Learning Outcomes of the M.A. Program in Yoga Studies

1. Graduates will gain knowledge of the Sanskrit language and the history and philosophy of Yoga traditions. 

2. Graduates will understand the human physiological experience from Western and Yogic perspectives. 

3. Graduates will understand the effects of Yoga practices on the human body. 

4. Graduates will gain and apply knowledge of the spiritual and ethical dimensions of Yoga. 

5. Graduates will understand modern Yoga in the context of historical and sociological developments. 

6. Graduates will demonstrate effective research, evaluation, and writing skills on focused topics in Yoga. 

7. Graduates who pursue the Yoga Therapy option will demonstrate competency in designing and implementing safe evidence-based therapeutic Yoga practices for individuals and groups with a variety of health conditions. 

Degree Requirements

Each Fall semester a new class will be welcomed as a cohort. The cohort will continue together as a group for the first year including the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. In the second year, students are able to choose courses within Graduate Yoga Studies coursework to focus their study in solely Yoga Studies or add courses in Yoga Therapy. 

The total time to complete the Residential M.A. in Yoga Studies will be 21 months (36 semester units) or 21 months for the Residential M.A. with Yoga Therapy concentration (39 semester units). 

Total time to complete the Low Residency M.A. in Yoga Studies is 33 months (36 semester units) or 33 months for the Low Residency M.A. with Yoga Therapy concentration (39 semester units). 

Yoga Therapy for Musculo-Skeletal Ailments is required for all students seeking the Yoga Therapy Concentration and Post Graduate Yoga Therapy Certificate. This satisfies the certificate requirement for MA completion.

Admission to the program is available only for the Fall semester. 

As a pre- or co-requisite for completion of the M.A. Yoga Studies degree (with Yoga Studies or Yoga Therapy focus area option), each student must successfully complete one of the following LMU Yoga Studies Certificates: Yoga Philosophy, Yoga Therapy for Musculo-Skeletal Ailments, YogaEd, or a 200 hour LMU partnership Yoga Teacher Training OR will be allowed, upon review, to transfer six post-graduate credits from another institution in an area related to Yoga Studies.

Curriculum

Low Residency M.A. Yoga Studies (Yoga Therapy Option)