Frequently Asked Questions

HSCI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Saratoga, California, dedicated to training Hindu chaplains and spiritual care counselors. Founded in 2018, HSCI provides professional education, research, and community services rooted in Hindu wisdom traditions. Learn more on our Our Story page.

HSCI operates as a professional training institute and has a formal academic partnership with the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, California. Through this partnership, CSC graduates can pursue a Master of Arts in Interreligious Chaplaincy at GTU, with 12 HSCI credits transferring. See our GTU Partnership page for details.

HSCI is funded through a combination of suggested donations from scholars, individual donations, and TrayaCare service delivery fees. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all donations are tax-deductible. You can support our mission on the Donate page.

The Counselor of Spiritual Care (CSC) program is open to individuals of all backgrounds who have a sincere interest in Hindu spiritual care. Applicants should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent life experience, a connection to Hindu traditions, and a desire to serve others through chaplaincy. Visit the CSC Course page for full details.

The CSC program is a 200-hour graduate certificate spanning 9 months. It includes coursework across six Mandalas (curriculum modules) and 18 Upamandalas covering Hindu philosophy, the Bhagavad Gita, counseling skills, life-cycle rites, professional chaplaincy, and service preparation. Check the CSC Curriculum page for the full structure.

The CSC program is sustained by a suggested donation of $2,500 from each scholar, which supports faculty stipends, learning materials, mentor honoraria, and access to the Moodle LMS platform. Need-based reductions are available; no qualified applicant is turned away for inability to contribute the suggested amount. Contact admissions@hsciglobal.org for details.

Yes. The CSC program is delivered primarily online through a combination of live Zoom sessions and asynchronous coursework on the Moodle LMS. This allows students from around the world to participate. Some optional in-person gatherings and the annual graduation ceremony are held in California.

There are no strict academic prerequisites beyond a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Applicants should demonstrate familiarity with Hindu traditions, a commitment to spiritual care, and the ability to engage in graduate-level reading and writing in English. An admissions interview is part of the process.

In the CSC program, a Mandala is one of the six major curriculum modules that structure the 9-month course. Each Mandala contains three Upamandalas (sub-modules). The six Mandalas progress from foundations of Hindu tradition through the Bhagavad Gita, counseling skills, life-cycle rites, householder care, and preparation for service. See the full breakdown on the CSC Curriculum page.

CSC graduates serve as Hindu chaplains in hospitals, hospices, universities, prisons, the military, and corporate settings. Many also provide tele-chaplaincy through TrayaCare and serve their local Hindu communities. The CSC credential is recognized by healthcare and interfaith organizations.

Yes. Through the HSCI-GTU partnership, HSCI graduates can apply to the Master of Arts in Interreligious Chaplaincy at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, with CSC coursework counting toward the degree. This is a significant pathway to board certification.

Board certification typically requires a master's degree, Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units, and endorsement from a faith community. The CSC-to-GTU pathway provides the academic foundation. HSCI can guide you through the full credential journey. See our Credential Pathway page for the step-by-step process.

TrayaCare is HSCI's virtual chaplaincy platform that connects individuals with trained Hindu spiritual care counselors via WhatsApp. Services include support for grief, stress and burnout, pre-marriage counseling, hospital visit coordination, and last rites guidance. Learn more on the TrayaCare page.

TrayaCare services are supported by donations. Delivery costs range from $100 for tele-visits to $250 for stress counseling and pre-marriage counseling. All services are available regardless of ability to pay. Visit the TrayaCare page for the full pricing table.

TrayaCare counselors can provide support in English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Punjabi, and Bengali. When you reach out via WhatsApp, let us know your language preference and we will match you with an appropriate counselor.

All TrayaCare counselors are HSCI-certified spiritual care providers who have completed the CHT program. They are trained in both traditional Hindu pastoral care approaches and contemporary counseling techniques. Meet our team on the Tele-Chaplaincy Team page.

Kutumba is HSCI's peer-reviewed journal dedicated to Hindu chaplaincy, spiritual care, and related scholarship. Published regularly, it features articles by CSC graduates, faculty, and practitioners exploring topics from clinical chaplaincy to Hindu theology. Browse all volumes on the Kutumba Journal page.

We welcome submissions from chaplains, scholars, and practitioners. Send your manuscript or inquiry to journal@hinduci.com. Articles should relate to Hindu spiritual care, chaplaincy practice, or related fields. The editorial team will guide you through the review process.