Columbia University offers the M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees in Germanic Languages with a focus in Yiddish Studies. Students are admitted to one of the participating departments, usually the Department of Germanic Languages (other participating departments are History, Middle East Languages and Cultures, and Religion). Students are required to satisfy degree requirements set by the departments as well as those set by the Interdepartmental Committee on Yiddish Studies; in Germanic Languages, only the Interdepartmental Committee's requirements must be met. Financial aid is available to qualified students.
Students are expected to have a high degree of proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking Yiddish and English; previous work in Hebrew, German, and/or a Slavic language is highly recommended, though not required. Applicants are admitted as candidates for the M.A. degree and potential candidates for the M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees. Continuation of study beyond the M.A. degree is not automatic, but must be authorized by the Interdepartmental Committee on Yiddish.