A checklist is the list of requirements to complete this program and receive the award, as the college publishes it in its catalog. It is the same for everyone. It does not say what you have completed; that comes from applying your own record.
Program
- Award
- Contemplative Studies (BA in Religion)
- Credential class
- ceterms:BachelorDegree
- CIP
- 38.0201
- Total credits (published)
- 30
- Credits (computed from items)
- 17
- Catalog edition
- 2026-2027
- Checklist type
- degree-program
Identifiers
- IPEDS UNITID
- 231624
- CourseShelf checklist
- CK_231624_64f48b9b
- CollegeTransfer.Net
- Institution Transfer Profile
- Source
- CourseShelf publish 59
Requirements to complete
Every course or condition the catalog lists, in the catalog's order.
Major Writing Requirement:
major core · 0 items
Religious Studies Core Requirements:
major core · 2 items
- 3
- 4
Two Courses from Traditions:
0 items
Religious literacy is foundational to Contemplative Studies because contemplative practices are deeply embedded in the historical and philosophical traditions that shaped them. By requiring case studies in Buddhism and Hindu Traditions students engage two of the world’s richest contemplative lineages through historical and textual case studies. These courses provide essential context for understanding how practices of contemplation, wisdom, and self-transformation developed, and how they continue to inform contemporary practices.
2 items
- 3
- 3
Contemplative Studies Core Requirements:
major core · 0 items
Through these required course students will be able to: understand and explain the psychological and neurological mechanisms underpinning awareness, emotion, mental health, and self-regulation; examine and compare contemplative traditions and practices across cultures and time periods; analyze and evaluate recent scientific studies on the cognitive, affective, and neurophysiological effects of meditation, and compare and contrast these findings with key Buddhist and Hindu texts on meditation and conceptions of the self.
9 items
- 3
- 4
- One Contemplative Studies (CNST) course that also carries the PSYC or BIOL or NSCI attribute. Options include:Not resolved to a course3
- 3
- or: PSYC 313 Physiological Psych3
- 3
- 3
- 3
- As published: “Topics in Psychology (Science of Positive Psychology)”1-4
One Wellness Application Course
0 items
Through this requirement, students will engage in mind-body practices and meditative techniques that support wellness and enhance empathy, focus, regulation, & resilience—key predictors of academic and life success.
5 items
- 1
- 1
- 1
- As published: “Wellness Applications (Intro to East Asian Medicine )”1
- As published: “Wellness Applications (Sound Wellness )”1
Electives:
electives · 0 items
One elective at any level. This can include any of the below electives at 300/400 level, select RELG 100s, select RELG 150s, transfer RELG credit in the field of Contemplative Studies, or any course that carries the CNST attribute. Consult with your advisor to see if your COLL 100, COLL 150 or transfer credit can fulfill this requirement.
electives · 0 items
Remaining elective at the 300/400 level. This can be any course at the 300 or 400 level that carries the CNST attribute. Options include the PSYC, BIOL, and NSCI courses listed above as well as:
electives · 7 items
- 3
- 3
- 3
- 3
- 3
- 3
- 3
Source. William & Mary, catalog 2026-2027 — https://catalog.wm.edu/programs/contemplative_studies/index.html. Captured page pages/0109.html.gz. Assembled from the institution's published catalog as captured; every record names its captured page and source URL. Assembled, not asserted.