Courses & Requirements
This 43-credit Religious Studies MA concentration offers comprehensive training in Yoga Studies. The program is designed for students interested in doctoral programs as well as yoga teachers and practitioners.
With a low-residency, mostly asynchronous format, students may complete the program from anywhere, while two nine-day residential retreats in Colorado bring students together with faculty to build community and provide Naropa’s unique brand of experiential contemplative education.
Degree Requirements
3 Year Option
First year, fall
Two courses include an intensive retreat during the first few weeks of the semester.
- REL617e Meditation in Yogic and Tantric Traditions: A Practicum (3) [Includes Retreat]
- REL577e The Histories and Philosophies of Yoga (3) [Includes Retreat]
SUBTOTAL 6
First year, spring (online only)
REL717e Meditation in Yogic & Tantric Traditions II: A Practicum (3)
REL645e Methods and Issues in the Study of Religion (3)
SUBTOTAL 6
Second year, fall
Two courses include an intensive retreat during the first few weeks of the semester
- REL611e First Turning of the Wheel (3) [Includes Retreat]
- REL 634e Hindu Tantric (3) [Includes Retreat]
- REL 507e Sanskrit I (4)
SUBTOTAL 10
Second year, spring (online only)
REL 615e Power Privilege and Diversity (3)
REL 537e Sanskrit II (4) or Elective (3)
SUBTOTAL 7 or 6
Third year, fall
REL 530e Yoga and Globalization: The Inception of Postural Yoga (3)
REL 577e Sanskrit III (4) or Elective (3)
Elective (3) for Non-Language track students
SUBTOTAL 7 or 9
Third year, spring
REL 587e Sanskrit IV (4) or Elective (3)
Elective (3) or REL 883e Master’s Thesis (required for non-language track students)
SUBTOTAL 7 or 6
Total Credits: 43
This program can also be completed at an accelerated 2.5 year pace. See below for curriculum and cost/aid information.
2.5 Year Option
First year, fall
Two courses include an intensive retreat during the first few weeks of the semester.
- REL617e Meditation in Yogic and Tantric Traditions: A Practicum (3) [Includes Retreat]
- REL577e The Histories and Philosophies of Yoga (3) [Includes Retreat]
- REL507e Sanskrit I (4)
SUBTOTAL 10
First year, spring (online only)
- REL717e Meditation in Yogic & Tantric Traditions II: A Practicum (3)
- REL645e Methods and Issues in the Study of Religion (3)
- REL537e Sanskrit II (4) or Elective (3)
SUBTOTAL 10 or 9
Second year, fall
Two courses include an intensive retreat during the first few weeks of the semester
- REL611e First Turning of the Wheel (3) [Includes Retreat]
- REL 634e Hindu Tantric (3) [Includes Retreat]
- REL 557e Sanskrit III (4) or Elective (3)
SUBTOTAL 10 or 9
Second year, spring (online only)
- REL 615e Power Privilege and Diversity (3)
- REL 587e Sanskrit IV (4) or Elective (3)
- Elective (3) [For Students not Taking Upper Level Sanskrit]
SUBTOTAL 7 or 9
Third year, fall
REL 530e Yoga and Globalization: The Inception of Postural Yoga (3)
REL883e Masters Thesis (required for non-language track students) or Elective (3)
SUBTOTAL 6
Total Credits: 43
