This requirement is intended to both expose the student to a variety of religious traditions and to facilitate meeting other GTU faculty who may serve on the student's thesis committee. It is the intent of this requirement that students have exposure to a variety of approaches to the study of religion. As not all foreign languages are considered relevant to the study of Buddhism, students are to consult with their advisor at the beginning of their program of study concerning their plans for fulfilling this requirement. Reading proficiency may be demonstrated either by completion of the second semester of the second year of college level language instruction with a grade of B or better, or by examination. See the GTU M.A. Handbook for guidelines concerning language examinations.
Proficiency is to be demonstrated by the end of the third semester in residence.
Letter grades are required. The Master of Arts is expected to take 2 years and not longer than 4 years to complete. The candidate must form an M.A. Thesis Committee prior to the semester during which the first three units of thesis class is taken. As not all foreign languages are considered relevant to the study of Buddhism, students are to consult with their advisor at the beginning of their program of study concerning their plans for fulfilling this requirement. Proficiency is to be demonstrated by the end of the third semester in residence.