| Teacher Training Competency Area |
Examples | Minimum Contact Hours |
| Required Contact (Classroom) Hours | ||
| Mindfulness Studies | Overview of the mindfulness field History of mindfulness Science of Mindfulness Secularization of mindfulness Complementary practices (eg. cultivation of positive emotions, relational mindfulness, inquiry, working with trauma etc.) |
100 |
| Personal Practice Maturation and Development | Ongoing mindfulness practice in group setting with instruction and community support Personal exploration work of relevant issues to mindfulness facilitators such as presence and embodiment, cultivation of confidence |
50 |
| Teaching Methodology, Training and Supervision | Extensive Supervision, feedback and mentor interaction (including throrough review and assessment of in-class teaching experiences) Community building practices Feedback and peer support for facilitation practice Group facilitation skills Working with conflict in groups Working with individuals |
100 |
| Contemporary Mindfulness Applications | Exploration of practical applications of mindfulness in any of the following areas or related others: Education and youth Academia Workplace/business settings Medicine Psychology/Clinical Applications |
50 |
| Cultural Competency | Diversity issues in the mindfulness field Working with diverse populations, cross-cultural issues Professional Ethics for Teachers Accessibility of language, and presentation, removing barriers |
80 |
| Professional Development | Bringing mindfulness into institutions Financial issues in mindfulness facilitation as a career path Marketing Creating livelihood Networking |
60 |
| Required Non-Contact (Non-Classroom) Hours | ||
| Practicum / Field Work | This component requires students to actively facilitate mindfulness in their work or volunteer setting | 60 |
| TOTAL REQUIRED HOURS | 500 | |
| Recommended Additional Non-Contact (Non-Classroom) Hours | ||
| Personal Practice Maturation and Development | Personal daily practice 5-day or longer mindfulness meditation retreat with a qualified instructor Attendance in related mindfulness classes |
250 |
| Study | Related reading, writing and academic work connected to the program | 100 |
| Other Required Components | ||
| Requirement | Criteria | |
| Prerequisites for Program-entry | Accepted students should have: A minimum 4 years of regular mindfulness meditation practice Attended at least 2 mindfulness meditation retreats of a minimum of 5 days with a qualified instructor. Attended a mindfulness course like Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) or equivalent. |
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| Supervising Teachers | Supervising teachers must have a minimum of 10 years of advanced mindfulness experience and personal practice, and 5 years of teaching experience as evidenced by verifiable personal statement on application. Supervising teachers must be an IMTA CMT-P or above credential holder. |
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| Observation and Feedback Mechanisms | Students teaching skills should be observed live or on video for at least 2×30 minutes and provided feedback in written and verbal form a minimum of two times. (Mid-program and final) | |
| Personal Interaction between student and supervising teacher | Opportunities for personal contact between students and supervising teachers must be available in the form of individual or group teaching or mentoring sessions as demonstrated by program curricula. | |