Program Description
The Bachelor of Religious Studies program is designed to provide students with a broad base of knowledge in Buddhism and other religions. The basic Buddhist principles will help to guide the students to grow, physical, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually into dynamic citizens of the world. This program will help the student to see how spirituality has an important part in the development of a holistic person.
Program Objectives
The objectives of the Bachelor of Religious Studies program are to:
- Provide students a comprehensive knowledge about the origin, development, and the spread of Buddhism in the world.
- Introduce students with the various aspects of Buddhist teachings, philosophies, ethics, and meditation traditions.
- Acquaint students with the history of Buddhist Pali, Sanskrit, and classical Chinese literatures.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Religious Studies program, the students will:
- Develop substantive knowledge of Buddhist history, thought, texts, and practices.
- Demonstrate analytical skills through specialist and comparative work.
- Assess multiple theories and methods of Buddhist Studies.
- Develop critical thinking, writing, and research skills.
Admission Requirements
1. Submit a completed and signed Application Form: The application form can be requested from the Admission’s Office or downloaded from the University website: www.iueast.org.
2. Submit the $100 Application Fee (non-refundable).
3. Submit all documents that are required by the admissions office:
- a. Proof of Graduation: Applicants must provide proof of completion of high school in order to qualify for admissions, such as official transcripts or certificate of graduation.
- b. International Students Only:
- Copy of valid passport
- Copy of valid visa
- Copy of I-94, if available
- Previous institutions Form I-20
- Bank Statement, or Affidavit of Support
4. Personal Identification: All applicants are required to submit a photocopy of personal identification such as state driver’s license, government issued identification card, and passport or any government issued photo identification.
Graduation Requirements
Successful completion of 180 quarter units of study is required with minimum of 2.0 cumulative grade point average. The normal time necessary to complete the program is 4 years.
Course Requirements
General Education Course Requirements (20 Courses: 80 Quarter Units)
Course Number Course Title Quarter Units
ANT 101 Introduction to Anthropology 4
COM 101 Intro. to Computer & Information processing 4
ECO 101 Introduction to Economics 4
ENG 101 Developing Communication Skills 4
ENG 102 Creative Writing 4
ENG 103 Literature of the West 4
ENG 104 Literature of the East 4
ENG 105 Public Speaking 4
ENG 106 Cross Cultural Communication 4
HIS 101 United States History through 1876 4
HIS 102 United States History since 1876 4
HIS 103 Asian History 4
HIS 104 World Civilization I 4
HIS 105 World Civilization II 4
HUM 101 Civilizations of the West 4
HUM 102 Civilizations of the East 4
HUM 103 Critical Thinking in the Twenty-first Century 4
HUM 104 Logic 4
MAT 101 College Mathematics 4
PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy 4
POL 101 Introduction to Political Science 4
POL 110 International Relations 4
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 4
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology 4
SCI 101 Human Health and Development 4
Religious Studies Course Requirements (7 Courses: 28 Quarter Units)
Course Number Course Title Quarter Units
REL 101 Religions of the East 4
REL 102 Religions of the West 4
REL 103 Foundations of Buddhism 4
REL 104 Foundations of Christianity 4
REL 105 Foundations of Islam 4
REL 106 Foundations of Judaism 4
REL 107 Foundations of Hinduism 4
REL 113 Comparative Philosophy of Religion 4
REL 114 Comparative Religious Ethics 4
REL 115 Spiritual Counseling and Care 4
REL 116 Religion and Psychology 4
REL 120 Religion, Conflict and Peace 4
REL 130 Introduction to the World’s Religions 4
Buddhist Studies Course Requirements (18 Courses: 72 Quarter Units)
Course Number Course Title Quarter Units
BUD 201 Introduction to Buddhist Meditation 4
BUD 202 Intermediate Buddhist Meditation 4
BUD 203 Advanced Buddhist Meditation 4
BUD 204 Fundamentals of Buddhism 4
BUD 301 Buddhism and Culture 4
BUD 302 Ethics in Buddhism 4
BUD 303 Practicum in Buddhist Ministry I 4
BUD 304 Practicum in Buddhist Ministry II 4
BUD 305 Buddhism in East Asia 4
BUD 306 Cultural and Social Aspects of Buddhism 4
BUD 401 Pastoral Counseling for Buddhist Ministry 4
BUD 402 Individual Study for Buddhist Ministerial Students 4
BUD 403 Profiles of Buddhist Leadership 4
BUD 407 Buddhist Sutras in English 4
BUD 408 Buddhist Philosophy 4
BUD 409 Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia 4
BUD 410 Buddhist Psychology 4
BUD 411 Buddhist Sociology 4
BUD 413 Early Buddhism and the History of Theravada 4
BUD 420 Buddhism and Cognition 4
BUD 421 Mindfulness and Cognitive Process 4
BUD 430 Buddhism Meditation Traditions 4