Master of Theology in Buddhist Studies (M.Th.)

Venue Specific: Asian Classics Institute of New York City

http://www.acidharma.org/aci/index.html

Description

This academic masters degree program is directly linked to the course offerings of the Asian Classics Institute in New York City. All courses are by distance learning from practicing Buddhists. There are eighteen courses offered in all. For the M.Th. in Buddhist Studies, the student must take eight courses from the roster of eighteen courses, and verification of completion of these eight courses must be received from the Asian Classics Institute in order for the Foundation to award the degree. All eight courses will be listed on the student’s transcript as having been taken at the ACI. Admission into the M.Th. in Buddhist Studies requires an undergraduate degree in Buddhist Studies from Cloverdale College’s ACI affiliation program. In order to complete this degree, the student must complete eight courses from the ACI curriculum and must submit a Master's thesis of 35,000 to 40,000 words.

Tuition

In addition to the tuition fees paid to the Foundation for the degree program, the student must also pay the fees of the Institute for the courses being taken.

Tuition: $6,750.00
Thesis Processing: $250.00
Graduation: $100.00

Admission Requirements

Baccalaureate degree or equivalent validated by a transcript.
Five years of accumulated experience in a cognate field of ministry (lay, religious, ordained).
Completion of the Application Procedure.

Thesis Supervisor

Option A: Students may select a faculty member of the Foundation to serve as Thesis Supervisor. This option enables the student to receive helpful and pragmatic evaluative feedback from a member of the faculty in the developmental process of producing the Master’s Thesis. The role of the faculty Thesis Supervisor is responsive and suggestive. The faculty person is encouraged to limit feedback to pragmatically helpful hints and suggestions and not to attempt any censorship of the thesis. The exercise of discretion with respect to time demands is very important for both the student and faculty member. The faculty Thesis Supervisor must give final approval of the student’s work by submitting the Thesis Supervisor Report Form. The assessment from the Thesis Supervisor is due by February 1 of the intended year of graduation.

Selection of Faculty Thesis Supervisor and Nomination Procedure:

The student peruses the Faculty Details page and makes a selection.
The student completes the Faculty Thesis Supervisor Nomination Form 106 (Forms).
Academic Affairs provides the nominated faculty member with Form 106.
The selected faculty member notifies Academic Affairs of acceptance of student nomination.
Academic Affairs informs the student and faculty member of relationship approval and contact information is provided.

Option B: Students are at liberty to select a Thesis Supervisor who is not on the faculty of the Foundation. In that event, the Thesis Supervisor must hold a comparable degree to that being pursued by the student. The student must nominate the Thesis Supervisor by submitting a letter of nomination to the Foundation along with a C.V. of the nominee. The student is notified upon approval of the Thesis Supervisor by the Academic Affairs Committee. The Thesis Supervisor must give final approval of the student’s work by submitting the Thesis Supervisor’s Report Form. The assessment from the Thesis Supervisor is due by
February 1 of the intended year of graduation.

Master’s Thesis

The candidate must submit a Master’s Thesis of 35,000-40,000 words (140-160 pages), which addresses some topic, issue, or problem in the field of theological inquiry and demonstrates a grasp of the literature and philosophical/theological components required in the treatment of the selected project. Each candidate must present one copy of the thesis to the Foundation. The Master's Thesis is considered a major component of this degree program and valued most highly. The thesis must be submitted to the Foundation by February 1 of the intended year of graduation.

Graduation Requirements

Viewing of the Foundation's instructional Orientation video.
Completion of venue-specific requirements
Selection of a Thesis Supervisor.
Completion of a Master’s Thesis of 35,000-40,000 words (140- 160 pages) and submission of one electronic or hard copy including the Thesis Supervisor’s evaluation forms by February 1 prior to graduation.
Attendance at the Convocation/Graduation. (Non-US residents are exempt from this requirement.)