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The Interfaith Seminary offers the following degrees in

Transpersonal Studies with an emphasis in Integral Consciousness Studies

M.A. Master of Arts in Transpersonal Studies with emphasis in Integral Consciousness Studies

Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy in Transpersonal Studies with emphasis in Integral Consciousness Studies

Degree Description:

Transpersonal Studies seeks to understand the transpersonal and spiritual aspects of the human experience. It is the study of humanity’s highest potential, and with the recognition, understanding, and realization of spiritual and transcendent states of consciousness. Transpersonal Studies considers such issues as spiritual self development, peak experiences, mystical experiences, and other metaphysical experiences of living.

The Integral Approach (also referred to as the integral consciousness or integral theory is a worldview that seeks a comprehensive understanding of humans and the universe by combining psychological, social, and/or spiritual insights in a single framework. Drawing from Transpersonalism our degree program in Integral Consciousness Studies combines psychological, social, and spiritual elements of study in a single degree program.

This degree is designed for those who have a desire to serve others as ministers and as spiritual counselors. This degree prepares the student to enhance their community work as a minister/pastor or assisting others in those roles. This is an interfaith degree, drawing its coursework from various faiths and schools of thought, and not oriented towards any particular religious belief system.

This degree is NOT designed to meet any State or Federal licensing requirements nor does it qualify one to be a psychiatrist/psychologist or any other form of non-religious mental health or family counselor. This degree does qualify one to be a Spiritual Counselor. We encourage students to check with their State or Country regarding licensing requirements.

Upon graduation students are eligible to join The International Association Pastoral Counselors

Masters Degree Requirements for the M.A. is as follows:

Prerequisites: Bachelor's Degree from an approved educational institution or proof of related life/work experience.

1. All assigned coursework as agreed upon by the student and their Academic Advisor.

2. M.A. candidate must write and then defend a Master's Thesis on a subject pertaining to pastoral counseling.

3. Tuition paid in full and all coursework must be completed and graded before diploma is awarded.

Coursework for the Masters program is as follows:

MTS 500 Introduction to Transpersonal Studies (4 credit hours)

An overview and history of Transpersonalism and its development in Western society.

MTS 501 Transpersonal Studies I (4 credit hours)

This course presents the basic tenets and theories of Transpersonalism.

MTS 502 Transpersonal Studies II (4 credit hours)

This course is a continuation of TP Studies I.

MTS 503 Transpersonal Counseling (4 credit hours)

An introduction to counseling from the transpersonal perspective.

MTS 504 Cognitive Psychology (4 credit hours)

An introduction to the basic tenets and theories of Cognitive Psychology.

MTS 505 Consciousness Studies & Meditation (4 credit hours)

This course deals with human consciousness and various meditation techniques.

MTS 506 East-West Psychology (4 credit hours)

An introduction to East-West Psychology provides a foundation for further study. This course also includes a brief study of Buddhist thought and philosophy as well as those from other faith traditions.

MTS 507 Integral Consciousness (4 credit hours)

This course deals with an integral approach in regards to the evolution of human consciousness. The student will submit a report regarding the contents of the text which includes the students own insights, thoughts, etc. The essay must be at least 20 pages long and the student may use other material along with the assigned text. [TEXT: Self & Society: Studies in the Evolution of Consciousness by William Irwin Thompson]

MTS 508 Independent Study (4 credit hours)

The student in consultation with their adviser may undertake independent study in the area of consciousness studies. The student will be expected to conduct a research project and submit a report on his/her findings. [TEXT: To be established by student and adviser]

MTS 600 Thesis (6 credit hours)

The student selects a topic for their thesis and submits it for approval to IFS. Once approved

the student is to develop and author a thesis of no less than 30 pages, single spaced, with

an Introduction, Content, Conclusion, Summary, and Bibliography.

Ph.D. Program in Transpersonal Studies with emphasis in Integral Consciousness Studies

Degree Description:

Transpersonal Studies seeks to understand the transpersonal and spiritual aspects of the human experience. It is the study of humanity’s highest potential, and with the recognition, understanding, and realization of spiritual and transcendent states of consciousness. Transpersonal Studies considers such issues as spiritual self development, peak experiences, mystical experiences, and other metaphysical experiences of living.

This degree is designed for those who have a desire to serve others as ministers and as spiritual counselors. This degree prepares the student to enhance their community work as a minister/pastor or assisting others in those roles. This is an interfaith degree, drawing its coursework from various faiths and schools of thought, and not oriented towards any particular religious belief system.

This degree is NOT designed to meet any State or Federal licensure requirements nor does it qualify one to be a psychiatrist/psychologist or any other form of non-religious mental health or family counselor. This degree does qualify one to be a Spiritual Counselor. We encourage students to check with their State or Country regarding licensing requirements.

The PhD program in Transpersonal Studies ICS consists or coursework and a doctoral dissertation. The dissertation part of the program is divided into two options. These TWO OPTIONS are the Research Option or the Intensive Study Option. The student must select one of these two options.

Degree Requirements—PhD

Prerequisite: Master's degree from an approved educational institution or proof of related life/work experience.

Completion of all assigned coursework as agreed upon by the student and their academic advisor.

PhD candidates must write and then defend a doctorate dissertation on a pre-selected topic pertaining to the academic major. This program has TWO OPTIONS, a research option or the intensive study option. The student must select one of the two options for their dissertation prior to beginning any study or research and notify their facilitator of their choice prior to beginning any studies.

Tuition must be paid in full and all coursework completed before the PhD will be awarded by the Interfaith Seminary as agreed upon.

Total Courses: Coursework completion (30 credit hrs) plus dissertation (36 credit hrs).

Total Required Credit Hours: 66

PhD Coursework Component (30 credit hours):

Note: The requirements for this degree program are divided into two parts. The first part consists of completion of coursework. The second part consists of the doctoral dissertation. Once the doctoral candidate begins their coursework studies he/she may begin using “PhD Candidate” on their resume, correspondence, email, etc.

DTS 700 Doctorate Transpersonal Studies I (10 credit hours)--This course consists of modules and a required text. This course is a basic introduction to Transpersonal Studies reviewing the history of Transpersonalism and its development in Western society and the basic tenets of Transpersonalism. This course consists of learning modules 1 through 10.

DTS 701 Doctoral Transpersonal Studies II (10 credit hours) – This course consists of the study of transpersonal counseling and cognitive psychology and their basic tenets and methods. This course consists of learning modules 11 through 16.

DTS 703 Doctoral Integral Consciousness Studies (10 credit hours) – This course focuses on human consciousness and meditation practices as well as on an integral approach in regards to the evolution of human consciousness. This course is divided into two parts. Part 1 focuses on consciousness studies and meditation techniques and consists of learning modules 17 through 19. Part 2 consists of studying the text “Self & Society: Studies in the Evolution of Consciousness” by William Irwin Thompson after which the student will develop and present a mini-thesis based on the contents of the text. The mini-thesis must be at least 20 pages long and the student may use other material along with the assigned text.

PhD Dissertation Component (36 credit hours):

Note: The doctoral dissertation for this program consists of two options. The candidate must select one of the two options. The two options are the Research Option or the Intensive Study Option.

DTS 800 Dissertation Research Project (8 credit hours)--INITIAL PHASE: This is the beginning phase of the doctoral dissertation process. During this period the candidate will select their topic for their dissertation and present it for review to his/her assigned academic facilitator. The topic MUST be approved by the student's facilitator. It is also during this phase that the candidate must do one of the following:

Research Option—If the candidate has opted to conduct research he/she must begin developing the research tools and planning he/she will employ to carry out the research such as surveys, interviews, etc. This must be done in consultation with the candidate's facilitator.

Intensive Study Option-- If the candidate has selected this option he/she must begin to develop the texts that he/she will study and formulate into his/her dissertation in consultation with his/her facilitator.

In effect this part of the dissertation process involves the laying of the ground work for the candidate's doctoral dissertation.

DTS 801 Pre-Dissertation Project (8 credit hours) – RESEARCH OR STUDY PHASE: This is the action phase of the doctoral dissertation process. During this period the doctoral candidate will begin conducting research or their intensive study collecting notes, ideas, insights, knowledge, etc and develop his/her findings or studies into a rough draft of the dissertation. The rough draft must be presented to the candidate's assigned facilitator for review. Once the facilitator has approved the rough draft the candidate may begin work on finalizing the dissertation for presentation to the Dissertation Board. This is the phase of developing the rough draft for the dissertation.

DTS 802 Doctoral Dissertation (20 credit hours)-- PRESENTATION PHASE: During this time the student finalizes his/her dissertation and submits it to his/her facilitator and Dissertation Board. The student will be advised of the members who will serve on their Dissertation Board. The student must be prepared to defend their dissertation to the Board. The dissertation is expected to be professional in content, research, and presentation. Substandard dissertations will be returned to the student for editing and revision. The dissertation must be no less than 50 pages, single spaced, containing an Introduction, Content, Summary, Conclusions, Bibliography, and any other material the candidate believes pertinent to his/her dissertation. If the doctoral candidate has selected the research option he/she should present supporting material for their research as well.

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS:

The total credit hours for this doctoral program is based upon the successful completion of the two parts of the program. Part 1, the Coursework Component, has been assigned 30 credit hours. Part 2, the Dissertation Component, has been assigned 36 credit hours. Parts 1 and 2 combined are a total of 66 credit hours required for completion of this doctorate program. Candidates who do not successfully complete the 66 credit hours will NOT be awarded their doctorate degree until such time as they successfully complete the required 66 credit hours for the program.

Note: Students accepted into the PhD in Transpersonal Studies program have one year from the date of acceptance to complete this degree program. Failure to complete the program in this time frame will result in the student being dropped from the PhD program if the Seminary does not grant an extension of 6 months.

For more information please see our Admissions Requirements Page.

To enroll in one of the above degree programs please click on the Application link on the left.