Master's and Graduate Certificate in Israel Education | GSEHD

Advancing Excellence in Israel Education

The profession of Israel education combines several diverse fields, among them Israel studies, philosophy of education, curriculum development and pedagogy, educational leadership, and theories and practices of working with people.

Created through a partnership between The iCenter and the George Washington University, with generous support from the Marcus Foundation, our Israel Education program is the first of its kind to be offered at a major university in the U.S. It brings together cohorts of Jewish educators, leaders and changemakers to learn new methods and techniques for Israel education.

Program participants earn a graduate certificate following the successful completion of 15 credits of coursework in Year 1. Academically eligible students may advance to the master's degree, an additional 15 credits of coursework in Year 2.

The program incorporates a focus on experiential education in informal educational venues, which are a growing niche within the Jewish education enterprise, as well as formal educational activities. We invite you to also explore our Master's in Experiential Jewish Education.

Accessible + Flexible
- Generous merit scholarships are offered for all students.
- The hybrid learning structure is designed to accommodate working professionals.

Commitment to Collaborative Learning
The cohort model allows peers to collaborate, learn from each other, and develop a professional network. We believe students are active participants in their own learning, and through that, can become partners in forging new directions in the field.

Renowned Faculty
Learn with and from faculty members who are active and experienced working professionals with real-world insights into the field of Israel education.

Our Israel Education program offers a unique model of advanced professional studies for this emerging and exciting field, featuring an intensive learning experience in Israel, vision-based learning, and individualized mentoring.

Outside of GW’s formal study of Jewish history, politics and culture, the university has a strong Jewish community among its student population. With approximately 20% of students identifying as Jewish, supporting Jewish education and student life is a priority at GW.

Master of Arts in Education and Human Development in the Field of Israel Education
-and/or-
Graduate Certificate in Israel Education

Educational Leadership

Hybrid

Fall

Code	Title
Required
Three online courses (Fall and Spring):
EDUC 6803	Introduction to Experiential Jewish Education
EDUC 6811	Foundations of Contemporary Israel
EDUC 6812	American Jews and Modern Israel
Two three-day intensive face-to-face seminars on site (Fall):
EDUC 6810	Paideia and Jewish Education
An 8-day learning experience in Israel (Summer):
EDUC 6813	The Israel Educational Experience

Code	Title
Required
EDUC 6803 - online	Introduction to Experiential Jewish Education (included in grad cert.)
EDUC 6804	Applied Research in Experiential Jewish Education
EDUC 6810	Paideia and Jewish Education (included in grad cert.)
EDUC 6811 - online	Foundations of Contemporary Israel (included in grad cert.)
EDUC 6812	American Jews and Modern Israel (included in grad cert.)
EDUC 6813	The Israel Educational Experience (included in grad cert.)
EDUC 6814 - online	Teaching and Learning Hebrew Language
EDUC 6815 - 4-day on-site seminar (Spring)	Culturalism and Israel Education
EDUC 6816 - online	Professional Portfolio in Israel Education
Electives
6 credits of elective courses, selected in consultation with advisor* (Including new course offering: EDUC 6100 Multidimensional Approaches to Israel Education - online)

Apply Now

GSEHD’s Office of Admissions invites you to apply for a spot in our program.

Application Process:

Step 1: Complete the initial online written application by March 22, 2024.
Step 2: Selected applicants will receive an invitation to interview with program faculty. Interviews will take place between April 1 - May 17, 2024.
Step 3: Before the interview, candidates must submit the following documents:
- Unofficial undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) transcript(s)
- Professional letter of reference
Step 4: The iCenter admissions committee will recommend select applicants for admission to GW/GSEHD. These applicants will then submit a formal application to GW via the university’s online portal.
- Review our step-by-step guide to applying to GSEHD >

For questions about the application, contact Jake Shulman, jake@theicenter.org.

To learn more about the program, GSEHD admission process, and upcoming events, please connect with the GSEHD Admissions Team at education@gwu.edu or 202-994-9283.

Schedule Consultation with Admissions Counselor

To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the online application form as well as the following required supporting documents. There is no application fee.

Prerequisite: Bachelor's Degree
Resume
Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
Statement of Purpose (250-500 words)
Two Letters of Recommendation

*Additional application requirements may exist for international applicants.

The application deadline for Cohort 7 is March 22, 2024.

We encourage you to apply as early as possible. For more information or to inquire about the next admissions cycle, contact the GSEHD Admissions Team at education@gwu.edu or 202-994-9283.

Thanks to generous support from the Marcus Foundation, all students accepted into the program receive significant scholarship benefits.

Year One (Grad Cert.): Each student receives significant scholarship funds and is only responsible for $4,800, with the hope that students’ employers will assist in the funding of their participation.
Year Two (Master's): Each student receives significant scholarship funds and is responsible for only $6,900, with the hope that students’ employers will assist in the funding of their participation.

Learn more about scholarships, grants & financial aid

Graduate tuition is charged per credit hour, unless otherwise noted. Rates vary by program and location.

The tuition rate* for the Israel Education program is $1,230 per credit hour. The graduate degree requires 15 credits, and the master's degree requires and additional 15 credits (30 credits total).

Please note: Additional fees may apply for international students, late fees, etc. Current tuition rates may be updated during the year.

*Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

View the current fee chart

Scholarships are available to eligible admitted students. Review eligibility requirements and learn more about funding your education >

The Master's Degree program helped me build competence and confidence in my personal pedagogy and knowledge of Israel and Jewish education. As a result, I find myself thinking more critically about how theories of education play into my profession.

Bekkah Gold
-Cohort 5 RootOne

Not only did we talk about experiential education, but that's also how we learned. We created personal and professional connections. The faculty met our individual needs and, together, this made the learning meaningful and successful.

Jason Steckler
-Cohort 3 Onward Israel

The degree program gave me a superstructure, an organizational path, to approach the education that I do – and a new pedagogical infrastructure for everything my team does around Israel education, always placing the learner at the center.

Tina Malka
-Cohort 1 Hillel International

The Graduate Degree program gave me the academic foundation and tools - the technical language and pedagogical theories - to advance as a professional committed to raising the expectations and experiences of future generations.

Adam Blue
-Cohort 4 StandWithUs

Career Outlook

The field of Israel Education is one of the most important new areas of Jewish professional growth and impact in the 21st century. Our programs are aimed at Jewish educators and communal professionals who want to make Israel education a full-time profession, as well as Jewish professionals (educators, community and organizational leaders, clergy) who want to develop competencies for Israel education.

Israel Education Career Opportunities

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With a graduate degree in Israel education, you can pursue a variety of career paths related to education, Jewish studies, cultural exchange, and intercultural understanding. Here are some potential career options:

Israel Educator: You can work as an Israel educator, designing and implementing educational programs that focus on Israel's history, culture, politics, and society. This role can be found in Jewish day schools, community centers, Jewish organizations, or educational institutions.
Curriculum Developer: With your expertise in Israel education, you can develop curriculum materials and resources for schools, organizations, and institutions that aim to teach about Israel. This can involve creating lesson plans, educational activities, and multimedia content.
Jewish Community Educator: Many Jewish communities and organizations employ educators who specialize in Israel education to engage community members and foster a connection to Israel. This role may involve organizing events, leading workshops, and developing educational initiatives.
Israel Experience Coordinator: In universities or organizations that facilitate Israel experience programs, you can work as a coordinator specifically focusing on Israel experiences. You would help students with logistics, cultural integration, and educational programming during their time in Israel.
Cultural Exchange Specialist: With a graduate degree in Israel education, you can work as a cultural exchange specialist, promoting mutual understanding and collaboration between Israeli and international communities. This may involve organizing exchange programs, facilitating dialogue, and fostering cross-cultural communication.
Nonprofit Work: Many nonprofit organizations focus on Israel-related initiatives and projects. You can work for these organizations in various capacities, such as program management, community engagement, advocacy, or fundraising.
Research and Policy Analysis: With advanced knowledge in Israel education, you can pursue research positions in educational institutions, think tanks, or policy organizations. You can contribute to research projects, conduct evaluations, and provide recommendations for educational policies related to Israel.
Education Consultant: As an education consultant, you can offer your expertise to schools, organizations, and institutions seeking guidance on Israel education. You can provide advice, develop strategies, and assist in the implementation of Israel-focused educational initiatives.

Potential Employment Settings