Graduate Programs / Information for Prospective Students
Degree Programs
Descriptions of Ph.D. Areas
Admission Information
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This page presents the requirements and procedures of the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies with respect to its graduate programs. Since these requirements are subject to revision, please consult the Brandeis University Bulletin for more information about specific University regulations, course offerings, and the academic calendar.
In the NEJS Department students have the opportunity to pursue course work in such specialty areas as Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Jewish History, Jewish Thought, Jewish Literature, Israel Studies, Middle East Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life. Students may also create other areas of study utilizing the expertise of the NEJS faculty. The master's program offers a choice of training in either the general discipline of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies or in one of its more specialized areas.
DEGREES
Master's Degree in Near Eastern & Judaic Studies (NEJS)
Joint Master's Degree in Hornstein and NEJS
Joint Degree of Master of Arts in NEJS and Women and Gender Studies
Master of Arts in Teaching Hebrew
Doctor of Philosophy in NEJS
Joint Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in NEJS and Sociology
The five Master's degree programs include: the M.A. in NEJS; the joint M.A. in NEJS and Hornstein: The Jewish Community Leadership Program; the joint M.A. in NEJS and Women and Gender Studies; the M.A.T in Hebrew.
Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
Ordinarily, two years of full-time residence are required at the normal course rate of seven courses each academic year. At least eight of the fourteen required courses must be offered by members of the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies Department. Students may not include courses taken to prepare for the M.A. language examination (HBRW 102 and below, or ARBC 40 and below) among these eight courses, but may include them among the required 14 courses. Students must obtain prior written approval from the M.A. advisor before taking courses outside of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. Students who enter with graduate credit from other recognized institutions may apply for transfer credit for up to four courses, or with prior written approval of the M.A. advisor, candidates may receive transfer credit for up to four courses for study at a university abroad. Proficiency must be demonstrated in biblical or modern Hebrew or Arabic. Language courses taught outside of NEJS may not be applied toward the required courses without advanced written permission of the advisor. All candidates for the M.A. degree are required to complete a culminating assignment, by choosing to write a thesis, complete a significant final project, or take and pass an oral exam.
Requirements for the Hornstein: The Jewish Community Leadership Program and Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
This degree is for students accepted into Hornstein: The Jewish Community Leadership Program @ Brandeis University who seek a more intensive level of Judaic studies than is normally available in the two-year curriculum, and is especially recommended for those specializing in Jewish education. Students who enroll in the three-year program devote most of their first year to general Judaic studies and must take at least one additional NEJS course in each of their remaining two years. These must be regular graduate (100- or 200- level) NEJS courses and Hebrew courses, not courses primarily geared for Jewish communal service students, and only one of the courses may deal primarily with the contemporary period. NEJS and Hebrew course selections must be approved by the NEJS faculty member overseeing this program. All candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency in biblical or modern Hebrew and must pass a comprehensive examination, usually offered in the middle of the third year. Students are assigned advisors from both the NEJS Department and Hornstein Program, and must meet with their advisors regularly and before enrolling in courses. Students who enter with graduate credit from other recognized institutions may apply for transfer credit for up to four courses, or with prior written approval of the M.A. advisor, candidates may receive transfer credit for up to four courses for study at a university abroad.
In their first year, students complete six NEJS courses and one Hornstein course. In their second year, students complete one NEJS course and seven Hornstein courses and in the summer complete the Israel Seminar (JCS 350a, Foster Seminar in Israel on Contemporary Jewish Life), and individualized supplemental Judaica study in Israel (SSIP). In their third year, students complete one NEJS course (that may be a reading course to prepare for the comprehensive exam) and six Hornstein courses.
Requirements for the Joint Degree of Master of Arts in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Women and Gender Studies
Students interested in the joint two-year terminal M.A. degree program must first be admitted to the M.A. degree program in NEJS in the regular manner.
Residence Requirement and Program of Study
Ordinarily, two years of full-time residence are required at the normal course rate of seven courses each academic year. Students who enter with graduate credit from other recognized institutions may apply for transfer credit for up to four courses, or, with prior approval of the M.A. advisor, candidates may receive transfer credit for up to four courses at a university abroad.
Courses must include the designated foundational course in women's and gender studies, one course in feminist research methodologies (WMGS 198a or the Feminist Inquiry course offered through the Graduate Consortium in Women's Studies), one women's and gender studies course in NEJS, one women's and gender studies course outside of NEJS, and participation in a fall semester noncredit women's and gender studies graduate proseminar. The remaining courses must be jointly approved by each student's NEJS advisor and by the NEJS women's and gender studies advisor.
Advising
Students are assigned advisors from the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies department and from the Women's and Gender Studies Program. Students must meet with their advisor(s) regularly, and before enrolling in courses, to assure appropriate course coherency.
Language Requirement
All candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency in biblical or modern Hebrew or in Arabic.
Culminating Assignment
All candidates for the M.A. degree are required to complete a culminating assignment, by choosing to write a thesis, complete a significant final project, or take and pass an oral exam..
Thesis or Research Project
A research project of at least 25 pages on an issue connected to women's and gender studies and NEJS. It must be in a format suitable for submission to a specific journal or for presentation at a professional conference. It may be a revision of a paper previously completed while enrolled in the M.A. degree program at Brandeis. The project is read by two faculty members within NEJS and by an additional member of the women's and gender core or affiliate faculty . It must be defended before that three-person committee by the first week of May of the year in which the candidate intends to receive the degree. (Check the date with the Office of the University Registrar. It may vary with the academic calendar.) Once the project is considered acceptable by the project advisor, copies should be submitted to the women's and gender studies program office.
Requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching Hebrew
This two-year degree is a first-of-its-kind program in the United States, providing teachers and students with the knowledge and training to become professional teachers of Hebrew at all levels: elementary, secondary post-secondary, and adult education. The Hebrew Language program in the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies has won nationwide recognition for its leadership and quality of instruction, and as such is the most appropriate setting for such a program. The program emphasizes both theoretical and methodological learning as well as hands-on experience and rigorous field training. The curriculum consists of twelve courses (8 required and four elective), and two semesters of practicum training. Seven of the twelve required courses focus exclusively on aspects of teaching and learning the Hebrew language. The practicum training provides an opportunity to teach in settings including day schools, afternoon schools, elementary and high schools.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
Students admitted to the NEJS Ph.D. program are admitted to specific programs within the department. These are: Bible and Ancient Near East (BANE), Modern Middle East (MME), and Jewish Studies (JS). Movement from one program to the other is generally discouraged and is dependent upon a student's meeting the requirements for admission into that program and acceptance by that program's faculty. Movement from one advisor to another within a program is likewise dependent upon the consent of the new advisor.
The Residence Requirement and Program of Study
Three years of full-time residence are required at the normal rate of at least seven term courses each academic year. Students who enter with graduate credit from other recognized institutions may apply for a maximum of one year of credit (seven term courses) toward the residence requirement on the recommendation of the departmental advisor in consultation with the student's advisor.
Teaching Requirement
As part of the graduate training program in NEJS, all Ph.D. students are required to fulfill five, semester-length teaching fellow or research assignments during the first four years of their programs, serving as apprentices to faculty mentors. All incoming NEJS doctoral students are to take the university writing pedagogy seminar in their first year (preferably in their first semester). Students will serve as teaching fellows in at least one university writing course. In addition, the department holds an orientation program for all new students and sponsors colloquia on teaching. Faculty mentors evaluate students' teaching fellow work each semester which becomes a part of the students' teaching portfolios.
Consortium
Students should also discuss with their advisors the desirability of taking courses at member institutions of the Boston Consortium.
Advising
Students are assigned advisors from the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies department in the program to which they were admitted. Students must meet with their advisor(s) regularly, and before enrolling in courses, to ensure appropriate course coherency. The programs for each graduate area may be found in the departmental office and are posted on the departmental website.
Funding and Annual Evaluation
Scholarships and fellowships are generally renewable for four additional years, based on a favorable annual evaluation by each student's professors by May of each academic year. These evaluations will be shared with the students and will be part of the official file, along with grades. Additionally, University Dissertation Fellowships are available on a University-wide competitive basis for the final year.
Language Requirements
Students are required to demonstrate competence in primary and secondary research languages, according to the requirements of their specific programs. Normally students in Jewish Studies are required to establish competence in modern Hebrew and two secondary research languages, typically French and German, although statistics may be substituted as one research language for students of Contemporary Jewish Life. Students in the Modern Middle East normally must establish competence in modern Arabic and Hebrew and one secondary research language. Students in the Bible and Ancient Near East concentration (BANE) must establish competence in biblical Hebrew, Akkadian, Northwest Semitic Languages, and two secondary research languages (normally German and French); in addition, students focusing on Bible must establish competence in modern Hebrew as a research language. Depending on the program, competence in primary languages is demonstrated through doctoral exams or separate examination by advisors. Competence in secondary languages is demonstrated through examination by advisors. Additional languages may be required as necessary for research in each individual candidate's program, as determined by their field.
Candidates are not normally admitted to the Ph.D. program in Jewish Studies, including modern and American Jewish studies, until they demonstrate reading knowledge of modern Hebrew. Students who require additional work in this area should apply for the Degree of Master of Arts in NEJS.
Comprehensive Examinations
All candidates for the Ph.D. degree are required to pass several comprehensive examinations. Specific requirements vary from program to program. Details may be obtained from the department office. In the semester in which students plan to take their qualifying examinations, they may sign up for reading courses with the members of the faculty who will participate in those examinations.
Dissertation Proposal
After successfully completing all qualifying examinations and language requirements, students must submit their dissertation proposal to the department faculty by the end of the third year or the beginning of the fourth year (by the beginning of the fifth year for students in the program in Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies), after first obtaining the approval of their dissertation director and the other two members of the dissertation reading committee. Proposals should be up to six pages in length, plus bibliography. They should contain a clear articulation of the topic with rationale, a summary of current research in its area, its intended contribution to scholarship, methodology, sources, structure and table of contents, preliminary bibliography, and any other relevant material. Additional information about the proposal is available in the department office.
Dissertation and Defense
The dissertation, ordinarily between 250 and 400 pages in length, must demonstrate the candidate's thorough mastery of the field and competence in pursuing independent research; it must also constitute an original contribution to knowledge. Two copies of the dissertation are to be deposited in the office of the program chair no later than March 1 of the year in which the candidate expects to earn the degree. The student must successfully defend the dissertation at a final oral examination.
Joint Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Sociology
Primary Faculty:
Sylvia Fishman
Residence Requirement and Program of Study
Three years of full-time residence are required at the normal rate of at least seven term courses each academic year. Students who enter with graduate credit from other recognized institutions may apply for transfer credit. By rule of the Graduate School, a maximum of one year of credit (seven term courses) may be accepted toward the residence requirement on the recommendation of the departmental advisor in consultation with the student's advisor.
Students must complete a total of 21 courses. Nine of these courses should be offered by the sociology department (comprising five graduate seminars and four other sociology courses). Among the sociology courses at least one must be a theory course and at least one must be in quantitative methods. At least nine courses must be taken within the NEJS department. The remaining three courses are open to student choice with the approval of the student's advisors. In addition, students in their first year are required to participate in a year-long, noncredit proseminar that introduces program faculty and their research interests.
Teaching Requirement
As part of the graduate training program in NEJS, all Ph.D. students are required to fulfill five, semester-length teaching fellow or research assignments during the first four years of their programs, serving as apprentices to faculty mentors. All incoming NEJS doctoral students are to take the university writing pedagogy seminar in their first year (preferably in their first semester). Students will serve as teaching fellows in at least one university writing course. In addition, the department holds an orientation program for all new students. Their faculty mentors evaluate students' teaching fellow work each semester. Students' teaching portfolios are in part drawn from these evaluations.
Consortium
Students should also discuss with their advisors the desirability of taking courses at member institutions of the Boston Consortium.
Advising
Students are assigned advisors from the sociology department and from the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies department. Both advisors will work with the student to ensure appropriate course coherency. An interdepartmental meeting involving both advisors and the student should take place at least once a year.
Language Requirements
Candidates are required to establish competence in Hebrew and one modern language (normally French or German, but depending on the area of research, another language may be substituted). Language examinations will be administered by the student's advisors.
Research Methods Requirement
Candidates are required to establish competence in statistics by successful completion of an appropriate Brandeis course in statistics.
Comprehensive Examinations and Graduate Accreditation
Before proposing and writing a doctoral dissertation, students must show competence in two areas of sociology through the Graduate Accreditation Committee (GAC) process; pass a two-part written comprehensive examination in Jewish cultural literacy in the NEJS department; and pass an oral major field examination.
Candidates demonstrate Jewish cultural literacy in a two-part written examination, which has English and Hebrew components, and a follow-up oral examination. The Hebrew examination in primary sources is part of the cultural literacy examination. This examination gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their broad general knowledge of Jewish literature and cultures of the biblical, rabbinic, medieval, and early modern periods. The oral examination provides opportunity for further exploration following the written examination. Following the successful completion of the Jewish cultural literacy examinations, candidates demonstrate their particular field of expertise in contemporary Jewish societies through the oral major field examination.
The Graduate Accreditation Committee (GAC) is the sociology department equivalent of comprehensive examinations. Students elect two sociological areas of interest and, with the appropriate faculty member, create a contract of requirements for the completion of a portfolio in the specific area. The portfolio can include such items as completed courses, papers, independent readings, or bibliographies. Faculty advisors suggest readings, written work, or independent studies. When the GAC requirement is completed, there will be a comprehensive meeting to discuss the candidate's interests and direction in the field and the upcoming dissertation.
Dissertation and Final Oral Examination
A dissertation proposal should be submitted to the dissertation committee soon after the comprehensive examinations and GACs are completed. The dissertation committee should consist of five members: two each from the sociology and the NEJS departments and a fifth member from outside those departments. After approval of the proposal by the dissertation committee, it is submitted to the department faculties for approval. Two copies of the dissertation are to be deposited in the offices of the program chairs no later than March 1 of the year in which the candidate expects to earn the degree. The dissertation committee must approve the dissertation and the student must successfully defend the dissertation at a final oral examination.
SPECIALTY AREAS
1. Bible and Ancient Near East
2. Jewish Studies
3. Modern Middle East
Doctoral Program in Bible and Ancient Near East
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Primary Faculty: Tzvi Abusch Marc Brettler Bernadette Brooten David Wright |
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The course-work and exams of the doctoral program in Bible and Ancient Near East (BANE) train students in the texts and cultures of ancient Israel, Mesopotamia, and Syria-Canaan. The dissertation may focus on one of these areas, or may be a comparative study. This broad training gives students the tools to do research in the original languages and texts of the major Near Eastern cultures, and helps them to gain broad competence that may serve and fuel their research and teaching throughout their careers. Within these areas of study, the program emphasizes the study of religion, ritual and magic, historiography, myth, and literature through the close reading of texts in their original languages.
Preparation for the Ph.D.: A well-trained student entering the BANE doctoral program has studied Hebrew (biblical or modern) or another Near Eastern language for at least three years, and knows one or two other relevant languages (Akkadian, various Northwest Semitic languages, Arabic, Greek, German, or French). An undergraduate concentration in BANE is not required, though training in the humanities or social sciences (e.g., languages, literature, philosophy, history, sociology, or anthropology) is helpful. Students must be prepared to examine the Bible and Near Eastern texts from an historical-critical point of view. Students with less training are nonetheless encouraged to apply to the program. All applicants are encouraged to consult the faculty of the BANE program prior to their application to seek answers to questions, especially if there are questions about qualifications. Students lacking the proper training may want to apply for the MA program.
Course Work: Students in the BANE doctoral program take courses for the first three years. Typically a student will take four courses each semester (the minimum full time load is seven courses per year). In a typical semester, a student will take a course in Hebrew Bible, Akkadian, and Northwest Semitics, with a fourth text or content course. (The latter includes courses such as Ancient Near Eastern Religion and Mythology, Women in the Bible, Near Eastern Law, Dead Sea Scrolls, etc.) The fourth course may be chosen in accordance with a student's ultimate specialty. Students interested in grammar or Semitics are encouraged to study Arabic; those who want to do textual criticism should study Greek. Each student is to consult with all BANE faculty members about course selection at the beginning of each semester.
Research Language Examinations: Students take exams demonstrating their ability to read German, French, and modern Hebrew scholarship on the Bible and Ancient Near East. These are administered by the BANE faculty. Each exam is three hours long. Students, using a dictionary, translate a portion of and answer questions on a text in the research language. Students are normally expected to take one of these language exams in each of the first three years. The language exams must be completed before the dissertation proposal can be approved. Any courses taken in these languages do not count among the courses taken for the BANE doctoral program.
Comprehensive Exams: (click here for the current BANE comprehensive exam policy)
Dissertation Proposal: After completing comprehensive exams, students, in consultation with the members of the BANE program, write a dissertation proposal, following the guidelines provided by the department. The proposal is then defended in a formal one-hour meeting with the BANE faculty, to help the student polish and prepare it for presentation at the full NEJS faculty meeting.
Dissertation: The dissertation is to make an original and significant contribution to the student's chosen field and topic. It may be a synthetic study covering various Ancient Near Eastern Cultures, or may focus on a particular culture. It is generally written under the official supervision of two BANE faculty members, though all BANE faculty may choose to participate.
Structure and Length of Program: The BANE doctoral program typically requires a minimum of six years to complete: three years of course work, one year of preparing for and taking comprehensive exams, and two years for writing the dissertation. The program may take longer to complete as students balance employment, family, and additional educational opportunities and responsibilities.
Doctoral Program in Jewish Studies
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Primary Faculty: |
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The department's graduate program in Jewish Studies comprises one of the largest Judaic Studies faculties in the Diaspora, and embraces all eras in Jewish life, as well as a wide variety of disciplines and scholarly approaches. The Ph.D. program is highly selective and is designed to train scholars and teachers in such areas as Jewish history, Jewish thought, Modern Jewish studies, American Jewish history and life, Israel Studies, Contemporary Jewish studies, and Jewish education. Potential applicants are encouraged to consult with the Graduate Advisor or with faculty members in their areas of interest to ensure that they are a good match for the program.
Preparation for the Ph.D.: Students applying for the Ph.D. generally have at least an undergraduate background in Jewish Studies and in the discipline which they seek to pursue, as well as a working knowledge of Hebrew. An undergraduate concentration in Jewish Studies is not required, though training in the humanities or social sciences (e.g., languages, literature, philosophy, history, sociology, or anthropology) is helpful. Students with less training are nonetheless encouraged to apply to the program. All applicants are encouraged to consult the faculty of their program prior to their application to seek answers to questions, especially if they have questions concerning qualifications. Students lacking adequate preparation may want to consider applying to the MA program.
Course work: Three years of full-time residence are required at the normal rate of at least seven term courses each academic year. Students who enter with graduate credit from other recognized institutions may apply for up to a maximum of one year of credit (7 courses) toward the residence requirement on the recommendation of the chair of the department. Students should discuss with their advisors the desirability of taking reading courses with faculty members, as well as courses at member institutions of the Boston Consortium during their time in residence.
Language requirements: Hebrew is an essential language for all students in Jewish Studies. All students must pass a reading exam in Hebrew, usually by the end of their first year in the program. All students must pass a reading exam in at least one other foreign language by the end of their third year of residence. Students whose focus is Jewish education or Jewish sociology may substitute statistics for this language, typically by passing a course approved by their advisor(s). By the time their Ph.D. proposal is submitted for approval to the department, all students must also pass a reading exam in a third language required for their doctoral research. Language exams are administered by the student's advisor(s) and test for the ability to read the necessary literature with the aid of a dictionary.
Comprehensive examinations: All candidates for the Ph.D. degree in Jewish Studies are required to pass two comprehensive examinations. The first exam, which usually includes both a written and an oral component, tests for knowledge of a broad discipline or body of literature, e.g. the breadth of Jewish history, central Jewish texts in context, or medieval and modern Hebrew writings. Precise details should be worked out with the student's advisor. The second exam tests for proficiency in the student's area of specialization related to the proposed area of the dissertation. This may be combined with the defense of the dissertation proposal. In the semester in which they are preparing for their examinations, students are encouraged to sign up for reading courses with the members of the faculty who will participate in those examinations.
Dissertation Proposal: Students must write a dissertation proposal following the guidelines provided by the department. The proposal is defended in a formal meeting with the proposed dissertation committee to help the student polish and prepare it for presentation at the full NEJS faculty meeting. This defense may be combined with the second comprehensive examination.
Dissertation: The dissertation, ordinarily between 250 and 400 pages in length, must constitute an original contribution to knowledge and demonstrate thorough mastery of a field as well as competence in pursuing independent research. Students must successfully defend their dissertations at a final oral examination.
Structure and Length of Program: The doctoral program in Jewish Studies typically requires a minimum of five years to complete: three years for course work and exams, and two years for researching and writing the dissertation.
Doctoral Program in Modern Middle East
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| Primary Faculty: Avigdor Levy Joseph Lumbard Kanan Makiya Ilan Troen |
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Areas of Study:
The program's main focus is on the social and political history of the Middle East from the 18th century to the present. The area covered includes the Ottoman Empire, modern Turkey, Israel, and the Arab countries of the Middle East.
Admission to the Program: In considering candidates for admission, preference is given to students proficient in at least one of the major languages of the Middle East (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Turkish) and who have done some previous course-work on the history and culture of the area. In special circumstances, students demonstrating exceptional promise who do not possess the qualifications listed above may also be admitted on the understanding that their course-work at Brandeis may be longer or more intensive than that of the average student.
Residence: Three years of full-time residence are required at the normal rate of at least seven term courses each academic year. Students who enter with graduate credit from other recognized institutions may apply for up to a maximum of one year of credit (seven term courses) on the recommendation of the program chair. During their residence, students are required to take one graduate seminar each semester on the Middle East offered by NEJS faculty.
Languages: Students are required to demonstrate ability to read primary and secondary sources in at least one Middle Eastern language and one European language, normally French or German. Depending on their field of specialization, students may be required to study additional languages. Students are strongly encouraged to complete their language requirement by the end of the second year, but are required to do so no later than the end of their third year.
Comprehensive Examinations: Students will be required to pass two comprehensive examinations as follows: The first, ordinarily taken by March of the third year, will cover the full span of Islamic history with some emphasis on the areas of the student's expertise. The examination will be both written and oral. The written examination will take place over a period of three consecutive days, with four hours of writing each day. Approximately one week later a supplementary oral examination will take place. The written and oral examinations constitute parts of a single comprehensive examination. The second comprehensive examination, ordinarily completed by May of the third year, will be an oral examination, covering the student's field of specialization and the area of the dissertation.
Dissertation Proposal: The dissertation proposal will ordinarily be completed and defended by September of the fourth year. It should be no longer than 20 pages, plus a bibliography and other relevant appendices. It should discuss (a) the rationale for selecting the dissertation topic, (b) current research in the proposed field, (c) the dissertation's contribution to scholarship, (d) methodology, (e) sources, (f) structure, including a tentative table of contents (g) bibliography, (h) other appendices, if relevant.
The Ph.D. Dissertation: The dissertation should constitute an original contribution to scholarship. While dissertations may vary in length, most are usually between 250 and 400 pages. It normally takes two years of full-time work to research and write a dissertation. It is recommended that the student spend one year doing research in the Middle East and elsewhere, if relevant, and a second year writing the dissertation.
Dissertation Defense: When the student's dissertation committee accepts the completed dissertation, the candidate must defend it at a final oral examination.
Expected Structure and Length of Program: The program is designed to be completed in five years of full-time work as follows:
(a) Languages. Students are expected to complete their language requirement by the end of their
second year, but no later than the end of their third year.
(b) Comprehensive Examinations. To be completed by May of the third year.
(c) Dissertation Proposal. To be completed and defended by September of the fourth year.
(d) Dissertation. To be completed and defended by May of the fifth year.
ADMISSION INFORMATION
The deadline for all applications is January 15. Additional information and application forms for all of the above programs may be obtained by contacting the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Click here for on-line application or contact the Graduate School at:
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Brandeis University
MS 031
Waltham, MA 02454-9110
Phone: (781) 736-3410
Email: gradschool@brandeis.edu.
Ph.D. applicants are strongly encouraged to arrange an interview with faculty members in their area of interest. Applicants are considered on a competitive basis, and the number of students admitted each year is kept small, thus maintaining the tradition of collegial, medium-sized program in which students and faculty are closely associated and to ensure as high a level of financial support as possible. (See also Student Handbook 2006-2007 from the Brandeis University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, for discussion of costs, financial aid, scholarships, fellowships, teaching/research assistantships, need-based grants, and loans.)