FIVE COLLEGE BUDDHIST STUDIES CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
FIVE COLLEGE BUDDHIST STUDIES CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Because Buddhist Studies is an interdisciplinary field—straddling anthropology, art history, Asian studies, history, language study, literary and textual studies, philosophy, and religious studies—students are often unaware of the integrity of the field or of the range of resources available for its study in the Valley.
The Certificate Program provides a framework for students interested in Buddhism to develop a coherent, interdisciplinary approach to the study of this subject as a complement to their majors.
An Amherst student qualifies for the certificate by satisfactorily completing the following requirements:
- The certificate must be comprised of at least seven courses, at least one of which must be at an advanced level (200 or 300 at Hampshire, 300 or above at Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, or the University of Massachusetts; comparable upper-level courses at Amherst).
- Students must take at least one course in three different disciplines of Buddhist Studies (anthropology, art history, Asian studies, philosophy, religious studies, etc.).
- Students must take at least one course addressing classical Buddhism and one course addressing contemporary Buddhist movements (19th-21st century), and they must study Buddhism in at least two of the following four geographical areas: South and Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Tibeto-Himalayan region, and the West.
- Up to two canonical or appropriate colloquial Asian language courses may count towards the certificate.
- Students must receive a grade of at least “B” in each course counting towards the certificate.
- Courses must be of three credit-hours or more to count towards the certificate.
- Courses taken abroad or outside the Five Colleges may count towards the certificate only if they would be approved for credit toward the major in the appropriate department of the student's home institution.
- Exceptions to these requirements by petition to the student's campus advisor and the Five College Buddhist Studies Steering Committee.
For students who may wish to pursue a certificate in Buddhist Studies as preparation for graduate study in this field, we strongly recommend the study of at least one canonical language (Sanskrit, Pali, Chinese or Tibetan) and/or the modern language of at least one Buddhist culture (especially for those who have an ethnographic interest in Buddhism). Up to two courses in a relevant language can count towards the certificate, although we strongly encourage these students to continue language study beyond the first-year level. Language study is not required, however.
Faculty advisors will help students design their programs of study. Further information about the Five College Buddhist Studies Certificate is available at https://www.fivecolleges.edu/buddhism. The Amherst faculty advisor is Professor Maria Heim of the Religion Department.
- FIVE COLLEGE COASTAL AND MARINE SCIENCES CERTIFICATE
The Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Certificate enables students from the five campuses to select from a wide variety of marine-science-related courses, including coastal and marine ecology/geology, resource management and public policy, oceanography and coastal engineering to create a cohesive concentration. The Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Certificate is now available to students on all five campuses.
The FCCMS certificate work includes three components:
- Course work (6 courses)
- Field and lab work (80 hour minimum)
- Independent research project/poster
Under the guidance of faculty advisors on each campus, students choose a progressive series of courses available within the five campuses and in approved academic off-campus programs (Sea Education Association, School for Field Studies, Williams-Mystic, Duke University Marine Lab, Shoals Marine Lab, and others). Students are required to gain proficiency in field/lab work through intensive field courses or internships. Finally, students participate in a “capstone” independent, marine-related research project that will count toward the certificate.
Students interested in earning the certificate should begin by setting up an introductory meeting with the Program Coordinator. Once students have begun the introductory course of study, they will be appointed a faculty advisor affiliated with Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences who will assist with course selection, research projects and field/lab requirements to ensure a strong concentration in marine sciences.
For more information on the certificate requirements, please visit the program website at https://www.fivecolleges.edu/academics/coastal-and-marine-sciences#certificate.