FAQs What is Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU)? VaYU is the world’s first university devoted to graduate education and research in Yoga outside of India where yoga originated thousands of years ago.
VaYU objectives are three-fold: (a) Dissemination of Yoga education and practices deciphered from ancient Indian texts; (b) Propagation of Evidence-based Yoga supported by modern scientific research; and (c) Preparing the working Professional and the seeker alike to reach their fullest potential in Yogic practices allowing healthful functioning of the body and the mind. Where is VaYU Main Campus Located VaYU main campus has multiple Yoga teaching studios, classrooms, a library, and Administration offices. Address is: 15311 Pioneer Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90650.
How do I contact VaYU? Best by email at info@vayuusa.org. You can call us at 747-CA-VaYU-7 (747-228-2987) and leave a clear message with your name, telephone number, your country, and best time to call. We will get back to you.
VaYU Faculty VaYU faculty is top-notch, highly-accomplished, world renowned, and have been recruited from SVYASA (www.svyasa.edu.in) – the world’s first Yoga University located in Bengaluru, India.
Faculty have the following characteristics:
When is the next M.S. (Yoga) Program batch starting?
VaYU's Online Master of Science (Yoga) program for the Spring 2021 starts on January 19, 2021.
Who is it for? Whether you run your own yoga center or work for one, a Yoga Therapist, a healthcare professional (physician, nurse, or physical/occupational therapist) or in the hospitality industry (massage therapists etc.) whether you are looking for career enhancement or a seeker serious enough to satisfy your curiosity, then M.S. (Yoga) is for you.
Who can Qualify? Applicants to M.S. (Yoga) program should have a minimum of a 4-Year bachelor’s degree in any field of study from an US accredited college or university (institution of higher learning), or equivalent degree from another country. Applicants with a three year degree from an international institution with an additional supplement a minimum of 1-year worth of college level courses for a total of 4-Years, are also eligible.
How do I apply? Application is online at https://vayuusa.org/Admissions. You will have to upload your
Completed application
What is the Application Fee? There is no application fee.
What is the Application Processing Time? Once your online application is complete (all materials are uploaded and your references submitted), we take 72 hours to give you our decision.
What is the program structure? VaYU MS (Yoga) is an online 21-month (Fall admission)/24-month (Spring Admission) or four semester long program with 30 credits. A cohort-based program (all students take the same courses throughout the program) is recommended. Students can take less than full load in which case the graduation will obviously be delayed. Students can choose either of the three specialization streams:
What does the Program Cost? VaYU makes this graduate education very affordable for you. At $600 per credit hour you will pay $18,420 tuition for the entire program of two academic years. Additional costs for the PCP may include travel, boarding and lodging to the VaYU PCP center twice during in the program during the 13th week of the first and the third semester. A registration fee of $150 is levied for each semester. Cost of books and materials are extra.
Is there financial aid available? No. Currently, VaYU is not offering any scholarships. VaYU MS (Yoga) costs are very affordable at $18,420 for the entire 4-semester program. A very limited number of 'work study' opportunities are available to admitted students on a 'first come first served' and need basis.
How Do I Learn? You learn in the confines of your own home. All you need is a computer with Internet connections. Every week, we will deliver course materials through our state-of-the-art online learning management web-portal based on Canvas LMS. You will watch multimedia audio/videos from your professors, do your homework, and even take quizzes and exams at home. Weekly one-on-one consultancy with Professors on need basis, weekly 90-minute optional synchronous Online meetings per subject with Professors in groups, and, moderated on-line discussion forums with your classmates are available and may be required for some course.
Should I know Sanskrit before taking MS (Yoga)? No.
What preparations should I do before I take MS (Yoga) Program? No preparation is expected once you are admitted. Be prepared to learn and have fun. VaYU’s M.S. (Yoga) is a self-contained program. We will teach you everything you need to know.
What is meant by “accredited” if foreign degree? What is a VaYU Bridge Course? VaYU recognizes the hard work you have put into your Yoga Certifications. If, an applicant to VaYU M.S. (Yoga) is a trained yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance RYT 200/300/500 Certificate, or is an International Association of Yoga Therapist Certificate (C-IAYT) holder, the person has the option of taking a VaYU Bridge Course to upgrade their certification to get course waivers for their VaYU M.S. (Yoga).
I am a registered Yoga Teacher, but I am not actively teaching. Am I eligible to take the bridge course and get credit? Yes.
If your certification is from Yoga Alliance RYT 200/300/500 you can upgrade your certification to YIC via VaYU Bridge Course and get waiver for MS (Yoga) YMS 104P Preparatory Practices (3 credits).
If your teaching certification Yoga Instructor Course (YIC) is from SVYASA. VAYU USA, Yoga Bharathi, you need not take any Bridge course. You are automatically eligible for the waiver. I am a registered yoga therapist, but not practicing actively. Am I eligible to take the bridge course and get credit? Yes.
If your certification is from International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) you can upgrade your certification to YTIC via VaYU Bridge Course and get waiver for MS (Yoga) YMS 104P Preparatory Practices (3 credits) and YMS 101T Basis of Yoga Therapy (2 credits) for a total of five credits.
If your teaching certification Yoga Therapy Instructor Course (YTIC) is from SVYASA. VAYU USA, Yoga Bharathi, you need not take any bridge course. You are automatically eligible for the waiver of these 5 credits. What Yoga Certifications does VaYU recognize? Do I get any credit/ waiver for my Yoga Instructor/ Teacher/ Therapist Certifications? VaYU recognizes the following Yoga Certificates from SVYASA, VYASA USA (Yoga Bharathi):
Check with VaYU if you have other Yoga Certifications. What is Personal Contact Program (PCP) and how long is the duration and in what semesters?
I am an US resident. Where can I take my PCP?
Program Cost VaYU makes this graduate education very affordable for you. At $600 per credit hour and education inflation in second year you will pay $18,420 tuition for the entire program of two years. Additional costs for the PCP may include travel, boarding and lodging to the VaYU PCP center twice during in the program during the 13th week of the first and the third semester. A registration fee of $150 is levied for each semester. Cost of books and material are extra.
Is there financial aid available? VaYU will not offering any scholarships. VaYU MS (Yoga) costs are very affordable at $19,020 for the entire 4-semester program. However, a very limited 'work study scholarship' opportunities are available on a 'first come first served' need basis.
How can I pay my Tuition Fees? VaYU accepts Tuition fee payment via ACH/ eCheck without any charges.
For all Credit Card payments 3% Transaction fees will be charged (AmEx, Mastercard, and Visa). What is your policy of refunds if I register a course and want to withdraw?
A student wishing to cancel or withdraw from the school and receive a refund should send their notice of cancellation or withdrawal in writing to the Director of Admissions at the University Administration Office. The student has the right to cancel the enrollment agreement and obtain a refund of charges paid through attendance at the first class session, or the seventh day after, whichever is later.
If the student has received federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of moneys not paid from federal student financial aid program funds.
A notice of cancellation shall be in writing and can sent by mail or email. A withdrawal may be effectuated by the student’s written notice or by the student’s conduct, including, but not necessarily limited to, a student’s lack of attendance or violation of federal or state law. VaYU shall refund 100 percent of the amount paid for institutional charges, less a reasonable deposit or application fee not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250), if notice of cancellation is made through attendance at the first class session, or the seventh class day after enrollment, whichever is later. Student withdrawal would automatically result in loss of any and all VaYU Scholarship to the student. A student may appeal his/her withdraw/termination in writing within three business days of the notice of withdraw as provided by the institution to the physical or email address provided by the student upon enrollment. Such appeals will be answered to the same physical or email address within three business days of receipt of the student’s written appeal. The refund policy for VaYU students who have completed 60 percent or less of the period of attendance shall be a pro rata refund. Students who have completed greater than 60 percent of the contracted period of enrollment as indicated on the student application, shall receive no refund of tuition or of institutional charges incurred. Prepaid institutional charges, such as homestay or airport pickup/returns, that have not been incurred by the institution at the time of termination shall be refunded in full. VAYU offers instruction as a distance education, and it is not offered in real time. The student shall have the right to cancel the enrollment agreement and receive a full refund before the first lesson and materials are received by the student. Cancellation is effective on the date written notice of cancellation is sent. VAYU shall make the refund pursuant to section 71750 of the Regulations. If VAYU has sent the first lesson and materials before an effective cancellation notice was received, the institution shall make a refund within 45 days after the student's return of the materials. California BPPE requirements for refund policies and calculations as stated in this addendum will be followed. It should be noted, however, that both refund policies shall be applied in the calculation of a student refund and that the refund calculation that results in the greatest refund for the student shall be applied. All refunds will be made within 45 days of a student’s cancellation or withdrawal. Contact the VAYU Administration Office, 15311 Pioneer Blvd. Norwalk, CA 90650, Phone: (562) 215-4564 Fax: (562) 215-4564 What is a Cohort-Based Program? VaYU Online M.S. (Yoga) is a cohort-based program wherein all students take the same set of courses throughout the program in each semester. Students taking less than full load of courses is possible but discouraged, and may subsequently result in delayed graduation.
What ‘Good Academic Standing’? "Good Academic Standing" is 3.0 GPA and a minimum of a "B" grade in all courses in the previous semester. Any course below "B" grade may have to be repeated.What if I am unable to complete my semester?
There is a high probability that your graduation be delayed as you did not complete your term. What is GPA and CGPA?
Students completing a course in VAYU Programs get a letter grade as a measure of their course performance. Each course is assigned a number of credits Course instructors assign “Letter Grades” which are converted to “Quality Points as in Table below.
To compute Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) we use the following formule. Let Total Quality Points (TQP) be defined as below in semester ‘Sem’: TQPSem=All courses attempted in that Semester(Quality Points× Course Credits)per Course where ‘Sem’ is Semester I, II, or III, for Master in Science (Yoga) program. Grade Point Average in a semester for a student is computed based on the following formula: GPASem= TQPSemTotal number of Credits attempted during Semester 'Sem' Let Cumulative Quality Points (CQP) be defined as below: CQP=All courses taken to date at VAYU(Quality Points× Course Credits)per Course Then Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is computed based on the formula: CGPA= CQP Total number of Credits of all courses to date at VAYU What is an ‘Incomplete’ Grade?
How long does it take to graduate from the VaYU M.S. (Yoga) Program? VaYU Online M.S. (Yoga) Program is 4-semesters long. Students admitted in Fall complete the program in 21-months. Students admitted in Spring complete the program in 24-months. If you start in August (Fall) of Year 1, you will graduate in May (at the end of Spring) of Year 2. If you start your program in the January (Spring) of Year 1, you will graduate in December (at the end of Fall) of Year 2.
Do you have a graduation ceremony? If so when?
Does VaYU admit international students? Yes.
Please see the procedure to accept your degrees and English requirements. You may have to take TOEFL/ IELTS/ PTE and attain a minimum score if your medium of instruction has not been in English during your highest degree attained.
I have a degree from outside of the US, am I eligible for admission?
If a student's degree is from another country other than USA, VaYU may require an evaluation of the International Student’s Transcripts and Degree Certificate from a foreign degree evaluator who is a member of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) www.naces.org. Ensure that the details are sent from the evaluation services agency directly to VaYU at apply@vayuusa.org. These evaluation services agencies serve education institutions, professional organizations, regulatory and legal entities, employers, and individuals who need accurate assessments. We recommend you to use Spantran (www.spantran.com) as we have had good experience with them and you do not need to send your originals but scanned electronic copies. We do not have any business association with Spantran, other than being a satisfied customer. We have also found them to be relatively not very expensive. If the transcripts and/or degree certificate is in any other language than English, we mandate the above evaluation. As an international student do I have to take TOEFL/ IELTS/ PTE?
Note that the VaYU will only offer admission with official language scores meeting the minimum requirements outlined below. Minimum scores (all of these scores are valid for 2 years from the date of testing): Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based: 90 Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based: 577 International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 7.0 Pearson Test of English (PTE-Academic): 61 ➢ VaYU does not accept the TOEFL MyBest Scores. Applicants must achieve a minimum of 90 on one exam date; exams will not be superscored. ➢ The language test requirement could be waived if the student have completed a bachelors or masters degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. I don’t reside in the United States. Can I take my PCP in a different country?
I have certain physical limitations. Is it appropriate for me to take Online MS (Yoga)? Please check with us with specifics of your condition by emailing apply@vayuusa.org.
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