Universal Peace Academy Q&A

You must be a Unificationist with a model life of faith, good physical health, and a clear understanding of the providence.

You must have graduated from a 4-year university, or have earned a degree of equal or higher status.

You need to have been born after January 1, 1975.

You should have a neat personal demeanor, and be without any physical or mental condition.

UPA offers a master’s degree in ministry (M.Min.) from Cheongshim Graduate School of Theology as a qualification after graduation. This is an official degree acknowledged beyond the church organization.

The basic aim of the UPA cadets is to become Unification Church leaders in various countries. Ultimately they will be assigned by True Mother to a position in the church organization according to their grades and skills.

It was originally a 5-year course, but it recently was adjusted by True Mother to be a 3-year course. There is a two-year master’s degree course, followed by a one-year internship abroad. Those entering UPA from the language course will study four years altogether, having one year of prerequisite Korean study before they can enter the graduate school course.

No. Those who join the Unification Church as adults are also eligible, if they fulfill all the requirements.

It starts at the beginning of March.

UPA offers only one master’s degree.

The vacation is usually two months, and during that period the cadets participate in special summer/winter programs, such as fundraising, witnessing, a pilgrimage, an overseas tour, camping, study workshop, hiking, martial arts workshop, etc.). They also will be given between 10 and 15 days off during summer and winter vacation periods, but the dates are subject to change.

1) Lifestyle

UPA cadets attend Hoon Dok Hwe from 6 a.m., after which they do morning exercises at 7 a.m. Breakfast is at 8 a.m., and from Monday to Wednesday the graduate school classes usually begin from 9 a.m. The class schedule differs between individuals, and those who do not have classes will study on their own during that time. Thursday and Friday are open for various UPA-organized programs (special lectures, consultations, sports, etc.).

Dinner is at 6 p.m., and those who have evening classes attend them. The cadets clean the dormitory every evening, usually at 9:30 p.m., preparing for the roll call at 10 p.m. The official bedtime is 11 p.m., but some cadets stay up to study until midnight at least.

2) Extra schedule

The weekend programs vary, but they generally consist of special lectures, service work, or projects in different churches.

3) Regular semester programs

There are regular programs during the semesters. These include physical tests, pilgrimages, special lectures, activity presentations, English/Korean speech contest, practicing public performance, and many more.

There might be a possibility in the future.

UPA is a master’s course, so by Korean law only those who have earned a bachelor’s degree, or a degree of equal or higher status, are eligible to enter UPA.

True Mother’s wish is first and foremost to raise public leaders in the area of ministry, but it also depends on the abilities and interests of each cadet. It is also important to note that UPA is basically aiming to educate those who wish to become a public leader, not an employee in a church-affiliated company.

True Mother has prohibited the cadets from participating in any form of matching or Blessing while they are in UPA. This can be explained practically, as the UPA schedule is very tight and offers minimum individual time. Couples who already have had some time together and are strongly connected to each other may not struggle much. However, newly matched or blessed couples will need time and space to interact with each other, which may not be easy if one of the partners is in UPA.

Yes.

No. UPA provides a scholarship which covers tuition, dormitory fees, food expenses, UPA uniforms, and basically anything collective, but not individual expenses.