Master in Jewish/Judaic Studies (Master's)

At Spertus College, the application deadline for the May 2027 intake is Feb 1, 2027; tuition is The cost is $1,200 per course (16 3-quarter-hour credits each, $400 per quarter-hour credit) for a total of $19,200 (plus fees) for the entire program..

Students engage in weekly online discussions and in-person seminars to analyze Jewish texts, history, and thought across different eras. They complete a series of core and elective courses that explore Jewish experiences from antiquity to the present. The programme supports individual academic focus through tailored elective selections. It is designed for adult learners balancing study with professional and personal commitments.

Focus areas include Jewish history, Jewish thought, Jewish texts, Jewish experiences in the Middle Ages, Modern Jewish experiences, Contemporary Jewish experiences.

The programme requires 16 courses totaling 48 quarter-hour credits. These include 7 core courses, 3 second-level core courses, and 6 elective courses, all taken part-time.

Graduates pursue roles in Jewish education, interfaith work, community leadership, and religious chaplaincy.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree. The programme requires submission of transcripts, a personal statement, and a letter of recommendation. Application deadlines are January 4, 2027, and February 1, 2027.

The programme totals about 48 credit hours. Part-time, with courses offered online and at the downtown Chicago campus. For international students, tuition is below the median for US programmes.

Spertus Institute connects Jewish history, thought, and texts with contemporary community and professional work. Graduate programs include the MA in Jewish Studies, Doctor of Science in Jewish Studies, Doctor of Hebrew Letters, and MA in Jewish Professional Studies. Certificate options focus on Jewish leadership, synagogue executive leadership, and combating antisemitism. Programs combine theory and practice for Jewish professionals, community leaders, and students pursuing Jewish Studies scholarship.

The Center for Jewish Leadership brings together Jewish ethics, culture, and history with approaches from business and nonprofit leadership. Its degree programs, certificates, workshops, master classes, and symposia serve professional and volunteer leaders. Since 2014, the Center has reached more than 2,500 Jewish communal professionals and volunteers representing 250 organizations. Learning addresses contemporary issues and develops skills for organizational and community work.

The campus is at 610 S Michigan Avenue in Chicago, directly across from Grant Park, within the city’s academic and cultural corridor. The facility provides classrooms, contemporary resources, and technology in an accessible setting. Students can join onsite or online programs, and the Institute has experience with distance education and online teaching. Programs are open to people of all backgrounds and denominations. Applicants to the MA in Jewish Studies need a baccalaureate degree and official transcripts, along with application materials and an interview for qualified candidates. Applications are considered during two periods each year.