Academic Credit

The Sati Center for Buddhist Studies has an affiliation program with the Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS), a graduate academic seminary affiliated with the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, CA. IBS offers a degree program in Buddhist Chaplaincy. More information is available here.

Students who are enrolled in the Buddhist Chaplaincy Training Program (BCT) can receive six (6) Credit Units from IBS as a Special Student. These may be applied toward IBS degree requirements.
Students enrolled in other graduate academic programs, as well as those who are not, may pursue academic credit as well. Details are below.

Full attendance for the 11 months and additional academic papers are required. A grade is given upon completion. Academic credit students must participate in all 11 months of the BCT course, not a single semester. No partial credit is awarded.

Click here to access extra assignments for Academic Credit.

Details
A. IBS Degree Program students must:
• Meet with their academic advisor regarding their interest in the BCT
• Apply directly to Sati Center for acceptance into the BCT. The faculty will review IBS
student applications as for any other applicant. Thus, being an IBS student does not
guarantee admission to the BCT.
• Pay the BCT application and tuition fees directly to the Sati Center.
• Pay additional IBS tuition fees for the awarding of academic credit.
• Enroll in IBS Registration after acceptance into the BCT. There is no automatic acceptance
into the BCT training simply by registering in the IBS Registration.

B. BCT students not enrolled in an IBS degree program must:
• Apply directly to IBS by completing an Academic Credit application. Being a Sati Center
BCT student does not guarantee admission to IBS. Application due dates are September
30th for the Spring Semester and February 15th for the following Fall.
• Pay additional IBS tuition fees for the awarding of academic credit
• Inform the BCT faculty directly after acceptance into IBS to receive additional assignments.
• Contact the IBS Buddhist Chaplaincy Program Director, Rev. Daijaku Kinst, Ph.D.,
Professor of Buddhism and Buddhist Pastoral Care at daijaku@shin-ibs.edu

C. GTU Degree Program students must:
• Meet the following pre-requisites, in addition to those specified on the BCT application:
– Completion of one (1) IBS course in either their Buddhist Studies or Chaplaincy degree programs
– Completion of 2 semesters of study at the GTU
• Make specific arrangements with their GTU school of affiliation for credit hours and GTU enrollment.
• Apply directly to Sati Center for acceptance into the BCT. The faculty will review GTU student applications as for any other applicant. Thus, being a GTU student does not guarantee admission to the BCT.

Note: There is no affiliation between the Sati Center and the GTU or a provision for GTU students to be automatically accepted into the BCT by enrolling via the GTU Open Registration.

• Pay the BCT application and tuition fees directly to the Sati Center.
• Pay any additional tuition fees for the awarding of academic credit as required by their GTU
school of affiliation

D. Degree Program students from any other graduate level school/education institution* must:
• Meet the following pre-requisites, in addition to those specified on the BCT application:
– Completion of one graduate level course in Buddhism
– Completion of 2 semesters of study at with their school/education institution
• Make specific arrangements with their school/education institution for credit hours and enrollment.
• Apply directly to Sati Center for acceptance into the BCT. The faculty will review their applications as for any other applicant.
• Pay the BCT application and tuition fees directly to the Sati Center.
• Pay any additional tuition fees for the awarding of academic credit as required by their
school/education institution


**The Sati Center is very interested in creating and strengthening ties with schools, educational institutions, and local organizations. Inquiries are always welcome.