Students interested in pursuing doctoral work in Jewish Studies typically apply to the Graduate Program through the Religious Studies Department, History Department, Comparative Literature Department, or Philosophy Department. Those interested in pursuing degrees in other departments or programs, such as Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, French, or Spanish and Portuguese, should consult the chair of the Program in Jewish Studies or relevant faculty members of the Program in Jewish Studies.
All students apply through Yale’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Applications receive official letters of admissions from GSAS in the spring.
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Check out these resources when applying through Yale’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
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Please visit the Comparative Literature Department to learn more about pursuing doctoral work in Jewish literature and the specific requirements of that program.
The study of ancient Jewish history is typically pursued through the Department of Religious Studies. Doctoral work in Medieval and Modern Jewish History can be pursued in both the History Department and the Religious Studies. The general requirements for graduate study in the History Department apply to those studying Jewish History within the History Department. In addition:
- The specific requirements for students in Modern Jewish history include proficiency in Hebrew and at least one European language (knowledge of German is strongly encouraged) and two courses in earlier periods of Jewish history (reading Hebrew texts from these periods as part of the course work is strongly encouraged). In consultation with the advisor, students are encouraged to concentrate in one national history and one broadly conceived transnational or comparative theme or method.
- The specific requirements for students in Medieval Jewish history include proficiency in Latin or Arabic in addition to Hebrew and German; two courses in other periods of Jewish history selected after consultation with the advisor; and proficiency in Hebrew manuscript paleography and codicology.
Students who pursue a doctoral degree through the Philosophy Department fulfill the requirements of that department.
Those who choose to pursue doctoral work in the Religious Studies Department typically do so through one of these subfields: Jewish Studies; Old Testament/Hebrew Bible; Early Mediterranean and East Asian Religions (including Second Temple or Rabbinic Judaism); and Religion and Modernity (including modern Jewish thought). Each subfield has its own set of course, exam, and language requirements.
MARs through the Yale Divinity School
The Program in Jewish Studies does not offer master’s programs. Those who wish to pursue a Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) may do so through the Yale Divinity School, which has faculty members in the fields of Hebrew Bible, Second Temple Judaism, and Rabbinic Literature.
Questions?
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Sarit Kattan Gribetz
Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Jewish StudiesDirector of Graduate Study; Executive Committee
