Bernard Revel Graduate School
of Jewish Studies
Korean-banner

Program Information

Overview

The Path to Chaplaincy is a 72-credit program combining academic study at Yeshiva University with clinical and professional training at Gratz College.

Yeshiva University
       •    39 credits total
       •    At least 30 credits must be completed at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies
       •    Students earn a Master of Arts in Jewish Studies from Yeshiva University
       •    The remaining Yeshiva University credits may be completed at Revel, the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, the Ferkauf Graduate School of                             Psychology, or the RIETS Graduate Program in Bioethics & Jewish Law

Gratz College 
       •    33 credits total
       •    Students complete Clinical Pastoral Education and advanced coursework in Jewish spiritual care
       •    Students earn an Advanced Certificate in Chaplaincy from Gratz College

Students work with program advisors to select courses that fulfill chaplaincy competency requirements while also satisfying the requirements for the MA in Jewish Studies.

MA in Jewish Studies Requirements

The 30 Revel credits required for the MA in Jewish Studies must include:

  • 9 credits of introductory (5000-level) coursework drawn from at least two of the following fields:

    Bible
    Medieval Jewish History
    Modern Jewish History
    Jewish Philosophy
    Talmud & Ancient Judaism

  • 15 credits of advanced coursework (6000 level and above)
  • 6 credits of electives, which may be taken at either the 5000 or 6000 level

Because chaplaincy competency requirements and MA degree requirements overlap, students work closely with advisors to select courses that satisfy both sets of requirements.

Prior Learning and Competency Review

Upon acceptance into the program, students will be evaluated by the National Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC) Certification Commission to determine whether prior academic study, professional experience, and other relevant personal or life experiences satisfy certain chaplaincy certification competencies. Such determinations may reduce the number of credits required for NAJC chaplaincy certification.
These determinations do not affect the requirements for the MA in Jewish Studies. Students pursuing the MA must complete the full 30-credit Revel requirement.

Coursework includes the following:

Yeshiva University Curriculum (39 Credits)

Coursework is completed across:
       •    Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies 
       •    Wurzweiler School of Social Work (SWK) 
       •    Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology (PSM) 
       •    RIETS Bioethics & Jewish Law Program 

Coursework is completed by fulfilling the competency requirements below. 

Human Development (3 credits)

       •    SWK 6100 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment 

Group Dynamics / Organizational Behavior (3 credits)

Choose one course from the following menu:

Wurzweiler School of Social Work
       •    SWK 5005 – Counseling Individuals and Families Facing Aging and Serious Illness
       •    SWK 5132 – Psychosocial/Spiritual Approaches to Aging and Serious Illness
Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology
       •    PSM 6120 – Basic Principles of Counseling 
       •    PSM 6193 – Counseling Skills Development 

Diversity (3 credits)

Choose one course from the following menu:

Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies

        •    JHI 6654 – Topics in Modern Jewish History 
        •    JST 6001 – Seminar in Jewish Studies 
        •    JHI 6652 – The Jewish-Christian Debate in the Middle Ages 
        •    JHI 6221 – Hebraism & Hellenism: Greco-Roman Culture & the Rabbis 
        •    JHI 6237 – Topics in Jewish History 
        •    JHI 6240 – Topics in Jewish History 

Wurzweiler School of Social Work

        •    SWK 5645 – Cultural Diversity and Social Work Practice*
        •    SWK 6135 – Diversity and Social Justice*

*This course may be completed asynchronously in an accelerated eight-week format and is offered at a reduced tuition rate.

Jewish History / Sociology / Anthropology of Jewish Community (3 credits)

Any Revel JHI or JPH course fulfills this requirement.

Jewish Studies Methods (3 credits)

        •    BIB/JHI/JPH/TAS 9000 – Themes & Methods in Jewish Studies

Jewish Ritual (3 credits)

       •    BIB 7719 – Prayer in the Hebrew Bible 
       •    JHI 6812 – Devotional and Ascetic Practices and Ideals in Medieval Ashkenaz 
       •    JPH 5350 – Introduction to Jewish Mysticism 
       •    BIB 8209 – Book of Psalms 

Jewish Life Cycle (3 credits)

       •    JST 5000 – Introduction to Judaism

Students whose prior academic study, professional experience, or other relevant life experiences satisfy this competency may receive an exemption through the NAJC competency review process. Students who receive an exemption must complete an additional Revel elective to maintain the 30-credit Revel requirement for the MA in Jewish Studies.

Medical Ethics (3 credits)

This requirement may be fulfilled through:
       •   RIETS Bioethics & Jewish Law I

Jewish Studies Electives (6 credits)

Students may select any two courses from Revel's catalog

Students who receive exemptions from the Hebrew Language and/or Jewish Life Cycle requirements complete additional Revel electives to maintain the 30-credit Revel requirement.

Capstone (3 credits)

Completed in consultation with an advisor.

Hebrew Language Requirement (6 credits)

        •    BIB 5201 – Beginner’s Biblical Hebrew I 
        •    BIB 5202 – Beginner’s Biblical Hebrew II 

Students may fulfill this requirement through a Hebrew placement examination. Students who receive an exemption must complete additional Revel electives to maintain the 30-credit Revel requirement.

Gratz College Curriculum (33 Credits)

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) (21 credits)

        •    CPE I 
        •    CPE II 
        •    CPE III 
        •    CPE IV

Jewish Spiritual Care (6 credits)

        •    Jewish Spiritual Care I 
        •    Jewish Spiritual Care II 

Death and Grief (3 credits)

        •    Jewish Perspectives on Death and Grief 

Liturgy, Spirituality & Leadership (3 credits)

        •    Liturgy / Spirituality / Role as Spiritual Leader 

Advisement & Flexibility

Students work closely with program advisors to ensure that all coursework meets chaplaincy competency requirements.
Some competency requirements for chaplaincy certification may be fulfilled through prior academic study or professional experience, subject to review and approval by program advisors.

Professional Certification

The program is designed to fulfill the requirements for board certification through Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains.
Guidance is also provided for students pursuing certification through alternative chaplaincy organizations.

 

Bernard Revel School of Jewish Studies