Master in Hindu Spiritual Care (Chaplaincy)

Goals and Objectives: This course is created to provide education and training for chaplains based on the essentials of Hindu Dharma to increase awareness of the needs of Hindu patients in western hospitals, hospices, universities, prisons, workplaces, and other environments. Basic education is provided on how Dharmic principles inform the holding of sacred space for empathetic communication with the Hindu and their family in situations where spiritual support is needed. In this course, you will get a clear view of universal Chaplaincy skills through the lens of prominent Hindu wisdom teachers. Each week you will have assignments to watch videos, read articles, learn and practice skills, write a reflection paper, and participate in a 1:1 conference call with an active, experienced Hindu Chaplain. The student will be required to maintain a Personal Chaplain Manual and encouraged to keep a journal as part of the Manual. The reading assignments contain several useful worksheets in addition to research articles, books, and sacred knowledge. You are not required to purchase additional reading materials for this class. The course is unfolded in three 15-week self-paced modules and can be completed within 24 months.

HUC 5001: Principles of Hinduism (3 Credits) Fees: $299 (INR 10,000 for Indian Students)

Overview: This course delves into the foundational principles of Hinduism, including concepts such as Dharma (righteousness), Karma (action), and Moksha (liberation). It explores the diversity within Hindu thought, emphasizing its relevance to spiritual care.

Content:

• Video lectures by renowned scholars explaining key concepts.
• Reading assignments from sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Vedas.
• Case studies illustrating how these principles apply in spiritual care settings.

Activities:

• Reflective essays analyzing the intersection of Hindu principles and chaplaincy.
• Group discussions on applying principles in real-world scenarios.

HUC 5002: Practices of Hinduism (3 Credits) Fees: $299 (INR 10,000 for Indian Students)

Overview: This course focuses on various practices within Hinduism, such as rituals and festivals. It highlights their significance in providing spiritual care and fostering well-being.

Content:

• Explanatory materials on rituals and their psychological and spiritual impacts.
• Interviews with practitioners sharing their experiences.

Activities:

• Personal practice journals documenting experiences with different practices.
• Comparative analysis of how these practices aid in spiritual care.

HUC 5003: Basic Sanskrit (3 Credits) Fees: $299 (INR 10,000 for Indian Students)

Overview: An introduction to Sanskrit, the language of many Hindu scriptures and texts. It aims to familiarize students with basic Sanskrit terminology, facilitating a deeper understanding of Hindu spiritual texts.

Content:

• Online lessons covering Sanskrit alphabets, grammar, and common phrases.
• Translations and analyses of selected verses from Hindu scriptures.
• Interactive quizzes and exercises to reinforce learning.

Activities:

• Translating excerpts and passages from sacred texts into English.
• Creating glossaries of Sanskrit terms relevant to chaplaincy.

HNP The Hindu Spiritual Care Provider: Hindu Chaplaincy (9 Credits) Fees: $299 (INR 10,000 for Indian Students)

HNP 6201 Introduction to Hindu Spiritual Care: Hindu Chaplaincy Basics (3 Credits) Fees: $299 (INR 10,000 for Indian Students)

Overview: This introductory course familiarizes students with the role of a Hindu chaplain, emphasizing the core skills and responsibilities involved in providing spiritual care.

Content:

• Case studies highlighting ethical dilemmas in chaplaincy.
• Guest lectures from practicing Hindu chaplains sharing their experiences.

Activities:

• Crafting a personal mission statement for chaplaincy work.
• Reflective journals on personal growth in understanding the chaplain's role.

HNP 6202 Hindu Spiritual Care: Hindu Chaplaincy (3 Credits) Fees: $299 (INR 10,000 for Indian Students)

Overview: This course delves deeper into specific practices and rituals utilized in Hindu spiritual care. It focuses on practical application and cultural competence in diverse settings.

Content:

• Practical demonstrations of rites, ceremonies, and prayers in Hindu spiritual care.
• Case-based learning sessions to address specific patient scenarios.
• Discussions on adapting care practices to different cultural contexts.

Activities:

• Developing personalized spiritual care plans for hypothetical patient cases.
• Conducting mock chaplaincy sessions and receiving feedback.

HNP 6203 A Hindu Spiritual Care Provider: The Hindu Chaplain (3 Credits) Fees: $299 (INR 10,000 for Indian Students)

Overview: This course is designed to enhance the student's skills as a Hindu chaplain, focusing on empathy, active listening, and culturally sensitive communication.

Content:

• Training sessions on empathetic communication and active listening techniques.
• Psychological and counseling approaches applicable in chaplaincy.
• Ethical considerations and boundaries in spiritual care provision.

Activities:

• Role-playing exercises for improving empathetic responses.
• Peer-reviewed case studies analyzing effective chaplaincy practices.

HNP 6204 Spiritual Care of the Hindu for Chaplains and Spiritual Caregivers of other Traditions: A Jugalbandi Approach (3 Credits) Fees: $299 (INR 10,000 for Indian Students)

Overview: This course explores collaborative approaches to spiritual care, encouraging dialogue and mutual learning between different spiritual traditions.

Content:

• Interactive sessions involving chaplains from diverse traditions for dialogue.
• Comparative studies on the intersection of Hinduism with other faith-based practices.
• Joint projects fostering interfaith understanding and cooperation.

Activities:

• Collaborative presentations on shared values among different spiritual traditions.
• Case-based discussions highlighting successful interfaith spiritual care approaches.

HNP 6206 Eastern Patient and the Western Doctor (3 Credits) Fees: $299 (INR 10,000 for Indian Students)

Overview: This course focuses on bridging cultural gaps between Eastern spirituality and Western medical practices, aiming to enhance patient care through cultural competence.

Content:

• Cross-cultural communication strategies for healthcare professionals.
• Case studies illustrating challenges faced by Eastern patients in Western healthcare settings.
• Discussions on integrating spiritual care into medical practice.

Activities:

• Role-playing scenarios between patients and healthcare providers.
• Collaborative projects proposing strategies for improved cultural understanding in healthcare.