Jewish Studies, BA
Develop a nuanced understanding of Jews and Judaism, and examine the social and cultural contributions Jewish communities have made to the societies where they live, from antiquity to the present. Ground your studies in Jewish history and culture.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Jewish Studies, BA degree description
The Bachelor of Arts program in Jewish studies offers you a transdisciplinary, cross-cultural and temporally expansive program of study. In the program, you focus both on the study of Judaism as a religion and on Jewishness as a distinct set of cultural values, peoplehood and historical legacy.
As with other degree programs in the humanities or social sciences, a BA program in Jewish studies provides you with an intellectual balance and complement to the study of science and technology. By engaging the Jewish experience as both a historical and contemporary reality, the program facilitates your enhanced cultural, historical and global awareness.
In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, if you are interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, you can visit The College's website for more information and requirements.
Why study Jewish studies at ASU?
At ASU, the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies is home to Jewish Studies, a hybrid that functions as both an academic program and a research center. It serves as an intellectual resource for every dimension of the Jewish experience, including philosophical and political perspectives and the study of Judaism, and it hosts multiple annual conferences supported by local partners.
You can also move faster toward an advanced credential. ASU offers an accelerated master's option that lets you earn a bachelor's degree in Jewish studies and a master's degree in one of a number of global management subjects in as few as five years.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| JST 210 Introduction to Judaism |
| HST 211 Jews and Judaism in America |
| HST 230 Introduction to Jewish Civilization |
| JST 490 Methods of Historical Inquiry |
| ENG 333 American Ethnic Literature |
| ENG 356 The Bible as Literature |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Study abroad programs can help students connect the past to the present. Judaism dates back to ancient times, and people of this heritage can be found all over the world. Students can immerse themselves in places that hold much significance for Jewish peoples, whether in Israel or elsewhere in the diaspora.
Participation in one of the more than 300 available Global Education programs can provide practical experience that complements skills and lessons learned in the classroom. Studying abroad helps students gain a global perspective and an increased appreciation for the history, philosophy and religion of different cultures. In addition, the experience and understandings gained across borders can aid in a competitive job search.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends these programs for students majoring in Jewish studies.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archivist | 3.4% | $64,550 | Learn more |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | 34.6% | $120,230 | Learn more |
| Cultural Studies Professor | 2.7% | $85,020 | Learn more |
| Editor | -1.1% | $77,920 | Learn more |
| Historian | 3.0% | $76,750 | Learn more |
| Lawyer | 4.7% | $159,670 | Learn more |
| Politician | Not available | Not available | Learn more |
| Public Relations Specialist | 1.8% | $74,750 | Learn more |
| Religion Professor | 2.0% | $80,260 | Learn more |
| Religious Leader | 2.4% | $60,810 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this Jewish studies degree prepares you for
Graduates who receive a bachelor's degree in Jewish studies and pursue a career with one of the hundreds of U.S. companies that do business in Israel have a competitive edge because of their familiarity with Jewish culture.
Jewish studies graduates are also prepared to:
- attend rabbinical seminary in preparation for becoming a community rabbi or chaplain
- engage in world political and economic issues
- pursue advanced education in Jewish professional service fields
The degree also provides a firm foundation for those who wish to pursue advanced degrees related to their area of interest in fields that may include:
- archaeology
- creative writing
- ethics
- film and media
- history
- journalism
- law and justice studies
- philosophy
- political science
- religious studies
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch
|
COOR 4591
SHPRSadvising@asu.edu
480-965-8364
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
