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Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (NEJS)

About the Program

Brandeis University's Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (NEJS) bears a proud tradition of scholarly excellence in the fields that it embraces:

• The study of the Jewish people, including their history, religion, literature and place in civilization;
• The history, languages, and culture of the Bible and ancient Near East;
• The study of Arabic and Islamic civilizations.

NEJS is one of the oldest and largest programs of its type outside of the State of Israel. We have the largest faculty in Jewish Studies of any secular American university. At Brandeis students have the opportunity to study with the scholars who are, in many cases, the foremost experts in the world in their field. Our internationally renowned faculty has published dozens of books and hundreds of articles. Many are known throughout the world.

Degree Options

• Ph.D. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
• Joint Ph.D. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Sociology
• M.A. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (full- and part-time)
• Joint M.A. in Women’s & Gender Studies and Near Eastern & Judaic Studies (full- and part-time)
• Dual M.A. with Hornstein: Jewish Professional Leadership. Please visit the Hornstein website for more information. (full-time only)
• B.A./M.A. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (for current Brandeis undergraduates)
• Joint B.A./M.A. in Women’s & Gender Studies and Near Eastern & Judaic Studies (for current Brandeis undergraduates)

Courses and Completion Requirements

For the most updated course listing, course descriptions, and degree requirements, please click here.

Faculty

We encourage you to explore one of the department’s greatest assets through our faculty pages. Learn more about the people who will help guide you along your graduate school path here.

Additional Resources

Consortium: Our membership in the Boston consortium allows you to take courses at Tufts University, Boston University, and Boston College, thus enhancing your Brandeis experience and the spirit of collaboration which Brandeis embodies.
Student Services: At Brandeis, you will become part of a community that is strengthened by life both within and outside of the classroom and laboratory walls. Please visit Student Services to see the array of University resources, events, and programming for graduate students, including our Graduate Student Services Center, Off-Campus Housing, Health Insurance, English as a Second Language (ESL) program, Disability Resources, Counseling Center, Career Services, and the Graduate Student Association.

Admission Information

Please note: Applicants to the Hornstein/NEJS dual M.A. should consult the admission information on the Hornstein website.

Admission Semester:

Application Deadlines:

Admission Requirements

To apply for all programs, you need to submit:

• An application to the graduate school, which can be electronically submitted here;
• An application fee (please click here for instructions);
• Official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended; applicants must provide a final transcript indicating successful completion of an undergraduate degree program before registration;
• Three letters of recommendation, which the admissions committee prefers to be submitted online (please click here for more information). The B.A./M.A. program requires only one letter of recommendation.
• A curriculum vitae (CV) or resumé;
• A statement of purpose indicating your reasons for undertaking graduate study. In addition, please describe your qualifications for the academic program and your objectives in undertaking this program.
• Writing Sample not exceeding 35 pages; the 35-page maximum may consist of a single critical essay or two shorter essays of approximately equal length.
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) recommended, but not required. Our ETS institution code is 3092.
  Note: For joint Ph.D. NEJS/Sociology program the GRE is required.

International students:  For additional requirements for international applicants (non-US citizens or non-permanent residents), minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores, and important information regarding visas, please click here.

For a more comprehensive description of application requirements, please click here.

Financial Aid

Generous financial aid is available; for more information please click here.