Application Process
Applicants for the Graduate Diploma in Jewish Studies must submit two applications:
- An online application to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
- When prompted (on the second page), select "I wish to study for a graduate diploma"
- Type "Jewish Studies Graduate Diploma" into the Diploma name box.
- The Graduate Diploma in Hebrew and Jewish Studies Application Form.
Applications should be submitted by April 15th each year.
Admission Requirements
- Candidates for this Diploma program must be eligible for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. More information is available here.
- Candidates must have earned a B average in their last two years of academic work or have equivalent qualifications such as community or professional experience.
We encourage mature students with community or professional experience to apply as it is expected they will be able to draw on their expertise to make a unique contribution both to class discussion and to scholarship in the field.
Diploma Requirements
Graduate Seminar - Jewish Studies JUDS 6000 3.0: The Graduate Seminar in Jewish Studies (JUDS 6000 3.0) introduces students to graduate level Jewish studies. The seminar meets for a total of 36 hours over two terms. Students explore the complexity of the question, “What is Jewish studies?” focusing on the historical development and contemporary dimensions of the field through an interdisciplinary, integrating perspective. Students will have the opportunity to meet faculty members engaged in different areas of Jewish studies research and to work on their own research paper.
Course Work: Students will take a minimum of two graduate 3-credit courses in Jewish Studies, either in the form of reading courses or courses approved by the Diploma Coordinator. One graduate course from another university may be accepted in fulfillment of this requirement, if approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Diploma Coordinator. One of those may be a graduate course taken in the Faculty of Education.
Research: Beyond the requirements of individual courses, Graduate Diploma students will prepare a culminating research paper. This paper must be supervised by a member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies affiliated with the Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies, on a topic approved in advance by the Diploma Coordinator.
Language Proficiency: Students must demonstrate basic general competence in Hebrew or another Jewish language as established by examinations set by the Diploma Coordinator. When relevant to the research project, students may be allowed to substitute Yiddish, Ladino, or Judaeo-Arabic for Hebrew. Please note that it may be possible for participants to arrange to study Hebrew in one of the six levels offered in the Ulpan of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem during their time in Israel.
Optional - Study in Israel: Students are expected to spend time doing course work, research, or supervised fieldwork in Israel, while affiliated with an Israeli university. Financial support is available.
The Diploma requires and ensures that students have language competence appropriate to this program of study. York University has a full range of Hebrew language courses to which students in the Diploma will have access as special students. Please note: courses taken for language competence do not count towards the Diploma.