Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations: Classical and Medieval Hebrew Literature

In addition to the MA awarded within the PhD program, NELC offers an independent (terminal) MA degree in Hebrew Literature and Jewish Tradition, which is one of the tracks in NELC's graduate program in Hebrew and Judaic Studies. Students may specialize in either Post-Biblical Jewish History and Culture or Modern Hebrew Literature. These tracks offer advanced study in Hebrew literature and language and Jewish tradition, culture, and thought in their Near Eastern and/or Western contexts, in modern and pre-modern settings.

Students admitted to the MA program are assigned a faculty advisor to guide their studies. Courses, selected in consultation with the advisor, will normally be completed in three semesters. All students, regardless of their concentration, must master at least one of the languages in which the primary sources of NELC's subfields are written. Standards vary by subfield.

Offline Recommendation

Penn strongly prefers that recommenders submit letters of recommendation online through the admissions system. If, however, your recommender is unable to submit an online recommendation, please follow these instructions:

1) Select the “Recommendation Form PDF Download” and download the form.
2) Complete the first section. Be sure to include the address of the appropriate admissions office — refer to the "Contact Graduate Admissions" list below. 
3) Print out the form and provide it to your recommender.

Please note:

• If you are applying to a program in Nursing, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.
• If you are applying to a program in the School of Social Policy & Practice, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.

4) Your recommender should send the form directly to the admissions office you designate, along with the letter of recommendation.