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The PELE (Progressive Education Laboratory Experience) fellowship is an exclusive one-year Master's degree program. It provides generous tuition remission, and a variety of rich educational experiences combining coursework, extensive mentoring, seminars, school visits, and student teaching. The program is staffed by Azrieli faculty and a cadre of extraordinary practitioners who teach and mentor. A maximum of 10 fellows are accepted in each cohort.

Students in the PELE fellowship are organized into a single cohort and take at least one course each semester together. Classes designated specifically for the PELE cohort include a focus on student-centered learning, individualized instruction and constructivist education.

A unique aspect of the PELE program is field visits throughout the year, where the cohort visits schools, both virtually and in-person, that employ student-centered and progressive approaches. 

Basic information on the PELE program can be found here.

Constructivism is an educational approach built on the philosophy and theory that individuals learn best when they actively construct knowledge and build understanding and meaning. Synthesizing the research on child development, learning science and related areas, constructivist educators facilitate individualized opportunities for student growth. Constructivist educators believe in engendering intellectual curiosity and celebrating students’ intrinsic interests and motivations.

Application Process

Interested individuals should apply on-line here. Once the on-line application is received, including the required letters of recommendation, candidates who are being considered will be invited for an in-person or on-line interview. Please make sure to use the PELE Letter of Recommendation form (PDF).

To be considered for admission applicants should:

1. Complete the online application which includes an essay and $50 application fee payable by credit card. The application can be found here.
2. Submit two official copies of undergraduate transcripts to the AGS office. Applicants from ³ÉÈËÊÓƵɫÇéƬ do not need to send official transcripts.  
3. Have two letters of recommendation sent to the AGS office.  See here for PELE Letter of Recommendation form. Forms can be sent via email or mail.
4. Submit a .jpg photo of yourself for your file to Bradley Avrahami
5. When all of this has been submitted, we will reach out to you to schedule an interview. Feel free to contact our office as well.

Please note: GRE’s or other standardized achievement tests may be required at the discretion of the Dean or the Director of the master’s program.

Transcripts should be sent via mail and recommendations should be sent via email or mail to:

Email: azrieli@yu.edu 

Mail: 

Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration
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Wilf Campus – Belfer Hall 311
500 West 185th Street
New York, NY 10033

Find Out More

For more information about the program or other inquiries about PELE, please reach out to Dr. Laya Salomon, Director of Azrieli’s Masters Program, at laya.salomon@yu.edu. Inquiries regarding application and registration should be directed to Bradley Avrahami, Student Engagement and Communications Coordinator, at 212.960.5400, ext. 5949, or via email at bradley.avrahami@yu.edu.

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