Master of Divinity in Buddhist Chaplaincy (MDiv)
Step into Purposeful Leadership Rooted in Compassion and Mindfulness
The Master of Divinity in Buddhist Chaplaincy at UWest prepares students to offer spiritual care through the lens of Buddhist wisdom. This immersive, in-person program is designed for those committed to guiding others with integrity, presence, and compassion—whether in hospitals, prisons, military settings, or community organizations.
Master of Divinity in Buddhist Chaplaincy (Mdiv)
Whether you’re a chaplain, therapist, or community leader, this program grounds you in Buddhist wisdom, mindfulness, and real-world application to support healing and transformation.
Rooted in engaged Buddhism, UWest’s MDiv blends rigorous study with hands-on training to develop compassionate, ethical, and spiritually grounded care providers.
Program at a Glance
Location: Los Angeles (Low-Residency Format)
Length: 2.5 Years / 72 Units
Tuition: $743 per unit
Flexible Enrollment: Fall & Spring start dates
Small Class Sizes: 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio
Immersive Learning: Direct engagement with Hsi Lai Temple & Fo Guang Shan
What Makes this Program Unique?
UWest’s MDiv in Buddhist Chaplaincy offers more than academic study, it’s a full immersion into the practice of spiritual care rooted in Buddhist values. Students engage in group process work, service learning, and clinical internships every semester, developing skills in pastoral counseling, interfaith ritual, and nonprofit leadership. The program fulfills all nine APC core competencies, preparing graduates for professional chaplaincy certification. With direct access to Hsi Lai Temple, the North American headquarters of Fo Guang Shan, students train alongside a living Buddhist community, deepening their spiritual formation and gaining practical experience in diverse care settings—from hospitals and hospices to prisons, universities, and the military.
✔ One of the only Buddhist chaplaincy programs in the U.S. – Gain a specialized spiritual care education rooted in Buddhist wisdom.
✔ Low-Residency Format – Designed for working professionals, with flexible coursework and immersive on-campus intensives.
✔ Direct Access to Buddhist Monastic Training – Engage with Hsi Lai Temple and Fo Guang Shan, one of the largest Buddhist monastic orders in the world.
✔ Interfaith & Multicultural Approach – Develop the skills to serve diverse populations in hospitals, prisons, military, social work, and education.
✔ Career-Ready Spiritual Formation – Build practical skills in pastoral care, ethics, and mindfulness-based interventions for real-world application.
Why Choose UWest’s Mdiv 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
- The first accredited Buddhist chaplaincy program in the U.S., UWest’s MDiv sets the benchmark for professional training in Buddhist spiritual care.
- Curriculum aligns with the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) standards, ensuring students meet eligibility requirements for certification and credentialing.
- Graduates are recognized as qualified chaplains in hospitals, the military, correctional systems, and other care-based institutions.
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.
Admission Requirements
1. Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
2. Personal Statement: A statement of purpose outlining the applicant’s interest in Buddhist spiritual care and professional goals.
3. Letters of Recommendation: Two letters attesting to the applicant’s academic and/or professional qualifications.
For more detailed information, please refer to the 2024-2025 UWest Academic Catalog for the Master of Arts in Buddhist Spiritual Care.
MINDFULNESS-BASED SPIRITUAL CARE
Compassionate & Ethical Spiritual Care
Buddhist Philosophical & Ethical Foundations
Mindfulness-Based Spiritual Care
MINDFUL COUNSELING IN MULTIFAITH SETTINGS
Mindfulness-Based Spiritual Care
Spiritual Care Rooted in Wisdom and Integrity
Buddhist Philosophical & Ethical Foundations
Meditation & Emotional Well-Being
Mindful Counseling in Multifaith Settings
Who Should Enroll?
This program is designed for individuals who want to:
✔ Commit to a full-time, in-person journey of spiritual formation grounded in Buddhist practice.
✔ Integrate mindfulness, ritual, and Buddhist ethics into professional chaplaincy or caregiving roles.
✔ Train for a vocation in spiritual care, interfaith ministry, or community-based leadership.
✔ Meet the educational and practical requirements for board certification as a professional chaplain.
Career Pathways
Graduates of the MDiv in Buddhist Chaplaincy are prepared to serve in roles such as:
- Board-Certified Chaplain – Offering spiritual care in hospitals, hospices, the military, correctional institutions, and universities.
Spiritual Care Counselor – Supporting individuals through grief, trauma, and life transitions with a Buddhist-informed approach.
Community or Dharma Leader – Guiding meditation groups, Buddhist centers, and socially engaged initiatives.
Interfaith Chaplain or Advocate – Fostering spiritual connection and understanding across diverse cultural and religious communities.
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
Begin Your Journey in Buddhist Chaplaincy
UWest’s Buddhist Chaplaincy program offers a unique path to merge Buddhist wisdom with professional chaplaincy training in a fully accredited, graduate-level setting.
