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Judaic Studies

Judaic Studies

Program Description

Since its creation in 1995, Judaic Studies has become one of the most dynamic programs in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences. Judaic Studies enjoys four full-time faculty in History, two in Hebrew, and an impressive cast of 11 associated faculty, drawn from many different departments. Our program is large enough to cover all disciplines and small enough for students to develop individual relationships with their instructors. Many students choose to double major, pursue a dual-degree program, or choose to make Judaic Studies a minor.

Graduates have moved on to sought-after careers in the business world, foreign service, government, graduate school, or seminary. Many businesses find Judaic Studies graduates attractive as people who understand diverse backgrounds, possess a global and historical perspective on world events, and have received rigorous training through Hebrew language courses and other high-quality courses. All core Judaic courses are capped at 40 students. Most of our students have had no prior Judaic or Hebrew-language training; the majority of students in our classes are non-Jews.

students reading class material

Degree Options

A Judaic Studies major graduates with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Many students minor in Judaic Studies while receiving their degree in their major department. The Judaic & Israel Studies minor (pdf) allows for each student to select what interests them. Students can mix and match from three focus areas:

  • Israel: Ancient and Modern
  • European Jewry: Medieval to the Holocaust
  • Bible, Jewish Culture & Literature

Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Judaic History are also available as an option in the History Department.

Many Judaic Studies alumni have pursued graduate studies at such prestigious institutions as Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Brandeis and the University of Virginia.

Interests & Skills

A Judaic Studies student typically has interests in religion, politics, history, and human diversity. If your high school interests included reading, writing, foreign languages, travel, community activism or Bible study, this major or minor may be for you.

Notable Achievements

Judaic Studies sponsors a wide variety of campus activities: an annual film series, an annual lecture series, informal brown-bag lunches, and more. Every year, we are able to award numerous scholarships for both study abroad (principally Israel) and at OU's Oklahoma campuses. Our graduate students have attended national conferences and some of our recent graduates are beginning their own academic careers. Our core faculty hold appointments in history and modern languages, and we provide core courses for Religious Studies, International and Area Studies, and many other departments. Judaic Studies faculty are published authors with national and international reputations, active researchers and participants in their field, and enthusiastic teachers. We are exceptionally well-represented at both the Association for Jewish Studies and the World Congress of Jewish Studies, the principal networking sites for the field. Our program director, Alan Levenson, directs the Schusterman Center for Judaic and Israel. He is a widely published expert on the modern Jewish experience. Ms. Katy Hall, our program administrator, provides a welcoming and exceptionally efficient atmosphere.

Your Future

Types of Employers

  • Places of Worship
  • Human Rights Organization
  • International Business & Relations
  • Law Firms
  • Colleges and Universities
  • Secondary Schools
  • Government Agencies (State Department)
  • United States Military and Foreign Service

Recent Graduates Jobs

  • Embassy media officer
  • Department of Defense intelligence officer
  • Lobbyist
  • College professor
  • Secondary school teacher
  • Community center youth counselor
  • Episcopal priest

How much will I make?

Visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website to explore the median pay for jobs you can pursue with this degree. 

Contact Us

Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences The University of Oklahoma

Judaic Studies Program in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences
Phone: (405) 325-6508
E-mail: tryce.hyman-1@ou.edu
Website: judaicstudies.ou.edu