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Social Sciences

Mindfulness Studies

Master of Arts (MA), low-residency graduate program

Become a more mindful citizen of the world.

Immerse yourself in the mindfulness movement that’s making an increasingly significant impact on the western world.

Our Mindfulness Studies master’s degree program—the first of its kind in North America—will prepare you to enrich your life as well as the lives of others through rigorous study and intensive meditation practice. Whether you’re interested in health and wellness, education, social action, leadership, or business, you’ll deepen your personal practice while exploring how to apply mindfulness to your career.

REGISTER: Mindfulness Studies Virtual Information Session

Our low-residency format and asynchronous courses make it possible for you to participate in classes from your home on your own schedule. You’ll study the traditional roots of contemplative practice, mindful communication, and leadership. And you'll immerse yourself in burgeoning research that shows the impact of mindfulness on stress reduction, as well as studies that link meditation practice to enhanced brain function, emotional regulation, and our innate capacity for compassion.

Lesley's faculty bring varied and comprehensive expertise in: mindfulness teaching and mindfulness-based stress reduction; Buddhist studies, including ethics; leadership and social change, contemplative neuroscience, mindfulness in education, qi gong, and more. Our interdisciplinary curriculum ensures that you’ll graduate with a solid foundation in the origins and history of mindfulness, as well as the expertise to apply mindfulness in your own chosen field of endeavor.

Not interested in pursuing a master's degree? Learn about our 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Mindfulness Studies.

Graduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

2-Year, Low-Residency Program

36 Credits
Students engaged in mindfulness poses
Residency
mindfulness yoga stretch
Hands-On Applications
"The world needs you to bring the fullness of yourself to your work. That work could be anything; incorporating mindfulness with integrity, humility, and grace can only benefit you and whatever work you do in the world."
Margaret Fletcher ’17, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher/Teacher Trainer
Charles Morris
Student & Alumni Stories
Charles Morris ’19
These words stopped Charles Morris in his tracks: “You don’t need to change your job. You need to change the mind you bring to your job.” At the time, Charles was struggling to find his place in Microsoft’s competitive environment. After hearing this advice, Charles, a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism, chose to focus on transforming his mindset at work, rather than believing that the only solution was to find a new job. That decision made all the difference. Using the principles he learned in Lesley’s Mindfulness Studies program, he spearheaded a mindfulness program for Microsoft employees. Charles is now pursuing a PhD in Depth Psychology (Jungian/Archetypal Studies), integrating Jungian psychology, Tibetan Buddhism, and mindfulness.
Margaret Fletcher
Student & Alumni Stories
Margaret Fletcher ’17
Margaret describes her career change from financial services to teaching meditation and mindfulness as “a big leap into the unknown.” What began as a personal practice turned into a professional passion when Margaret took her first Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. From there, she pursued the teaching training pathway at the Center for Mindfulness and earned her master’s degree in Mindfulness Studies from Lesley. “I landed in a situation where I can apply long-developed skills in business and more recently developed mindfulness teaching skills,” says Margaret. “I’m fortunate to be able to help train aspiring and developing MBSR teachers."
Brian Thompson
Student & Alumni Stories
Brian Thompson ’19
Brian is passionate about inspiring change in the lives of young people. After years of helping children and adolescents through social work, he’s shifted his focus to public school systems. Using what he’s learning at Lesley, he’s working toward developing a leadership program rooted in mindfulness practice for high school students. In doing so, he intends to empower young adults to pursue the futures they’ve dreamed of. “My hope is that by the time these students apply for college, they have a greater understanding of themselves, and that the decisions they make in terms of their future are made with intention,” says Brian
Careers & Applications
Where Mindfulness Skills Are In Demand
From healthcare and education to business and first responders, a growing number of sectors are embracing mindfulness to alleviate stress and develop more productive learning and working environments.

Those who are trained in mindfulness will be in increasingly high demand in areas where their training can positively affect the wellbeing of others. Lesley’s programs emphasize the integration of mindfulness in a variety of professional practice settings, to provide you with a solid foundation in your chosen field.

Faculty

Total approximate cost for this master's degree program.
Mindfulness Studies
  • Tuition
    $1,150/credit x 36
    $41,400
  • Fees
    Residency Fee
    $500
    Comprehensive Fee
    $900
  • Total
Estimated Cost

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

Our Mindfulness Studies programs require students to attend a 5- to 8-day meditation retreat. The fee for this retreat varies, depending on the location and number of days, but typically costs $750–$1,000. This fee would be in addition to the tuition and fees listed.

Apply Now

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Total approximate cost for this master's degree program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.