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The Five College Certificate in Buddhist Studies can be pursued in conjunction with an undergraduate major in any field including philosophy, religious studies, social sciences, Asian studies, law, arts or humanities. Drawing on the expertise and courses offered by more than fifteen faculty members across the consortium, as well as numerous international education programs, students pursuing the certificate work in consultation with a Buddhist Studies advisor to design a sequence of study relevant to the student’s interests.

With one of the largest concentrations of Buddhist Studies scholars in the United States, the Five College consortium provides an excellent environment in which to study Buddhism. The breadth of courses offered across the five campuses allows students to study most of the major Buddhist traditions. In addition to extended study programs in Asia, the academic exchange program with the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in India offers a unique opportunity for our students to study with eminent Tibetan scholars. 

Learn more about finding an advisor, courses and certificate information at www.fivecolleges.edu/buddhism.

Certificate Requirements:

1. The certificate comprises at least seven courses, at least one of which must be at an advanced level.
2. Students must take at least one course in three different disciplines of Buddhist Studies (anthropology, art history, Asian studies, philosophy, religious studies, etc.).
3. Students must take at least one course addressing classical Buddhism and one course addressing contemporary Buddhist movements (19th-21st Century), and they must study Buddhism in at least two of the following four geographical areas: South and Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Tibeto-Himalayan region, and the West.
4. Up to two canonical or appropriate colloquial Asian language courses may count towards the certificate.
5. Students must receive a grade of at least "B" in each course counting towards the certificate.
6. Courses must be of three credit-hours or more to count towards the certificate.
7. Courses taken abroad or outside a Five College institution may count towards the certificate only if they would be approved for credit towards the major in the appropriate department of the student's home institution.
8. Exceptions to these requirements by petition in consultation with a program advisor.