Foreign Languages, Literatures, And LinguisticsSpecialization of Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages

Best institutions to study Hebrew Language and Literature

CIP 16.1102

A program that focuses on the Hebrew language.

6 U.S. institutions graduated 20 Hebrew Language and Literature students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.1102, a specialization of Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages (CIP 16.11), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).

Institutions
6
offering CIP 16.1102
States offered
5
with graduates reported
Graduates / yr
20
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Women
50%
share of graduates
US median pay · Interpreters and Translators
$60,170
BLS OEWS May 2025
Share of Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages
5.1%
of all Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates

About Hebrew Language and Literature programs

Official NCES definition · CIP 16.1102
A program that focuses on the Hebrew language. Includes instruction in philology; Biblical Hebrew (including Pre- and Post-Exilic scripts); Modern Hebrew; dialects; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).

The Hebrew Language and Literature program, part of the Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages field, focuses on the study of the Hebrew language. This program encompasses a range of topics including philology, Biblical Hebrew, Modern Hebrew, and various dialects, making it suitable for students interested in linguistics, literature, and cultural studies. It is ideal for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Hebrew in both historical and contemporary contexts.

What you'll learn

Students in this program will develop core skills in speaking, reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking. Coursework often includes instruction in translation techniques and the application of Hebrew language skills in various fields such as business and technology.

Credentials awarded

What Hebrew Language and Literature graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).

  • Postbaccalaureate certificate6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions
    30%
  • Master's degree6 graduates / yr · 1 institution
    30%
  • Doctor's degree - research/scholarship5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions
    25%
  • Bachelor's degree3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions
    15%

Graduates over time

Hebrew Language and Literature completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.

20graduates in 2025
-94% since 2012
398 · 20142012202534620
Graduates per year (IPEDS completions)
YearGraduates
2012346
2013396
2014398
201537
201621
201720
201822
201932
202018
202130
202222
202326
202431
202520

Top 6 institutions for Hebrew Language and Literature, ranked by graduates

Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.

#InstitutionGraduates / yrGrad rateNet price
1New York University
New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral
988%$29,023
2Liberty University
Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.
465%$28,911
3Gratz College
Jenkintown, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.
2——
4Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's
247%$21,848
5Middlebury College
Middlebury, VTPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral
291%$20,918
6CUNY Hunter College
New York, NYPublicBachelor's
157%—

Offered in 5 states

Where Hebrew Language and Literature graduates come from. Each state links to all Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages programs offered there.

StateInstitutionsGraduates / yrTop institution by graduates
New York210New York University9 / yr
Virginia14Liberty University4 / yr
Pennsylvania12Gratz College2 / yr
South Carolina12Charleston Southern University2 / yr
Vermont12Middlebury College2 / yr

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Hebrew Language and Literature program can pursue careers as interpreters and translators, with additional opportunities in education as secondary school teachers or postsecondary foreign language instructors. The job outlook shows little to no change with an annual opening of approximately 6,900 positions and a median wage of $59,440, typically requiring at least a bachelor's degree.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+1.7%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~6,900
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$59,440
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
52,060
Interpreters and Translators
US average pay
$66,360
annual, BLS OEWS May 2025
US median pay
$60,170
annual

Top-paying metros

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$93,650avg
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
$93,460avg
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
$92,880avg
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
$91,110avg
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$90,940avg

Career pathways for CIP 16.1102

The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.

OccupationUS median payGrowthOpenings / yrTypical entry education
Interpreters and Translatorsprimary
SOC 27-3091
$60,170+1.7%
Little or no change
~6,900Bachelor's degree
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
SOC 25-2031
$72,040-1.6%
Decline
~66,200Bachelor's degree
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC 25-1124
$79,350-0.2%
Little or no change
~1,900Doctoral or professional degree
Preparation needed

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Related careers

Interpreters and Translators
$66,360 avg · 52,060 jobs
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$89,990 avg · 19,830 jobs

Skills & knowledge in Hebrew Language and Literature programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Speaking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

English Language
Foreign Language
Customer and Personal Service
Education and Training
Administrative
Public Safety and Security

Abilities that matter most

Oral Expression
Oral Comprehension
Written Comprehension
Written Expression
Speech Recognition
Speech Clarity

Day-to-day work activities

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Getting Information

What graduates do on the job

  • Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
  • Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
  • Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
  • Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
  • Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
  • Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.

Tools and technology used

AceTools.biz Ace TranslatorAdapt ItAmoK TranslatorAshkon Translation PadBabylon Online TranslatorDocTranslateElectronic dictionariesExcelTrans Translator

Other Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages specializations

The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages (CIP 16.11).

Common questions

What degrees can I earn in this program?+

You can earn a postbaccalaureate certificate, master's degree, doctor’s degree, or a bachelor's degree.

What skills will I develop?+

You will develop skills in speaking, writing, critical thinking, and active listening.

What careers can I pursue?+

You can work as an interpreter, translator, or language teacher.

What is the job outlook for this field?+

The job outlook shows little or no change with about 6,900 annual openings.

What is the CIP code for Hebrew Language and Literature?+

Hebrew Language and Literature is CIP 16.1102 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages (CIP 16.11). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the Hebrew language. Includes instruction in philology; Biblical Hebrew (including Pre- and Post-Exilic scripts); Modern Hebrew; dialects; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.

How many institutions offer Hebrew Language and Literature programs?+

6 U.S. institutions reported Hebrew Language and Literature graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 20 credentials in the year. That is 5.1% of all Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates.

How much do Hebrew Language and Literature graduates earn?+

Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Interpreters and Translators occupation, which Hebrew Language and Literature most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,170 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages by stateNew YorkVirginiaPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaVermont

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.

Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

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