Overview of Academic Offerings
Maitripa College currently offers two degree programs: the Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies (MA – 44 credits) and the Master of Divinity (MDiv – 72 credits). Our programs are particularly geared toward students seeking an in-depth and critical understanding of Buddhist thought in the context of both traditional and academic scholarship, coupled with contemplative experience of the Buddhist path, and yet is open to students of any faith and academic backgrounds. The curricula are designed according to our Three Pillars: Scholarship, Meditation, and Service. Maitripa College curricula uniquely integrate these through rigorous academic study, contemplative practice, and community service requirements, to offer a graduate level education grounded in Buddhist thought that can serve as a basis for students’ active engagement in and benefit to society.
Program Learning Outcomes
Maitripa College constructs courses, course offerings, and degree program curricula in accordance with program learning outcomes (PLO) that reflect our unique contemplative educational model. Integrating scholarship, meditation, and service happens through learning opportunities that build knowledge, praxis, and habits of mind. On the basis of the College’s founding PLOs, research on the changing landscapes of professional fields, religious organizations, and higher education, and assessment of the current opportunities and strengths of the College, the PLOs have been refined and expanded. They will continue to undergo periodic review. Classes at Maitripa are taught at the graduate level. They can entail a combination of study of the great texts of Buddhist philosophy based on the structure of the lamrim (Gradual Path to Enlightenment), Tibetan language study, meditation practice, and service as part of a unique curriculum. The degree programs were designed by Yangsi Rinpoche to guide western students to both the intellectual understanding and personal realization of insights of Tibetan Buddhism. The programs provide a comprehensive, integrative, graduate-level education in Buddhist thought that integrates traditional scholarship with the tools and methods of western academic training, to be utilized in the modern world.
Student Categories
Degree Students
Maitripa College degree programs are composed of required and elective courses, based on a credit hour system. Students can expect to commit to a minimum of two hours of reading and homework a week per hour of classroom instruction, or credit hour.
The College runs on a semester schedule from late August/early September to December (Fall semester) and January to May (Spring semester), with a summer term from May through July.
Continuing Education Students
- Non-degree students who enroll in courses for academic credit.
- They receive a grade, transcript, and credit hours for successfully completed courses.
- Continuing Education Students are expected to meet the same academic standards as degree-seeking students and must complete all required readings, assignments, examinations, and other course requirements.
Auditors
- Students who enroll in a course without academic credit.
- Auditors do not receive a grade, transcript, or graduate credit for audited courses.
Continuing Education Students & Auditors
The Continuing Education option is intended for students who are not enrolled in a degree program but wish to pursue graduate level study for personal enrichment, professional development, spiritual formation, or focused study in Buddhism or a related subject area. Enrollment as a Continuing Education Student allows participation in Maitripa College courses without commitment to a program leading to a graduate degree.
Enrollment of Continuing Education Students and Auditors is subject to course availability and space remaining after enrollment needs of degree-seeking students have been met. Maitripa College reserves the right to limit non-degree enrollment in particular courses.
Students who later wish to pursue a degree program must complete the full admissions process and satisfy all admissions requirements in effect at the time of application. Enrollment as a Continuing Education Student does not constitute admission to a degree program.
Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies (MA, 44 Credits)
Degree Required Courses
Maitripa College faculty and staff are committed to periodic review and revision of this curriculum in light of new findings and methods in the fields of study, feedback from alumni and professionals, and faculty expertise. Maitripa College does not guarantee all courses will be offered as listed in the coming years. An individual student’s course of study will vary according to concentrations, language studies, pace of study, and elective options. For more information, please see your academic advisor.
On average, students who register for six credits or more a semester can complete the 44-credit Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies three years, if taken consecutively. Our students who register for between one and six credits per semester are permitted to complete the Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies within five years. The fastest the degree can be completed is in two years, comprised of ten credits per fall and spring semester and four to six credits for one summer; this workload, particularly balanced with other life commitments, is challenging for most students. Maitripa College will endeavor to support students pursuing an expedited timeline but does not guarantee courses offered according to curriculum design or credit hours in total can be offered within every two-year period. All students are strongly advised to work closely with their academic advisors to plan their progress to graduation based on the below curriculum requirements. Please refer to the Degree Audit in Populi and your Advisor for the most up to date versions of the below course groupings, or the set requisite for your cohort.
Scholarship Pillar Course Groupings
Required: 6 courses (12 credits)
PHL301 Introduction to Buddhist Thought
PHL302 Foundations of Buddhist Thought: The Medium and Great Scope
PHL303 Madhyamaka Philosophy: Where is the Middle Way?
PHL304 Madhyamaka Philosophy: A Dose of Emptiness
HIS301 History of Buddhist Thought in India and Tibet
PHL450 Theories and Methods in Buddhist Studies
Required: 2 courses (4 credits)
PHL404 Fundamentals of the Vajra Vehicle
THL410 Buddhist Rituals, Ethics, Services, and Ceremonies
THL320 Contemporary Buddhist Thought and Theology
THL305 Socially Engaged Buddhism
Meditation Pillar Course Group
Required: 4 courses (8 credits)
MDT301 Introduction to Buddhist Meditation
MDT302 Techniques of Buddhist Meditation: The Medium and Great Scope
MDT303 Techniques of Meditation: Madhyamaka
MDT304 Madhyamaka Meditation: Preparation for Vajrayana
Service Pillar Course Group
Required: 4 courses (8 credits)
CS301 Foundations of Buddhist Service
CS302 Finding Your Voice: Communication and Context
CS303 Chaplaincy and Models of Spiritual Care
CS304 Servant Leadership in Buddhist/Spiritual Communities
Final Mastery Degree Requirement
Required: 4 credits
ARP502 Action Research Project I (2 credits)
ARP504 Action Research Project II (2 credits)
PHL500 Masters Thesis /Comprehensive Exam (4 credits)
Option Tibetan Track: Classical Tibetan Language Course Group
Required: 2 courses (4 credits)
Graduate students in the Tibetan Track MA program are required to complete a minimum of four credits in Classical Tibetan language on-site at Maitripa College; the exact courses to meet the minimum may vary depending on prior study or availability of the student for summer enrollment. Students with interest in doctoral studies, translation, and practice and philosophic texts are encouraged to take as many credit hours as possible, with both Western and Tibetan teachers.
TIB101 Introduction to Classical Tibetan Language I (2)
TIB102 Introduction to Classical Tibetan Language II (2)
TIB108 Classical Tibetan Course Summer Intensive (4)
TIB201 Intermediate Classical Tibetan Language I (2)
TIB202 Intermediate Classical Tibetan Language II (2)
TIB301r Seminar in Tibetan Translation (2)
Option Education Track: Contemplative Education Course Group
Required: two courses (4 credits)
Graduate students in the Education Track MA program are required to complete a minimum of four credits in Education on-site at Maitripa College. Key components of the curriculum include:
ED310 Stages of Human Development: Learning, Teaching, and Faith (2)
General Electives and Curricular Planning
Students may select non-required courses from the catalog and new courses as they are offered to build specific competencies or concentrations of study according to their educational interests and goals. Students are advised to consider both breadth and depth of training, as well as requirements or expectations for post-graduate needs. The number of total electives is variable, and students are advised to generate an individual plan with their advisors.
Master of Divinity Degree (MDiv, 72 credits)
Maitripa College faculty and staff are committed to periodic review and revision of this curriculum in light of new findings and methods in the fields of study, feedback from alumni and professionals, and faculty expertise. Maitripa College does not guarantee all courses will be offered as listed in the coming years. An individual student’s course of study will vary according to concentrations, language studies, pace of study, and elective options. Students should meet regularly with Academic Advisors and track their degree progression in Populi’s Degree Audit. For more information, please contact Leigh Miller (program@maitripa.org).
On average, students who register for seven credits or more a semester complete the 72-credit Master of Divinity in four years, if taken consecutively. Our students who register for between one and six credits per semester complete the Master of Divinity in an average of approximately six years and are permitted to take up to seven years at most to complete their degrees. The fastest the degree can be completed is in three years, comprised of ten credits per fall and spring semester and six credits each for two summers (the six-credit summer Classical Tibetan Language Intensive and either a six-credit Field Education placement (internship) or six-credit (transfer) Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) unit). This workload, particularly balanced with other life commitments, is challenging for most students. On average, MDiv students take three to five years to complete their degree. Maitripa College will endeavor to support students pursuing an expedited timeline but does not guarantee courses offered according to curriculum design or credit hours in total can be offered within every three year period. All students are strongly advised to work closely with their academic advisors to plan their progress to graduation. Most students enroll for a mix of high- and lower- credit load terms in the course of their degree. All students are strongly advised to work closely with their academic advisors to plan their progress to graduation based on the below curriculum requirements. Please refer to the Degree Audit in Populi and your Advisor for the most up to date versions of the below course groupings, or the set requisite for your cohort.
Scholarship Pillar Course Groupings
Buddhist Philosophy, Tenets, and Sacred Texts Core
Required: 4 courses (8 credits)
PHL301 Introduction to Buddhist Thought
PHL302 Foundations of Buddhist Thought: The Medium and Great Scope
PHL303 Madhyamaka Philosophy: Where is the Middle Way?
PHL304 Madhyamaka Philosophy: A Dose of Emptiness
Buddhist Philosophy, Tenets, and Sacred Texts Electives
Required: 2 courses (4 credits)
PHL307 Madhyamaka Buddhist Philosophy: India to Tibet
PHL308 Mahamudra: Realizing the Nature of Mind
PHL326 Foundations of Mind Training: Lojong and Your Community
PHL328 Advanced Mind Training and Service as Spiritual Practice II
PHL403 Introduction to Tantra
PHL404 Fundamentals of the Vajra Vehicle
PHL412 Tibetan Medicine: The Wind Element
PHL414 Tibetan Medicine II: The Wind Element – Mental &Physical Healing in Daily Life
The History of Buddhist Thought and the Study of Religions Core
Required: 2 courses (4 credits)
HIS301 History of Buddhist Thought in India and Tibet
PHL450 Theories and Methods in Buddhist Studies
The History of Buddhist Thought and the Study of Religions Electives
Required: 1 course (2 credits)
THL325 Understanding World Religions
THL327 Birth, Aging, Sickness, & Death in Comparative Theology & Religion
THL328 Approaches to the Study of Religion: Theory, Belief, and Practice
THL330 Mapping the Landscape of Western Spirituality: Comparative Religious Traditions in Theory & Practice
Meditation Pillar Course Group
Contemplative Practice and Spiritual Formation Core
Required: 4 courses (8 credits)
MDT301 Introduction to Buddhist Meditation
MDT302 Techniques of Buddhist Meditation: The Medium and Great Scope
MDT303 Techniques of Meditation: Madhyamaka
MDT304 Madhyamaka Meditation: Preparation for Vajrayana
Contemplative Practice and Spiritual Formation Electives
Required: 1 course (2 credits)
MDT307 Madhyamaka Buddhist Meditation: Lineage of India into Tibet
MDT308 Techniques of Meditation: Mahamudra
MDT334 Meditations on Emptiness
THL324 Self-Compassion for Buddhists (1 credit)
THL338 Insight Dialogue: Interpersonal Meditation (1 credit)
Service Pillar Course Groups
Contemporary Buddhist Thought and Ethics Core
Required: 2 courses (4 credits)
CS301 Foundations of Buddhist Service
CS302 Finding Your voice: Communication and Context
Contemporary Buddhist Thought and Ethics Electives
Required: 2 courses (4 credits)
HIS325 The History and Culture of Buddhist Tibet
THL305 Engaged Buddhism
THL320 Contemporary Buddhist Thought and Theology
THL416 Systematic Suffering and Collective Liberation
THL417 Making the Invisible, Visible: Working with Unhealthy Bias and Uprooting It
THL438 Women in Buddhism
Spiritual Care and Buddhist Ministry Core
Required: 2 courses (4 credits)
CS303 Chaplaincy and Models of Spiritual Care
CS304 Servant Leadership in Buddhist/Spiritual Communities
Spiritual Care and Buddhist Ministry Electives
Required: 4 courses (8 credits)
ED310 Buddhist Education – Stages of Human Development: Learning, Teaching, and Faith
THL337 Empathy, Listening, and Mindful Compassionate Dialogue
THL339 Mindful Compassionate Dialogue
THL370 Seminar in Buddhist Ministry, Practical/Pastoral Theology, and Spiritual Care: Spiritual Reflection and Meaning
THL410 Buddhist Rituals, Ethics, Services, and Ceremonies
THL412 Buddhist Rituals and Ceremonies for Healing
THL423 Spiritual Care in Practice
THL424 A Good Death: Approaching End of Life
THL425 Death, Loss, Grieving, and Healing: Personal and Community Processes
THL428 Family Systems and Group Process
Field Education Placement and/or Clinical Pastoral Education
Required: 6 credits
Field Education Placement (internship, credit variable)
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE, 6 transfer credits)
Final Mastery Degree Requirement
Required: 4 credits
ARP502 Action Research Project I (2 credits)
ARP504 Action Research Project II (2 credits)
General Electives and Curricular Planning
Students may select non-required courses from the catalog and new courses as they are offered to build specific competencies or concentrations of study according to their educational interests and goals. Students are advised to consider both breadth and depth of training, as well as requirements or expectations for post-graduate needs. The courses listed above are 2 credits each unless otherwise indicated. Number of total electives is variable, and students are advised to generate an individual plan with their advisors.

