Studies & Degrees in Vaishnava Studies
Choose where you would like to study Vaishnava Studies:
IndiaThe United StatesAre you a graduate student with a background in philosophy and/or world religions and looking for an interesting degree program in which to focus your doctoral studies? Have you considered pursuing a degree in Vaishnava Studies?
Vaishnavism is one of the major branches of Hinduism along with Shaivism, Smartism and Shaktism. It is focused on the veneration of Vishnu, and thus the Vashnavites, or followers of the Supreme Lord Vishnu, lead a way of life promoting differentiated monotheism, which gives importance to Lord Vishnu and His ten incarnations. The doctorate degree program in Vaishnava Studies takes an in-depth look at this branch of religion, including the philosophy, history and writings that surround it. To give you a better idea of what this degree program entails, below we will briefly describe the doctorate degree in Vaishnava Studies, including its characteristics, curriculum and the admission requirements.
Doctoral Degree in Vaishnava Studies: About the Program
The Doctorate of Divinity Degree in Vaishnava Studies is a 3-5 year program in which success is very often determined by a student’s ability to communicate effectively in oral and written fashion. It is the purpose of the Doctorate of Divinity Program to hone the spiritual gifts and abilities of Vaishnava leaders presently serving at a Vaishnava minister level, and to develop new Vaishnava academic leaders from its student body. By developing student’s writing, speaking and administrative skills, the program seeks to train students and ministers for effective leadership. The Vaishnava minister has a twin life style of learning and doing. As a result, in order to be effective as a minister, learning must be a lifelong pursuit, and the minister must also be able to make practical application of what he learns throughout his life. The Doctorate of Divinity in Vaishnava Studies presumes a basic competence in ministerial skills and experience. Students should also have had basic studies in Vaishnava Philosophy, Vaishnava History, Vaishnava Administration, Vaishnava Ministry and Vaishnava Education, as well as practical ministerial experience in applying those teachings.
To qualify for admission into the Doctorate of Divinity in Vaishnava Studies, students must possess, at minimum, a Master’s degree in the same or a related field. Candidates are selected by the faculty based on their success in their prior educational endeavors.
The Doctorate of Divinity in Vaishnava Studies is designed to provide ministry analysis, guidance and training to increase ministerial competency. The study program seeks to provide direction in several ministerial areas, such as: research/writing, Vedic scripture-based communication, administration/leadership, and personal development.
In most universities, the Doctorate of Divinity program in Vaishnava Studies consists of 34 semester hours beyond the Master degree program, and includes courses in:
- Vaishnava History
- Vaishnava Philosophy
- Vaishnava Ministry and Education
- Vedic Scriptures
- Developmental Reading
- Personal Development