Notice to Prospective Degree Program Students

It is a two-year graduate degree program conducted in 4 semesters, with each semester having a duration of 16 weeks. Currently this program is offered only in online mode.

Objectives

The program has the following objectives to offer specialized tracks of deeper study in Yoga Therapy, Research and Philosophy.

  • Graduates are able to understand Yogic philosophy and practices through the study of original Yoga texts.
  • Graduates are able to apply their training in Yogic philosophy and practices both in therapeutic and preventive care.
  • Graduates are able to contribute in professional practice as researchers and practitioners of authentic and evidence based Yoga.

Learning Outcomes of MS (Yoga)

Students graduating from the MS (Yoga) program at VaYU would have a deep knowledge of

  • Graduates are able to understand key principles and practices from original texts of Yoga.
  • Graduates are able to understand the benefits, contraindications and procedures of Yogic practices and apply them in therapy.
  • Graduates are able to demonstrate Yoga practices with confidence and skill and apply their knowledge of Yoga both in therapeutic and preventive situations.
  • Graduates are able to administer advanced Yoga techniques for managing chronic illnesses.
  • Graduates are able to apply the scientific method of analysis in yogic research studies.

Cohort-based program

Students admitted to a term follow the course of study together throughout the 4-Semester program. The courses offered for each semester are fixed.

  • 30 Credits in total
  • 10 courses (24 credits) plus a Masters Research Project (6 credits)
  • Mandatory Personal Contact Program (PCP)

    PCP is a hands-on training program offered in first and third semester.

Locations for PCP

  • PCP is routinely at our main campus in Norwalk (near Los Angeles), CA, USA.
  • Also, optionally at VaYU certified satellite campuses across USA and Asia (subject to sign-up by a minimum of 6 students).
  • Students may need a visa if they wish to take PCP outside of their country.

Four semester, 30 Credits

Detailed Course Catalog

VaYU has a unique online curriculum for the Online Master of Science (Yoga) program delivered in four semesters (30 credits). Program duration is 21 months. Admitted students follow a cohort-based program, i.e., the same course of study throughout their four semesters, consisting of 10 online courses (totaling 24 credits), and, an online research project of 6 credits or equivalent 2 additional courses, for a total of 30 credits (see course path).

Students can choose one of the following optional tracks to specialize in Yoga Therapy, Yoga Research, and Yoga Philosophy. While Yoga Research Track needs a 6 credit thesis, Students specializing in Yoga Therapy or Yoga Philosophy can substitute course work for part or all of the research project.

A mandatory Personal Contact Program (PCP) in the first and third semester is the highlight of the program with face-to-face hands-on training. PCP is a physical gathering of students to obtain deeper training on certain aspects of Yoga in Asanas (physical postures), Kriyas (purification techniques), Mudras (hand gestures), Bandhas (locks), and Pranayama (control of vital energy through breathing), and Meditation.

PCP is usually offered at the main campus in Norwalk (near Los Angeles), USA, but might be offered across VaYU satellite campuses across the US, Asia (China, Japan, Singapore, and Bengaluru, India) depending on student demand and faculty availability. PCP locations are announced early during the semesters it is required.

Program Highlights

  • Four Semesters, 21-months, 30 Credits
  • Online MS (Yoga) Program Highlights
  • 10 Core Courses
  • Specialization in one of the streams below in 4th Semester
    • Yoga Therapy (2 additional courses),
    • Yoga Research (Semester-long Research Project),
    • Yoga Philosophy (2 additional courses or Project),
  • 175 hours of Practical Lab Training; and,
  • Personal Contact Program (PCP) in the first and third semester in residency, or, online during COVID times.

Course Path

Course Path for Master of Science (Yoga) with prerequisite courses represented.

Numbers represent ‘Course Credit Hours.’

Prerequisite Course Map – MSDownload

MS (Yoga) Program Requirements

  1. See the “Academic Course Catalog” page for the course catalog descriptions for the courses referred to below.
  2. Students are recommended to follow their Cohort for the timely completion of their Program.
  3. All students should complete the following 10 Mandatory courses (24 credits)
    • Semester 1 (9 credits) – YMS 101T, YMS 102T, YMS 103T, YMS 104P
    • Semester 2 (7 credits) – YMS 203P
      • Corequisites: YMS 201P, YMS 202P
    • Semester 3 (8 credits) – YMS 301T or YMS 501T
      • Corequisites: YMS 302P, YMS 303
  4. Specialization Tracks – a student chooses one or more tracks.
    1. Yoga Research track
      • 6 credits of YMS 401T MS (Yoga) Research Thesis if taking YMS 301T
      • 5 credits of YMS 401T MS (Yoga) Research Thesis if taking YMS 501T
    2. Yoga Therapy track
      • Choose from YMS 4xx or higher courses from YMS 403P, YMS 404P, YMS 405P, YMS 406P, YMS 407T, and YJS 101T.
    3. Yoga Philosophy track
      • Choose two courses from YMS 407T, YMS 408T, and RMA 1xx courses.
      • A maximum of one RMA course is counted toward the specialization.

Certifications for MS (Yoga) Graduates

C-IAYT from the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)

Master of Science (Yoga) is accredited by the International Association of Yoga Therapists(IAYT).

IAYT independently will charge a membership and registration fee for certification. For more information, see www.iayt.org.

VaYU MS (Yoga) graduates with Yoga Therapy specialization will need to undergo clinical delivery and professional practice course before being eligible for C-IAYT. Details are provided below.

 

Yoga Instructor Certificate (YIC)

All Graduates of the VaYU’s Online MS (Yoga) Program are eligible to acquire a Yoga Instructor Certificate (YIC) from SVYASA upon separate registration with SVYASA. A one-time registration fee is collected independently by SVYASA.

 

Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200)

VaYU’s Online MS (Yoga) Program Training far exceeds the requirements for Registered Yoga Certificate (RYT-200) from Yoga Alliance. VaYU’s partner schools will provide the certification if a Graduate desires.

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