Hebrew Summer Institute
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The Hebrew Summer Institute is an online program at UT-Austin that offers a year of modern Hebrew instruction in ten short weeks.
Course Details
- Dates: June 3 through August 16, 2027
- Format: Online (synchronous)
- Class times: M-F from 9:00am-1:00pm CST
- Credit offered: 12 hours of lower-division Hebrew credit
- Instructor: Dr. Avi Blitz
- Tuition: $3,000
- Application Deadline: April 14, 2027
Eligibility
HSI is open to anyone interested in learning modern Hebrew. You need not attend UT-Austin to apply. No Hebrew experience is required!
"Dr. Blitz came highly recommended by former students, and it's easy to see why; his teaching style is deeply instructive and still genuinely enjoyable, and he has a gift for making the language feel alive and approachable. I've been struck by how quickly immersion accelerates everything. A summer here has done what I'd expected to take a full year”
- 2026 HSI student
- Classes and Credit
HSI students earn 12 hours of lower-division Hebrew Language credit (equivalent to one year) at UT-Austin by taking Intensive Hebrew I and II (HEB 601C and HEB 611C). By completing HSI, students will also reach Intermediate Modern Hebrew proficiency and fulfill the foreign language graduation requirement for the College of Liberal Arts.
Each week, classes will meet synchronously from 9:00am-1:00pm (CT) from Monday through Friday. Open tutoring sessions are also available to students who wish to continue developing their oral skills.
Textbooks:
- Esther Raizen, Modern Hebrew for Beginners, Austin: UT Press, 2015
- Esther Raizen. Modern Hebrew for Intermediate Students, Austin: UT Press, 2015.
- Dates
The 2027 Hebrew Summer Institute will run from June 3 until August 16.
April 14 Application deadline May 24 Tuition payment due June 3 Term 1 begins June 19 and July 4 No classes (university holidays) July 9-10 Final exams for Term 1 July 12 Term 2 begins August 14/16 Final exams for Term 2 - Applications
HSI applications will open in January 2027. All applications must include:
- An unofficial transcript
- One listed reference (preferably from a professor or supervisor) - No letter required
- A Statement of Purpose (500 word maximum)
- Prompt: Describe your interest in attending the Hebrew Summer Institute at UT and how Hebrew fits into your personal, academic, or career goals. Additionally, please discuss your preparedness for completing a demanding academic program like HSI.
Application questions? Please contact tyus.welter@austin.utexas.edu
- High School Students
The Hebrew Summer Institute is open to high school students who meet TSI testing requirements or declare as non-degree-seeking students for the summer. Students may earn dual credit through HSI. For more information, please contact tyus.welter@austin.utexas.edu
- Finances
Tuition for the Hebrew Summer Institute is competitively priced at $3,000.
Funding Opportunities:
- Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) award - Covers up to $5,000 for tuition and $2,500 for living expenses. In order to receive a FLAS award, students must attend a member institution and apply through their school.
- Israel Studies Dual Language Fellowship (UT students only) - Students who take four semesters of Arabic or Hebrew and express commitment to taking two semesters of the other language are eligible to receive $1,000 towards their studies.
- Rapaport Graduate Student Summer Fellowships (UT students only) - Awards $5,000 to graduate students for research or training in any area related to Jewish Studies.
- Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York - Offers a number of scholarships for college and graduate school students based on merit and/or financial need.
- Hillel Jewish Scholarships Portal
UT-Austin students can apply financial aid to their HSI tuition.
Questions? Please contact Tyus Welter, CMES’ Special Programs Associate, at tyus.welter@austin.utexas.edu