The Certificate in Jewish Studies is an undergraduate disciplinary certificate focusing on the history and cultural practices of Jews around the world and in different eras. You can take this either as a stand-alone certificate or if you are a student who is already enrolled in an undergraduate degree program. Students can either apply for direct entry or during their undergraduate studies.
About
This 24-credit certificate differs from the 36-credit certificate (Advanced Certificate in Hebrew & Jewish Studies) in that it does not have a 12-credit language requirement. This certificate recognizes achieving a certain level of proficiency in the major themes, geography, and historical and cultural content of Jewish Studies.
What can you do with this certificate?
This certificate is open to students already pursuing a degree at York as well as interested parties outside of York who seek to enhance their credentials for the purpose of employment and professional advancement. This certificate will give an advantage to students applying for positions in a variety of jobs, especially those in Jewish communal work, education, diplomacy, international business and law.
Certificate & Admission Requirements
Students must complete a total of 24 credits.
9 credits in the following required courses:
- AP/JWST 3831 – Torah and Tradition: Jewish Religious Expressions from Antiquity to the Present (3.00)
- AP/JWST 1880 – The Jewish Experience, Civilization and Culture (6.00) (cross-listed to AP/HIST 1190)
15 credits can be chosen from the list of approved courses in the area of Jewish Studies.
- At least 18 credits must be at the 3000-level or higher.
- Students must also achieve a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or greater in the courses taken to satisfy the Certificate requirements.
- At least 12 credits of the disciplinary courses that meet Certificate requirements must be in addition to those used to satisfy requirements of an undergraduate major.
In addition, qualification for the Certificate is subject to the following:
- The cumulative grade point average in all 36 credits must be at least 5.0.
- Normally, no more than 18 credits may be taken outside York University, and no more than 12 credits taken at a non-BA-granting institution can go towards the fulfilment of the Certificate. Such credits are accepted at the discretion of the Certificate Coordinator. A transcript reflecting these credits must be submitted at the time of application for the Certificate. Where possible, syllabi should be provided for such courses as well.
Application
- Application Form (PDF)
- Checklist (PDF)
Contact
Further information, including the list of approved courses and the Certificate application form, is available in the office of the ORU-Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies (CJS) 763 York Research Tower (YRT), 416-736-5823, cjs@yorku.ca.
For specific questions about the Certificate in Jewish Studies, please contact Program Coordinator Professor Ahouva Shulman at sahouva@yorku.ca.
For Jewish Teacher Education (JTE) student advising, planning, and consultation about course work and approved equivalents, please contact Professor L. Wiseman at LWiseman@edu.yorku.ca.
For specific information about courses offered in Hebrew, please contact Professor Ahouva Shulman at sahouva@yorku.ca or the office of the Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics, 561 Ross South, 416-736-5016.
Entry to a certificate program
Future Students
For Canadian high school students or those who have never attended a college or university, please refer to the Future Students Admission Requirements. The Future Students Section includes information for International High School Students, College/University Student, Mature Students, Indigenous Students, Visiting Students and Student returning to York to complete my degree.
Current Students
The Certificate in Jewish Studies can be pursued as a stand-alone certificate or concurrent with fulfilment of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree. This certificate is also open to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and who are admissible according to Faculty and University policies. This certificate is not, however, open to students who are pursuing or who already hold a degree in Hebrew and Jewish studies or the Advanced Certificate in Hebrew & Jewish Studies.
According to York’s admission requirements, an Ontario high school student needs the following to be accepted into a Degree Program in Humanities:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- ENG4U
- Five additional 4U or M courses
Graduating with a certificate
Except where otherwise stated, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 4.0 is required to satisfy certificate requirements. Students must also submit an application to graduate from a certificate program. Applications should be submitted to the Office of the Centre for Jewish Studies. In order to receive the Certificate at convocation, the application should be submitted as early as possible in the semester prior to graduation.
Transcript notation that the requirements for a certificate have been completed will be made once the Registrar’s Office has received notice from the Centre for Jewish Studies. Certificates will not be conferred until candidates have successfully completed an undergraduate degree program if they are simultaneously enrolled in a degree and a certificate program. The Faculty does not award certificates retroactively. Refer to the Academic Standards section for details of the undergraduate certificate minimum standards.
Normally, no more than 18 credits may be taken outside York University, and no more than 12 credits taken at a non-BA-granting institution can count towards the fulfilment of the Certificate. Such credits are accepted at the discretion of the Certificate Coordinator. A transcript reflecting these credits must be submitted at the time of application for the Certificate. Where possible, syllabi should be provided for such courses as well.
