Sep23
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Master of Arts in East-West Psychology
Program Overview
Our Approach
CIIS’ Master of Arts in East-West Psychology is a non-clinical, non-license-oriented psychology degree that prepares a new type of integral psychospiritual practitioner and scholar who is educated at the intersection of the world’s wisdom traditions and sacred practices of East, West, and Earth. Our students become “meta-psychologists” who bring mentoring, healing, knowledge, communication, and mindfulness skills into a rapidly changing world.
The program is designed to provide flexibility that allows students to explore a variety of Western, Eastern, and Indigenous approaches to psychology and spirituality. The foundational courses engage in collaborative inquiry around the process of producing knowledge then students follow a unique path of electives to pursue their individual academic and career goals.
Throughout the program students collaborate closely with fellow classmates and faculty advisors. In the final semester, students participate in an Integrative Seminar which involves creating and presenting a capstone project that represents the cumulation of study.
Teaching and Research Opportunities
East-West Psychology students are given the opportunity to work as paid teaching and research assistants.
Possible responsibilities for teaching assistants include facilitation of experiential learning, teaching portions of a class, working with students outside the classroom on projects, providing feedback to the faculty member on student learning and perceptions, and reading student papers and giving feedback.
Research assistants assist faculty in specific research areas, performing tasks such as annotated bibliographies, scholarly networking, and maintaining scholarly databases.
Career Paths
The East-West Psychology master’s program is a non-clinical psychology degree. Students may integrate the psychological related material with their previous mental health professional experience, but the goal of this program is to empower the next generation of change-makers. Students in our program are trained in comparing alternative viewpoints, articulating complex ideas and imagining new ways of being. Additionally, students may use the practical training offered through our certificates to supplement their career goals.
East-West Psychology graduates go on to work as:
- Educators, researchers, and writers
- Advocates, activists, and community organizers
- Environmental stewards and eco-leaders
- Entrepreneurs and consultants
- Counselors and mental health para-professionals
- Non-profit leaders
Curriculum
The master’s in East-West Psychology at CIIS is a two-year program offered in two formats, online and in-person.
Our online program is 36 units and courses are taught both in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. Students should be prepared to attend some classes in real time and engage in discussion forums through our online portal.
Our in-person program is 37.4 units. Students may take some courses online but 51% of courses must be attended in person. For some online courses students should be prepared to attend classes in real time.
All students have required coursework in psycho-spiritual practice, including eastern, western, indigenous, contemporary participatory spirituality, and socially engaged practices and service learning.
Working closely with their advisors, students choose electives that support their research subject and are given the opportunity to specialize in one of the following areas: Asian Psychologies, Depth Psychology, Ecopsychology, Indigenous Traditions, Integral and Transpersonal Psychology, East-West Spiritual Counseling, Culture and Psychology, or Psychospiritual practice.
Curriculum Highlights
EWP 6046 Jung, Nonduality, and Eco-Psychology (3 units) What is the nature of self and its relationship to all beings, the earth, and the cosmos? This course offers students an opportunity to deeply engage in an exploration of Jung's many insights into eco-psychology from a non-dual perspective. As part of this interdisciplinary exploration, depth/transpersonal dimensions of eco-psychology and the implications of applying non-dual understandings through different meditative practices and active imaginations will be explored. There will be a strong self-reflection and experiential component to the course.
EWP 6124: Chan/Zen Buddhism in Life and Art (3 units) This course explores the history and practice of Chan/Zen Buddhism in China and Japan through important life stories, teachings, and cultural manifestations (such as poetry, painting and landscape design) of the founding Patriarchs, masters, and artists. With origins in Indian yoga and Buddhism, Chan developed in China from around the 7th c. in close proximity to Daoist circles and later found fertile ground in Japan, where it became known as Zen. Similar to Dao, the concept and practice of Chan has been conducted through self-cultivation in traditions of intellectual thought and culture in both monastic and household literati settings. The course will trace the historical development of some of these traditions, continuing to contemporary times.
EWP 6074 Western Mystical Traditions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam (3 units) This course explores mystical traditions and contemplative practices in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Although these traditions were born in the "Middle East," they are often referred to as "Western" because of the profound influence they have had in the West. The course includes guest lecturers from each of the traditions and a Contemplative Practice Lab, where contemplative practices from each of these traditions are taught.
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Core Requirements (7 units)
EWP 6000 EWP Community Retreat (1 unit)
EWP 6001 Introduction to East-West Psychology (2 units)
EWP 6015 MA Integrative Seminar (1 unit)
EWP 6329 Conscious Diversity (2 units)
EWP 6330 Knowledge Work and the Modern Academy (Online, 1 unit)
Directed Requirements, one from each of the following four categories (12 units) Classes listed are examples of what is available
East
EWP 6043 Introduction to Yoga Psychology
EWP 6051 Eastern Theories of Self, Mind, and Nature
EWP 6113 Buddhist Psychospirituality Through Asian Art
EWP 6327 Transformative Themes in the Upanishads
West
EWP 6120 Gnosticism: Ancient Insights, Contemporary Applications
EWP 6127 Introduction to Dreamwork
EWP 6245 Archetypal Psychology
EWP 7311 Jungian Psychology and East-West Spirituality
Earth
EWP 6112 Wilderness Rites of Passage
EWP 6121 Terrapsychology: Coming Home to a Re-enchanted Planet
EWP 6122 Enchantivism: Transforming Culture With Stories of Inspiration and Hope
World
EWP 6046 Jung, Nonduality, and Ecopsychology
EWP 6123 Applied Folklore: Retelling Yesterday’s Stories for Today
EWP 6261 Psychology of Death and Dying: An Integral Approach
EWP 9106 Contemplative Traditions and Practices
Optional Areas of Specialization (at least 9 units)
Asian Psychologies
EWP 6320 The Dao of Life Cultivation in Chinese Traditions
EWP 6321 How to Cultivate Qi
EWP 6326 Chinese Mind-Body Healing Systems: An Interdisciplinary Approach
EWP 6681 Wisdom Texts, East and West
EWP 7510 The Psychology of Advaita Vedanta
EWP 7611 Sri Aurobindo and Modern Thought
Depth Psychology
EWP 6149 Animal Dreams: Visitations From the Wild Psyche
EWP 6325 Psyche, Self, and Nature
EWP 7731 Dreaming the Soul, Dancing the Dream: A Jungian Dreamcatcher (1 Unit)
EWP 9406 Jung’s Red Book (Online)
Ecopsychology
EWP 6046 Jung, Nonduality, and Ecopsychology
EWP 6107 Ecopsychology and Expressive Arts: Reawakening the Wild Heart of Being (1 unit)
EWP 6117 Ecospirituality and Creative Expression: Touching the Sacred Within and Without (1 unit)
EWP 6165 Leadership, Evolution, and Transformative Change
Indigenous Traditions
EWP 6467 Ayahuasca, Spirituality, and Science: Indigenous and Shamanic Traditions (2 units)
EWP 6496 Indigenous and Shamanic Traditions
EWP 6537 Entheogenic Shamanism
EWP 7011 Indigenous Traditions: Ancestral Consciousness and Healing
Integral and Transpersonal Psychology
EWP 6752 Transpersonal Psychology
East-West Spiritual Counseling
EWP 6011 Nondual Perspectives in Spiritual Counseling
Culture and Psychology
EWP 6074 Western Mystical Traditions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam (Online)
EWP 6114 Auroville: An Immersive Research Experience
EWP 6165 Leadership, Evolution, and Transformative Change
EWP 6326 Chinese Body-Mind Healing Systems: An Interdisciplinary Approach
EWP 7011 Indigenous Traditions: Ancestral Consciousness and Healing
Psychospiritual Practice
EWP 6088 The Song of the Body: Embodied Expressive Arts in the Unfolding of Soul (1 unit)
EWP 6204 The Body in the Transformation of Consciousness: Awakening the Joy at the Heart of Being (1 unit)
EWP 6328 Phenomenology of the Body
EWP 6403 Inquiry Into True Nature: Exploring Body, Personality, and Soul
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Core Requirements (7 units)
EWP 6000 Community Retreat (1 unit)
EWP 6001 Intro to East-West Psychology (2 units)
EWP 6015 MA Integrative Seminar (1 unit)
EWP 6329 Conscious Diversity: Inner and Outer (2 units)
EWP 6440 Knowledge Work and the Modern Academy (1 unit)
Directed Requirements, one from the following four categories (12 units). Classes listed are examples of what is available.
East
EWP 6043 Introduction to Yoga Psychology
EWP 6113 Buddhist Psychospirituality Through Asian Art
EWP 6124 Chan/Zen Buddhism
West
EWP 6245 Archetypal Psychology
EWP 7311 Jungian Psychology and East-West Spirituality
Earth
EWP 6121 Terrapsychology: Coming Home to a Re-Enchanted World
World
EWP 6123 Applied Folklore: Retelling Yesterday’s Stories for Today
EWP 6681 Wisdom Texts: East and West
EWP 7794 Spiritual Counseling Skills 1: The Art of Listening
Optional Areas of Specialization (at least 9 units)
Asian Psychologies
EWP 6320 Dao of Life Cultivation
EWP 6326 Chinese Body-Mind Healing Systems: An Interdisciplinary Approach
EWP 6466 Introduction to Chinese Philosophy and Psychology
Depth Psychology
EWP 6120 Gnosticism: Ancient Insights, Contemporary Applications
Indigenous Traditions
EWP 6125 Integration of Expanded States of Consciousness
EWP 6467 Ayahuasca, Science, and Spirituality
EWP 6496 Indigenous and Shamanic Traditions
Integral and Transpersonal Psychology
EWP 6128 Integral Yoga Psychology
EWP 6752 Transpersonal Psychology
Culture and Psychology
EWP 6140 Western Mysticism and Esotericism: History and Practice
EWP 6157 Krishna, Buddha, Christ, Sophia
EWP 6165 Leadership, Evolution, and Transformative Change
Psychospiritual Practice
EWP 6047 Restore/ying Ourselves, Restore/ying Our World
Entry Requirements
An undergraduate major in psychology is not required, but applicants should have a strong interest in psychology. Students with insufficient background in psychology may be required to take specific courses while in the program.
Successful candidates for admission into our M.A. programs typically have the following qualifications: a vision that is compatible with our program's mission; a path of personal and/or spiritual growth; sufficient maturity and stability to pursue independent inquiry; basic competence in communication and dialogical skills; demonstration of respect for a diversity of viewpoints; the ability to clearly articulate educational and professional goals; basic scholarly writing skills; and the capacity to identify a prospective specialization that is consistent with the program's mission and resources.
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Online Admissions Application: Begin the application process by submitting an online graduate application at the link below and submitting the non-refundable $65 application fee payment.
Degree Requirement: An undergraduate degree (B.A., B.S., or the equivalent) from an accredited college or university.
Minimum GPA: A GPA of 3.0 or higher in previous coursework is required. However, a GPA below 3.0 does not automatically disqualify an applicant and CIIS will consider a prospective student whose GPA is between 2.0 and 3.0. These individuals are required to submit a GPA Statement and are encouraged to contact our Admissions Team to discuss their options.
Transcripts: Official transcripts from all accredited academic institutions attended where 7 or more credits have been earned. If transcripts are being mailed to CIIS, they must arrive in their official, sealed envelopes. Transcripts from institutions outside the US or Canada require a foreign credit evaluation through World Education Services (WES) or CIIS will also accept foreign credential evaluations that are in a comprehensive course-by-course format from the current members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
Autobiographical Statement: A four-to-six page (typed, double-spaced) introspective autobiographical statement discussing your values, emotional and spiritual insights, aspirations, and life experiences that have led to your decision to apply.
Goal Statement: A one-page (typed, double-spaced) statement of your educational and professional objectives.
Academic Writing Sample: A writing sample of eight to ten pages (typed, double-spaced) that demonstrates your capacity to think critically and reflectively and demonstrates graduate level writing abilities. A sample that uses outside sources must include proper citations. You may submit copies of previous work, such as a recent academic paper, article, or report that reflects scholarly abilities.
Two Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation will be accepted from academic advisors, professors, professional supervisors, or someone able to attest to your ability to undertake the work required for your program. Recommenders should use standard business format and include full contact information-name, email, phone number, and mailing address.
Candidate Selection
Successful candidates for admission into our M.A. program typically have the following qualifications: a vision that is compatible with our program's mission; a path of personal and/or spiritual growth; sufficient maturity and stability to pursue independent inquiry; basic competence in communication and dialogical skills; demonstration of respect for a diversity of viewpoints; the ability to clearly articulate educational and professional goals; basic scholarly writing skills; and the capacity to identify a prospective specialization that is consistent with the program's mission and resources.
Our Department in Action
Oct14
Attend the Virtual Fall Open House on October 14, 2023 to get to know your Admissions Counselors and learn more about CIIS' Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. programs.
Oct20
A Free Online Info Session with Adriana Beltrame dos Santos and Adrian Villasenor-Galarza
Take the Next Step
For over 50 years, CIIS has been at the forefront of education that integrates rigorous science, innovative scholarship, and social justice. You will learn from faculty at the forefront of their fields, local artists and activists, and a community of peers as passionate and dedicated as you. There’s never been a better time to be here – let’s build a healthier and more equitable world.