The study of the Tibetan language is important for students of Buddhist Studies, as it is the language of the Buddhist canon in Tibet and in the Himalayan regions. As is well-known, the translations preserved in the Tibetan canon, from Indic originals, contain not just scriptural texts and commentaries, but also texts on grammar, astronomy, linguistics, and medicine. As a result, the study of the Tibetan language is of interest to a diverse group of people: for the student of Buddhist Studies these materials are an invaluable source of knowledge of the Indian Buddhist tradition, including the development of schools and textual traditions; they also provide avenues for comparative study when read along with the early Chinese translations. Tibetan language is also a necessary skill for those engaged in the study of Himalayan culture.

The intermediate level will help students to become more proficient in reading Tibetan passages and understanding sentence structure. Students have the option to choose between colloquial and classical Tibetan. Reading and comprehension occurs at higher levels of proficiency, while students are also introduced to principles of translation.