The Diploma is intended to give recognition to those students who have undertaken a concentrated research and study program in an area of Jewish Studies. It is designed to provide students with interdisciplinary Jewish Studies methodologies and to familiarize them with the state of the field of Jewish Studies research across disciplines. This Diploma will be of special interest to students engaged in research in Jewish history, culture, education and contemporary life, and in Israel and international relations.
The Diploma will be earned concurrently with the Master’s or Doctoral degree program for which a student is registered. For those students who successfully complete both the degree program and the Diploma, the Diploma will be noted on the student’s transcript and awarded at the convocation at which the degree is awarded. Please note: this Diploma cannot be earned independently of a graduate degree.
Admission Requirements
Candidates for the Diploma must be admitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies as candidates for a Master’s or Doctoral degree in any of the existing graduate programs at York University. Information about admission into the Faculty of Graduate Studies can be found here.
Admission 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.
Diploma Requirements
In addition to fulfilling graduate studies or Faculty requirements, students must satisfy the following requirements in order to receive the Diploma:
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: A major research paper, thesis, or dissertation on a topic approved by the Diploma Coordinator. It is expected that the student's supervisory committee will include a member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies who is affiliated with the Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies. This paper normally serves to fulfill the requirement of the Master’s or Doctoral program in which the student is registered.
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 or supervised fieldwork in Israel, while affiliated with an Israeli university:
- Ph.D students are expected to spend the equivalent of two semesters in Israel.
- Master’s students are expected to spend the equivalent of one semester in Israel
- Financial support for study in Israel is available. For more information, please visit the Study in Israel scholarship page.