Middle Eastern Languages & Cultures, MA: Hebrew and Judaic Studies

In addition to the MA awarded within the PhD program, Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures (MELC) offers an independent (terminal) MA degree in Hebrew and Judaic Studies. Students may specialize in either Post-Biblical Jewish History and Culture or Modern Hebrew Literature. These tracks offer advanced study in Hebrew literature and language and Jewish tradition, culture, and thought in their Middle Eastern and/or Western contexts, in modern and pre-modern settings.

Students admitted to the MA program are assigned a faculty advisor to guide their studies. Courses, selected in consultation with the advisor, will normally be completed in three semesters. All students, regardless of their concentration, must master at least one of the languages in which the primary sources of MELC's subfields are written. Standards vary by subfield.

For more information: https://melc.sas.upenn.edu/graduate/general-ma-procedures

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Curriculum

View the University’s Academic Rules for Research Master's Programs.

Some MA students apply for MELC’s PhD program. However, admission to the MA program or successful completion of the MA does not provide a guarantee of admission to the PhD program.