Jewish Studies
Ph.D., M.A., and Certificates
Jewish Studies at Gratz College: History, Text, and Contemporary Cultures
Jewish Studies at Gratz College offers rigorous, interdisciplinary graduate education in Jewish history, texts, religion, culture, and contemporary communal life. Spanning the MA in Jewish Studies, Executive PhD in Jewish Studies, and Chaplaincy programs, students engage critically with the Jewish experience across periods and regions while developing advanced skills in research, writing, leadership, and public scholarship. Courses draw on disciplines including history, religious studies, literature, anthropology, education, and digital humanities, preparing students to think deeply, communicate effectively, and contribute meaningfully to both academic and professional settings.
Graduates of Gratz’s Jewish Studies programs pursue careers in education, chaplaincy, nonprofit leadership, museums, libraries, communal organizations, and public scholarship, while others continue into advanced academic and research work. At the same time, the program remains a strong fit for intellectually curious learners seeking serious engagement with Jewish texts, traditions, and cultures for personal growth and lifelong learning (Torah L’Shma). As the oldest pluralistic Jewish institution of higher learning in North America, Gratz College fosters a diverse and intellectually vibrant learning community grounded in academic rigor, professional development, and meaningful engagement with Jewish life past and present.
I enjoyed being able to study Jewish subjects and to hear different perspectives from fellow students, all while being in the comfort of my home. I enjoyed my learning experience at Gratz College and would recommend it to anyone trying to receive a better understanding of Judaism in today's modern society.
— Stephen Goldenberg, Jewish Studies student
Academics
PROGRAM OPTIONS
- Executive Ph.D. – The Doctorate in Jewish Studies (Ph.D.) is a 48-credit program with the goal of preparing students to be public scholars who will provide intellectual leadership for the contemporary Jewish community.
- Master of Arts - The Master of Arts in Jewish Studies (M.A.J.S.) is a 36-credit graduate degree which covers both classical and modern subject areas. Basic Hebrew language skills may be confirmed upon admission or taken in addition to the standard course of study.
- Graduate Certificate - Students may take any 4 courses of interest at the graduate level to fill in specific knowledge gaps, pursue areas of passion, or explore new ideas.
- Jewish Chaplaincy – A Master's degree + Certificate OR standalone Certificate (24-72 credits) that prepares students to become compassionate, skilled, and Jewishly-literate chaplains to serve individuals and communities at life’s most meaningful moments.
Students in all programs will enjoy a range of perspectives and dynamic dialogue with classmates and faculty. Please see more information under Program Paths.
Meet the Program Director
BRENDAN GOLDMAN, PH.D.
I've spent my professional life studying Judaism and the Jewish people for the sake of personal edification, scholarly growth and leadership development. Our Jewish Studies program seeks to empower students who pursue Jewish wisdom for all these purposes. Jewish Studies at Gratz leverages our institution's strengths in non-profit leadership, education and antisemitism studies to produce graduates who are armed with the technical expertise to make the next step in their professional journey.
Meet the Assistant Director
LINDSAY KATZIR, PH.D.
An experienced writer and editor specializing in academic and professional writing, her research focuses on British literature, with a particular emphasis on the Victorian era and especially on nineteenth-century Jewish literature. She is also the editor of the Victorian Jewish Writers Project (vjwp.org), an open-source archive on Jews and Judaism in the long nineteenth century. She is guided by the Lubavitcher Rebbe's teaching that education should not only inform the mind but also inspire the heart.
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Meet Our Faculty
The Gratz College Jewish Studies faculty includes scholars with expertise in Jewish thought, history, rabbinics, bible, law, and Hebrew. Gratz professors have presented their research at national and international conferences, published numerous academic works and journal articles and held prestigious fellowships. The outstanding Jewish Studies faculty is equally committed to their students' personal, academic and professional growth.