SJC INTRODUCES MINDFULNESS MINOR

November 30, 2017

BROOKLYN AND PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – November 30, 2017 – St. Joseph’s College (SJC) is pleased to announce the introduction of its newest minor, Mindfulness and Contemplative Living, available at both SJC Long Island and SJC Brooklyn in spring 2018. SJC is one of the first colleges to offer this minor, which teaches students how to appreciate the importance of calmness and concentration in order to create an atmosphere in which clarity, wisdom and compassion thrive.

“I believe St. Joseph’s is a great place to offer this minor, because the spirit of mindfulness is the same spirit that we have instilled in our students since our founding in 1916,” said Peter Lin, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at SJC Brooklyn. “Mindfulness has been my research and clinical specialty for nearly 20 years as a professor, clinical psychologist and Zen meditation teacher. Through its integration of Zen and Western psychotherapy, I feel, this minor, that combines the collective wisdom from Eastern and Western thought, is a great gift for our students.”

The Mindfulness and Contemplative Living minor is ideal for students who want to be in helping fields, such as mental health counselors, clinical social workers, creative art therapists or speech pathologists. Mindfulness and contemplative practices are useful and transformative, and both have been a part of both Eastern and Western wisdom traditions for over a century; for instance, mindfulness practice was originally introduced by Buddhist practitioners to the field of behavioral health in the United States more than 100 years ago. In the last three decades, scientific studies have demonstrated its efficacy and, as a result, commercial businesses, government agencies, religious groups, law firms, prisons, the military and colleges now offer training in mindfulness practice.

In order to complete this minor, students need to complete a minimum of 18 credits in contemplative and mindfulness courses offered by SJC’s departments of Psychology, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Art, Communication Studies, and Global Studies and Service Learning.

For more information, contact the offices of Admissions at 718.940.5800 or 631.687.4500.

ABOUT ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE
St. Joseph’s College has been dedicated to providing a diverse population of students in the New York metropolitan area with an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts tradition since 1916. Independent and coeducational, the College provides a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to prepare each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility and service. Through SJC Brooklyn, SJC Long Island and SJC Online, the College offers bachelor’s degrees in 50 majors, special course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre-professional programs.