Preparation for students who desire to serve among the Jewish people. This degree is offered in conjunction with Messianic Jewish Theology Academy (MJTA) and Israel College of the Bible (ICB).
Degree Overview
| Total Hours | 74 credit hours |
| Degree Time Limit | 7 years from first DTS class |
| Real-time courses | 4 courses required (Fully Online degree) |
| Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) | 12 hours per academic year |
The following are degree worksheets specific to students who entered the MAJS or reclassified to the MAJS in the following academic years. If students have questions about their specific degree requirements or degree audit, students should contact their academic advisor.
DTS 2023-2024 Jewish Studies Course Descriptions
JS5600 History of the Jewish People
An examination of the evolvement of the Jewish people and their culture from the return from the Babylonian Captivity to the present, with emphasis on the main events and significant personalities throughout the course of ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary history. Attention will also be given to the relationship of the Jewish community to Christianity. 3 hours.
JS5605 History of Judaism and Messianic Judaism
An examination of the rise and evolution of Judaism and Jewish thought—including Messianic Judaism—from Second Temple Judaism through the textual and religious development of Rabbinic, Medieval, and contemporary Judaism. Students will examine the impact of modernity, the Holocaust, and the establishing of the State of Israel on the religious life and thought of the Jewish people. The course will also cover the complex relationship between Judaism and the Messianic Jewish movement. 3 hours.
JS5610 Literature of the Second Temple Period
An exploration of the literature of various Jewish groups and authors in the period of the Second Temple, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, Septuagint, Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Philo, Josephus, and Targums. Special attention is given to the influence of these writings on early Christian thought and their role for understanding the New Testament. 3 hours.
JS5615 Synagogue Worship and Liturgy
An examination of the development of Jewish prayer and synagogue worship as it has evolved from the early rabbinical period to the twenty-first century. Students will be exposed to the basic structure, flow, and content of traditional daily, Shabbat, and Holiday services, along with the major Jewish prayers for weekdays and Shabbat. 3 hours.
JS5620 History of the Jewish-Christian Relations
A survey of church history from the early church to the present day, with emphasis on the church’s interactions with the Jewish people. Attention will be given to the roots, developments, and implications of Christian antisemitism and to the Jewish people’s objection to Jesus. 3 hours.
JS5625 Jewish Outreach and Apologetics
An examination of methods of Jewish outreach and apologetics. Topics addressed include biblical foundations and practical strategies for Jewish outreach, understanding and presenting the Jewishness of the Gospels, Messianic prophecy, and responding to arguments against the Messiahship of Jesus. 3 hours.
JS5630 Rabbinic Literature
An introduction to the rabbinical writings (Mishnah, Tosefta, Talmud, Midrash, etc.). Special attention is given to the historical and cultural contribution of these texts, as well as to their references to the Hebrew Bible, relationship to other texts, influences on the Apostolic Writings and later Rabbinic and Christian writings, and methodological issues. 3 hours.
JS5635 Traditional Jewish Lifestyles
An introduction to traditional Jewish lifecycle events and their application within the Messianic Jewish context. Special attention is given to the Jewish calendar, including High Holidays and their messianic aspect. 3 hours.
JS5655 Messianic Prophecy
A study of messianic prophecy in the Old Testament as it relates to Israel and the nations, showing its fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ. Emphasis is given to Jewish interpretation of prophetic passages as expressed in Jewish literature. Can also be taken as BE5655 Messianic Prophecy. 3 hours.
Priorities
0-24 Credit Hours
- Refer to the degree plan for your entering catalog as an overall guide.
- Register for core courses: BE5101, ST5101, and OT5103 (or OT5101 if needed).
- Request Hebrew proficiency exams (if applicable). Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency for the first year of Hebrew (OT5101 and OT5102). If students are not able to do so, they will need to complete these 6-hours as leveling work and will be additional hours in the degree.
- The Hebrew exams are not available online and must be proctored on-campus or at the student’s location. Please contact Tina Karnes, OT Department Administrative Assistant, about arranging this exam: tkarnes@dts.edu
- OT5101-5102 Advanced Standing Guidelines
- Register for Spiritual Formation (SF5100 – campus; SF5110 – Online). SF5110 Mentored Spiritual Formation requires an application process and will take some time to complete. For questions about Spiritual Formation, please email: sf@dts.edu
- Familiarize yourself with the Academic Success Resource Center for various tools and links to assist with your courses.
- Meet with an academic advisor to discuss:
- What led you to DTS
- What elective courses might be helpful to take. Review the elective information below
- When, where, and what courses to take in Real-time in the coming semesters. (See the Real-Time Courses chart for more information.)
25-50 Credit Hours
How do I select Jewish Studies electives?
Students have 21 credit hours of electives in the MAJS degree. At last 15 credit hours need to be specifically connected to Jewish Studies (MJTA, ICB, or other DTS specific courses related to ministry among Jewish people). The remaining 6 credit hours of electives may be taken from MJTA, ICB, or from the following areas at DTS:
- NT courses
- OT courses
- BE courses
Students might consider the following questions to determine which courses will best equip them for their present ministry and future ministry contexts.
- What areas of knowledge do you wish to acquire?
- What ministry skills do you need to develop or sharpen?
- Where do you anticipate serving? Are there contextual issues you should consider?
- The DTS course schedule page will provide you with a list of courses available. If you click “info” next to a course, you can see the course description and option to download the syllabus to understand what the course involves.
51-74 Credit Hours
Main priorities during this time:
- Start or complete the ministry formation internship (see information above).
- Review remaining degree requirements (including final electives or other core courses) with a DTS academic advisor.
- Apply for graduation (see below).
What is required for Graduation?
- Students must submit the Admission to Candidacy Application (including all references) by the deadline listed for each semester on the Graduation Information page.
- Confirm the Graduation Date listed in the system corresponds to your plan with your Academic Advisor and/or Registrar’s Office. (Update graduation date here)
- Review/Confirm upcoming semester plans with an academic advisor to ensure all degree requirements are met.
- Students should indicate their plans to participate in spring Commencement using the Commencement Ceremony Participation application during the available dates and after being approved for Candidacy.
Messianic Jewish Theological Academy (MJTA) Course Information
MJTA students will take courses in English with German translation provided by MJTA. The Spiritual Formation curriculum (SF5110) will be contextualized and translated into German and facilitated by a MJTA staff member. The Ministry Formation Internship material will also be translated into German.
MJTA courses are taught live (either in Berlin, Germany or in Dallas, Texas) and also are available by remote video (on Zoom or Lifesize).
All MJTA courses are cross-listed as DTS courses and fully count as DTS credit.
MJTA courses will appear on the DTS schedule page with the course code JS5***.
- History of Jewish People
- History of Judaism and Messianic Judaism
- Introduction to Rabbinic Literature and Talmud
- Synagogue Worship and Liturgy
- History of Jewish-Christian Relations
- Literature of Second Temple Period
- Traditional Jewish Lifestyles
- Jewish Outreach and Apologetics
- Ministry in Jewish Contexts
Israel College of the Bible (ICB) Course Information
ICB offers live-ZOOM classes during the Fall and Spring semesters, in addition to excursions to Israel during designated DTS breaks (Fall-Reading Week; Spring-Spring Break). These courses will be treated as transfer credit. As such, they do not fulfill the necessary credit requirements for DTS scholarships, and ICB classes are not eligible for funding with scholarship money. However, ICB provides a reduced price for DTS students. A 3-hour course is priced at $450.
- Messiah in the Hebrew Bible
- Jewish Perspectives on Jesus and the New Testament
- Introduction to Rabbinic Literature
- History of Jewish-Christian Relations
- Introduction to Jewish Philosophy
- Rebirth of Messianic Judaism in the Land of Israel
- Survey of Jewish Biblical Interpretation
- Rashi and Peshat Interpretation of the Bible
- Biblical Geography
- Biblical Archaeology
Further Training After Graduating
Master’s level students keep their current Logos Bible Software package. Future Logos updates or upgrades are the responsibility of each person and not done through DTS.
DTS graduates have three options for further training:
- Self-paced learning through Online Videos – All online courses and lectures are available for graduates to access through the Alumni portal. No application is required.
- Alumni nondegree – Graduates may take additional DTS courses as a nondegree student, either for audit or credit at a reduced rate. If students take courses for Alumni nondegree credit and want to use the course(s) toward another Master’s degree, then the student will need to pay the difference of tuition between the Alumni rate and current tuition rate.
- Pursue an additional DTS degree – Graduates may return to DTS to pursue a second Master’s degree or a Doctoral degree. Graduates must reapply through Admissions and previous DTS credits are reevaluated and remaining requirements are evaluated upon readmission. Doctoral degrees may require additional Master’s level work.
