California Institute of Integral Studies

Ph.D. in Psychology, concentration in Integral Transpersonal Psychology

The Ph.D. in Integral and Transpersonal Psychology at CIIS is a part-time online doctoral program that consists of 36.2-37.5 units of coursework plus a dissertation. Students are required to attend five-day residential intensives each fall and spring. The remainder of coursework is completed online. The course of study consists of core requirements, research courses, an area of focus (12 units) that includes advanced seminars, two comprehensive exams, and a dissertation written using original research. With advisor approval, admitted students may elect to add a second focus area to their program, thereby extending their course of study for an additional year.

Areas of Focus

Students choose from three focus areas: Integral and Transpersonal Psychology, Consciousness Studies and Contemplative Neuroscience, and Somatic Studies.

Integral and Transpersonal Psychology At least two courses from electives offered within the Integral and Transpersonal Psychology Ph.D. program. Students may add up to two program-approved, doctoral-level courses from within other online doctoral programs at CIIS (East-West Psychology, Transformative Studies, Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness, Women's Spirituality). (12 units)

Consciousness Studies and Contemplative Neuroscience This focus area is designed to bring together consciousness studies, contemplative psychology, and neuroscience. Whole-person approaches bring to neuroscience the ability to ask new and thought-provoking questions that arise from the more holistic and systems perspectives of integral and transpersonal standpoints. The focus area will address issues of philosophical context through courses in consciousness studies that are offered within this program and other doctoral programs at CIIS. (12 units)

Somatic Studies The focus area in Somatic Studies is designed for students with experience or strong interest in movement, potentially including martial arts, a bodywork practice, a specific movement or dance practice, an advanced sport practice, or a gyrotonic, Pilates, or other similar practice. Coursework will consider the worldwide burgeoning of embodiment literature beginning in the mid-20th century and rapidly growing into the present, as well as its relevance to consciousness studies. (12 units)

There are three main groups of students for whom this degree is well suited. One such group is those with existing professionals who wish to advance their education and contribute to the development of better research and scholarship in their professional areas of work, such as psychotherapists, social workers, psychologists, counselors, consultants, activists, organizers, leaders, teachers, researchers, nurses, physicians, lawyers, or others in fields related to personal development, social change, or environmental protection. Another group consists of individuals who are entrepreneurially oriented, and who may wish to use their degree as the basis for consulting or writing and teaching in the public arena about their area of expertise. In addition, some students wish to pursue a Ph.D. as a means to more fully developing their personal gifts and potentials.