Faqs Compassion Courses

There is recommended, but not required, reading for the course and a compilation of writings and videos (made available online) that range from peer-reviewed to popular articles, to first-hand writings from ancient and contemporary compassion meditation experts. Each student can take on as much or as little of that as they like. More importantly are the daily meditations. They are 15-20 minutes, and they evolve each week. Students are strongly encouraged to practice those daily, as the development of compassion during the class is “dose dependent” and the meditations, as well as other quick, informal weekly practices support that development. The course is as much about experiencing compassion as learning about it.

It’s to the student’s advantage to attend all eight classes in order to get the most out of the course, as each class involves lectures and group discussions that are key components of the training process.

Since classes are not recorded, if you know ahead of time that you will need to miss one class or more, we suggest you wait to register for a course at a time when you’ll likely be able to attend all sessions. Having said this, our instructors are familiar with and understand the unpredictability of modern life and will help orient you to any materials if you miss a class.

If you’re an enrolled student and know you will miss the first class in advance, please contact the instructor by emailing CompassionEducation@stanford.edu.

No, CCARE’s Compassion Courses are open to the public and no previous education or experience is required. The only admission criterion is that participants must be at least 18 years of age.

Yes, students must be at least 18 years old to participate in the courses.

The registration fee for 8-week Compassion Courses is $425 and includes course instruction, materials, and guided meditation recordings.

Yes! You may request reimbursement from your STAP funds by submitting the request through your department’s administrator or manager. Unfortunately, CCARE cannot directly charge your STAP funds.

Full refunds are available up to 2 weeks prior to the class start date. Cancellations between 2 weeks and 3 business days prior to the class start date incur a $75 cancellation fee. No refunds are available after 3 business days prior to the class start date.

Yes, if you are an LCSW, LEP, LMFT, LPCC, RN, or licensed psychologist, you can earn 14 CE credits for your Compassion Course for a fee of $175. It is the sole responsibility of the participant to attend the entire class meetings, always have their video on, participate in the class, and submit a separate course evaluation form at the end of the final class. No partial CE credit is available if more than one class meeting is missed.

Please review the following information for your profession

CE credits for psychologists are provided by the Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) which is co-sponsoring this program. The Spiritual Competency Academy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Spiritual Competency Academy maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE credits for LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFT license renewal for programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association. LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFTs, and other mental health professionals from states other than California need to check with their state licensing board as to whether or not they accept programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association. SCA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN Provider CEP16887) for licensed nurses in California. RNs must retain their certificate of attendance for 4 years after the course concludes. For questions about receiving your Certificate of Attendance, email CCARE at CompassionEducation@stanford.edu. For questions about CE, email Spiritual Competency Academy at info@spiritualcompetencyacademy.com.

If you are taking a compassion class from someone other than CCARE, please contact the instructor to see if CE credits are available for the class.

No, Compassion Courses offered by CCARE do not offer academic credit.

CCARE publishes quarterly Compassion Course schedules on our website and in our newsletter. You may subscribe to the CCARE Newsletter by entering your email address in the “JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER” box at the bottom left of the CCARE homepage.

For now, CCARE is only offering live online Compassion Courses. We will announce any changes in our newsletter. You may subscribe to the CCARE Newsletter by entering your email address in the “JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER ” box at the bottom left of the CCARE homepage.

A number of individuals throughout the world have been trained and certified as Compassion Teachers. Browse CCARE’s Global Directory of Compassion Teachers organized by location to find someone in your area. Please contact these teachers directly using the email link or website provided in their bio to inquire about their teaching schedules and locations.

No, due to the participatory nature of the courses only registered students may attend.