Students come to IBS with a variety of life experiences, enroll as both full- and part-time students, and thus proceed through the program at their own pace. Students who have completed a certificate program as part of our stackable curriculum, for example, may have already completed the two-semester survey courses referenced in the first learning outcome. Those skills are invaluable as students progress through the M.A.B.S. and beginning writing their thesis.
As a result of completing the Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies, students will be able to:
| Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) | Assessed through... | Forms and rubrics |
|---|---|---|
| Articulate and analyze Buddhism's complexity, including historical developments, gender dynamics, traditions, texts, practices, and doctrines; | Final research papers, or equivalent, in two-semester survey courses: Buddhism in South Asia Buddhism in East Asia | PLO1 Rubric |
| Apply and critically evaluate specialized knowledge of Buddhism, including its history, gender dynamics, traditions, texts, practices, and doctrines, across diverse areas and disciplines of Buddhist Studies; | Final paper or project, or equivalent, in specialized courses: History of Shin Buddhist Tradition Topics in Buddhist Women Readings in Early Buddhist Texts Works of Shinran I Topics in Shin Buddhist Thought Buddhism and the West Topics in Buddhist Practice Engaged Buddhism | PLO2 Rubric |
| Create and defend an independent research project or thesis that integrates appropriate theories and research methods to analyze and evaluate a chosen topic in relation to professional or academic goals. | Degree program final project – the thesis | PLO3 Rubric |