American Jewish University

What is the history of American Jewish University?

American Jewish University (AJU) took its current name in 2007, when the University of Judaism merged with the Brandeis-Bardin Institute. The University of Judaism was founded in 1947 to provide Jewish higher education in Los Angeles; Brandeis-Bardin, founded in 1941, was known for Jewish educational and camp programs. That combination helps explain why AJU's activities extend beyond degree programs to community learning and experiential education.

AJU has changed substantially in recent years. It announced the end of its traditional undergraduate degree program in 2022, and its long-associated Bel Air property was subsequently sold. Older descriptions of an undergraduate residential campus may therefore misrepresent the experience available to a new applicant. Confirm the current location, format, and admitting status of a specific program rather than relying on historical campus descriptions.

What are the faculties and departments at American Jewish University?

AJU's academic identity centers on Jewish studies, religious leadership, education, and graduate or professional learning. Its best-known school is the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, which trains rabbis associated with Conservative Judaism. AJU has also offered graduate study connected to Jewish education and other professional fields, alongside nondegree learning through programs such as its Miller Introduction to Judaism.

Program availability matters more than a historical list of schools. Because AJU ended its traditional undergraduate degree program, applicants seeking a first bachelor's degree should establish whether any currently advertised undergraduate pathway actually accepts new students. Graduate applicants should use the current catalog to check the exact credential, curriculum, instructional format, fieldwork requirements, and school responsible for their program.

What is the location of American Jewish University?

American Jewish University is based in the Los Angeles area of California, but its programs are not all tied to one conventional college campus. AJU was long associated with a Bel Air campus, while its Brandeis-Bardin property in Simi Valley has served a different educational and camp-related role.

For a prospective student, the practical question is where a particular class or required activity takes place now. Los Angeles-area travel can vary considerably by route and time of day, and a program may combine in-person meetings with other formats. Ask for the current teaching address and schedule before making housing or commuting plans; a historical Bel Air address should not be treated as proof that classes still meet there.

What is the mission and vision of American Jewish University?

AJU describes its purpose in terms of Jewish learning, leadership, culture, and engagement with Jewish communities. Its educational work includes both academic study and programs for people who are not pursuing a degree.

The institution has roots in Conservative Jewish education, most visibly through the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. Applicants should distinguish that school's religious and professional requirements from the eligibility and learning goals of AJU's other programs. Its stated mission describes institutional priorities; it does not, by itself, establish what every student's classroom or community experience will be.