Jewish Communal Leadership Program

The Jewish Communal Leadership Program (JCLP), offered by the University of Michigan School of Social Work in partnership with the Jean and Samuel Frankel Center for Judaic Studies, is a special program which provides an immersive, in-person cohort experience to selected MSW students. Students will combine their studies of community systems and theories of social change, as well as their hands-on learning experience through their field internships, with studies in Jewish history and relationship building with the broader Jewish community.

While developing their understandings of non-profit management, dialogue facilitation, and coalition building within and across groups, JCLP students become collaborative leaders in and around Ann Arbor. Through this work, students finish the consecutive 20-month program with their Master’s of Social Work and earn a certificate in Jewish Communal leadership. JCLP graduates currently serve in Jewish and nonsectarian organizations across the United States and abroad. Alumni are employed as chief executives, program developers, fundraising professionals, therapists, community outreach directors, and educators.

• 15-credits of Judaic Studies coursework
• 60ish credits of Social Work coursework, including two distinct field placements
• Four-semester professional development seminar
• Involvement in public programming
• JCLP students can complete dual M.A. programs which are available in Jewish Studies, business, public policy and other fields.

Central to the JCLP is the weekly professional seminar in which the first- and second-year cohorts integrate their multidisciplinary learning and their field placement experiences while considering contemporary social and political issues. In consultation with JCLP's Director, each JCLP student will choose and follow one of the SSW curricular pathways. The JCLP seminar and JCLP public programs focus on macro communal questions and concerns. Unique to the JCLP is the requirement to complete two different field placements, with at least one serving in a Jewish organization. Generally, JCLP field placements are two days a week during the first fall and first winter terms, and four to five days a week during the spring/summer term. Students have the opportunity to pursue national summer field placements to immerse themselves in communities outside Michigan, developing a nuanced understanding of communal relationship building.

JCLP students also participate in the planning and execution of public and cohort events. To see more of what JCLP does outside of the formal program requirements, look at our photos, stories and videos.

• Master of Social Work from the #1 School of Social Work in the nation
• Certificate in Jewish Communal Leadership from the Jean and Samuel Frankel Center for Judaic Studies
• Close faculty advising
• An extensive alumni network
• Tuition funding
• Summer field placement scholarships
• Funding to attend national/international conferences

• All potential On-Campus MSW students interested in the challenges and needs of 21st-century Jewish communities are invited to apply.
  • If you would like to apply to the Jewish Communal Leadership Program, then please answer "yes" to the question, "Do you plan to apply to an SSW Special Program?" found on the Financial Assistance page of the MSW application and then select the Jewish Communal Leadership Program checkbox. The JCLP application pages will be added to the end of your MSW application.
• Application deadlines:
  • December 1, 2026 (early application),
  • February 1, 2027 (priority),
  • March 1, 2027 (final)
  • To guarantee full consideration, please apply by the December 1 deadline.
  • Applications received after December 1 will be considered on a space-available basis.
• Financial need will be considered in the review of special program applications.
• Call (734) 936-0961 if you are unable to submit the application via the MSW application system.
• Program Restrictions
  • Due to course and field requirements, dual MSW/MPH students are not eligible to participate in this program.

Begin MSW Application

We highly recommend getting in touch with JCLP Program Manager, Kristina Riemer, at [email protected] for guidance prior to applying.