Joint Degree Options in
Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies

JD/MA || MBA/MA || MSW/MA || Joint MA in Education

Students in a Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies joint-degree program study Jewish, Islamic, and Near Eastern society, history and culture, combined with their professional training in law (JD/MA) or business (MBA/MA), social work (MSW/MA - this program is currently available only to those pursuing a Masters of Arts in Jewish Studies), and in education. After graduation these men and women join a specialized group of professionals who are able to combine legal, business, social work, and educational skills with their particular focus in Jewish, Islamic and the Near Eastern Studies. These joint-degree programs are demanding. Before entering one of these programs, each student is expected to have the skills needed for the professional school as well as a background in a particular area of Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies

The special structure created by the Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies Program and the professional schools for the joint degrees enables students to work efficiently, both in terms of time and cost, through the two programs. The JD/MA is typically completed in 7-8 semesters, the MBA/MA in 5-6 semesters, and the MSW/MA in 5-6 semesters. These joint programs are structured to provide rigorous integrated training, but they are also flexible enough to meet each student's individual needs. The specifics of each student's curriculum are fashioned in consultation with advisers in both the JINES Program and the chosen professional school. Thesis options, study abroad, and internships are available for both programs; these usually require an additional semester in residence.

JD/MA
JD/MA students may undertake language work in their first year, but substantive study of Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies begins in the third semester. Students must take courses in Jewish or Islamic law, write a research paper on a Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern law topic, and complete two writing seminars in JINES studies. Students are required to complete at least the third level (or the equivalent) of one Near Eastern Language. Courses are cross-listed between degrees upon approval of the student's advisor and the coordinator of the Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern joint-degree programs.

JD/MA Sample Course of Study
1st Year
     Law Courses 29
     JINES 0
(Note: some students study language and reduce law by one course.)

2nd Year
     Law 17
     JINES 6
     Advanced Language 6

3rd Year
     Law 20
     JINES 3
     Advanced Language 3

7th Semester
     Law 10
     Seminar/Independent Research 3

Total Credit Hours
     Law 76
     JINES 21

Cross-Listed Credit Hours
     Law 9
     JINES 9

Degree Credits
     Law 85
     JINES 30

MBA/MA
MBA/MA students begin taking courses in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies in their first semester; they are advised to pursue language training in their first year. These students are required to complete at least one international business course and two writing seminars in Jewish, Islamic, and Near Eastern Studies. MBA/MA students must also complete at least the third level (or the equivalent). Courses are cross-listed upon approval of the student's advisor and the coordinator of Near Eastern Studies' joint-degree programs.

MBA/MA Sample Course of Study
1st Year Bus. A&S
     Business 21
     JINES 3
     Advanced Language 3

2nd Year
     Business 18
     JINES 6
     Advanced Language 6

3rd Year
     Intern/Study Semester Abroad
     Business 6
     Advanced Language 3
     Seminar/Independent Research 3

Total Credit Hours Taken
     Business 45
     JINES 24

Cross-Listed Credit Hours
     Business 15
     JINES 6

Degree Credits
     Business 60
     JINES 30

MSW/MA
The George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University , in conjunction with the Washington University Program in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies (JINES), offers students the opportunity to obtain a Master of Social Work and a Master of Arts degree in Jewish Studies.

The dual degree program is designed for students who are primarily interested in careers within the Jewish community that stress the integration of social work knowledge, values and skills with studies in the Jewish community, Hebrew and Judaism. Through a course of study, students are able to prepare for a wide variety of career opportunities in community leadership, social policy/advocacy, group services, program development, and direct practice. Graduates are prepared to become leaders in the Jewish community.

Students admitted to the program complete 60 credits in the MSW program and 30 in the MAJS program. The foundation course, American Jewish Community, will provide a comprehensive overview of the development and structure of the contemporary American Jewish community and the field of Jewish communal service. Students will have the opportunity to complete the foundation practicum at one the local GWB affiliated Jewish agencies (as part of a field unit) and the concentration practicum in Israel. Given the wide range of choices, MSW/MAJS students select from among the 5 concentration (and the individualized option) areas offered and complete a specialization.

Students must meet admissions requirements for both programs and complete separate applications.

MSW/MAJS Degree Requirements

MSW Degree: 60 Credit Hours Required
Social Work Foundation
     Courses                         21 credit hours
     Practicum                        4 credit hours
Social Work Concentration
     Course                          18 credit hours
     Practicum                        5 credit hours
Electives                             12 credit hours
Total MSW Degree            60 credit hours

MAJS Degree: 30 Credit Hours Required
JINES Courses                 21 credit hours
Hebrew                               6 credit hours
Electives cross listed            3 credit hours
Total MAJS Degree           30 credit hours

Joint MA in Education
Joint MA students begin taking courses in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies in their first semester; they are advised to pursue language training in the first semester. These students are required to complete two writing seminars in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies. Joint MA students must also complete at least the third level (or equivalent) of one Near Eastern language. Courses cross-listed upon approval of the student's advisor and the director of the Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies programs.

Washington University in St. Louis
Program in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies
Campus Box 1121; One Brookings Drive; St. Louis, MO 63130-4899