Master of Divinity
MDiv Degree
Earn your Master of Divinity at Naropa, the West’s first Buddhist-inspired university. Our interreligious spiritual care degree values innovation and social engagement while remaining deeply rooted in contemplative practice.
Program Overview
The Naropa Master of Divinity program uniquely prepares chaplains and spiritual community-builders for lives of contemplative leadership. Our Buddhist-inspired divinity program functions as an interreligious seminary, welcoming graduate students who represent a diversity of spiritual and religious backgrounds. This three-year accredited program combines deep theological study, community engagement, interreligious spiritual care, and meditation practice, all within a real-world context. Each pathway is grounded in contemplative insights, meditation practices, and clinical training. You may also choose to complete Mindfulness Instructor Training as an optional specialty.
Interreligious & Interspiritual Approach
Unlike traditional MDiv degrees, Naropa welcomes students of all faiths and spiritualities, allowing them to pursue their personal divinity journey within an academic setting with hands-on experience opportunities. While the MDiv degree program requires students to engage in contemplative practices, there is no presumption about how the students identify themselves within a specific religious tradition.
Four Streams of Learning
Our MDiv degree prepares students through four streams of learning:
- Theological study—an in-depth understanding of the basic Buddhist texts and doctrines in historical and present-day contexts
- Community—devoted to the insights and tools for fostering “engaged” communities
- Interfaith Pastoral Care—the ability to serve the spiritual and human needs of a diverse community in ministerial/ chaplaincy roles while embodying the principles and practices of one’s primary tradition
- Practice and Meditation—the spiritual practice of sitting meditation from the Buddhist tradition.
Chaplaincy Internships
Each Master of Divinity student will apply their classroom learning in an ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education internship. Our Internships provide a context for integrating all four streams of learning and applying them to real-world needs while initiating the process of lifetime learning through the students’ work.
Quick Facts
- Unique interreligious & interspiritual Degree
- Contemplative Campus
- Flexible Start Dates
- Optional Specialties
- Chaplaincy Internships
- 75% of our graduate students receive financial aid and/or scholarships
- Unique interreligious & interspiritual Degree
- Remote learning
- Flexible Start Dates
- Chaplaincy Internships
- 4 in-person residential retreats
- 75% of our graduate students receive financial aid and/or scholarships
- Applications open for Summer and Fall 2025
Program Format
Naropa’s Master of Divinity offers two pathways for graduate students. Those who prefer in-person courses can study on our Boulder, Colorado, campus. Graduate students who wish to remain in their current zip code can enroll in our low-residency program. This allows students to do most of their study online, connecting with Naropa faculty and divinity program peers during residential retreats. Each pathway is rooted in contemplative philosophy and practice. Both the on-campus and low-residency degree options share four residential retreats – three nine-day retreats and one seven-day retreat – that bring the students together with their faculty to build community and provide a face-to-face, intensive engagement with contemplative education.
Master of Divinity Course Spotlight
Ethics & Spiritual Caregiving
This course explores the ethics of spiritual caregiving in diverse contexts within the field of professional spiritual care, with a particular focus on empowerment and change agency. Readings and discussions will engage current and abiding ethical considerations such as healthy professional boundaries, the role of chaplains in guiding and supporting ethical deliberation, and complex ethical dilemmas in healthcare such as physician-assisted dying, resource allocation, and end-of-life decision-making.
Degree
Requirements
Naropa’s Master of Divinity is a 72-credit, three-year program firmly grounded in Buddhist philosophy and meditation practice, emphasizing an interreligious approach to individual and community care. In addition to in-person retreats, the MDiv program includes a noncredit, seven-day Contemplative Practice Intensive requirement, completed at a retreat center of the student’s choosing. Regular coursework features four meditation practicum courses complementing core Buddhist teachings. Students are paired with personal Meditation Instructors and engage in five hours of meditation weekly.
Low-Residency MDiv Requirements
Students opt for a summer start or fall start with an additional semester to distribute coursework, accommodating busy schedules. The low-residency program offers on-demand programming instead of live class meetings.
Low-Residency Course Schedule - Summer Start First Year, Summer
First Year, Summer
- REL605e Pathways of Spiritual Care (2)
- REL749e Contemporary American Religion (3)
- Religious Studies Electives (1)
- Subtotal: 6 credits
First Year, Fall
All courses include a nine-day retreat during the first few weeks of the semester.
- REL600e Meditation Practicum I: Seeds of Peace (3)
- REL611e First Turning of the Wheel: Nature of Mind and Emotions (3)
- REL602e Contemplative Communication in Spiritual Caregiving (3)
- Subtotal: 9 credits
First Year, Spring
- All courses include a nine-day retreat during the first few weeks of the semester.
- REL615e Power, Privilege, and Diversity (3)
- REL614e Mind and Its World (3)
- REL620e Meditation Practicum II: Self & No-Self (3)
- Subtotal: 9 credits
Second Year, Summer
- Religious Studies Electives (7)
- Optional Electives or Nitartha Institute Shedra-Gomdra Option, Monthlong Summer program *
- REL547 Contemplative Practice Intensive—Mahamudra Meditation (3)
- REL701 The Middle Way School (3)
- Subtotal: 7 credits
Second Year, Fall
- REL635e Meditation Practicum III: Mind-Training (3)
- REL661e Second Turning of the Wheel: The Bodhisattva Path (3)
- REL714e Introduction to Spiritual Care (3)
- REL651e Contemplative Meditation Intensive (noncredit) (0)
- Subtotal: 9 credits
Second Year, Spring
- Some courses include a nine-day retreat during the first few weeks of the semester.
- REL710e Third Turning of the Wheel: Yogacara and Buddha Nature (3)
- REL780e Meditation Practicum IV: Maitri and Mandala (3)
- REL779e Interreligious Dialog (3)
- Subtotal: 9 credits
Third Year, Summer
- REL853e MDiv Capstone Seminar (3)
- Religious Studies Electives (4)
- Subtotal: 7 credits
Third Year, Fall
- REL747e Clinical Pastoral Education (6)
- REL804e Ethics and Spiritual Caregiving (3)
- Subtotal: 9 credits
Third Year, Spring
- Some courses include a nine-day retreat during the last few weeks of the semester.
- REL658e Ritual Arts (3)
- REL763e Art of Spiritual Teaching and Formation (3)
- REL880e Comprehensive Exam (noncredit)
- REL885e Master’s Project OR REL884e MDIV Thesis (1)
- Subtotal: 7 credits
Total Credits: 72
Low-Residency Course Schedule - Fall Start
It takes three years and one summer semester to complete.
First Year, Fall
- All courses include a nine-day retreat during the first few weeks of the semester.
- REL600e Meditation Practicum I: Seeds of Peace (3)
- REL611e First Turning of the Wheel: Nature of Mind and Emotions (3)
- REL602e Contemplative Communication in Spiritual Caregiving (3)
- Subtotal: 9 credits
First Year, Spring
- All courses include a nine-day retreat during the first few weeks of the semester.
- REL615e Power, Privilege, and Diversity (3)
- REL620e Meditation Practicum II: Self & No-Self (3)
- REL614e Mind and Its World (3)
- Religious Studies Electives (3)
- Subtotal: 12 credits
First Year, Summer
- REL605e Pathways of Spiritual Care (2)
- REL749e Contemporary American Religions (3)
- Religious Studies Electives (1)
- Subtotal: 6 credits
Second Year, Fall
- REL635e Meditation Practicum III: Mind-Training (3)
- REL661e Second Turning of the Wheel: The Bodhisattva Path (3)
- REL714e Introduction to Spiritual Care (3)
- REL651 Contemplative Meditation Intensive (noncredit)
- Religious Studies Electives (3)
- Subtotal: 12 credits
Second Year, Spring
- Some courses include a nine-day retreat during the first few weeks of the semester.
- REL780e Meditation Practicum IV: Maitri and Mandala (3)
- REL710e Third Turning of the Wheel: Yogacara and Buddha Nature (3)
- REL779e Interspiritual Dialogue (3)
- Religious Studies Electives (1)
- Subtotal: 10 credits
Second Year, Summer
- REL853e MDIV Capstone Seminar (3)
- Religious Studies Electives (4)
- Subtotal: 7 credits
Third Year, Fall
- REL747e Clinical Pastoral Education (6)
- REL804 Ethics and Spiritual Caregiving (3)
- Subtotal: 9 credits
Third Year, Spring
- Some courses include a nine-day retreat during the last few weeks of the semester.
- REL658 Ritual Arts (3)
- REL763 Art of Spiritual Teaching and Formation (3)
- REL880 Comprehensive Exam (noncredit)
- REL885 Master’s Project OR REL884 MDIV Thesis (1)
- Subtotal: 7 credits
Third Year, Summer
- Optional Electives or Nitartha Institute Shedra-Gomdra Option, Month Long Residential Summer Program
- REL547 Contemplative Practice Intensive—Mahamudra Meditation (3)
- REL701 The Middle Way School (3)
- Subtotal: 0-6 credits
Total Credits: 72
Fall Online Electives
- REL577e The History and Philosophies of Yoga (3)
- REL617e Meditation in Yogic and Tantric Traditions (3)
- REL634e Hindu Tantra (3)
- REL507/507e Sanskrit I (4)
- TRA515e Yoga I (3)
- REL645/645e Methods and Issues in the Study of Religion (3)
- REL699 Independent Study (0.5–4)
Fall Residential Electives
- REL590 Special Topics in Religious Studies: Queer Theory (3)
- REL623 Religious Experience in Africa: Sacred Cosmos, Ritual, and Community (3) (SP23)
- TRA503 Yoga History/Theory/Philosophy (3)
- TRA505 Taijiquan I (3)
- TRA520 Ikebana/Kado I (3)
- REL504W Breeze of Simplicity: Meditation Weekend (1)
- *REL609W Mindfulness Instructor Training I (1)
- REL809W Mindfulness Instructor Training III (1)
Spring Online Electives
- PSYE790e Topics in Ecopsychology (3) SP
- REL530e Yoga and Globalization: The Inception of Postural Yoga (3)
- REL535e Kabbalah and Consciousness (3)
- REL672e Non-Dualism in Theory and Practice (3) (SP23) TRA515e Yoga I (3)
- REL546/546e Buddhism and Modernity (3)
- REL655/655e Trends in Religious Studies (3)
- REL699 Independent Study (0.5–4)
- REL751/ REL751e Buddhism in Tibet (3) even years
- REL760/760e Buddhist Tantra (3) (prerequisite REL661 or REL614) Odd years
Spring Residential Electives
- REL540 Zen Buddhism (3)
- TRA512 Yoga Meditation (3)
- REL554W Opening the Heart: Meditation Weekend (1)
- REL525 Contemplative Christianity (3)
- REL529 Contemplative Judaism (3)
- **REL701 The Middle Way”
On-Campus MDiv Requirements
On-Campus Course Schedule - Summer Start
First Year, Summer
- REL605e Pathways of Spiritual Care (2)
- REL749e Contemporary American Religion (3)
- Religious Studies Electives (1)
Subtotal: 6
First Year, Fall
- REL600 Meditation Practicum I: Seeds of Peace (3)
- REL611 First Turning of the Wheel: Nature of Mind and Emotions (3)
- REL602 Contemplative Communication in Spiritual Caregiving (3)
Subtotal: 9
First Year, Spring
- REL615 Power, Privilege, and Diversity (3)
- REL620 Meditation Practicum II: Self and No-Self (3)
- REL614 Mind and It’s World (3)
Subtotal: 9
First Year Summer
Religious Studies Electives (6)
Optional Electives: Nitartha Institute Shedra-Gomdra Option only, Monthlong Summer program *
- REL547 Contemplative Practice Intensive—Mahamudra Meditation (3)
- REL701 The Middle Way School (3)
Subtotal: 6
Second Year, Fall
- REL635 Meditation Practicum III: Mind-Training (3)
- REL661 Second Turning of the Wheel: The Bodhisattva Path (3)
- REL714 Introduction to Spiritual Care (3)
- REL651e Contemplative Meditation Intensive (noncredit)** (0)
Subtotal: 9
Second Year, Spring
- REL710 Third Turning of the Wheel: Yogacara and Buddha Nature (3)
- REL780 Meditation Practicum IV: Maitri and Mandala (3)
- REL779 Interreligious Dialog (3)
Religious Studies Electives (1)
Subtotal: 10
Second Year, Summer
- REL853e MDiv Capstone Seminar (3)
- Religious Studies Electives (4)
Subtotal: 7
Third Year, Fall
- REL747e Clinical Pastoral Education (6)
- REL804 Ethics and Spiritual Caregiving (3)
Subtotal: 9
Third Year, Spring
Some courses include a nine-day retreat during the last few weeks of the semester.
- REL658 Ritual Arts (3)
- REL763 Art of Spiritual Teaching and Formation (3)
- REL880 Comprehensive Exam (0)
- REL885 Master’s Project /REL884 MDIV Thesis (1)
Subtotal: 7
Total Credits: 72
On-Campus Course Schedule - Fall Start
Takes three years to complete.
First Year, Fall
All courses include a nine-day retreat during the first few weeks of the semester.
- REL600 Meditation Practicum I: Seeds of Peace (3)
- REL611 First Turning of the Wheel: Nature of Mind and Emotions (3)
- REL602 Contemplative Communication in Spiritual Caregiving (3)
Subtotal: 9
First Year, Spring
All courses include a nine-day retreat during the first few weeks of the semester.
- REL615 Power, Privilege, and Diversity (3)
- REL620 Meditation Practicum II: Self & No-Self (3)
- REL614 Mind and Its World (3)
Religious Studies Electives (3)
Subtotal: 12
First Year, Summer
- REL605e Pathways of Spiritual Care (2)
- REL749e Contemporary American Religions (3)
- Religious Studies Electives (1)
Subtotal: 6
Second Year, Fall
- REL635 Meditation Practicum III: Mind-Training (3)
- REL661 Second Turning of the Wheel: The Bodhisattva Path (3)
- REL714 Introduction to Spiritual Care (3)
- REL651 Contemplative Meditation Intensive (noncredit)
- Religious Studies Electives (3)
Subtotal: 12
Second Year, Spring
Some courses include a nine-day retreat during the first few weeks of the semester.
- REL780 Meditation Practicum IV: Maitri and Mandala (3)
- REL710 Third Turning of the Wheel: Yogacara and Buddha Nature (3)
- REL779 Interspiritual Dialogue (3)
Religious Studies Electives (1)
Subtotal: 10
Second Year, Summer
- REL853e MDIV Capstone Seminar (3)
- Religious Studies Electives (4)
Subtotal: 7
Third Year, Fall
- REL747e Clinical Pastoral Education (6)
- REL804 Ethics and Spiritual Caregiving (3)
Subtotal: 9
Third Year, Spring
Some courses include a nine-day retreat during the last few weeks of the semester.
- REL658 Ritual Arts (3)
- REL763 Art of Spiritual Teaching and Formation (3)
- REL880 Comprehensive Exam (noncredit)
- REL885 Master’s Project OR REL884 MDIV Thesis (1)
Subtotal: 7
Third Year, Summer
Optional Electives or Nitartha Institute Shedra-Gomdra Option only, Monthlong Residential Summer Program
- REL547 Contemplative Practice Intensive—Mahamudra Meditation (3)
- REL701 The Middle Way School (3)
Subtotal: 0-6
Total Credits: 72
Fall Online Electives
- REL577e The History and Philosophies of Yoga (3)
- REL617e Meditation in Yogic and Tantric Traditions (3)
- REL634e Hindu Tantra (3)
- REL507/507e Sanskrit I (4)
- TRA515e Yoga I (3)
- REL645/645e Methods and Issues in the Study of Religion (3)
- REL699 Independent Study (0.5–4)
Fall Residential Electives
- REL590 Special Topics in Religious Studies: Queer Theory (3)
- REL623 Religious Experience in Africa: Sacred Cosmos, Ritual, and Community (3) (SP23)
- TRA503 Yoga History/Theory/Philosophy (3)
- TRA505 Taijiquan I (3)
- TRA520 Ikebana/Kado I (3)
- REL504W Breeze of Simplicity: Meditation Weekend (1)
- REL609W Mindfulness Instructor Training I (1)*
- REL809W Mindfulness Instructor Training III (1)*
Spring Online Electives
- PSYE790e Topics in Ecopsychology (3) SP
- REL530e Yoga and Globalization: The Inception of Postural Yoga (3)
- REL535e Kabbalah and Consciousness (3)
- REL672e Non-Dualism in Theory and Practice (3) (SP23) TRA515e Yoga I (3)
- REL546/546e Buddhism and Modernity (3)
- REL655/655e Trends in Religious Studies (3)
- REL699 Independent Study (0.5–4)
- REL751/ REL751e Buddhism in Tibet (3) even years
- REL760/760e Buddhist Tantra (3) (prerequisite REL661 or REL614) Odd years
Spring Residential Electives
- REL540 Zen Buddhism (3)
- TRA512 Yoga Meditation (3)
- REL554W Opening the Heart: Meditation Weekend (1)
- REL525 Contemplative Christianity (3)
- REL529 Contemplative Judaism (3)
- REL701 The Middle Way School (3)
- REL709W Mindfulness Instructor Training II (1)*
Residential Intensives
- REL544 Sufism: An Introduction to its History, Thought, and Practice (3)
- REL545 Contemplative Islam: An Introduction to Its History, Thought, and Practice (3)
*The prerequisites for REL609W are Meditation Practicum I and II, as well as a Buddhist monthlong meditation intensive, two weeks of which must be completed before the class begins.
Optional Specialties
Naropa divinity students may complement their studies with optional specialties that expand students’ skillset, knowledge, and understanding, preparing them for a career of service in their desired field.
Tibetan Tradition Emphasis
Students can choose to allocate 6 credits of electives to attend the month long Nitartha Institute Residential Summer Program and pursue the Tibetan Tradition specialty. This program presents the systematic foundational courses of the traditional educational system of a Tibetan monastic college (shedra).
Mindfulness Instructor Training
Students of the MDiv degree may also pursue training as mindfulness instructors. Participants develop skills in providing first-time meditation instruction and mentoring for new and ongoing practitioners in diverse contexts. The training consists of a three-weekend online series, plus three 3-hour-long online sessions, which train students to offer instruction in Shamatha (calm abiding) meditation.
Why Choose Naropa?
Tradition of service
Since 1974, Naropa has provided a home for students wanting to study Buddhism and apply Buddhist teachings to meaningful careers. We’re proud to see so many of our graduates serving their communities as mindfulness educators, sangha leaders, prison and military chaplains, and social justice activists, among other vocations.
Contemplative education
Naropa’s contemplative education approach is the cornerstone for all of our graduate and undergraduate programs. In our Master of Divinity program, contemplative education includes not only the practices of a range of religious traditions but also how classes are taught, as well as the seasoned faculty whose lives and careers are steeped in contemplative practice.
Flexible degree options
Students have the option of a low-residency or on-campus degree program, as well as a summer start or fall start. We allow students to pursue their divinity degree in the manner and time that suit them best.
How this Program Prepares You
Real-world Chaplaincy Experience
Naropa faculty believe in the value of hands-on learning experiences, especially for service-oriented disciplines. Through Clinical Pastoral Education, students will integrate theoretical learning and apply it to real-world scenarios, beginning their chaplaincy journey.
Solid Foundation in Theological Study
MDiv students receive an academic grounding in the three turnings of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism as well as intensive training in the practice of mindfulness meditation and contemplation. Elective courses allow them to explore other rich contemplative traditions found in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Pursuing your own spiritual journey
The Divinity program encourages students to integrate their academic, experiential, and personal work, culminating in a personalized formative experience. Fieldwork placements are also arranged based on students’ personal interests. At Naropa, we allow students to reflect on their faiths and beliefs, exploring religion and spirituality at their own pace.
What You'll Learn
Strong Theological Foundation
Gain in-depth knowledge of Buddhism and practice interreligious dialogue.