Q: If I complete the M Div, what will I be authorized to do?
A: The Master of Divinity is a religious professional degree awarded as a necessary credential to working in a direct service capacity such as professional chaplaincy, spiritual direction, or faith-based counseling.
Q: Would it qualify me to apply for a teaching position at a private or public college or university?
A: No
Q: Who certifies Shogaku Zen Institute?
A: The State of California (Private Post-Secondary) has granted us certification to offer this professional M Div. as a religious institution.
Q: Is there a maximum amount of credits I can count from prior experience?
A: The SZI M Div is in dialogue with the Association of Professional Chaplains Committee on Equivalency (the MDiv Equivalent they grant). We will follow their recommended guidelines for documenting credits.
Q: Can I transfer credits from my chaplaincy training program to the MDiv?
A: Yes. How many credits and which ones are handled on a case by case basis, depending on the content and requirements of your chaplaincy training.
Q: What are the prerequisites for enrollment?
A: A bachelor’s degree (EU equivalent), an established Zen/mindfulness practice, and a reference from your main teacher (or one of them).
Q: How long will it take to complete the program?
A: The length of time will vary from student to student; as a general rule, we hope our candidates will complete the program within 3 to 5 years.
Q: I did a traditional 3-month Zen (or Vipassana) Retreat – how much credit do I get for that?
A: A typical 3-month practice period will be credited as 10 total credits within our 16-study-area framework: 3 credits Residential Practice, 3 credits Meditation, 3 credits Work Practice/Ritual, and 1 credit Scriptures and Texts.
Q: Does SZI accept current classes I may be taking elsewhere, for example, the online Pali language class offered by Oxford University?
A: Yes, especially if pre-approved by SZI.
Q: What are some examples of Fieldwork?
A: This would include work in prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, pre-schools, elementary schools, work with special ed. or differently-abled.
Q: What are some examples of Capstone Projects/Papers?
The focus of your Mdiv (or chaplaincy) training. An encounter with a religious or humanitarian organization and what you learned. Helping Veterans with PTSD. Working with Dementia patients. Offering Mindfulness in Elementary Schools.