Academic Programs » Degree Programs » Buddhist Chaplaincy Program » Program Requirements

The Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) has a set of requirements for its professional chaplain certifications (Board Certified Chaplain, Provisional Certified Chaplain, and Associate Chaplain). One of these is an educational requirement, specifically a three-year graduate degree, such as a Masters of Divinity or equivalent. The chaplaincy educational requirement covers nine subject areas, and is specifically not intended to be a vocational training. It is the intent of the Institute of Buddhist Studies Buddhist Chaplaincy program, therefore, to provide the practitioner with both breadth and depth of understanding of the Buddhist tradition — its philosophy, psychology, and practices, historically contextualized. It is only from a sound intellectual foundation that the effective application of Buddhist teachings can be made. Right view is both the beginning and the ending of the path.

The IBS Buddhist Chaplaincy Program requirements includes:

• a total of 72 semester units (24 three unit courses)
• a modern foreign language: for chaplaincy program students Spanish is a preferred language (see catalogue for details of this requirement)
• note that there is a requirement for students in the joing IBS/GTU MA program to have taken five courses at other GTU member schools

Required Core IBS Courses

• History of the Buddhist Tradition, two courses:
1. South Asian Buddhist Traditions
2. East Asian Buddhist Traditions
• Introduction to Shin Thought
• Buddhist Practice — student is expected to take a course on a meditation tradition other than one they are already familiar with, at least one course, selected from:
1. Basic Buddhist Meditation
2. Zen Buddhist Meditation
3. Tibetan Contemplative Traditions
• Buddhist Ethics (with prior approval, other courses in ethics offered at the GTU may be substituted)
• Buddhist Literature, two courses:
1. Early Buddhist Literature
2. Mahayana Literature
3. or other courses focusing on the study of Buddhist texts
• Buddhist Psychology, two courses:
1. Buddhist Psychology, I: Abhidharma & Yogacara
2. Buddhist Psychology, II: Interfacing with Western Psychologies
• Buddhist Services and Ceremonies (offered annually)
• Buddhist Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy, 5 courses:
• Required: Buddhist Pastoral Care and Counseling, 3 units (offered alternate years)
• Recommended:
  Buddhist Chaplaincy I and II:
  These courses are offered by the Sati Center Buddhist Chaplaincy Training Program or the New York Center for Contemplative Care program. They are yearlong group programs that include skills training and volunteer opportunities. Students are strongly encouraged to apply for this training. Separate application is made to these programs for admission. Additional fees for either of these programs is borne by the student, however adjustments to tuition rates are made.
• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
  Students may take one or two units of CPE earning 3 semester units per each CPE unit. One unit of CPE is usually an 11 week 400 hour requirement, and is offered at approved hospitals and placements. One unit CPE can be taken in the summer so as not to interfere with regular progress in a degree program. CPE can also be taken at the end of course work. Students apply to CPE programs on their own, but advising and guidance is available from IBS faculty. Any additional costs for CPE are borne by the student.
• Other Courses: Issues in Buddhist Ministry, 3 units (Offered alternate years)
• Other GTU Courses:
  With prior approval of program advisor other GTU courses in ministry, chaplaincy or pastoral care or counseling may be used to fulfill this requirement.
  The GTU offers a rich array of applicable courses, a list of previously approved courses can be obtained from the program advisor.
• One course on Buddhism in America/the West
• Buddhism in the West or Buddhism and Globalization — both offered biennially by the IBS
• Buddhism in America — offered by the GTU
• or other similar course with prior approval by advisor
• Required GTU Courses:
1. Pastoral Counseling, at GTU
2. Buddhist-Christian Dialogue, at GTU
3. note: MA students are required to take a minimum of 5 classes at other GTU schools; see catalogue re. distribution requirement
• Additional Courses:
• four additional elective classes
• Topics in Buddhist Thought, when appropriate topic is offered, may be repeated
• Thesis Requirement: “in thesis” counts for up to two courses (6 units) toward total course work requirement