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 modern Hebrew in ten weeks of intensive instruction. 

Course Details

• Term: Summer Sessions I and II (June 4-August 17, 2026)
• Format: Online (synchronous): M-F from 9:00am-1:00pm CST
• Credit: 12 hours of lower-division Hebrew credit
• Instructor: Dr. Avi Blitz
• Application Launch: January 12, 2026*

*If you need to submit an application before January 12 (for funding or other reasons), please contact tyus.welter@austin.utexas.edu

Eligibility

HSI is open to all interested students. 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). By completing HSI, students will also reach Intermediate Hebrew proficiency, fulfilling the foreign language requirement for COLA students. 

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. 

High School Students

The Hebrew Summer Institute is open to high school students who meet the TSI testing requirements or declare themselves 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

Dates

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

April 28	Application deadline
May 28	Tuition payment due
June 4	First summer term begins
June 19 and July 4	No classes for the Juneteenth and Independence Day holidays
July 10-11	Final exams for the first summer term
July 13	Second summer term begins
Aug. 15/17	Final exams for the second summer term

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 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. 
• 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. 

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

Interested students can access the application here. 

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