DOCTORATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

Doctor of Divinity in Vashnavism
The quality and success of the Doctorate of Divinity Degree is very often determined by the students ability to communicate 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. Through developing their writing, speaking ,and administrative skills, Florida Vedic College seeks to train Students & Ministers for effective leadership. The Vaishnava Minister has a twin life style of learning and doing. To be effective as a Minister, learning must continue and the Minister must be able to make practical application of what he learns throughout his life. The Doctorate of Divinity in Vaishnavism degree presumes competence in Ministerial skills and experience. The Doctor of Vaishnavism student should have had basic studies in Vaishnava Philosophy, Vaishnava History, Vaishnava Administration, Vaishnava Ministry and Vaishnava Edcuation, as well as practical ministerial experience in applying those teachings.

Prerequisite
The student needs to possess a Master's degree acceptable to FVC, a Bhakti-Vedanta degree, or higher degree to be enrolled in the Doctorate program.

Characteristics of the program
The Florida Vedic College Divinity Doctor in Vaishnavism degree programs are designed to provide Ministry analysis, guidance and training to increase ministerial competency. The study programs seek to provide direction in several ministerial areas, such as: research/writing, Vedic scripture-based communication, administration/leadership, and personal development.

Curriculum requirements
The Doctor of Divinity in Vaishnavism program consists of 34 semester hours beyond the Master degree program. The assignment of credit is as follows:

Tutorials
Tutorial #1: Defining your Dissertation or Project.

Developmental Reading
The candidate is required to read 2,000 pages of collateral material beyond the specific project requirements. The candidate will select the bibliography for this reading and submit it for his Major professor's approval. The candidate will list each title read, and may be required to give a brief annotation for each of the materials read.

Projects/Dissertation
The candidate must complete a Doctorate Project/Dissertation, which will include all or one of these areas of development:

Area 1 - Research/Writing Dissertation: As a requirement in this area, the candidate will write a 100 - 125 page (minimum) dissertation dealing with an approved aspect of Vaishnava philosophy, religion, ministry or of Vaishnava interest.
Area 2 - Vedic Scripture - based Communication: The candidate will complete projects dealing with course and lesson presentations or scriptural translations and exegesis. A dissertation presentation of 100 page minimum is required.
Area 3 - Vaishnava Administration Project: The candidate will complete projects dealing with the implementation of Major administrative projects, such as the establishment of institutions in Vaishnavism, inclusive of government approvals, standards, catalogs, financial reporting and a minimum of one year of establishment is to be reported on. A final project analysis is required in this area of study.
Area 4 - Personal Development: The candidate will complete projects dealing with personal spiritual growth, Vedic scriptural study, theological perspectives, and Vedic counseling. This are is generally only a part of the Doctoral program and in many cases may be combined with the other three areas for completion of project.
All of the projects must be approved by the candidate's Major Doctorate professor. Vaishnava Ministers may request specific project adaptations as to relate to their particular fields of ministry, and these project adaptations must be arranged through the candidate's Major professor and approved by the college. Courses and seminars offered by FVC may be substituted for various project credits. The maximum number of project substitutions allowed is nine credits.

Doctorate course description:

Vedic scripture-based communication:

Vedic administration project:

Personal development:

Additional doctorate courses:

Time requirements
Normally the program is completed in 24-27 months, taking 9 credits per semester. Under extreme conditions, the time of completion may be extended as long as 4 years. No program may extend beyond that time without special permission.

Grading Policy
The Doctor of Divinity in Vaishnavism student must earn a minimum grade of "B" in each project. Failure to achieve a grade of "B" will necessitate repeating the project.

Financial responsibility
The appropriate fee for the Doctorate program must be paid in full prior to graduation.

Work submission deadlines
The work submission deadlines will be given by the Major professor in the doctorate area. Work not submitted on deadline may receive failing grade, if the delay is not requested in advance.

Bhaktisarvabhauma Degree (Vaishnava Doctorate of TheologyDegree)
The student must possess a "Bhakti-vedanta Degree" and pass the Mastery level examination on the required scripture to receive this degree The scripture is the Sri Caitanya Caritamrta by Krsnadas Kaviraj Goswami; English translation by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada; ( adi, madyha and antya lilas) (17 Vols)
3 hr exam on the Complete Caitanya Caritamrta.

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Courses for Doctorate degree in
HINDOVEDIC PSYCHOLOGY

Each course is three credits, 51 Credits required for graduation

Introduction to the Indian Psychological thought
  INDIA AND THE WEST

Elements of Psychology
  THE PSYHIC STRUCTURE IN MICRO AND MACROCOSM

Psychology in the Vedas
  THE MIND IN THE SCIENCE OF THE SELF AND HOLISTIC HEALTH

Psychology in the Upanishads

Psychology in Samkhya

Psychology in Yoga
  YOGA AS A SCIENCE TO THE HARMONY OF THE SELF WITHIN THE UNIVERSAL REALITY

Psychology in Bhagavad-gita and in Bhagavata Purana

Psychology in Vedanta, in Vishishta-advaita and in other main Sampradayas

Psychology in Buddhism

History of Indian Philosophy
  INTRODUCTION TO THE HINDOVEDIC PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT

History of Indian Literature
  INTRODUCTION TO THE MAIN CLASSICAL WORKS

Sociology and Anthropology

History of Hindovedic Civilization

Pedagogy
  THE EDUCATIONAL IDEAL WITHIN THE SOCIO-COSMIC ORGANIZATION

Purano-Vedic Cosmogony and Eschatology

Psychology and its Therapies
  BHAKTI, YOGA, AYURVEDA

Psychological Mythology in Hindovedic thought

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Courses for Doctorate degree in
HINDOVEDIC PHILOSOPHY AND LITERATURE

Each course is three credits, 45 credits required for graduation

History of Literature
INTRODUCTION TO THE MAIN CLASSICAL WORKS

Epic Literature: Mahabharata

Epic Literature: Ramayana

Mystic Literature
REVIEW OF THE MAIN TRADITIONAL WORKS

History of Philosophy
INTRODUCTION TO THE HINDOVEDIC PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT

Philosophy of the Vaishnava Schools
FOUR SAMPRADAYAS AND SHRI CAITANYA'S SCHOOL

The classical systems of thought: Shaddarshana

Purano-Vedic Cosmogony and Eschatology

Thought in the Upanishads

Philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita

Theology in the Prastana-traya

Elements of Sanskrit language

Elements of classical Tamil language

History of Hindovedic Civilization

Psychological Mythology in Hindovedic thought

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Courses for Doctorate degree in
HINDOVEDIC ARCHAEOLOGY, HISTORY AND HISTORY OF ART

HINDOVEDIC ARCHAEOLOGY, HISTORY

Each course is 3 credits each: 42 credits required for Graduation

History of Hindovedic Civilization

Archaeology

History of Art

Architecture
TOWN-PLANNING AND PHILOSOPHY OF CONSTRUCTION

Ethics and Aesthetics

Puranic Geography

Sociology and Anthropology

Purano-Vedic Cosmogony and Eschatology

Epic Literature: Mahabharata

Epic Literature: Ramayana

History of Philosophy
INTRODUCTION TO THE HINDOVEDIC PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT

History of Literature
INTRODUCTION TO THE MAIN CLASSICAL WORKS

Psychological Mythology in Hindovedic thought

Elements of Sanskrit language

Each course is 3 credits each: 42 credits required for Graduation

History of Hindovedic Civilization

Archaeology

History of Art

Architecture
TOWN-PLANNING AND PHILOSOPHY OF CONSTRUCTION

Ethics and Aesthetics

Puranic Geography

Sociology and Anthropology

Purano-Vedic Cosmogony and Eschatology

Epic Literature: Mahabharata

Epic Literature: Ramayana

History of Philosophy
INTRODUCTION TO THE HINDOVEDIC PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT

History of Literature
INTRODUCTION TO THE MAIN CLASSICAL WORKS

Psychological Mythology in Hindovedic thought

Elements of Sanskrit language

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