Yeshiva University

What you'll study

The programme emphasises comparative, historical and philological approaches to key texts and ideas from Eastern and Western traditions. Core work typically includes seminars in philosophical and religious thought, comparative literature, methodology in humanities research and a practicum in research skills. Students study primary sources in translation and are encouraged to acquire or strengthen a relevant language for research (for example Hebrew, Classical Chinese, Sanskrit, Arabic or a European language), depending on their focus.

• Core seminars: comparative approaches to philosophy, religion and literature; theory and methods in the humanities.
• Area courses: focused study of Western intellectual history, East Asian thought, South Asian traditions, Jewish textual traditions and Islamic studies, taught in comparative frameworks.
• Language and texts: language training and directed readings to support primary-source research.
• Research component: a supervised capstone project or thesis demonstrating independent research skills and comparative analysis.
• Electives and interdisciplinary options: opportunities to take courses across departments and schools within the university or to pursue internships and curated study tracks in museum studies, digital humanities, or public humanities.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold an accredited bachelor's degree or its international equivalent with strong academic standing. Typical application materials include official transcripts, a statement of academic purpose outlining research interests and how the MA will serve those goals, two or three letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees, and a writing sample that demonstrates the applicant's capacity for close reading and argument (for example, a course essay).

International applicants whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate English proficiency through an accepted test or by meeting the university's exemptions. The programme does not normally require GRE scores, though applicants should check current admissions guidance. Relevant prior coursework in humanities, philosophy, religious studies or languages is advantageous; applicants without a strong language background may be admitted with the expectation that they will undertake language study as part of the degree.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MA in Humanities: East and West pursue varied careers that make use of advanced analytical, research and communication skills. Common pathways include:

• Continuing to doctoral study (PhD) in humanities disciplines such as comparative literature, religious studies, philosophy or area studies.
• Secondary and post-secondary teaching, including curriculum development and educational leadership in independent and faith-based schools.
• Roles in cultural institutions, libraries and museums, including curatorial assistance, education and interpretation.
• Non-profit and public sector work in cultural programming, policy research and international cultural exchange.
• Publishing, journalism, and editorial work that benefits from text-based analysis and cross-cultural literacy.

Why study at Yeshiva University

Yeshiva University offers a distinctive environment combining rigorous secular humanities training with strengths in Jewish studies and broad access to faculty whose research spans classical and modern traditions. Small seminar sizes foster close faculty mentorship and peer discussion. Students benefit from the university's collections, research resources and its location in New York City, which provides rich opportunities for internships, libraries, cultural organisations and academic networking.

The programme is designed for students who want a comparative, text-centred education with options to tailor study toward languages, archival research or interdisciplinary public-facing projects, supported by experienced scholars and personalised advising.