Jewish Studies: Your Pathway to Success!
A degree in Jewish Studies provides a strong foundation for launching your career in a world of diverse identities, ethnicities, languages, and narratives. Our graduates are educators, religious leaders, policy makers, diplomats, curators, and historians. They provide legal services, work for non-profits, advocate for human rights, and work in media and communications.
Students of Jewish Studies gain critical thinking skills, become culturally literate, and excel in the historical analysis of the Jewish people and Jewish history. Students learn how Jewish people and Judaism have shaped the human experience.
Students who graduate with a BA in Jewish Studies go on to work in public and private education, become rabbis, camp directors, or religious educators. They work in government and diplomacy, in the Foreign Service, and for the State Department. Our alums are museum curators and historians. They work for non-profits, write grants, are program administrators, and do community outreach. A BA in Jewish Studies prepares your for a career in public policy and immigration and human rights law. We have alumni serving as the Press Secretary for the House of Representatives, writing for news organizations, and creating content for social media. Jewish Studies BAs work for NGOs, in Middle East affairs, and provide international humanitarian aid.
To find your path forward today. Contact JewishStudies@ku.edu.
Learn, experience, network and prepare as you explore flexible pathways to the Jewish Studies major.
To learn more, contact Jewish Studies, visit the University Career Center, and explore Student Pathways. Pursue internship opportunities and meet with a Career Advisor. Consider studying abroad in Europe or the Middle East, or discover volunteer opportunities through the Center for Service Learning and build your Mentoring+ profile. When you're ready, the University Career Center can help you with interview prep and prepare you in other ways for your next great adventure.
First year students should enroll in a First Year Seminar course and two introductory courses in Jewish studies, including Hebrew to build a strong foundation for the major. They should visit the Career Center and learn about Student Pathways, declare a major in Jewish Studies, and become a member of the Jewish Studies Learning Community. Taking the Pathway Assessment with a Career Center advisor as well as meeting with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Jewish Studies will help you determine the course of your studies.
Second year students should enroll in a course on Jewish Religion and Jewish History and/or Culture, keeping in mind that many of our courses fulfill the Core 34 requirements. Now is the time to explore internships and opportunities to study abroad, attend campus and community events sponsored by the Jewish Studies Program, and as always, keep in touch with your Career Advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies!
Third year students should take a course in Israel Studies and two additional courses in any Jewish Studies elective, consider a course in Service Learning, and dive deep into the local and regional community of non-profits and organizations. Apply for study abroad; submit your research or your essays to be considered for a Danciger Award in Jewish Studies; and plan an internship for your senior year. Consider professors who can serve as references for jobs or post-graduate applications; establish your LinkedIn account; and keep attending Jewish Studies events to fulfill the JSLC requirements. Show up for grad school and career fairs and continue to check in with your Career Advisor and the DUS.
Seniors! You're almost ready to launch! Enroll in an Independent Study in Jewish Studies and a Capstone Research course. Present your research at the Center for Undergraduate Research and with the Jewish Studies faculty and students and apply for the Danciger Research Award in Jewish Studies. Connect with professionals at campus networking events and Jewish Studies Learning Community Events. Apply for jobs, post-graduate internships, and graduate school. Make sure to use the Career Center's interview prep services and sit down with the DUS to make sure you're ready to walk down the hill and become an official KU alum! Rock Chalk!