Detailed Information
Programs of Study
The William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education of the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) offers Master of Arts (M.A.) and doctoral (Ed.D.) programs in Jewish education.
Through its master’s program, the Davidson School prepares students to become educators in Jewish educational settings, both formal (day school and synagogue school) and informal (youth groups, camps, Jewish community centers, and adult education programs).
The doctoral program prepares students for work in administration, supervision, curriculum design, and research and scholarship in Jewish education. In addition to the full-time doctoral program, part-time doctoral studies can be structured to fit the needs of students, and in the fall of 2009, the School will begin a new executive doctorate program that allows students to pursue doctoral course work through a combination of distance learning opportunities and intensive two-day seminars.
Through a consortium academia agreement, Davidson School students can enroll in courses at Teachers College, Columbia University. The Davidson School is open to men and women without regard to age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin.
Prospective students are strongly encouraged to visit the resources on the Davidson School’s prospective student page at http://www.jtsa.edu/William_Davidson_Graduate_School_of_Jewish_Education/Prospective_Students.xml. Applicants will find program descriptions, sample M.A. and Ed.D. curricula, information on alumni, and more.
Research Facilities
The Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary houses the most complete collection of Judaica in the Western Hemisphere. With more than 380,000 volumes on open shelves, it is ideally suited for the research needs of graduate students. The library’s special collection, with more than 30,000 items, affords ample opportunity for original scholarship. All matriculated Davidson School students also benefit from the resources of neighboring Teachers College.
Financial Aid
The M.A. program at the Davidson School offers a significant number of tuition fellowships. When prospective students submit their applications for admission, they are automatically considered for the M.A. half-tuition fellowship. There is no additional fellowship application. Fellowships–including both tuition aid and a significant living stipend–are available for full-time doctoral students.
In addition, the Davidson School has an exciting philanthropic partnership with the Wexner Foundation (http://www.wexnerfoundation.org). The partnership’s goal is to create an annual cohort of ten Davidson Scholars as part of the prestigious Wexner Graduate Fellowship. Wexner graduate fellows are awarded $20,000 each year for a two-year term with the possibility of renewal for a third year. The purpose of the fellowship is to build a cohesive community of fellows while enhancing the leadership skills of each individual fellow. Fellows receive leadership training, peer support, professional mentoring, and networking across career choices and denominational affiliations, both during school and throughout their lives. Fellowships are granted for full-time study that begins in the fall. Applications are available on the Wexner Foundation Web site and are typically due in February. See http://www.wexnerfoundation.org for more information.
Cost of Study
For the 2009–10 academic year, tuition is $26,600 for full-time Ed.D. study and $21,200 for full-time M.A. study. Part-time students are charged $1000 per credit. In addition to tuition, a fee of $400 per semester is charged.
Living and Housing Costs
Residence halls (150 units) are available to single students at a cost of approximately $9900 per academic year. Apartments of various costs are available to single or married students. The housing application deadline for incoming students is May 15. For more information, students should contact the Office of Residence Life by calling 212-678-8035 or by sending an e-mail to reslife@jtsa.edu.
Student Group
As of December 2008, 103 students were enrolled in the Davidson School. Seventy-two students were enrolled solely in Davidson, while 31 students were in dual-degree JTS programs with the Rabbinical, Cantorial, or Graduate School. Eight students were enrolled in the distance learning M.A. program.
Location
JTS is located on the vibrant Upper West Side of New York City. Its proximity to Columbia University, Union Theological Seminary, and the Manhattan School of Music puts the Davidson School in the heart of a dynamic academic community. Students are encouraged to explore the wealth of cultural activities that New York City offers–from music and dance at Lincoln Center to theater on and off Broadway, from art at the Metropolitan and Whitney museums to the galleries in SoHo and Greenwich Village.
The Seminary
Founded in 1886, the Jewish Theological Seminary is the academic and spiritual center of Conservative Judaism worldwide. In 1904, JTS established the Jewish Museum. JTS’s New York campus includes five separate yet integrated schools: the Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies, the Graduate School, the H. L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music (formerly the Cantor’s Institute and Seminary College of Music), the Rabbinical School, and the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education.
Applying
Applications for admission to degree programs should be made as early as possible. M.A. applicants are encouraged to complete the application process by May 1 for consideration for fall admission. Ed.D. applicants are encouraged to apply by March 31. Applications are received and reviewed throughout the year on a rolling basis. A $50 application fee, official college transcripts, three letters of recommendation (two academic references), and GRE or MAT scores are required. Doctoral applicants must also submit two academic writing samples. To be considered for a fellowship, it is recommended that candidates apply no later than May 1.
The Faculty
- Arnold Eisen, Chancellor.
- Michael B. Greenbaum, Vice Chancellor.
- Alan Cooper, Provost.
- Stephen Garfinkel, Dean of Academic Affairs.
- Barry Holtz, Dean of the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education.
- Department of Jewish Education
- Full-time Faculty:
- Ofra Backenroth
- Aryeh Davidson
- Shira Epstein
- Barry Holtz
- Carol Ingall
- Jeff Kress (on sabbatical, spring 2009)
- Michelle Lynn-Sachs
- Adjunct Faculty:
- Mary C. Boys
- Amy Wallk Katz
- Alvan Kaunfer
- Cheryl Magen
- Alvin Mars
- Deborah Miller
- Alex Sinclair
- Rabbi In-Residence:
- Jonathan Lipnick
- Prospective students are encouraged to visit http://www.jtsa.edu/William_Davidson_Graduate_School_of_Jewish_Education/Faculty_Profiles.xml to learn more about the Davidson School Faculty and their accomplishments and contributions to the field of Jewish and general education.
Correspondence and Information
The Jewish Theological Seminary
William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education
3080 Broadway
New York, New York 10027-4649
Telephone:
212-678-8022
Email:
edschool@jtsa.edu
