Students of the Hindu University are typically serious (i.e. not casual) and find themselves committed to authentic learning i.e. they wish to go beyond merely preparing for a safe and secure career or having one already.
They wish to enter a subject area deeply and are willing to give the time and focus necessary to develop competence and mastery in a new and possibly an “alternate” domain of knowledge. They generally fall into the following categories:
Our Hindu University is authorized by the State of Florida as a religious institution that is exempt from state oversight. For more information about State exemption in Florida, please refer to the following excerpt from the 2018 Florida State Statutes, Chapter 1005 pertaining to Non-Public Post-Secondary Education: General Provisions: 1005.06: pertaining to Institutions, not under the jurisdiction or purview of the Commission for Independent Education.
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No. Hindu University welcomes students from all backgrounds, cultures and ethnicity, and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, disability, social status and/or income level, political views or military service.
We invite all who wish to learn, who enjoy the pursuit of knowledge, and who are willing to give the time and focus necessary for higher and deeper learning
Hinduism itself does not have an evangelical purpose. It has been one of the great non-proselytizing traditions of the world. In keeping with that heritage, Hindu University also does not have an evangelical purpose.
The Hindu University is committed to the purpose of higher knowledge, the evolution of human consciousness and the emergence of enlightenment (i.e. in the sense of Self-knowledge) and whatever enrichment that may bring to the human experience.
It is not committed to a discourse of power and dominance masquerading as a discourse in knowledge
At Hindu University, you can go much deeper, go beyond basic and cursory understanding, and engage in”the in-depth exploration of subject areas emerging from Hindu thought”. Whether you wish to understand a specific Sanskrit text in all of its rich, multi-faceted dimensions, or whether you want to understand the Euro-centric Orientalist ideas that gave rise to much of the contemporary discourse on Hinduism, Vedic Indic studies, our Sanskrit University in the USA is a place for a higher, deeper, and more sustained pursuit of knowledge.
It is also a place where you develop yourself in writing, in critiquing, in constructing arguments and debates, in research, in articulating perspectives and hypotheses, so that what you say for the rest of your lives, will come from a place of deep learning and reason. Thus the education you receive at Vedic University takes you well beyond being a passive recipient of information, and challenges you to engage responsibly and intelligently on the global stage.
In the Hindu tradition, we have a higher knowledge that is based on Shruti-Bhashya and a more colloquial access to the same knowledge through the Katha-Pravachan traditions. Hindu University is re-imagining an institution of higher learning, on the lines of Nalanda and Takshashila as they once existed, but at the same time, as an institution that is contemporary, relevant and appropriate to the times that we live in.
Hindu University aims to prepare students for service, leadership, and global engagement. Recognizing that the field of Hindu studies is itself undeveloped today and that the career pathways are as yet still emerging, Vedic University nevertheless offers specific developmental pathways that lead to alternate or supplementary vocations, and to mainstream jobs and vocations. Here are some of the roles that a student who has earned a graduate degree in Hindu studies may aspire towards:
No. Students of Hindu University can earn their degrees and certificates entirely through a distance education model. Residency requirements will be handled locally in affiliated centers and classrooms.
In the future, as Hindu University acquires a respectable campus, there may be new models of engagement and hybrid modes of learning. Watch this space for future developments.
For now, Hindu University is not accredited. It however offers a legitimate degree authorized by the State of Florida.
We are working through an internal university evaluation process while preparing our application for accreditation.
Yes. For Graduate level students, a limited number of student assistantships are available. Students may apply for partial or full scholarships, teaching assistantships, as well as research fellowships.
The financial assistance provided by Hindu University is dependent on the donor community for making available scholarships and fellowships specifically for students. We aspire to build up capacity in this area, to support increasing numbers of students in the future.
Continuing Education is one of the most important divisions of Hindu University. In this model of engagement, you are gaining education for life, and not just to make a living. Students in this division are learning because they love to learn, and not because they must pass some exam or gain some qualifications. Most students in this division are simply taking one or more courses at a time in an a la carte mode, sampling the offerings from the Vedic University. Some students are focusing on an area of study and working towards a certificate. But in all cases, they are not working towards a degree.
The Hindu University offers a great variety of course options, and streams of study. And we are committed to continuing to add more and more variety of courses in this division. In this mode of learning, you can study at your own pace, taking as much load or as little as you wish.
Whether you are interested in self-discovery, conscious living, being purpose driven, critical thought, holistic living, making a difference, writing and the media, the creative and performing arts, adopting lifestyle changes with yoga and Ayurveda, enhancing your careers in teaching and the academia, honing your leadership and management skills from a spiritual context, being of service and making a unique contribution, or simply experiencing joy and harmony in life, the Continuing Education division offers a range of options:
You do not have to be a Hindu by birth to become a student of the Hindu University nor do you have to convert into a Hindu to benefit from these offerings. You may be delighted with the quality, depth, and value of the educational offerings at HUA, and may discover that they enrich your life considerably.
We encourage you to try out a few courses. Correspond with the instructor. Find out if a certain course of study, certificate or degree applies to you.
For spiritually inclined people, not necessarily attracted towards any one religion, the course offerings at the Hindu University will be especially valuable in exploring the original ancient sources from which these spiritually based knowledge systems have emerged.
Hinduism itself, even though it is understood to be a religion in the popular imagination, is unlike any religion or religious ideology. In fact, what we understand by the word religion is itself modeled after the proto-typical middle eastern model, which became universalized into a category of its own, called religion.
Hinduism, on the other hand, is more like an open library of knowledge systems that originate from a special spiritual place and world-view, with a particular understanding of the nature of the relationship between consciousness, matter, and the cosmos, and the unique place we as human beings have within it. These knowledge systems embedded in communities that preserved them gave rise to numerous traditions.
Religion is a word too limiting to describe Hinduism, (or Sanatana Dharma) to use a more original Sanskrit name. You may discover that you can participate fruitfully in the areas of study offered by the Sanskrit University of the USA without having to become religious in any sense of the word.
Most definitely not. The knowledge systems and mode of study offered by HUA are designed to enhance the quality of your life, and the options and choices before you without having to engage with any form of religious practice or convert.
The ideas and concepts presented through these courses at HUA, stand as possibilities for you to consider, to try on to see if they fit for you, and work for you.
There is no expectation on the part of the Hindu University that you emerge with any new relationship with Hinduism or Hindu ideas and practices.
For now, there is no requirement to visit or reside in the US for any length of time during the program of study. The certificate or degree may be earned remotely.
However, there are specific certificates that require “contact” hours. These may require face to face sessions, especially in the Continuing Education division. Watch out for such courses, which may be difficult for international students.
Currently, Hindu University offers a Master’s Degree and a Ph.D. Degree in Hindu studies. This is a single program, which offers two terminal degrees.
In addition, HUA also offers two Graduate Diploma Certificates in Sanskrit studies, which may be combined to form the equivalent of a Master’s Degree in Sanskrit.
For admission into the Master’s Program in Hindu Studies, a bachelor’s degree earned in any discipline is a pre-requisite.
For admission into the Doctoral Program in Hindu Studies, there are three distinct entry points. Students who have completed a Master’s Degree in Hindu Studies from HUA, with good standing will be deemed adequately prepared for admission into the Doctoral program.
Students who have a Master’s Degree in any other related field in the liberal arts, humanities or social sciences, may be eligible for admission into the Doctoral program, after evaluation of their level of prior preparation. They may be required to take certain courses in areas where they may have a gap in their level of knowledge.
Students who have a bachelor’s degree but are interested in obtaining a Ph.D. may be eligible for admission in the accelerated MA/Ph.D. program, which will require them to get an MA Degree along the way.
In exceptional cases, a student with extensive knowledge and experience in the general area of Hindu studies, or related fields, may be granted admission into the Doctoral program with a thesis only option. But this is rare. Also, students who already have a Doctoral degree in a different field may also be granted a thesis only option to earn a second Doctoral degree.
These decisions are taken by the academic committee on a case by case basis.
There are options available for post-doctoral research work at Hindu University for candidates who already possess a Doctoral degree in a related field, especially in the liberal arts, humanities, and the social sciences.
These students are categorized under the “Advanced Studies” division and are admitted based on unique criteria.
Students may consult the pages on the Website pertaining to these programs specifically. In general, a Master’s degree requires the student to complete 60 credit hours of course work of which 6 credit hours may be earned for a mini-thesis. The Doctoral degree is awarded after the student completes 60 credit hours of course work, beyond the Master’s Degree and writes a dissertation that passes the standards of evaluation established by the dissertation committee. An accelerated MA/Ph.D. degree can be earned with 90 credit hours of course work and a dissertation.
We anticipate that students who graduate with degrees at the Master’s level or the Doctoral level from Hindu University, will be well prepared for careers in teaching, education, research, writing, editing and publishing, journalism, media, leadership, management, administration, non-profit sector, public service, counseling, consulting, mentoring, coaching, advocacy, entrepreneurship, event management, public relations, and other disciplines.
Students are advised that there is no well-worn, beaten path to a job for a degree in Hindu studies as is the case with professional degrees such as engineering, medicine or law. At the same time, for the student who is willing to be bold, courageous and innovative, there will be plenty of opportunities.
At the graduate division, teachers are required to either have a Ph.D., in the liberal arts, humanities or the social sciences, or they must be ordained in a Hindu spiritual tradition and must have undergone rigorous training and practice under a Guru or Acharya within the tradition.
At the Continuing Education division, such qualifications are not strictly enforced. Anyone with a passion for teaching, who is good at teaching and earns the respect of their students can teach.
Yes. This is, in fact, one of the great opportunities of HUA. Each student may also offer courses. Each faculty may also take courses from other faculties. Sanskrit University in the USA has a Hindu studies online education platform is envisioned to promote ‘lifelong’ learning. Students may become teaching assistants with other senior faculty and gain experience in teaching while also going through their own program of study.
Subject to the criteria for advising Doctoral Students at HUA, anyone who qualifies may offer to advise a graduate student. Sanskrit University in the USA welcomes qualified faculty situated in other universities around the world, to become outside advisors to HUA’s students.
The decision to accommodate an outside advisor or to invite someone specific to become an outside advisor will be made by the academic committee and is usually based on the degree of fit between the student’s focus area in their doctoral work and the faculty’s area of interest in their research work.
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