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.
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. A service requirement is part of all Maitripa College curricula and requires a minimum number of hours each semester outside class time. 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 early June to late July/early August.
Full-time Degree Students
Students may pursue their degree as a full-time student, defined as six credits per semester for scholarship purposes. Enrollment in full-time or part-time course loads may vary from semester to semester over the course of their program. Advisors work closely with students to establish a reasonable balance of school with other obligations, such as work, family, and religious practice.
Part-time Degree Students
Enrolled degree students have the option to pursue their degree at a part-time pace if the optimal full-time schedule cannot be accommodated. Students may pursue their degree as a full-time student, defined as between one – five credits per semester. Enrollment in full-time or part-time course loads may vary from semester to semester over the course of their program. Advisors work closely with students to establish a reasonable balance of school with other obligations, such as work, family, and religious practice. Students have five years to complete a 44-credit MA degree and seven years to complete a 72-credit MDiv degree on a part-time basis.
Continuing Education Students & Auditors
CONTINUING EDUCATION STUDENTS are Oregon 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.
AUDITING STUDENTS are non-Oregon students. Auditors will not receive a grade, transcript, nor graduate credit for courses completed.
The Continuing Education option is designed for students who may be unable to enroll in a degree program but still want the opportunity to improve their knowledge of Buddhism or a particular course subject area, or to obtain skills to enhance their professional life, or for personal spiritual formation. Registering as a continuing education student at Maitripa College enables the student to take advantage of our classes without committing to a program culminating in a graduate degree. Continuing education students are held to the same standards as degree program students and are expected to complete the readings, homework, exams and other course requirements just as would a degree student and will receive a grade recorded on their transcript.
Participation in the program as a continuing education student is restricted to availability of space contingent on degree student enrollment. Continuing education students interested in subsequently pursuing a degree must complete the full application process and fulfill all of the admissions criteria. If accepted, the continuing education student has the option to transfer previous course credit taken at Maitripa toward their degree. Up to twenty-four credits of successfully completed courses taken as a continuing education student may be transferred into the degree program; the earliest course eligible for credit towards the degree must have been taken no more than five years prior to completing remaining degree requirements.
Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies Degree Required Courses (MA, 44 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. For more information, please see your academic advisor or contact us at education@maitripa.org.
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 springsemester 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.
MA Required and Recommended Courses
Master of Divinity Degree Required Courses (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.
MDiv Required and Recommended Courses
Visiting Research Professor
The intellectual culture at Maitripa College will be enriched periodically with the appointment of Visiting Research Professors for a period of one – two semesters. This non-salaried position for tenured professors of accredited universities includes a tuition remission of up to 75 percent, library privileges, and, if available, access to office space and administrative support. Visiting Research Professors recognize in Maitripa College faculty and library a unique opportunity to acquire or build upon expertise in Buddhist studies. In addition to pursuing their own studies and research at Maitripa, visitors may also be invited to participate in the academic life of the college by presenting their scholarly work to graduate students, faculty and/or the public in guest lectures, seminars or symposia, through discussion with graduate students, or conducting collaborative research.
