Ecology, Spirituality, and Religion
Online MA and PhD programs to cultivate hope in a time of socio-ecological crisis.
ESR will launch virtual MA and PhD programs in Fall 2021. Apply now and study ESR from anywhere on Earth!
All Spring classes within the School of Consciousness and Transformation will be conducted virtually, via online platforms like Zoom and Canvas, to protect the health of our community and follow San Francisco public health mandates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is our intention that our virtual classrooms and the ESR learning community continue to be a home-base for growth and connection. These measures are being undertaken by ESR and CIIS in response to state and local guidelines, San Francisco regulations, and a real concern to consider the health of all within our community, including those who may be especially vulnerable.
With ESR faculty experienced in online teaching, we have created a robust online experience for Spring 2021: some synchronous meetings, but no marathon Zoom sessions. To provide maximum flexibility, much of the work will be conducted asynchronously over Canvas, our online education platform. In addition to our curricular activities, community events, symposia, and other options will provide opportunities for the ESR community to connect.
Application Deadline Information for Fall 2021:
January 15, 2021 - 1st Priority deadline for Drama Therapy. Submit by January 15th at 11:59pm PT for guaranteed review. After this date, some programs may be full and only interview for waitlist spots or not be able to further review applications.
February 15, 2021 - 1st priority deadline for all other programs. Submit by February 15th at 11:59pm PT for guaranteed review. After this date, some programs may be full and only interview for waitlist spots or not be able to further review applications.
Climate change and biodiversity loss are among the greatest existential threats humanity has seen. Further, these ecological challenges represent a crisis of values and consciousness. Our online program, which offers both an MA and a PhD, allows students to cultivate the knowledge and wisdom to respond to these existential threats from integral and transdisciplinary perspectives. Students gain skills and insight to transform practices, worldviews, and consciousness in service of a more just, sustainable, and flourishing planetary future.
Our unique curriculum explores worldviews and cultural heritages to help us understand and address ecological trauma. We further ask what roles spirituality, philosophy, and religion have both in generating and responding to ecological challenges.
Our program is a nurturing community engaged in revitalizing relationships to our earth and exploring intersections of eco-spirituality, eco-justice, indigenous traditions, and eco-feminism. Our faculty include Elizabeth Allison, Robert McDermott, Jacob Sherman, and Brian Swimme, all of whom work to shape the global dialogue linking spirituality and cosmology with ecology and sustainability.
Please complete this form to request more information about ESR, or contact us directly:
Admissions Counselor: Richard Wormstall
rwormstall@ciis.edu
Program Manager
esr@ciis.edu