Buddhist Chaplaincy
Graduate Programs
Train as a Buddhist Chaplain in a Leading Institution
UWest’s graduate programs in Buddhist Chaplaincy provide professional, accredited training for individuals seeking to offer spiritual care and counseling through a Buddhist lens.
Buddhist Chaplaincy
The Buddhist Chaplaincy Graduate Programs at UWest provide professional, accredited training for individuals seeking to offer spiritual care and counseling through a Buddhist lens. As the first university in the United States to offer an accredited Buddhist chaplaincy program, UWest has led the way in preparing Buddhist chaplains for service in hospitals, prisons, the military, universities, and community settings.Â
What Makes this Program Unique?
UWest’s chaplaincy programs go beyond the classroom. As a university founded by and affiliated with Fo Guang Shan, one of the world’s largest Buddhist monastic orders, students have access to hands-on training at Hsi Lai Temple, Fo Guang Shan’s North American headquarters, just minutes from campus. This direct connection to a living Buddhist tradition sets UWest apart from any other Buddhist chaplaincy program.
Program Highlights
Students engage in spiritual formation, professional training, and interfaith dialogue while developing the practical skills necessary for certification and chaplaincy careers.
- Comprehensive Curriculum – Covers Buddhist theology, mindfulness-based interventions, grief counseling, ethics, and interfaith dialogue.
- Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) – Students are encouraged to complete CPE training, a required step for many professional chaplaincy careers.
- Capstone Project or Dissertation – MABSC and MDiv students complete a final capstone, while DBMin students conduct advanced research and present a dissertation.Â
Why Choose UWest’s Buddhist Chaplaincy Program?
A Direct Link to Buddhist Practice & Tradition
- Affiliated with Fo Guang Shan, a global Buddhist monastic order with an emphasis on humanistic and engaged Buddhism.
- Proximity to Hsi Lai Temple offers a work-study model, integrating academic learning with direct experience in Buddhist spiritual care.
- Opportunities to engage with monastic teachers, chaplains, and global Buddhist leaders through temple-based internships and retreats.
Accredited & Professionally Recognized Training
- First accredited Buddhist chaplaincy program in the U.S., setting the national standard for professional Buddhist spiritual care education.
- Curriculum aligns with the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) standards, ensuring students meet eligibility requirements for certification and credentialing.
- Recognized by hospitals, military, and correctional facilities as a pathway to chaplaincy careers.
Interdisciplinary & Ecumenical Approach
- Collaborates with UWest’s departments of Religious Studies, Psychology, and Business, ensuring students gain a well-rounded understanding of spiritual care, counseling, and leadership.
- Welcomes students from all Buddhist traditions, as well as those from other faiths seeking to incorporate Buddhist teachings into their spiritual care practice.
- Training in interfaith dialogue prepares chaplains to work in diverse, multicultural, and multifaith environments.
Buddhist Chaplaincy Degree Options
Master of Arts in Buddhist Spiritual Care (MABSC) | 36 Units
- Affiliated with Fo Guang Shan, a global Buddhist monastic order with an emphasis on humanistic and engaged Buddhism.
- Proximity to Hsi Lai Temple offers a work-study model, integrating academic learning with direct experience in Buddhist spiritual care.
- Opportunities to engage with monastic teachers, chaplains, and global Buddhist leaders through temple-based internships and retreats.
Master of Divinity (MDiv) in Buddhist Chaplaincy | 72 Units
- Meets professional chaplaincy certification standards and prepares students for spiritual care leadership roles
- Covers nine core areas specified by the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), including pastoral care, comparative religions, and ethics
- In-person program designed for students committed to engaging in direct spiritual care and counseling
Doctor of Buddhist Ministry (DBMin) | Advanced Professional Degree
- For experienced religious leaders with an MDiv or equivalent degree who seek to enhance their ministerial practice
- Focuses on pastoral analysis, leadership, and spiritual maturity, culminating in a dissertation project
Meditation & Mindfulness in Caregiving
Pastoral Care & Crisis Counseling
End-of-Life & Palliative Care Support
Trauma-Responsive Chaplaincy
Buddhist Ethics & Spiritual Guidance
Meditation & Mindfulness in Caregiving
Pastoral Care & Crisis Counseling
End-of-Life & Palliative Care Support
Trauma-Responsive Chaplaincy
Buddhist Ethics & Spiritual Guidance
Individualized Guidance
You will meet with a program advisor to discuss your what sparks your passions and how your interests fit into your larger career goals. Together, you will develop your individualized program—a course of study that is truly you.
Career Pathways
Graduates of UWest’s Buddhist Chaplaincy programs serve in a variety of professional roles, including:
- Healthcare Chaplain – Providing spiritual care in hospitals, hospices, and mental health facilities.
- Military Chaplain – Serving the spiritual needs of active-duty personnel and veterans.
- Prison Chaplain – Supporting the rehabilitation and spiritual development of incarcerated individuals.
- University Chaplain – Offering guidance and pastoral care to students, faculty, and staff.
- Community Spiritual Leader – Engaging in nonprofit organizations, interfaith initiatives, and Buddhist centers.
Alumni Success
“UWest’s Buddhist Chaplaincy program provided me with not only the academic foundation but also the hands-on experience I needed to become a board-certified chaplain. The opportunity to train at Hsi Lai Temple and learn from real practitioners was transformative.”
— Jamie L., MDiv Graduate, Class of 2022
FACULTY
Chair
Jitsujo Gauthier, PhD
Faculty
Tilda Zheng, DBMin
Adjunct Faculty
Victor Gabriel, PhD
Bryan Ferry, MDiv
Dung Nguyen, DMin
Monica Sanford, PhD
Nathan Michon, PhD
Sarah Ford, MDiv
80% of students receive some form of financial aid
UWest offers various financial aid options to support students, including:
- Scholarships: Merit-based and need-based scholarships are available.​
- Grants: Federal and state grants for eligible students.​
- Loans: Federal student loan programs with favorable terms.​
- Work-Study Programs: Opportunities to earn while learning through campus employment.​
APPLICATION DEADLINES
- Fall Semester: June 15th
- Spring Semester: Nov 15th
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Completed online application
- Official transcripts from all previous institutions
- Personal statement outlining chaplaincy goals
- Two letters of recommendation
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Start Your Path as a Buddhist Chaplain
UWest’s Buddhist Chaplaincy programs offer a rare opportunity to integrate Buddhist teachings with professional spiritual care training in an accredited academic environment.
