CSC — Counselor of Spiritual Care
200-hour graduate certificate. Six mandalas over 9 months. Foundation for Hindu spiritual care anywhere.
$2,500 suggested donation · Online · Self-paced + live mentoring
MA in Interreligious Chaplaincy at GTU
36-credit master's degree at the Graduate Theological Union. HSCI graduates receive up to 12 credits of advanced standing.
WASC + ATS accredited · GTU partnership →
Dual enrollment: Apply once to enter both CSC and the GTU MA together. CSC graduates may also apply for HSCI fellowships up to $6,000.
About HSCI's Courses
Hindu Spiritual Care Institute (HSCI) began its training program in 2018 and has since successfully graduated over 250 spiritual care counselors worldwide (US, Canada, India, Australia, South Africa, Singapore, and Philippines). The course is open to applicants from all backgrounds who have a serious interest in entering the field of spiritual care and chaplaincy.
All applicants need to have a serious interest in the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and giving back to the community at large.
Course Structure
The CSC course is offered online in six mandalas (modules) over a 9-month period and requires a 250-hour engagement. The CSC graduate population ranges in age from 30 to 75, about 58% are women, and 46% hold a master's degree or higher.
Learn to Serve Curriculum
The CSC course curriculum prepares scholars to provide Hindu spiritual care in diverse settings including hospitals, universities, community centers, and private practice.
- Self-paced online learning with live mentoring sessions
- Six mandalas covering key aspects of Hindu spiritual care
- Pre-recorded lectures (8-10 hours per mandala), peer role-play conversations, and reflection papers
- Approximately 5 hours per week commitment
- Pathway to professional chaplaincy through GTU partnership
The Six Mandalas
Mandala 1: Foundation of Hindu Tradition & Chaplaincy in the Diaspora
Principal Faculty: Kailash Joshi
Students explore the concept of lokasaṅgraha (welfare of the world) and the unique challenges of Hindu identity in the diaspora. They study saṃskāra-s, Vedic rites, and the role of spiritual care as a foundational service to the community.
Mandala 2: Hindu Spiritual Care & the Bhagavad Gita
Principal Faculty: Gaurav Rastogi
Through a close study of the Bhagavad Gita, scholars examine dharma, karma, and the three afflictions (tāpatraya). They develop skills in Karma Yoga, meditation practice, and cultivating ānanda (deep joy).
Mandala 3: Context for Counseling & Chaplaincy with Hindu Lens
Principal Faculty: Zachary Ginder, PsyD, MSW
Students learn the foundations of spiritual care through a distinctly Hindu lens, including how to address grief, loss, and ethical dilemmas. They develop skills in compassionate presence, active listening, and spiritual care protocol.
Mandala 4: Hindu Rites & Spiritual Care for Life Events
Principal Faculty: Usha Narasimhan, LLB, MBA
This mandala covers the rites and rituals associated with early life, illness, aging, and end-of-life transitions. Students learn to facilitate healing, continuity, and transformation through Hindu ceremonial practices.
Mandala 5: Spiritual Care for Householders & Professionals
Principal Faculty: Punit Mahendru, PhD
Students explore the spiritual care needs of householders — individuals navigating family harmony, career fulfillment, and community interactions. They learn to apply Hindu teachings to everyday challenges including relationship dynamics, work-life balance, and social engagement.
Mandala 6: Preparing for Chaplaincy & Service
Principal Faculty: Ashok Chandrasekhar, PhD & Kailash Joshi, PhD, DSc(Hon)
The final mandala focuses on reflection, readiness, and practical preparation for entering the field. Students consolidate their learning, develop a personal vision for seva (service), and prepare for chaplaincy placements or community roles.
2026-27 Curriculum Schedule
| Module | Dates |
|---|---|
| Mandala 1: Foundation of Hindu Tradition & Chaplaincy in the Diaspora | Oct 24 — Dec 5, 2026 |
| Mandala 2: Hindu Spiritual Care & the Bhagavad Gita | Dec 6, 2026 — Jan 30, 2027 |
| Mandala 3: Context for Counseling, Spiritual Care & Chaplaincy | Jan 31 — Mar 13, 2027 |
| Mandala 4: Hindu Rites & Spiritual Care for Life Events | Mar 14 — Apr 24, 2027 |
| Mandala 5: Spiritual Care for Householders & Professionals | Apr 25 — Jun 5, 2027 |
| Mandala 6: Preparing for Chaplaincy & Spiritual Care Service | Jun 6 — Jul 17, 2027 |
| Graduation | Aug 28-29, 2027 |
GTU Credit Equivalency
Per the MOU between HSCI and the Graduate Theological Union (Nov 2025), HSCI graduates receive up to 12 credits of advanced standing toward GTU's MA in Interreligious Chaplaincy.
| CSC Mandalas | GTU Equivalent | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mandala 1 + 2 | SoulCare in Chaplaincy | 3 |
| Mandala 6 | Meaning Making in Chaplaincy | 3 |
| Mandala 4 | Death Theologies, Grief, and Rituals | 3 |
| Mandala 3 + 5 | Counseling and Chaplaincy | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
GTU is accredited by WASC and ATS. See the full credential pathway and GTU partnership details.
What Our Scholars Say
From CHT graduation ceremonies
"I signed on to this course just to appease a very dear friend, and yet here I am ten months later, a total convert who absolutely believes in and subscribes to this model of community service."
Shobha Nandhan, CHT 2020
"My family has noticed that I have become kinder to myself. They feel that I was very hard on myself. They noticed that change in me — that I am happier inside."
CHT Graduate, Cohort 5
"I have gotten out of my self-imposed prison of sorts. I have gotten very vocal, quite the opposite of the others. I have gotten emboldened. I am flying."
CHT Graduate, Cohort 5
"The CSC course has been a life-changing event for me. I'm a lot more aware of myself. I learned active listening and how to bring my compassionate presence."
Ashish Khan, CHT 2020
What leaders are saying about HSCI
"It's like a classic Silicon Valley startup — it's so impressive to see how much you've grown in just three years."
Congressman Ro Khanna, U.S. House of Representatives
"I believe this has created a viable model not only for American society but also for India and actually for all over the world."
Dr. David Frawley, Padma Bhushan Awardee
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the CSC program, graduates will be able to:
- Provide Hindu spiritual care to individuals and families in hospitals, hospices, universities, and community settings
- Facilitate saṃskāra-s and Hindu rites for major life transitions including birth, illness, aging, and end of life
- Apply Bhagavad Gita teachings — including dharma, karma, and Karma Yoga — to contemporary spiritual care conversations
- Conduct compassionate TrayaCare conversations with individuals experiencing grief, loss, stress, and ethical dilemmas
- Serve as a spiritual care resource for Hindu families in the diaspora
- Pursue advanced chaplaincy credentials through the HSCI-GTU credential pathway
Who Should Apply
The CSC program welcomes applicants from all backgrounds who are called to serve through Hindu spiritual care. Ideal candidates include:
- Temple leaders, community volunteers, and yoga practitioners seeking formal spiritual care training
- Healthcare, social work, and counseling professionals wanting to integrate Hindu perspectives into their practice
- Retired professionals looking for a meaningful second career in service
- Anyone with a sincere interest in the Bhagavad Gita and a commitment to seva (selfless service)
Admission Requirements
- An accredited bachelor's degree or higher
- College-level English proficiency
- Demonstrated interest in Bhagavad Gita teachings and community service
- Completed application form
How to Apply
Apply with the form below. Once your application is received, the Director of Admissions acknowledges it by email and asks for the following, to complete it:
- A short written essay, as a Word document: (A) a 100-word statement of your interest in the course, and (B) 50 words on your interest in the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
- A copy of your recent passport-size professional photograph.
- A copy of your highest college degree certificate.
- Identity verification over a video call, where you show a government-issued ID or passport.
Email the photograph, essay and degree copy to registrar@hsciglobal.org. Once the documents and the contribution below are received, HSCI contacts you with further details. Questions about your application go to the same address.
The course starts October 30, 2026. Documents are due before Orientation Day, October 24, 2026.
Suggested Donation to Support the Program
HSCI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 82-4937355). The CSC program is sustained by suggested donations from scholars that support faculty stipends, learning materials, mentor honoraria, and the broader charitable mission of training Hindu chaplains worldwide.
- CSC scholars: $2,500 suggested donation
- CSC + GTU MA Chaplaincy dual-enrollment scholars: $1,000 suggested donation
Need-based donation reductions are available — no qualified applicant is turned away for inability to contribute the suggested amount. Donations can be made by Zelle (US only) to Accounts@hinduci.org, via PayPal.me/hinduci, or by check made payable to "Hindu Spiritual Care Institute" (19538 Vineyard Lane, Saratoga, CA 95070). Applicants outside the US: amounts vary with exchange rates; ask the Director of Admissions through registrar@hsciglobal.org. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
GTU Partnership
HSCI graduates can transfer 12 credits toward GTU's 36-credit MA chaplaincy degree and may apply for HSCI fellowships (up to $6,000) if enrolled in both programs. Learn more about the HSCI-GTU partnership and the full credential pathway from CSC certificate to board-certified chaplain.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2026
To apply, contact admissions@hsciglobal.org