Israeli Colleges and Post-Secondary Education Institutions
Higher education in Israel extends beyond traditional universities to include a diverse array of colleges (Hebrew: Mikhlala; plural: Mikhlalot). These institutions are accredited by the Council for Higher Education Institutions (CHEI) to confer bachelor's degrees and, in specific instances, master's degrees.
The landscape of Israeli post-secondary education is divided into several categories, ranging from multidisciplinary academic centers and specialized engineering schools to dedicated teacher training colleges and non-degree professional institutes.
Key Facts
- CHEI Accreditation: The Council for Higher Education Institutions (CHEI) is the body responsible for accrediting colleges to grant academic degrees.
- Teacher Training: There are over twenty specialized colleges focused on education, primarily awarding the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.).
- Professional Certification: The Ministry of Education certifies specific schools to provide professional certificates in fields like technology and performing arts.
- International Accreditation: Some religious or specialized institutions operate under international accreditation rather than CHEI certification.
Academic and Specialized Colleges
Israel hosts a wide variety of academic colleges that specialize in law, business, engineering, and the arts. These institutions provide a focused alternative to university education, often emphasizing practical application in their respective fields.
Notable institutions include the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, the Holon Institute of Technology, and various multidisciplinary centers such as the College of Management Academic Studies (COMAS) in Rishon LeZion and the Peres Academic Center in Rehovot.
Engineering is a particularly strong sector, with institutions like the Afeka College of Engineering in Tel Aviv and the ORT Braude College of Engineering in Karmiel providing critical technical training.
Comprehensive List of Accredited Colleges
- Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yafo
- Afeka College of Engineering, Tel Aviv
- Ashkelon Academic College
- Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem
- Center for Academic Studies, Or Yehuda
- College of Law and Business, Ramat Gan
- College of Management Academic Studies (COMAS), Rishon LeZion
- Dan Academic Center, Petah Tikva
- High Tech College of Tel Aviv (H-college)
- Holon Institute of Technology
- Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance
- Jerusalem College of Engineering
- Jerusalem College of Technology
- Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College
- Kinneret Academic College
- Lander Institute, Jerusalem
- Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel
- Mivhar College, Bnei Brak
- Neri Bloomfeld School of Design and Education, Haifa
- Netanya Academic College / Netanya Academic College of Law
- Ono Academic College, Kiryat Ono
- ORT Braude College of Engineering, Karmiel
- Peres Academic Center, Rehovot
- Ruppin Academic Center
- Sapir Academic College
- Sami Shamoon College of Engineering, Beersheba and Ashdod
- Sha'arei Mishpat College, Hod HaSharon
- Shalem College, Jerusalem
- Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, Ramat Gan
- Tel-Hai Academic College
- Western Galilee College, Acre
- Yehuda Regional College, Kiryat Arba
- Zefat Academic College, Safed
- Torah Olamit: Israeli Virtual College of Medical Studies, Jerusalem
Teacher Training Colleges
Education is a cornerstone of the Israeli college system, with over twenty institutions dedicated to preparing the next generation of educators. Most of these colleges award the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.).
These institutions include the David Yellin College of Education in Jerusalem, the Gordon College of Education in Haifa, and the Kaye Academic College of Education in Beersheba, among others. They provide specialized pedagogical training across various religious and secular frameworks.
List of Education Colleges
- Ahva Academic College, Ahva
- Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education, Baqa al-Gharbiyye
- Arab College for Education, Haifa
- Beit Berl College, Kfar Saba
- College of Technology Education, Tel Aviv
- David Yellin College of Education, Jerusalem
- Efrata College of Education, Jerusalem
- Emuna College of Education, Jerusalem
- Givat Washington College of Education, Givat Washington
- Gordon College of Education, Haifa
- Hemdat College of Education, Netivot
- Herzog College, Alon Shvut
- Jerusalem Michlala, Jerusalem
- Kaye Academic College of Education, Beersheba
- Kibbutzim College, Tel Aviv
- Levinsky-Wingate Academic College, Tel Aviv
- Lifshitz College of Education, Jerusalem
- MOFET Institute, Consortium of Colleges of Education
- Moreshet Yaakov Religious College of Education, Rehovot
- Ohalo College, Katzrin (Golan Heights)
- Oranim Academic College, Kiryat Tivon
- Ort College for Teachers of Technology, Tel Aviv
- Shaanan Religious College of Education, Haifa
- Talpiot College of Education, Tel Aviv
- WIZO Haifa Academy of Design and Education, Haifa
Non-Degree and Non-CHEI Institutions
Not all post-secondary education in Israel leads to an academic degree. The Ministry of Education certifies certain schools to award Professional Certificates, particularly in the performing arts and technology.
For example, the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School in Jerusalem and the Beit Zvi School of the Performing Arts in Ramat Gan provide high-level professional training. Additionally, the Beersheba Tehni School offers a unique path combining military preparation with practical engineer certification for the Israel Air Force.
There are also institutions that operate without CHEI certification, often relying on international accreditation. These are frequently religious institutions, such as the Bethlehem Bible College (accredited by the Asia Theological Association and Middle East Association of Theological Education) and the Israel College of the Bible.
The Reidman College provides alternative medicine certificates not recognized by the Ministry of Education, though it does offer a BA in Chinese Medicine through the Zhejiang Chinese Medical University.
Summary of Israeli Educational Institutions
| Institution Type | Accrediting Body | Primary Qualification | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Colleges | CHEI | Bachelor's / Master's | Afeka, Bezalel, ORT Braude |
| Teacher Training Colleges | CHEI | Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) | David Yellin, Gordon, Kaye |
| Professional Schools | Ministry of Education | Professional Certificates | Sam Spiegel, Beit Zvi |
| Non-CHEI Colleges | International Bodies | Various / International Degrees | Bethlehem Bible College, Reidman |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a university and a college in Israel?
While universities are broad research institutions, colleges (Mikhlalot) are accredited by the CHEI to confer bachelor's and sometimes master's degrees, often with a more specialized or professional focus.
What degree do teacher training colleges typically award?
Most teacher training colleges in Israel award the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree.
Are all colleges in Israel accredited by the CHEI?
No. While many are, some institutions—particularly religious ones or those offering alternative medicine—are accredited by international bodies rather than the CHEI.
What are professional certificates in the Israeli system?
Professional certificates are non-degree qualifications certified by the Ministry of Education, typically awarded in fields such as technology and the performing arts.
Which school prepares engineers for the Israel Air Force?
The Beersheba Tehni School combines secondary military preparation with post-secondary practical engineer certification to qualify engineers for service in the Israel Air Force.