Brandeis University

Program Information

Degree Offered

M.A. - Near Eastern and Judaic Studies; Joint M.A. - NEJS and Jewish Professional Leadership; Joint M.A. - NEJS and Women's Studies; M.A. - Teaching Hebrew, Ph.D. - Near Eastern and Judaic Studies; Joint Ph.D. - NEJS and Sociology

Format: Campus

Program Description:

Brandeis University's Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (NEJS) bears a proud tradition of scholarly excellence in the fields that it embraces: the study of the Jewish people, including their history, religion, literature, and place in civilization; the history, languages, and culture of the Bible and ancient Near East; and the modern Middle East.

NEJS is one of the oldest and largest programs of its type outside the state of Israel. Brandeis has the largest faculty in Jewish Studies of any secular American university. At Brandeis, students have the opportunity to study with the scholars who are, in many cases, the foremost experts in the world in their fields.

Brandeis' degree options include: PhD in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies; Joint PhD in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Sociology; MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies; Joint MA in Women's and Gender Studies and Near Eastern and Judaic Studies; and Dual MA with Hornstein: Jewish Professional Leadership; and MA in Teaching Hebrew.

Established in 1953, our department is one of the strongest and largest departments of its kind. We offer courses in a variety of subjects, including the Bible and ancient Near East; Islam; modern Middle East; Israel studies; Christianity; classical Rabbinics; Sephardic studies; Hebrew Literature; Jewish history and thought; contemporary Jewish life; and Jewish education.

We encourage you to learn more about our program, located just outside of Boston with its world-renowned academic resources -- an ideal location for internships, research, and career opportunities. As part of the Boston Area Graduate Consortium, Brandeis students are welcome to take advantage of the curricular opportunities at several area schools.

Generous scholarships and fellowships are available. Successful applicants to the Ph.D. programs are offered full tuition waivers, a stipend, and health insurance allowance. Most of our master’s students receive generous scholarships in the form of merit- and need-based aid.

Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: Yes

Classification: Doctoral/Research Universities - Extensive

Institution Sector: Private not-for-profit

Locale: Small City

Size & Settings: 5,000 - 9,999