The M.A. in Jewish Education prepares individuals for a variety of careers in Jewish educational institutions, both formal and informal. Students elect to concentrate their studies in teaching or administration. Tracks leading to positions in day schools, in early childhood education, and/or serving special needs students are also available. All programs combine thorough clinical knowledge of educational methodology and theory with grounding in Jewish studies. A three-credit individualized internship conducted under close supervision also provides an important educational experience. This unpaid internship involves a minimum of 200 hours of observation and practice, and may, through advisement, be expanded as needed.

• Hebrew Language Prerequisite: Candidates for the MAJEd must demonstrate Hebrew proficiency equivalent to that obtained through the completion of Hebrew Level 3.  In order to do this students may take Hebrew I (six credits) and Hebrew II (3 credits) at the undergraduate level at Gratz College, transfer these credits from an approved institution of higher learning, or pass a placement test.   All students then take Hebrew III (3 credits) at the graduate level, and may elect to take Hebrew IV (3 credits) as well. 
• Jewish Studies: Jewish educators are required to have expertise in a variety of Judaic and professional arenas. The requirements of the various tracks (articulated below) address basic competencies that all students in those tracks need to achieve. Students who have limited knowledge in particular areas will be advised to supplement their programs with additional coursework to address these gaps.
• General Education: Students must have taken the equivalent of:
  

• Basic Skills in Education 3
  
• Developmental Psychology 3
• Introduction to Human Exceptionality 3
  

Requirements for the Degree

Students in the M.A. in Jewish Education Program can choose from several distinct tracks designed to prepare them for different specialties in Jewish education. These tracks include administration and teaching (day school, special needs or early childhood education.) Students select a track based on career goals and advisement.

Administration Track

This track is designed for students interested in careers in administration in Jewish education. Its unique Executive Skills Program (developed under grants from the Wexner Foundation of Columbus, Ohio) consists of two specially designed courses in executive skills: one focusing on the management of human resources and the other on material resources. These courses utilize a casebook developed specifically for this program. Participants in the program also work under the supervision of a senior executive currently in the field.

• Students in the administration track complete a total of 36 graduate credits as follows:
  
• Understanding the Learner: Introduction to Education (Education 30201)- 3 credits*
• Curriculum (Education 40227) 3 credits
• Supervision (Education 40222) 3 credits
• Administration (Education 40236 and 40237) 6 credits
• Hebrew III – 3 credits
• Hebrew IV or Jewish Studies- 3 credits
• Jewish Studies- 6 credits (3 credits must be in liturgy)
• Electives in Education or Jewish Studies- 6 credits
• Internship/ Seminar- 3 credits

Teaching Track

This track is designed for students interested in a teaching career in Jewish settings.  Students will complete 36 graduate credits as follows:

• Understanding the Learner: Introduction to Education (Education 30201)- 3 credits*
• Curriculum (Education 40227) 3 credits
• Methods- 9 credits (3 must be in liturgy)
• Instructional Design (Education 40226)
• Hebrew III – 3 credits
• Hebrew IV or Jewish Studies- 3 credits
• Jewish Studies- 3 credits 
• Electives in Education or Jewish Studies- 6 credits
• Internship/ Seminar- 3 credits

Students interested in teaching in Day Schools are advised to also take a Graduate Certificate in Jewish Studies by taking an additional 6 credits in Jewish Studies, or a second Masters degree in Jewish Studies (MAJS), for an additional 18 credits. 

*Introduction to General Education

 

This course is taught in 3 distinct modules:

• Developmental Psychology (5 weeks, 1 graduate credit)
• Atypical Development (5 weeks, 1 graduate credit)
• The Teacher and the Classroom (5 weeks, 1 graduate credit)

Students who enter Gratz College with a background in general education may transfer credits as follows and be exempt from all or part of this course:

1. A student who enters Gratz with graduate credits in all three modules will be exempt from taking Intro to General Education, and 3 graduate credits will be transferred to Gratz.

2. A student who enters Gratz with graduate credits in one of the modules will transfer in 1 graduate credit and will need to take the additional 2 modules.

3. A student who enters Gratz with graduate credits in two of the modules will transfer in 2 graduate credits and will take the remaining 1-credit module.

Day School Track

Students planning to teach in or pursue supervisory or administrative responsibilities in a Jewish day school will choose one of the programs of study described above. In addition, these students should develop fluency in the Hebrew language and a significant level of knowledge of Hebrew literature (Biblical, Rabbinic, Medieval, Modern). To help accomplish these goals, students preparing for careers in Jewish day schools are advised to also take a Graduate Certificate in Jewish Studies by taking an additional 6 credits in Jewish Studies, or a second Masters degree in Jewish Studies (MAJS), for an additional 18 credits.”

Students are also encouraged to spend substantial periods of time living and studying in Israel. Limited stipends to support such Israel experiences are available through Gratz College’s Gertrude Levy Scholarship Fund, the Leon and Diane King Fund, and the Saul and Barbara Wachs Fund. Additional money is available to students who are also teachers in the Philadelphia-area supplementary schools through the Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education.

 

Special Needs Education Track

This track (developed with the aid of a grant from the Covenant Foundation of New York) is designed for those interested in serving special needs children, teenagers, and adults. Students in this track will complement their Jewish studies and Jewish education coursework with classes geared toward familiarizing them with aspects of human exceptionality. This program is taught in association with LaSalle University, which offers programs leading to Pennsylvania State Certification in Special Education. Students who seek this certification will be awarded credit for certain course work completed as part of Gratz College’s M.A. in Jewish Education program. Interested candidates should contact their advisors for additional information.