Admission as a Degree-Seeking Student
Students interested in enrolling in degree programs must submit a completed application by the date designated in the application materials and website. Applications will be accepted every fall. To apply for admission, students may complete the online application. A calendar of important dates and deadlines will be posted on our website and will also be available in the administrative office.
Admission to current degree programs at Maitripa College require a bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) from an accredited institution, completed application, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a resume or cv, an essay and a personal statement of interest, as well as an admissions interview. All application materials will be reviewed by the admissions committee, and decisions will be sent out within a reasonable period of time. The admissions committee will act in accordance with Maitripa College’s nondiscrimination policy, and all student information will be kept private. A non-refundable application fee is required with each application.
Admission to classes as a Continuing Education Student
Students interested in taking classes as a continuing education student should complete the online application. Once accepted, students will be led through the registration process and have an opportunity to meet with an advisor. Continuing education students are expected to comply with the full attendance and evaluation requirements for the course.
In the case of a continuing education student who has been taking classes and wishes to enroll in a Maitripa degree program, he or she must submit a full application, receive acceptance as a degree student, and complete all requirements for graduation. The student must also submit the Transfer of Continuing Education Credit form. Up to 24 credits of coursework accumulated as a continuing education student within the past five years may be applied to a degree program.
Students with more than 24 credits of continuing education work may submit a petition for the recognition of additional credits to be reviewed by the Maitripa Program Committee. The recognition of additional credit is not guaranteed, and students interested in obtaining their degree should apply well in advance of meeting the 24 credit limit.
Availability of courses for continuing education students will be posted each semester on the college’s website and in the administrative office.
Please refer all admissions queries to:
Maitripa College Office of the Registrar
1632 SE 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214
503-235-2477
registrar@maitripa.org
www.maitripa.org/registrar/
Enrolling in a Course
Enrollment for any course is open through the deadline for adding/dropping a class. Very special circumstances may extend the enrollment deadline by permission of instructor only.
Enrollment Limit
The current enrollment limit for residential students for the 2024-2025 school year is a maximum of 70 students per semester. This number is based on the available space of the facilities and the number of current instructors. The enrollment limit is established solely for the purpose of protecting the quality of education and safety for the students, instructors, and staff of the college.
Degree Program Change
Students wishing to change or add degree programs must follow one of two processes: 1) submit a new, formal application for the new degree program, or 2) submit the Degree Program Change Request Form. Students who have completed less than two semesters of work for an existing degree must submit a new application and the Internal Transfer of Credit form. Students who have completed more than two semesters of work for an existing degree must submit the Degree Program Change Request form and the Internal Transfer of Credit form.
Non-Class Credit
Other than the approved service-learning curriculum, Maitripa College does not recognize any non-class credit for work done outside of classes.
Registration
Students will be required to register for each semester of enrollment at Maitripa College. Registration is completed by logging into a student account and adding or dropping classes. Students who need assistance can request an appointment with their advisor, the Director of Student Services or Technical Support. Registration opens at least one month before classes begin. Students may not register for classes if their accounts with the College are not in good standing.
Drop/Add Period
Students can add/drop classes anytime during the first two full weeks of Fall and Spring terms. If a student plans to add a course after the course start date, they must attend the classes prior to adding unless approved absence is requested and granted by the professor. Any increase in tuition will be invoiced on the day of the change to the schedule and due immediately. If the student is on a payment plan and adds a class, the plan will be adjusted accordingly. Any outstanding tuition due for the month will be due immediately. Likewise, if a class is dropped during the add/drop period, the bookkeeper will process the refund on the day the dropped class is requested.
Repeating Courses
Courses at Maitripa may be repeated for a grade if the grade received in the course was a C+ or below. The repeated course must be the same course as one previously taken. The grading basis must also be the same. Students who repeat a course do not earn additional credit toward their degree. Credit from the repeated course will replace the previous course in computing cumulative grade point average. Both courses will remain on the student’s transcript.
Tibetan language courses and theology lab courses may be repeated for credit, as indicated by the ‘r’ in the course number or in the course description in the catalog.
Transfer of Credit to Other Schools
Transfer of credit is always at the discretion of the receiving school, generally depends on comparability of curricula, and may depend on comparability of accreditation.
Transfer of Credit within Programs at Maitripa College
Credits accumulated at Maitripa Collage for a particular degree program may be transferred to another degree program if the student is in compliance with the policies relating to and has completed the formal process for degree program change (see applicable section in this handbook). To complete this process, students must submit the Internal Transfer of Credit form, available from the administrative office.
Transfer of Credit from Other Schools
Courses from other accredited or HECC-approved colleges, universities, or educational programs may be counted for credit at Maitripa College under certain circumstances and when meeting College criteria. The below policy outlines the maximum transfer credits that may be applied towards a Maitripa College degree, and the general considerations for assessing course equivalency or elective course credit. The Academic Program Director receives requests for transfer credit, and may review transcripts, course descriptions, and course syllabi in a case by case assessment of appropriate awarding of credit according to the below guidelines.
Language courses and/or training in Tibetan language instruction received elsewhere may be accepted for up to four credits at Maitripa College provided it was received at an accredited institution, and pending instructor approval. Students may also test out of a language requirement or prerequisite at the discretion of the course instructor. Students may also test into an intermediate or advanced placement language courses.
Students wishing to be awarded transfer credit for academic work completed at the graduate level before admissions or after matriculation must submit a Transfer Credit Authorization form to the Director of Programs for review. There may be an administrative fee for review of Transfer Credit Authorization form. The Director of Programs and/or Dean will make a determination whether courses are relevant to the curriculum of study, meet general graduation requirements, count towards specific degree requirements, or may be equivalent to Maitripa College courses. This determination will be based upon the criteria outlined below and review of materials such as transcripts, syllabi, and course descriptions.
Maitripa College graduate students may accrue a maximum total of 25% of the credit required towards the degree (18 credits in the MDiv, 11 credits in the MA). The maximum credit total for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) completed at an ACPE accredited program is 1 unit, which will transfer as six credits, and may be taken at any time in the student’s degree program.
Maitripa College transfer credit process includes student petition and administrative review and approval that the below criteria are met. Upon review of the student’s petition for transfer credit, the administration is satisfied that:
- The course was/is offered by an accredited university, and is at corresponding degree level, or otherwise approved by the HECC
- The course was/is equivalent to courses in the student’s degree curricula and the total number of hours of student effort may be calculated according to OAR definitions of credit hours for a semester
- The area of course focus was/is pertinent to the degree and closely aligned with the student’s professional and academic interests,
- Those interests could not be met under supervision of Maitripa faculty or through coursework on campus
- If the proposed transfer credit is for a course that requires community service, volunteer service hours and mentorship was or will be secured at a suitable and enriching community organization with mentorship or supervision
- Maitripa College is able to provide faculty oversight in reviewing the student’s final papers and coursework produced, liaison with mentors or instructors as needed, and/or grant administrative oversight to manage transcripts, student assessment, etc.
- The grade earned must be in accordance with Maitripa College grade policies and OARs (C or above) to receive credit towards the degree
Maitripa College does not currently grant credit for non-collegiate work, other than the above specified Clinical Pastoral Education chaplaincy practicum intended for MDiv students.
Transcripts
Grade transcripts will be available to students from the administrative offices beginning one month after grades are turned in for each semester. Students can check their current, unofficial transcripts by logging in to Populi. For assistance in accessing unofficial transcripts via Populi, please refer to the Current Students page of the Maitripa College website or contact the Registrar at registrar@maitripa.org.
The request for official transcripts must be made in writing. Allow 5 business days for processing official transcripts. Transcripts will be mailed to your current mailing address, or to other addresses as requested in writing. Transcripts will not be released to students with an outstanding balance on their account.
