chief Academic Officer, at dbell@spertus.edu