Welcome! We are thrilled that you are considering joining our vibrant community. Please contact us if you have any questions, wish to connect with a faculty member online, or to arrange an in-person tour. If you are ready to begin now, taking the next step is simple. Review the information on this page and just click on the appropriate button below to start your journey today!

Beginning in Fall 2027, Maitripa College offers two low-residency degree programs: Master of Arts in Applied Buddhism (MAAB) and Master of Divinity (MDiv). Please select one of the Degree Program Application links below to apply!

If completing a degree program is not your end goal (or you are not yet sure), Maitripa College offers the opportunity to take many classes as a Continuing Education (CE) Student. Please select one of the Continuing Education Application links below to apply!

Degree Program Applications | Continuing Education Applications

Degree Program Applications

Please complete the Degree Program Application for 1) US Citizens and Permanent Residents OR 2) International Citizens

Requirements for Entry as a Degree Program Student

  • Completion of a four-year, “undergraduate” degree or its international equivalent
  • Completion of the online application form including two letters of recommendation, an essay, statement of interest, resume, transcripts and payment of the application fee (see below)
  • Participation in an interview with the Admissions Committee
  • Acceptance of offer into the Degree Program within two weeks of being offered entry
  • Attendance at the College Orientation in August prior to first week of class
  • Clear commitment to completing the Maitripa College degree program as evidenced by signing the Enrollment Agreement available at Orientation
  • The degree programs at Maitripa College are available to students in Oregon.

Maitripa College MA/MDIV Program Application Instructions

Your complete application should include the following. Please read all these steps before beginning your application.

1. APPLICATION FORM

Clicking on the link below will direct you to a page where you’ll first enter basic information and then you’ll be directed to the body of the application. Please complete the entire application.

2. ESSAY & STATEMENT OF INTEREST
  • Compose a typed, double-spaced Essay & Statement of Interest (not to exceed 5 pages) as follows and upload the documents to the online application form in Populi.
  • Essay: Please give a description of the development of your spiritual life, including a discussion of the development of your faith, practice, and belief systems.
  • Statement of Interest: Please include discussions of your goals in applying to this degree, how you see this program relating to your personal and/or professional life, how you intend to use this degree, and what about Maitripa College appeals to you the most.
3. RESUME or CV
  • Please upload a resume or curriculum vitae to your online application.
4. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Please request letters of recommendation from two people with whom you have acted as student, mentee, colleague, volunteer, or employee. Please do not send letters of recommendation from friends or family members. Each person who is sending a recommendation to us on your behalf should include both:

You may request letters of recommendation directly through the Degree Program Application or by requesting directly on your own via the form above. Please request that the recommender sends the form and letter both, directly to Maitripa College, attn: Admissions.

5. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

Official transcripts from previously attended post-secondary educational institutions, showing completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, must be either sent directly to Maitripa College or submitted in a signed and sealed envelope by you through a secure email, regular mail, or in-person delivery to Maitripa College, Admissions, 1119 SE Market St., Portland, Oregon 97214.

6. OPTIONAL GRE SCORES
  • You may request Educational Testing Services to send your GRE score to Maitripa College, Designated Institution (DI) Code 7290.
7. APPLICATION FEE

Your online application is not complete until we have received the non-refundable application fee through the online application portal in Populi. The application fee is payable by credit card.

  • $75 for US Citizens and Permanent Residents
  • $125 for International Citizens – due to the cost of shipping and handling international student applications, and the F-1 student visa process, international applicants are required to submit a non-refundable $125 application fee.
8. REQUIRED INTERVIEW
  • After your application is submitted in full, Maitripa Admissions will contact you to set up a time for a phone or in-person interview. This interview is a required element of the application process.
9. ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
  • Applicants whose primary language is not English are required to demonstrate English language proficiency as a condition of admission. Maitripa College’s programs involve sustained graduate-level reading, writing, discussion, and collaborative inquiry; strong English skills are essential to full participation and to the quality of the learning community as a whole.
10. ADDITIONAL INTERNATIONAL STUDENT REQUIREMENT
  • Proof of Sufficient Financial Means: Documentation providing proof of sufficient financial means to cover cost of living and tuition for at least one year of studies. Please see the International Students page for additional information on this requirement.

Continuing Education and Auditing Applications

If completing a degree program is not your end goal (or you have not yet decided), consider taking a class as a Continuing Education (CE) Student. Maitripa College’s transformative education is available through a simple online application and registration process. Follow the links below to apply.

CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) STUDENTS are students who are enrolled in classes for credit, receive a grade, transcript, and credit hours for completed courses. Continuing Education Students are not eligible to register as auditors.

States from Which Maitripa College May Enroll Online Students: Arizona, Florida, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington State, and Wisconsin.

Maitripa College cannot enroll online or distance education students in states or U.S. territories not listed above. If you are from a state not currently listed, please contact us at registrar@maitripa.org to inquire about whether we may be able to pursue compliance with your state.

Follow this link for more details on State Authorization for Distance Education

AUDITING STUDENTS are students from elsewhere in the US and internationally. Auditors will not receive a grade, transcript, nor graduate credit for courses completed. Auditing Students are expected to participate fully and attend all online classes synchronously.

Follow this link for more details on State Authorization for Distance Education