The Maitripa College degree program curricula were constructed by Tibetan and Western scholars and experts in the field to bring about the following learning outcomes (developed and listed below within the Maitripa College core themes – or “three pillars” – Scholarship, Meditation, and Service).

In support of these learning outcomes, the following degree program curricula form the basis of the Master of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees (click on the links to view course lists).

Core Theme: Scholarship

MASTER OF ARTS LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Students will be able to explain core topics, texts, and authors of Buddhist thought (Abhidharma, Prajnaparamita, Madhyamaka, and Pramana) in the context of traditional Tibetan scholarship.
  2. Students will be able to describe the history and evolution of Buddhism in India, Tibet and the West.
  3. Students will demonstrate basic competency in the phonemics and handwriting, as well as understanding of the grammatical structure of Classical Tibetan.
  4. Students will demonstrate familiarity with different translation methodologies and some of the main genres of Classical Tibetan Literature.
  5. Students will be able to analyze the methods and theories Western academic and Tibetan scholars use to understand the core topics of Tibetan Buddhism.
  6. Students will be able to use contemporary critical scholarship to locate their education experience within evolving religious and academic histories.
  7. Students will progressively develop their skills in producing written and oral scholarly work.

MASTER OF DIVINITY LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Students will be able to explain core topics, texts, and authors of Buddhist thought (Abhidharma, Prajnaparamita, Madhyamaka, and Pramana) in the context of traditional Tibetan scholarship.
  2. Students will be able to describe the history and evolution of Buddhism in India, Tibet and the West. 
  3. Students will be able to discuss key issues of interfaith chaplaincy, psychological principles, and models of service crucial to spiritual leadership.
  4. Students will be able to analyze the methods and theories Western academic and Tibetan scholars use to understand the core topics of Tibetan Buddhism.
  5. Students will be able to use contemporary critical scholarship to locate their education experience within evolving religious and academic histories.
  6. Students will be able to apply techniques of ministry, counseling, pastoral and spiritual care with others.
  7. Students will be able to articulate a progressive spiritual path of development.
  8. Students will be able to assess and contribute to the religious and secular adaptations of Buddhist principles and practices in their communities.
  9. Students will progressively develop their skills in producing written and oral scholarly work.

Core Theme: Meditation

MASTER OF ARTS LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Students will be able to articulate key techniques and utilize the terminology of traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices.
  2. Students will have the ability to compare and contrast the presentation of Tibetan Buddhist techniques by a variety of Tibetan and Western teachers.
  3. Students will be able to describe their spiritual practices in the terms and frameworks of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
  4. Students will be able to identify appropriate practices to combat a variety of negative emotions.
  5. Students will demonstrate competency in building and maintaining a spiritual practice that appropriately addresses their individual needs.
  6. Students will be able to facilitate basic Buddhist practices.
  7. Students will identify emotional and cognitive sources of suffering and wellbeing.
  8. Students will connect their knowledge of interdependence to a motivation to cultivate compassion.

MASTER OF DIVINITY LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Students will be able to articulate key techniques and utilize the terminology of traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices. 
  2. Students will have the ability to compare and contrast the presentation of Tibetan Buddhist techniques by a variety of Tibetan and Western teachers.  
  3. Students will be able to describe their spiritual practices in the terms and frameworks of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
  4. Students will be able to identify appropriate practices to combat a variety of negative emotions. 
  5. Students will demonstrate competency in building and maintaining a spiritual practice that appropriately addresses their individual needs.  
  6. Students will be able to facilitate basic Buddhist practices. 
  7. Students will identify emotional and cognitive sources of suffering and wellbeing.
  8. Students will connect their knowledge of interdependence to a motivation to cultivate compassion.

Core Theme: Service

MASTER OF ARTS LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Students will demonstrate understanding of how Buddhist principles have been enacted in and impacted by various historic and socio-cultural contexts.
  2. Students will be able to reflect on the application of a Buddhist worldview to their own engagement in practical service to others.
  3. Students will exhibit a motivation to be of benefit to others and to utilize service as a spiritual path of self-transformation.
  4. Students will be able to assess community needs as well as develop and implement strategies for effectively meeting those needs.
  5. Students will be able to facilitate the development and articulation of a personal theology.

MASTER OF DIVINITY LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Students will demonstrate understanding of how Buddhist principles have been enacted in and impacted by various historic and socio-cultural contexts.
  2. Students will be able to reflect on the application of a Buddhist worldview to their own engagement in practical service to others. 
  3. Students will exhibit a motivation to be of benefit to others and to utilize service as a spiritual path of self-transformation.
  4. Students will be able to assess community needs as well as develop and implement strategies for effectively meeting those needs.
  5. Students will be able to facilitate the development and articulation of a personal theology. 
  6. Students will be able to articulate their own spiritual understanding with a clear and appropriate pastoral or public voice.
  7. Students will be able to compare and contrast the ethical standards of Buddhism with those of the helping professions.
  8. Students will understand and utilize models of skillful communication with others.
  9. Students will display sensitivity and appreciation for diversity and pluralism, as well as genuine interest in others’ experience.
  10. Students will exhibit a capacity for empathic presence and deep listening.
  11. Students will demonstrate sensitivity to meeting the spiritual needs of others.
  12. Students will be able to flexibly communicate meditation techniques to different secular and religious audiences.
  13. Students will have the ability to articulate challenges that they encounter in the service of others and how their own spiritual practice serves as a wellspring to meet those challenges.