For more than a decade, the Institute of Buddhist Studies has prepared women and men for careers of service as Buddhist chaplains. We offer a 72-unit program which meets the standard for chaplain certification set by the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC). Students may complete this program by enrolling in the Master of Divinity Degree program. For international students and those seeking federal financial aid, a combination of the GTU MA in Buddhist Studies plus the Certificate in Buddhist Chaplaincy meets the APC requirement for a 72-unit accredited theological degree.
Applicants are encouraged to consult with faculty for guidance in choosing the appropriate path of study.
Is becoming a Buddhist Chaplain the next step in your Buddhist practice?
- Do you want your career to reflect your Buddhist values?
- Do you want your work to bring peace and strength to yourself and others?
- Do you want to reach out to people who are suffering from old age, sickness, death, and imprisonment?
- Do you enjoy hearing people’s stories and helping them along their own spiritual paths?
- Are you interested in challenging yourself academically and spiritually?
If so, becoming a chaplain maybe just what you are looking for.
Buddhist Chaplains are needed wherever chaplains work, including:
- hospitals, hospices, and healthcare facilities
- universities, schools, and the private sector
- prisons and rehabilitation facilities
- the US Armed Services