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 School of Jewish Communal Service, Los Angeles Academic Information Eclectic in its approach and contemporary in its outlook, the School of Jewish Communal Service seeks to contribute to its students' independence of thought and inquiry, to their creativity and open-mindedness, and to their desire to serve Jewish communities throughout the world. Certificate Programs Certificate in Jewish Communal Service This program is designed for those with prior field experience who desire a graduate education in communal service. The School of Jewish Communal Service offers a resident program which combines cognitive and affective learning experiences. Significant exposure to Judaica, Management and Leadership concepts, Contemporary Jewish issues, and Jewish History and Society are parts of the curriculum. Successful completion of 22 credits earned over two summer semesters leads to a Certificate in Jewish Communal Service. Master's Programs Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service Candidates holding a bachelor's degree, and with prior experience, may apply for the Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service. The Master of Arts degree is conferred upon successful completion of up to 54 credits. Required are 42 credits of course work, 600 hours of fieldwork (14 credits), and an acceptable thesis or research project. The program is 14 months in length. Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service with a Concentration in Synagogue Management This program is oriented to those individuals who already have a background or career experiences in Jewish Communal work. The program has the same requirements as the Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service degree and allows students to have an internship in a synagogue setting and to take specially designed courses to prepare them for careers in synagogue management. Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service with a Concentration in Youth Services The Youth Services concentration has recently been added to the curriculum. Individuals interested in careers in youth work, informal Jewish education, and camp administration should consider this specialization. In addition to a set of courses in this area, students will be in field placements associated with this type of work. Joint Degree Master's Programs (Completed entirely at HUC-JIR) Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service and Jewish Education This dual degree requires up to 105 credits, including 30 units of class work in communal service, 22 of which can be accrued in a two-summer period. A thesis or major paper is required. After one year in Israel, the joint master's degree student has one year of field experience in a communal setting and one year of experience in an educational setting. The program is 36 months in length. Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service and Judaic Studies A variant program of the Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service with a concentration in Judaic Studies includes a year in Israel followed by two years of up to 50 units of communal service classes and one year of fieldwork in a communal setting. Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service for HUC-JIR Rabbinical Students Rabbinical students from any campus of HUC-JIR may apply for matriculation in the M.A.J.C.S. program as participants in a special 14-month program (not counted towards the normal five-year rabbinical course). All requirements for the degree must be completed within this period of time on the Los Angeles campus. Master of Public Art Studies/Master of Arts, Jewish Communal Service The Master of Public Arts Studies/Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service dual degree program is for students who wish to apply their community-based practice to art programming, administration, advocacy and educational outreach within the Jewish community. The paired research facilities at the University of Southern California and Hebrew Union College -- Jewish Institute of Religion provide exceptional training for the public art professional looking to specialize in Jewish cultural outreach. Graduates of the dual degree will obtain the skills and valuable experience to pursue careers as change agents within the Jewish community, and as art leaders, cultural planners and community advocates. Double Master's Programs (Completed in cooperation with USC and other schools) Double Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service and Social Work HUC-JIR offers a double master's program in Jewish communal service and social work with the University of Southern California's School of Social Work; with Washington University's George Warren Brown School of Social Work, St. Louis, Missouri; and with the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. It is designed for those individuals interested in direct service and as well as those interested in community organizing, fund raising, planning and management Double Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service and Public Administration A double master's program in Jewish communal service and public administration is offered with the University of Southern California's School of Policy, Planning and Development. For those with a particular interest in politics, a year's internship in Sacramento, California, is available. The program has been developed in conjunction with professional leaders in the major community relations and public affairs agencies of the American Jewish community. Double Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service and Master of Business Administration This new dual degree program, offered in conjunction with the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, is designed for those preparing for or who are already engaged in careers in management and administration. Students will have the opportunity to take business courses in a variety of concentrations including entrepreneurship, financial analysis, marketing, information systems, strategic human resources management, and service operations, as well as fully participate in the activities of the Marshall School. In lieu of HUC-JIR's requirement of the GRE, the GMAT serves as an admission requirement for both schools. These degree programs are completed within a 24-month calendar period. Each requires a different pattern of residence with the respective university involved. Details on the programs are available through the Office of Admissions, School of Jewish Communal Service. Double Master's Programs Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service and Communications Management This double degree program offers in-depth study in an emerging field: communication in social service. The School and the Annenberg School for Communication, located on the University of Southern California campus, have joined forces to offer graduate study of communication theory, processes, and technologies combined with education in communal service. Admissions Prerequisites We seek the best candidates for our programs. A minimum undergraduate G.P.A. of a 3.0 and an above average score in the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are prerequisite expectations for admissions (the GMAT is required for the MBA program). A Hebrew proficiency requirement must be met by the time of graduation. The student will be expected to have mastered the equivalent of one year of college-level Hebrew. Procedures Contact the Admissions Office for more information and for an application. All applications are due by February 1 of the preceding academic year. Tuition and Fees Information on tuition and fees available here. Financial Aid The School sponsors a generous financial aid program designed to bring the benefits of a degree in Jewish communal service within reach of everyone who wants to pursue this career path. Government loans are available to students who qualify for such assistance. Go to directly to Financial Aid. Faculty and Administration - Steven F. Windmueller, PhD - Dean; Adjunct Professor of Jewish Communal Service - Richard A. Siegel - Interim Director, School of Jewish Communal Service - Lori Klein - Assistant Director, School of Jewish Communal Service - Sarah Bunin Benor - faculty - Other HUC-JIR/LA faculty - Field instructors For additional faculty, go directly to Faculty and Administration. Field Work Field instruction is an essential component of the School of Jewish Communal Service program. By means of selected, organized opportunities, and guided by educational objectives, field work engages students in experiential learning which requires them to bring together and to integrate for professional use cognitive learning, professional values, and activities which will enhance skill and critical analysis of practice in Jewish communal service settings. Home to one of the largest and most ethnically diverse Jewish populations in the world, Southern California has a vitality and extraordinary array of cultural options, events, and resources not found anywhere else. This vast human mosaic translates into numerous fieldwork opportunities. Over 40 local social service agencies, federation departments, and congregations maintain an ongoing relationship with the School and provide our students with supervised internships. These internships are designed to meet the needs of each individual student. The following agencies are a part of the field program: Los Angeles-Jewish Family Service; Jewish Community Relations Committee; Anti-Defamation League; American Jewish Committee; Bureau of Jewish Education; National Council of Jewish Women; Jewish Community Centers; Vista del Mar; Jewish Home for the Aging; Cedars-Sinai Hospital; Jewish Vocational Service; Jewish Free Loan; Jewish Federation; Jewish Big Brothers;Progressive Jewish Alliance;AIPAC; Beit T'shuvah Halfway House; Long Beach Jewish Community Federation; Orange County-Jewish Family Services; Jewish Federation of Orange County; area synagogues; St. Louis-Jewish Community Centers; Jewish Family and Children's Service; Jewish Federation; Pittsburgh-Jewish Federation; Jewish Family Service; Jewish Community Center; United Jewish Communities; Washington, D.C.-United Jewish Communities; American Jewish Congress; National Council of Jewish Women; United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Washington. SJCS Course Offering (2008-2009) NOTE: (*) = Credits
SJCS students may take other HUC courses as electives. Additional Seminars A requirement of the Masters of Jewish Communal Service is the Israel Seminar. There are approximately 80 class hours held at HUC-JIR in Jerusalem devoted to the study of society and Jewish identity in Israel, with emphasis on their relationship to Jewish life in the Diaspora. Study tours of social agencies, settlements, development towns, and educational and cultural institutions are integrated with the course work. The course is offered every other year (even-numbered years), beginning in mid-December. Applications must be received by September 1. Contact the School for registration and fee information. In some years the School offers additional study trips, such as the New York Experience and a trip to Germany with Bridge of Understanding. Thesis/Project Requirement All School of Jewish Communal Service students are required to submit a thesis or project. A thesis is a work of original social research using qualitative and/or quantitative methods. Past thesis topics have included:
Some examples include:
For the thesis/project forms, click here (PDF format). |
