Residence Requirement

On-campus housing is available to students, but they are not required to live on campus. Students living off-campus should be aware that the requirements are such that it would be very difficult to live too far outside of Los Angeles County and complete this program. The long hours and intensive nature require regular attendance on campus for classes, as do group processes and other events. This program was designed to serve students living locally, and is not a lowresidency or “online” program.

Internship Requirements

Students are strongly recommended to participate in one clinical internship during their studies. This is typically done by completing one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (C.P.E.). However, another kind of internship may be appropriate depending on the clinical setting in which the student would like to specialize. (Military chaplain candidates, for example, have their own unique training.) The internship will be done under the supervision of the institution the student serves. That institution may report back to UWest on the student’s progress.

Practice Requirement

Students are expected to be engaged in some form of meditation/contemplative/religious/ spiritual practice for as many hours a week as they are taking credit hours that semester. (For example, 12 credit hours = 12 hours of practice per week.)

Other Requirements

Students should have a plan in place for meeting the other requirements for professional certification with whatever chaplaincy organization serves and supports spiritual care work in the setting they choose to work. By the time the students graduate, for example, they should probably have a written endorsement from their respective senior Dharma teachers, community, or lineage.