Accreditation and Licensing
Institute of Buddhist Studies is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001, www.wscuc.org.
Institute of Buddhist Studies’ listing on the WSCUC website.
WSCUC Commission Action Letter, February 2020.
Statement of Educational Effectiveness
The Institute of Buddhist Studies is committed to the highest standards of educational effectiveness in all of its academic programs. Measures of educational effectiveness include graduation rates, the length of time that students take to complete their degrees, and placement after graduation in positions appropriate to their vocational objectives.
For information on the GTU Master of Arts degree program, please visit the GTU website.
Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies (M.A.B.S.)
The Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies (M.A.B.S.) provides students an opportunity to deeply engage Buddhist history, thought, texts, and practices as a foundation for further academic study at the doctoral level or professional service in a religious community, the nonprofit sector, or other areas. Some M.A.B.S. students attend school part-time; other students extend their studies by participating in an international exchange program. Graduates go on to further study at the doctoral level, or continue their education and training to become Buddhist ministers or chaplains.
The table below shows the graduation rates for M.A.B.S. student cohorts who entered the program in the years specified.
| Year Entered | Number in Cohort | Graduated within 4 Years |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 1 | 100% |
| 2019-20 | 1 | n/a |
| 2020-21 | 3 | n/a |
| 2021-22 | 3 | n/a |
| 2022-23 | 3 | 0% |
The table below shows the average time to degree for M.A.B.S. students who graduated in the five most recent calendar years.
| Graduation Year | Number of Graduates | Average Time to Degree |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 3 years |
| 2021 | 1 | 8 years |
| 2022 | 3 | 5 years |
| 2023 | 1 | 2 years |
M.A.B.S. graduates in the five most recent academic years were in the following placements after graduation:
| 2018 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ministry | 1 (100%) | 1 (100%) | 1 (33%) | 1 (100%) |
| Chaplaincy | ||||
| Teaching | ||||
| Non-proffitt | ||||
| Further study | ||||
| Other | 2 (66%) |
Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is a graduate professional degree which prepares students to engage fully and with confidence in ministry, chaplaincy, and related professions as well as further academic work. Some M.Div. students attend school part-time; other students extend their studies by participating in an international exchange program. Graduates go on to careers Buddhist chaplains, kaikyoshi ministers with the Buddhist Churches of America or other Jōdo Shinshū-affiliated communities, or further academic study.
The table below shows the graduation rates for M.Div. student cohorts who entered the program in the years specified.
| Year Entered | Number in Cohort | Graduated within 6 Years |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 1 | 100% |
| 2018-19 | 1 | 100% |
| 2019-20 | 1 | n/a |
| 2020-21 | 6 | n/a |
| 2021-22 | 2 | n/a |
| 2022-23 | 7 | n/a |
The table below shows the average time to degree for M.Div. students who graduated in the five most recent calendar years.
| Graduation Year | Number of Graduates | Average Time to Degree |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 3 years |
| 2021 | 2 | 4 years |
| 2022 | 0 | n/a |
| 2023 | 2 | 3 years |
M.Div. graduates in the five most recent academic years were in the following placements after graduation:
| 2019 | 2021 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ministry | 1 (100%) | 1 (50%) | |
| Chaplaincy | |||
| Teaching | |||
| Non-proffitt | |||
| Further study | 1 (50%) | 1 (50%) | |
| Other | 1 (50%) |