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 School of Education, New York Master of Arts in Religious Education (M.A.R.E.) The School of Education in New York offers a Master of Arts in Religious Education (M.A.R.E.) degree in several formats: a three-year full-time degree which begins with a year in Israel; a longer part-time M.A.R.E. degree, for those students who need a more flexible setting (mid-career change students with less mobility; and practitioners already in Jewish education who want to upgrade their credentials; or for general educators who wish to work in Jewish education). Each student will complete the same Judaic and Education Core courses and a supervised internship in his/her chosen specialized area. Students will be prepared to work as leaders in all areas of the Jewish community: synagogue, religious schools, day schools, camps, central agencies and communal organizations, while developing specific skills in one of two areas of specialization. Areas of Specialization to be offered:
Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree from an approved college or university, including a minimum of two years of college level Hebrew, or the equivalent. Application for admissions must include complete transcripts. Records are to be sent from the institution issuing the transcript to the School of Education in New York. In addition, applicants must take either the GRE or TOEFL test, submit an autobiographical statement discussing what has led the applicant to pursue the M.A.R.E. degree and have an interview with the Admission's Committee. All communications regarding admission should be addressed to the New York School of Education. Hebrew and Judaica: To be accepted into the M.A.R.E. program, a candidate must demonstrate two years of college-level Hebrew proficiency. Several alternatives will be available to help students achieve the required Hebrew level, including: study at the Jerusalem learning site; a Mechina program at HUC-JIR's New York learning site; distance learning Hebrew courses; and intensive Hebrew immersion programs at other local institutions. The program begins with all students attending an 8-week summer seminar in Israel, together with beginning rabbinical, cantorial and education students from the other state-side HUC-JIR campuses. Students will participate in HUC-JIR's summer ulpan, a specialized touring program and Jewish literacy classes. All students are required to take intensive Hebrew classes throughout their program. In the first stateside year, there is a 3-credit Hebrew course in the fall, which focuses on the continued building of Hebrew language skills, and a 3-credit Hebrew liturgy course in the spring.
Following the Year in Israel
SPECIALIZATION COURSES (In any given semester, one- two of the following courses will be offered in each area of specialization.)
Professional Training and Development Israel Experience All part-time students who choose to complete a MARE degree are required to participate in a two-week mid-winter semi-annual Israel seminar. Students spend time in Reform communities of Haifa and Jerusalem, meet with Israeli educators and reflect on their own personal relationship with Israel. They also try to determine how to bring Israel home to their communities. Year-In-Israel Program All full-time students spend their first year of study at the Jerusalem campus. Upon return to the New York school, they would complete two additional years, making it a three-year program. The year in Israel course of study includes as special education seminar for both NY and LA education students. Students precede the year with an 8-week ulpan at HUC. Education students participate in all Hebrew and Judaic courses which rabbinic and cantorial students also take. This is a preparatory year for all the Judaica and Hebrew courses which follow state-side. Special Student Status Students entering the program with a b Judaica background may be awarded credits for graduate level courses in Judaica and Hebrew, on a case-by-case basis. Transcripts must be submitted and will be evaluated by the Director of the program. Rabbinical students in their third year may choose to enter the M.A.R.E program. They will be exempt from comparable classes, in the Judaic core, taken towards the rabbinical degree, as well as the Foundations in Jewish Education course, required for all second-year rabbinical students. An additional year of school is required to complete both programs. Students entering the program with an M.A. in General Education (without any teaching or administrative experience in a Jewish institution) will need to complete the Judaica, Hebrew, and Jewish education cores. They may be exempt from: Human Development, Leadership and Supervision and Curriculum: Planning and Evaluation, for a total of 9 credits, upon evaluation of their transcripts and experience by the Director of the program. Thesis/Project All students (working with an individual faculty advisor) must write a thesis, and an educational unit or curriculum related to their area of research. Students must present a portion of their education project to the entire HUC-JIR NY school community at a Senior Education Practicum. Clinical Supervision The NYSOE Clinical Faculty will include many senior practitioners from the NY metropolitan area. Students will be assigned clinical faculty within their area of specialization. Clinical faculty will observe and supervise students at their internships/jobs. The clinical faculty will meet with each individual student they supervise, and monthly with all the students they supervise, to foster the creation of a community of learners among the students. The clinical faculty will also meet, as a group, to review the students' progress and for training on individualized methods of guidance. Scholar-In-Residence The School of Education sponsors a Scholar-In-Residence Program, which invites experts in the field to teach the M.A.R.E. students, as well as the entire HUC-JIR community. The Education Scholar-In-Residence participates in the College-Institute Symposium Program, which brings rabbis, cantors and educators together for study on a regular basis. Alumni-In-Residence The School of Education sponsors an Alumni-In-Residence Program for M.A.R.E. students. Outstanding graduates of HUC-JIR are invited to meet with students in a seminar format. Graduates working as principals, family educators, adult educators, teen workers, etc., discuss the successes and problems they have encountered professionally. Tuition and Fees Go to Tuition and Fees. Financial Aid HUC-JIR has a generous scholarship program based on need. Grants from the college-institute for those eligible are in varying amounts. Applicants for financial aid must file an application with the Graduate and Professional Student Financial Aid Service. This is handled through the office of the Associate Dean. Course Offerings Required and elective courses offered through the Rabbinical School. Please note that some of these courses are not offered every year, and that students must consult the Course Bulletin at the beginning of each semester to determine what is available. Education and Core Required Courses Foundations of Jewish Education This course presents the theoretical foundations of education in general and Jewish education in particular. All theories will be applied to the Jewish classroom and evaluated, as students are introduced to materials and methods currently in use in Jewish institutions. Teaching and Learning A survey course which introduces the student to both theories and practice of Jewish education and general education: early childhood, elementary, intermediate and high school age children; adult learning and family learning theories and life-cycle issues. Teaching and Learning (II) (a clinical field-based requirement) Presents the student with opportunities to reflect on their own teaching styles, while learning how to examine and investigate the dynamic relationship between the learner, the teacher and the content. Students will be observed in the field, by an on-site clinical faculty member, and by an HUC faculty member. Jewish Education in America and Contemporary IssuesA history of Jewish education as it developed in America, and how the community for which it was created has changed over the years. Students we be introduced to the latest studies and challenges, which face the field today and how those challenges affect Jewish education in America today. Human Development This course examines the interactions of cognitive, social, emotional, linguistic, physical, moral, spiritual and neurological domains in the developing human. Development from infancy through adulthood is investigated with a focus on people as makers of meaning in relation to the systems with which they interact. Curriculum: Planning and Evaluation Through the investigation of various Jewish curricula in the field, students will learn about curriculum development theory and evaluation. Organizational Dynamics and Change Theory The study of organizations as systems (within the Jewish educational institutions in particular) and how change within a system is impacts the entire system will be studied. Students will develop an understanding of how shared visions and shared goals can help improve the institutions in which they work. Educational Leadership and Supervision (I) (field-based requirement) What does it mean to be a leader and how does that affect one's management style? What skills and practices have been successfully introduced into Jewish educational institutions and how can effective leaders supervise with the goal of professional development and growth? Students will be observed by an on-site clinical faculty member, and by an HUC faculty member. Administration and Staff Development (II) What perspectives must be considered when working to promote the growth and development of staffs within Jewish educational institutions? The methods of observation, models of supervision and approaches to evaluation will be discussed. How does self-reflection relate to the concept of staff development? M.A.R.E. Seminar (required non-credit seminar) A special seminar for M.A.R.E. students, is held during breakfast and/or lunch time-slots. The seminar engages students in discussion with practitioners in the field from all areas of the Jewish world. Independent Study Must be approved by the Director of the School of Education and may not exceed 6 credits. Courses from outside HUC-JIR Graduate education courses may be taken at New York University to fulfill a portion of the education courses with approval of the Director of the School of Education. Graduate Jewish Studies courses may be taken at the Jewish Theological Seminary or the Drisha Institute for Jewish Education with the approval of the Director of the School.In-service credit for teachers in public schools and other school systems will usually be granted for courses taken on the graduate level. Students who seek such credit should register for graduate courses. Approval for such credit should be secured from supervisors and local school boards. Special Programs M.A.R.E. and Rabbinical Ordination Midway through the M.A.R.E. program, student can apply to the Rabbinical program and complete the two program simultaneously. Third-year students can apply to the M.A.R.E. program and complete the program either in one-year, as a full-time education student, or, by completing both programs during their 4th, 5th and 6th years at HUC-JIR. In some rare cases, rabbinic students have been able to complete both programs during their five years in rabbinical school. This requires taking additional courses during the evenings each semester, and during the summers. Summer Institute Program Special three-long institutes are offered each summer. The School will bring together specialists and practitioners from the field and professors from the College-Institute to teach at the institute. Courses are planned in such areas as: Text Study, Supervision and Administration, Reform Judaism, Distance Learning, Family and Adult Education, Informal Education, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, etc. Course may be taken for credit, or non-credit and are open to educators in the field. Miller High School Honors Program A special two-year high school honors program for students entering 11th and 12th grades from congregations in the greater New York metropolitan area. The program, funded by Ms. Claire Miller and the Fund for Jewish Education, provides committed Reform high school students the opportunity to study Jewish texts, liturgy and Reform Judaism, while meeting with lay and professional leaders from the Reform movement. The program is taught and supervised by qualified graduate students and faculty from the HUC-JIR. Continuing Education Program* The New York School of Education offers a Continuing Education Program including evening courses and a three-week long Summer Institute. Certificate Programs (which will be applicable to the M.A.R.E. degree program) require that students complete 18 credits in a specialized area, and a clinical internship in that area. Leadership Institute for Congregational School Principals This is a joint project of the NY School of Education and the School of Education at JTS, and is aimed at the Professional Development of educators (both professional and a vocational) in the field. The goals of the program will be to strengthen the leadership skills of Jewish educators through study in Jewish leadreship, Judaica and pedagogy. Participants in this program work with a mentor, complete an action research project, work on an individual learning plan and spend 10 days in Israel. Day School Leadership Education Program* The New York School of Education at HUC-JIR, in cooperation with local schools of education in New York City, will offer a joint Masters Degree for Jewish Day School teachers. Teachers will be prepared to work in Reform and Community Day Schools. Working with an on-site clinical faculty member and an HUC faculty member, students will be placed in classrooms in the greater NYC area. This program is open to teachers, working in public or private secular schools or general studies teachers working in Jewish day school programs, who want to work as Jewish day school teachers, and/ or career change students wishing to teach in Jewish day schools. *Please call the School of Education office for further information on both of these programs. |
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