Community Education & Admissions
Explore Lifelong Learning at UWest
University of the West (UWest) offers community education programs designed for individuals seeking personal growth, professional development, and deeper engagement with mindfulness, leadership, and holistic learning. Open to all, these programs provide meaningful opportunities to expand knowledge and connect with a like-minded community.
Community Education Programs
UWest’s Psychology program integrates mindfulness and multicultural perspectives, providing a holistic understanding of human behavior. The curriculum combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, preparing graduates for careers in counseling, research, and various human services fields.
Our non-degree and continuing education courses include:
- Mindfulness & Meditation
Practical techniques for self-awareness, stress resilience, and emotional intelligence - Buddhist Studies
Explore Buddhist philosophy, ethics, and practice in everyday life. - Ethical Leadership & Social Impact
Develop skills to lead with purpose and integrity - Personal Growth & Holistic Well-Being
Engage in workshops designed to support transformation and self-discovery.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your personal practice, enhance your professional skills, or simply learn something new, our programs provide flexible and engaging learning experiences for the community.
Past Community Courses
Meditation Class (Basic Level)
CE-MED822A
Instructor: Ven. Thich Thien Tri
An 8-week in-person course, for students who would like to learn about basic meditation as a path to self-discovery and transformation.
Sundays 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Location: Hybrid – Online & In-person at Zen Center of Los Angeles
August 7, 2024-January 11, 2025
Topics in Buddhist Studies: Buddhist Studies & Artificial Intelligence
CE-8641-1
Instructor: Dr. Lewis Lancaster
Provides hands-on training in artificial intelligence (AI) that involves the construction of Bots on three projects: (1) Buddhist bibliography; (2) Chinese-English Buddhist Dictionary; (3) personal research datasets. Working Bots, students will learn how to make use of AI for summaries, structure, and analysis of their own material.
Fridays 6:30pm-9:20pm
Location: Online/remote
August 22-December 16, 2024
Women in Buddhism: Exploring the Sacred Feminine
Women’s Leadership in Buddhism
CE-RS8505
Instructor: The Rev. Dr. Jitsujo Gauthier
To gather a group of 5 leaders, 7 facilitators, and 28+ practitioners from a variety of traditions and cultural backgrounds to empower each other and create connections that ripple outward and inward for years to come.
Various days/times
Location: Hybrid – Online & In-person at Zen Center of Los Angeles
August 7, 2024-January 11, 2025
Intermediate Meditation Class
Saturdays, November 23, 2024 to February 15, 2025
2:30pm to 5:00pm
Location: Dao Trang Kieu Dam Di: 9057 La Crescenta Ave, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Email: thienthucnghiemchanhniem@gmail.com
Tel: 626-866-1653
Notice:
*This course is EXCLUSIVELY for students who have completed the Basic Class and have received their certificates from Dr. Minh Hoa Ta.
Advanced Meditation Class
Saturdays, November 23, 2024 to April 26, 2025
5:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: Dao Trang Kieu Dam Di: 9057 La Crescenta Ave, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Email: thienthucnghiemchanhniem@gmail.com
Tel: 626-866-1653
Notice:
*This course is EXCLUSIVELY for students who have completed the Intermediate Class and have received their certificates from Dr. Minh Hoa Ta.
Mindfulness Therapy: Self-Discovery & Transformation
CE-MED822A
Instructor: Ven. Thich Thien Tri
Mindfulness Therapy is an 8-week in-person course, for students who would like to learn about basic meditation as a path to self-discovery and transformation.
Saturdays 3:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Dao Trang Kieu Dam Di: 9057 La Crescenta Ave, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
July 13 – September 14, 2024
Meditative Practices
CE-MED826
Meditative Practices
Instructor: Dr. Joanne Kwoh-Maysami
Wednesdays 6:00pm-7:30pm
Location: University of the West – Ken Locke Hall
August 26 – October 3, 2024
Autumn Meditation Retreat
CE-MED823
Instructor: Ven. Thich Thien Tri
Thursday, October 31 to Sunday, November 2, 2024
Location: Mindfulness Meditation Center, 1023 N Glendora Ave, Covina, CA 91724
Weekend conducted in English and Vietnamese.
For more information about these courses, please email: thienthucnghiemchanhniem@gmail.com