Through this 33-credit online MS program at the Graduate School of Education, you'll be ready to teach in public schools, Jewish day schools, museums, and other educational settings worldwide.
How do you teach about the Holocaust and Genocide? As one of the few specialized programs in the United States, Touro’s master's degree in Holocaust, Genocide & Tolerance Education does more than teach about the Holocaust and genocide, it teaches you how to teach about the Holocaust and other genocides, and at grade specific levels. Can you teach tolerance? We believe you can. Tolerance - respect for others with different opinions, the art of listening to others - is possible, but you must actively teach it. The inclusion of tolerance in this degree is purposeful and intentional. The MS in Holocaust, Genocide & Tolerance Education looks at both sides, how to teach about genocide and hate, and how you can recognize those behaviors and respectfully engage with them.
“There has never been a more crucial time to teach about the Holocaust and genocide. But equally important is teaching tolerance — to not just accept what others say, but active listening and respectful engagement with different perspectives. This program prepares educators to offer both: the hard truths about historical hatred and the proactive tools to build a more tolerant future.”
- Dr. Jeff Lichtman, Program Chair
We're at a critical moment when firsthand survivor accounts are giving way to historical memory. This program combines the Holocaust expertise of Touro Berlin with the teaching expertise of our Graduate School of Education to prepare you to make a real impact in classrooms and communities.
Why this program matters
- Knowledge gap: Nearly half of millennials and Gen Z can't name a single concentration camp or ghetto. (Claims Conference, 2020)
- Rising hate: Antisemitic incidents have jumped 400% since October 2023. (ADL, 2023)
- Urgent timing: With just 245,000 Holocaust survivors alive today, we need to preserve and share their stories. (Claims Conference, 2023)
- Educators aren't prepared: 23 states require Holocaust education, but few teachers get proper training. (NYSED Holocaust Instruction Report, 2022)
How this program is different
Touro’s international online graduate program prepares you to be an effective Holocaust educator using a flexible, comprehensive approach.
- Teaching focus: We emphasize how to teach difficult history, not just the historical facts that led to genocide.
- Proactive approach: We go beyond teaching the history of hatred to equip you with strategies for fostering tolerance through active listening, respectful dialogue, and genuine understanding across differences.
- Global expertise: Gain perspectives from American and European experts through our partnership with Touro Berlin.
- Age-appropriate methods: Learn developmentally sound ways to discuss trauma and genocide.
- Applicable in different settings: Our program serves both public school and Jewish school teachers as well as educators working at museums and nonprofits.
- Tools for the real-world: Everything you’ll learn is designed for immediate classroom use.
- Practical experience: Gain hands-on training through your required internship with a Holocaust education organization.
What you'll learn
Touro’s expert faculty in New York and Berlin will help you:
- Explain Holocaust and genocide concepts to different age groups, from middle schoolers to adults.
- Develop tolerance education strategies that encourage active engagement with different perspectives.
- Create effective lesson plans for K-12 or community settings.
- Address antisemitism in schools and community spaces.
- Use museums, films, literature, and memorials as teaching tools.
- Analyze historical sources with proper context.
- Find and use primary sources from archives and museums in your teaching.
Faculty spotlight
Dr. Jeff Lichtman brings more than 30 years of experience and a passionate commitment to Holocaust education to his role as chair of the graduate program. “The use of the word ‘tolerance’ in our program title is purposeful and intentional,” he says. “We’re teaching not just about the negative events of history, but also developing positive antidotes to hatred through education.”
A longtime school psychologist and director emeritus of Yachad (the National Jewish Council for Disabilities), Dr. Lichtman grew Yachad into a worldwide force for inclusion and innovation in educational settings.
His approach to Holocaust education emphasizes that tolerance isn't passive acceptance. “It requires knowledge and strength to combat the antisemitism and racial hatred that leads to genocide. You can learn to see the other person as wrong, and still be able to respectfully engage with them in conversation — not hate.”
Your career path
With this degree, you can become:
- A Holocaust and genocide educator in public or private schools
- A museum educator at Holocaust memorials and museums
- A curriculum developer for tolerance education
- A community educator for religious organizations
- A director of Holocaust remembrance programs
- A teacher trainer who helps other educators learn to teach difficult history
What to expect
- Flexible start dates: You can begin the program in any semester — fall, spring, or summer.
- Evening classes: Many of our students are working educators. All classes meet online in the evening (Eastern time). This gives you the benefit of lively class discussions and the ease of virtual learning, so you can keep your full-time job.
- Internship experience: As part of the program, you’ll do an internship in Holocaust education. We’ll help you find the best fit — whether at a museum, school, or memorial site — based on your career goals.
- Finish in two years…: Most students complete the program in two years by taking three courses each fall and spring semester, plus one course in winter and summer semesters.
- … Or choose a different pace: If you prefer, you can finish faster in an intensive 18-month program, though you may only be able to work part-time on this accelerated track. You can also spread coursework over two-and-a-half to three years if you’re looking for a manageable pace alongside work and family commitments.
Curriculum highlights
Core courses include:
- The Holocaust: Historical Foundations
- Psychology and Philosophy of the Holocaust
- Understanding and Combatting Antisemitism
- Teaching Difficult Histories
- Methods Through Case Studies
You'll also get to choose from electives like:
- Jewish Cultural Life: Lessons in Courage and Resilience
- Teaching Through Films and Documentaries
- Holocaust Literature and Modern Jewish History
- Teaching Through Memorials and Museums
- Seeking Justice After the Holocaust
Course spotlight: Teaching Difficult Histories
Any tragedy, especially one of the magnitude of the Holocaust, is challenging to teach. In this course you’ll examine methods to teach about the Holocaust and other difficult histories. You’ll learn about the rise of dark tourism and increasing exposure to atrocities on social media, then be empowered to create trauma-safe learning spaces in classrooms and museums. These techniques will allow your students to grapple with disturbing knowledge, artifacts, videos, and images, including firsthand testimony from Holocaust survivors, in ways that are developmentally appropriate for different audiences.
Admissions & contact
To apply, follow the general admission requirements for the Graduate School of Education.
Have questions? Reach out to the program chair, Dr. Jeff Lichtman - jeff.lichtman@touro.edu. He’s here to help you start this important journey.
