Candidates in the concurrent program may pursue the Jewish Teacher Education Program, a course of study designed to prepare teachers of Hebrew Language and Jewish Studies under guidelines established by the Faculty in consultation with the Board of Jewish Education in Toronto. This program is unique in North America preparing teacher candidates to teach in public schools and Jewish day schools.
This two-degree program is a part of the Concurrent Education Program and is jointly offered by the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education in cooperation with the Toronto Board of Jewish Education. The program includes a series of courses in educational methodology and Jewish Studies, as well as a supervised practicum experience that gives teacher candidates experience in both community settings and Hebrew Day schools. Many students also include a year's study in an Israeli university as a part of their program. Those interested should view the Study Abroad Checklist. Both the BA and BEd are usually completed in five years of university study.
Jewish Teacher Education students must complete Modern Hebrew 3000 before their ED2 year and practicum placement. This may be accomplished during Year 1 of university, during ED1, or during a Stopout year prior to entering ED2. This may be accomplished at York University, at an Israeli university, or at an Israeli university's Ulpan. (Students may turn to the Centre for Jewish Studies for information about scholarship applications for study at an Israeli university.) Students should contact the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics (416) 736-5016 for an appointment for placement in the appropriate Hebrew language level.
Students who successfully complete the Jewish Teacher Education Program receive:
Program graduates are teaching in Jewish day schools across North America. A small number have become principals, university professors, leaders in informal Jewish education, and educational specialists in a variety of fields.
Courses in York's Jewish Studies program are offered in several departments including: Humanities, Languages, History, Psychology, Sociology and Social Science. Courses cover the Jewish experience from biblical times to present day and include the study of classical and modern texts.
York is one of a small number of North American universities offering Jewish Studies courses conducted in Hebrew. Following several years in the field of Jewish education, graduates of the Jewish Teacher Education program are invited to apply to the joint York U/Hebrew U Graduate Diploma in Jewish Studies for Educators.
Scholarships and loans are available to qualified students. York also offers several scholarships each year to students who wish to pursue studies in Israel. Special scholarships are available to students as a part of the York-Western Canada Jewish Teacher Initiative.
More information can be found in the undergraduate calendar.
How to Apply: Concurrent BEd | How to Apply: Part-Time Consecutive BEd
