Hebrew Summer Institute

The Hebrew Summer Institute is an online program at UT-Austin that is designed to help students reach the intermediate level of Hebrew in ten weeks of intensive instruction. 

Course Details

• Term: Summer Sessions I and II (June 5-August 18, 2025)
• Format: Online (synchronous): M-F from 8:00am-12:00pm CT
• Credit: 12 hours of lower-division Hebrew credit
• Instructor: Dr. Avi Blitz
• Application Deadline: Applications for 2024 are currently closed. Applications for 2025 will open during the Spring 2025 semester. 

Eligibility

HSI is open to all qualified students who are at least 18 years of age by the start of the program. You do not need to be a student of UT Austin to apply. No Hebrew experience is required! 

Classes and Credit

HSI students earn 12 hours of lower-division Hebrew Language credit (equivalent to one year of language credit) at UT-Austin by taking Intensive Hebrew I and II (HEB 601C and HEB 611C). Each week, classes will meet synchronously from 8:00am-12:00pm (CT) from Monday through Friday. Open tutoring sessions are also available to students who wish to continue developing their oral skills. 

Dates

The Summer 2025 Hebrew Summer Institute will run June 5-August 18, 2025. 

April 23	Application deadline
May 23	Tuition payment due
June 5	First summer term begins
June 19 and July 4	No classes for the Juneteenth and Independence Day holidays
July 11-12	Final exams for the first summer term
July 14	Second summer term begins
Aug. 16/18	Final exams for the second summer term

Finances

Tuition for the Hebrew Summer Institute is competitively priced at $3,000.

Funding is available for students who qualify!

• Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) award - Covers up to $5,000 worth of tuition and $2,500 worth of 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. 

Application Requirements

All HSI applications must include: 

• An unofficial transcript
• One listed reference (preferably from a professor or supervisor)
• 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 future academic and career goals. Additionally, please discuss your preparedness for completing an intensive, demanding academic program. 

Application

Applications will open during the Spring 2025 semester. Once published, the link to apply will be posted here. 

Questions? Feel free to reach out to Tyus Welter, CMES’ Special Programs Associate, at tyus.welter@austin.utexas.edu