Practical Vedanta Program

USR offers the following courses: Associate Degree on Practical Vedanta, Bachelor’s Degree on Practical Vedanta, and Master’s Degree on Practical Vedanta.

These courses are rare gifts for individuals, seekers and scholars of all religions interested to have thorough knowledge on major Vedanta scriptures (Upanishad). These courses will also train students to apply the teachings in everyday situations to make life more meaningful.

Vedanta, or Upanishad, is the most ancient wisdom available to mankind. If studied under the guidance of an enlightened being, or rishi, this knowledge has the potential to expand the awareness of an individual to the level of Unity and ensure complete harmony between the individual and universal sides of life. This unification releases the jivatma, or embodied being, from the sufferings and struggles of life, and brings liberation from the cycle of death and birth. 

The uniqueness of this program lies in its:

  • Incisive rational interpretation of esoteric Vedanta sutras
  • Opportunity to study Vedanta without any prior knowledge of Sanskrit
  • Practical training and guidance on the critical components of Raja yoga, including asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi 
  • Opportunity for personal interaction with living saints and seers

Important features of this program: 

  • The Upanishadic text in Devanagari and English transliteration format
  • Word-to-word meaning of the text
  • Translation of the text
  • Inner meaning and commentary of the Upanishadic text
  • Contemplative questions to assist assimilation of the knowledge and integration of the wisdom into practical life situations
  • Learning the yogic techniques to restore the equilibrium of the elemental structure in an individual’s system
  • Training to chant the Upanishadic text and the mantras as per the ancient Vedic tradition

Eligibility requirements for admission into the Practical Vedanta courses are fluency (read, write, speak) in English, and a minimum age of 21 years.

Associate Degree on Practical Vedanta (ADV)

This entry-level course includes basic, word-to-word, concept-by-concept study of the following major Upanishads: Ishavasya Upanishad, Prasnopanishad, Mundok Upanishad, Taittriya Upanishad.

Bachelor’s Degree on Practical Vedanta (BDV)

This intermediate course includes advanced, word-to-word, concept-by-concept study of the following major Upanishads: Ishavasya Upanishad, Prasnopanishad, Mundok Upanishad, Taittriya Upanishad, Chhandogya Upanishad.

Master’s Degree on Practical Vedanta (MDV)

This advanced course includes intensive, word-to-word, concept-by-concept study of the following major Upanishads: Ishavasya Upanishad, Kenopanishad, Kathopanishad, Prasnopanishad, Mundok Upanishad, Mandukya Upanishad, Taittriya Upanishad, Aitareya Upanishad, Chhandogya Upanishad, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Shvetashvatara Upanishad.

For the Master’s Degree course, at the end of every lesson, the student answers multiple-choice questions for evaluating the learning ability and progress. Twice per month, there is a live online examination of 30 minutes. At the end of the course, a student is required to submit a final thesis/term paper on a pre-approved theme.

Duration of the Courses

The duration of the Associate Degree course is 1 year from the date of admission; the duration of the Bachelor’s Degree course is 2 years from the date of admission; and the duration of the Master’s Degree course is 3.5 years from the date of admission. All lessons will be dispatched online. For practical guidance, students are required to attend training on a campus either in USA or India for a minimum of 2 weeks and a maximum of 4 weeks near the end of the course.

Quality Assurance

Since USR gives utmost importance to true learning and assimilation of the knowledge in life, a student is expected to complete each lesson with a minimum qualifying score in order to be eligible to receive the next lesson. In addition to the lessons, a selective suggested reading list will be given. Every student completing a course with a qualifying grade receives a degree.

Fees for the Courses

Associate Degree

  • $50 registration fee, non-refundable
  • $500 evaluation and examination fee, payable at the time of admission and non-refundable

  • $2000 tuition fee paid lump sum, or $2200 tuition fee paid in two installments of $1200 at the time of admission and $1000 after completion of 15 lessons

Bachelor’s Degree

  • $50 registration fee, non-refundable
  • $1000 evaluation and examination fee, payable at the time of admission and non-refundable
  • $4000 tuition fee paid lump sum, or $4300 tuition fee paid in two installments of $2500 at the time of admission and $1800 after completion of 20 lessons

Master’s Degree

  • $50 registration fee, non-refundable
  • $1500 evaluation and examination fee, payable at the time of admission and non-refundable
  • $6000 tuition fee paid lump sum, or $6500 tuition fee paid in two installments of $3500 at the time of admission and $3000 after completion of 25 lessons

*The cost of travel, accommodation and meals for the on-campus portion of the courses is not included in the tuition and will be borne by the student.

  • For further information and registration, please use our Contact page to submit your request and contact information.