Master of Arts in East-West Psychology

Our Approach

CIIS’ Master of Arts in East-West Psychology is a nonclinical, 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.

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Career Paths

The East-West Psychology master’s program is a nonclinical 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
• Nonprofit 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-6127 Introduction to Dreamwork (3 units) This course provides students with a foundation of traditional and contemporary theories about dreams and dreaming and develops techniques for interpretive, non-interpretive and integrative approaches, drawing from depth psychology, archetypal psychology, Gestalt psychotherapy, as well as from transpersonal and indigenous approaches. The class uses lecture, discussion as well as multi-modal inquiries and embodied practices to facilitate the unfolding and understanding of dreams. The experiential aspect of this course is designed for a meaningful and safe exploration of the potential for wisdom and healing in dreams. Students will gain or refine skills in working with dreams and will be able to apply tools in their personal lives as well as in their counseling practice.

EWP-6496 Indigenous and Shamanic Trdtns (3 units) This course explores indigenous knowledge and traditions from the perspective of ancient and current life practices and beliefs of indigenous peoples from all over the planet. Shamanic techniques that arose from indigenous worldviews are studied along with modern-day neo-shamanic practices. The animistic belief systems shared by most Earth-based peoples are explored to understand not only indigenous spiritual traditions but also ourselves.

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.

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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Required Application Materials

Online Admissions Application: Begin the application process by submitting an online graduate application at the link below and submitting the nonrefundable $68 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.

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