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Authorization Disclosure

SAKYA BUDDHA UNIVERSITY

ACCREDITATION, AUTHORIZATION, AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

I. Mission and Religious Identity

Sakya Buddha University is a religious institution of higher education grounded in the Buddhist tradition.

SBU’s programs are designed to:

  • Preserve and transmit the liberating wisdom of the Buddha;
  • Cultivate ethical responsibility and compassionate service;
  • Integrate rigorous academic study with spiritual formation.

SBU follows an inter-traditional Buddhist framework, drawing from Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna traditions while maintaining fidelity to classical Buddhist teachings.

II. State Authorization and Religious Exemption (California)

Sakya Buddha University operates in the State of California under the legal authority of Bodhi Buddharealm Society (BBS), a California nonprofit religious corporation incorporated in February 2014 and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3).

SBU qualifies for religious exemption under: California Education Code Section 94874(e)

Institutions owned and operated by nonprofit religious organizations that provide instruction solely in the tenets of that religious organization are exempt from oversight by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).

Accordingly:

  • SBU is not regulated by BPPE.
  • SBU operates under a religious exemption recognized under California law.

III. Institutional Accreditation Status

Sakya Buddha University (SBU) is not currently accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or by any institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

SBU has formally initiated the process of seeking accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission. Participation in the eligibility or candidacy process does not imply that accreditation has been granted, nor does it guarantee that accreditation will be granted in the future.

Prospective students are strongly encouraged to consider the implications of enrolling at an institution that is not currently accredited.

Important Notice to Students

Because SBU is not presently accredited:

  • Credits earned at SBU may not transfer to other institutions.
  • Degrees awarded by SBU may not be recognized by other institutions.
  • Employers independently determine whether to recognize degrees.
  • Licensing boards independently determine eligibility for professional licensure.

SBU does not represent itself as accredited.

IV. Types of Accreditation

Higher education institutions may be subject to different types of accreditation.

  • Institutional Accreditation
    Institutional accreditation evaluates the overall quality and operations of a college or university.
  • Programmatic Accreditation
    Programmatic accreditation applies to specific academic programs in particular professional fields.
  • Professional Licensure
    Some professions require graduates to complete programs that meet standards established by state licensing boards or specialized accrediting agencies.
  • Relationship Between Accreditation and Licensure
    Institutional accreditation, programmatic accreditation, and professional licensure are separate processes. Completion of an academic degree does not automatically qualify a graduate for professional licensure. Licensure eligibility is determined by the relevant licensing authority.

V. Professional Licensure and Degree Recognition

Certain academic programs may be designed to support professional pathways.

For example:

The Master of Arts in Buddhist Counseling Psychology is structured to align with potential licensure pathways such as LPCC or LMFT in the State of California.

However:

  • SBU is not currently institutionally accredited.
  • Eligibility for licensure is determined solely by the relevant licensing authority (e.g., California Board of Behavioral Sciences).
  • Completion of a degree at SBU does not automatically confer eligibility for licensure.
  • Students are responsible for verifying licensure requirements with the appropriate regulatory body.

SBU provides written disclosures regarding licensure pathways and current limitations.

VI. Where to Verify Information

These disclosures appear in:

  • The official University website (Accreditation & Authorization page)
  • Admissions publications
  • Official institutional documents

Accreditation Disclosure:
Sakya Buddha University is not currently accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). SBU has initiated the accreditation process; however, accreditation has not been granted. Credits may not transfer and degrees may not be recognized by employers or licensing boards.