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.