What is the mode of attendance for the M.A. in Yoga Studies program?
LMU currently offers both an in-person (residency) and remote (low-residency, online) degree program. The Residency is completed in two years with the option of adding post graduate Yoga Therapy study, information on which can be found here. The Hybrid Low Residency program includes several weeks of in-person study in LA and India, though most of the program is completed online part-time over a three-year period.
What are the prerequisites for Admissions to the the M.A. in Yoga Studies program?
A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of a 3.0 is required for consideration. No GRE is required.
What are the co-requisites to the M.A. in Yoga Studies program?
In addition to courses, students will be required to complete one of the LMU Yoga Studies Extension Certificates hosted by LMU Extension during or before their time at LMU. Information on these courses can be found here.
It should be noted that Sanskrit I and Sanskrit II are also hosted by LMU Extension and are required courses for completion of the M.A. in Yoga Studies in addition to one other LMU Yoga Studies Extension Certificate.
What other events will I attend?
Throughout the academic school year, Graduate Yoga Studies Staff and Graduate Assistants work hard to organize Yoga related events that are free and open to the public. These events include LMU Yoga Day (Fall semester), Wednesday Evening Lecture Series (2-3 per semester), Benedict Canyon Group Retreats (2-3 per semester, cohort only), and the Himalayan Scholar Intensive course (Fall semester). All Graduate Yoga Studies students are strongly encouraged to attend these events to supplement and enrich the academic experience. More information on past and future events can be found here.
Who are the M.A. in Yoga Studies faculty?
Information on current Graduate Yoga Studies faculty can be found here.
Who will be my classmates?
The M.A. in Yoga Studies program is a cohort education system. This means that your classmates will be the same for each class and from semester to semester. Your fellow classmates will be from all around the world, from all walks of life, and have backgrounds and expertise in many different areas!
The promotion of a true learning community is likelier in cohort education, where students get to learn cumulatively about each other’s aspirations and professional backgrounds, and to bring professional experiences to the study of the subject matter. In addition, cohort education establishes strong potential for networks that can endure beyond graduation. In cohort education, there is a keener sense of the education of the whole person, such that each of the students has a chance to flourish in ways that might be less measurable or even noticeable in a more commuter-driven, fragmented environment.
Can I have a job while studying in the M.A. in Yoga Studies program?
Though having a full-time job while studying in the Residential M.A. in Yoga Studies program is possible, it is not recommended as this is a full-time program. Students interested in studying part-time may wish to enroll in the Low Residency Online M.A. Program which includes a lighter (part-time) course load with one additional semester for completion.
We also understand the need for financial support while in school! Many of our Residential cohort members hold part time jobs on and off campus. In addition, we offer a few Graduate Assistantships each year, for which information can be found here.
When is school in session?
The M.A. in Yoga Studies follow’s LMU’s academic calendar, and includes the summer semester in between the first and second year of the program. Full curriculum for Residential students can be found here, and low-residential curriculum here. Classes for Residential Students currently take place on Mondays and Wednesdays in the afternoon-evening.
What financial aid is offered?
Scholarship, grant, and loan information can be found here.
What information should International Students be aware of prior to applying?
International applicants who have completed their postsecondary education from an institution outside the United States (U.S.) must hold a degree from a university recognized by the Ministry of Education as a degree granting institution. Transcripts from an international institution must be translated and evaluated by a U.S. transcript evaluation service (e.g. Educational Credential Evaluators, International Education Research Foundation or World Education Services) before the application is considered for admission. Feel free to visit LMU’s International Students Graduate Study webpage for more information, here.
What are M.A. in Yoga Studies Alumni doing, and what are my career options after graduating?
Check out our Alumni Spotlight interviews to see what our Alumni are up to after graduating! Many of our graduates have gone on to get their PhDs, taught at the collegiate level, and used the knowledge gained in the M.A. in Yoga Studies to develop new and more well-rounded Yoga teacher training programs. Working in the field of Yoga Therapy is also an option for those who decided to complete the post-graduate certificate in Yoga Therapy. Much like there are many kinds of yoga practices, there are many directions the program has taken our students and oftentimes our students curate their own path.
How do I apply?
Fall registration details and upcoming deadlines are available on our website here. You may also e-mail yogastudies@lmu.edu to be added to our M.A in Yoga Studies interest list and the Graduate Yoga Studies newsletter to ensure you receive new information as soon as it becomes available. (Feel free to unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive.)