BA in Jewish Studies in College Park United States | University of Maryland, College Park

The Jewish Studies program offers students comprehensive engagement with Jewish heritage, including its literature, history, cultural traditions, and sacred texts. This major delivers both a panoramic view of Jewish civilization across four thousand years and specialized knowledge in specific historical and cultural domains. Similar to other Arts and Humanities disciplines, Jewish Studies cultivates critical analysis of texts, evidence evaluation, discerning reading skills, and effective written and oral argumentation. Graduates enter diverse professional fields including law, healthcare, finance, media, public service, education, social services, Jewish community leadership, and religious vocations.

The Jewish Studies curriculum presents rigorous academic challenges. Hebrew language proficiency is mandatory, requiring two years of college-level Hebrew (or equivalent) as prerequisite, followed by advanced Hebrew study. While beginners often benefit from intensive Hebrew programs (ulpanim) in Israel, many achieve fluency through UMD's exceptional course sequence. The 48-credit major (with minimum 27 upper-level credits) comprises 39 credits in Jewish Studies and 9 credits in complementary external disciplines. Eligible courses include both Jewish Studies offerings and cross-listed courses from other departments.