Master of Arts in Consciousness and Transformative Studies

The Master of Arts in Consciousness & Transformative Studies program provides a 58-unit curriculum with courses that challenge students’ beliefs, examine the relationship between consciousness and the world, and explore new possibilities for personal, social, and global transformation.

Courses in new physics, environmental sustainability, and neurophilosophy provide a new scientific paradigm for the study of consciousness and transformation. Personal growth and creativity are explored through courses in myth, symbol, dreams, and indigenous knowledge. The examination of East/West traditions presents different paths to spiritual awareness. The nature of intelligence, insight, and human consciousness is explored through courses in transpersonal and integral psychologies.

Students may choose 5–7 units of electives plus an additional three units of self-exploration from various programs throughout the University. To complete the degree program, students can choose either a four-unit thesis or a two-unit integrative project.

Optional Specializations
Students who wish to focus their studies more deeply in one area may elect to declare an optional specialization in one of the following areas: dream studies; culture and consciousness; consciousness and healing; and deep sustainability.

Program Learning Outcomes

Professional Transformation
Students will be able to:

• Explain key theories of consciousness from the perspectives of transpersonal psychology, philosophy of consciousness, quantum physics, living systems theory, and spiritual systems.
• Create a holistic paradigm of consciousness that integrates the above five perspectives.
• Apply a holistic paradigm of consciousness to the development of emotional intelligence and interpersonal communication.
• Apply a holistic paradigm of consciousness to a professional interest or career objective.
• Apply a holistic paradigm of consciousness in some concrete application that fosters social change in the world.

Personal Transformation
Students will demonstrate the ability to:

• Recognize different world views operating in our own lives and society at large and apply that knowledge to personal and global issues that confront us.
• Engage in self-reflection and self-inquiry to obtain deeper awareness of our own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual states.
• Recognize and appropriately acknowledge our own and others’ needs, assumptions, values, and perspectives.
• Recognize the values and contributions of people of different races, genders, sexual orientations, cultures and spiritual traditions and apply that understanding in our interactions with others.

Requirements

Courses

Undergraduate Prerequisites [1]
COR 3145 - Research Writing (4 units)

Students who have not completed them prior to admission are required to do so during the first year of graduate study.

Curriculum
CNS 5049 - Introduction to Consciousness and Transformative Studies (0 units)
CNS 5010 - Paradigms of Consciousness (3 units)
CNS 5015 - Body Consciousness/Body Wisdom (2 units)
CNS 5017 - Introduction to Integral Theory (1 units)
CNS 5020 - Archetypal Mythology (3 units)
CNS 5023 - Shamanic Traditions (2 units)
CNS 5025 - Cosmology and Consciousness (3 units)
CNS 5030 - Sleep, Dreams, and States of Consciousness (2 units)
IPP 5049 - Transpersonal Psychology (3 units)
CNS 5035 - Consciousness and Philosophy of Mind (3 units)
CNS 5039 - Self-Exploration (topic varies) (3 units)
CNS 5120 - Diversity, Community & Consciousness (3 units)
IPP 5033 - Living Systems and Creative Potential
CNS 5126 - Qualitative Research A (1 unit)
CNS 5127 - Qualitative Research B (2 unit)
CNS 5284 - Consciousness and Sustainability: Solutions for the 21st Century (2 units)
IPP 5012 - Effective Communication A: Emotional Dynamics (3 units)
IPP 5013 - Effective Communication B: Intersubjectivity (3 units)
CNS 5455 - Exploring Professional Identity A (2 units)
CNS 5460 - Exploring Professional Identity B (1 unit)
CNS 5515 - Six Domains of Consciousness: Personal Synthesis
IPP53XX - Religious Studies [2] (4 units)

Professional Development [3] (6 units)
CNS 5615 - Media and Publishing (2 units)
CNS 5670 - Advanced Writing and Publishing (2 units)
CNS 5410 - Teaching Practicum A (2 units)
CNS 5411 - Teaching Practicum B (2 units)
CNS 5415 - Curriculum Development (2 units)
CNS 5453 - Integral Coaching (2 units)
CNS 5465 - Starting Your Own Business (2 units)

Select either Integrative Project or Thesis [4]
CNS 5610 - MA Integrative Project (2 units)
Electives (7 units)
OR
CNS 5600 - Planning a Thesis (1 unit)
CNS 5615 Thesis (3 units)
Electives (5 units)

Total units required: 58

Specializations

Consciousness and Healing
CNS 5015 - Body Consciousness/Body Wisdom (2 units)
CNS 5027 - Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness (2 units)
IPP 5012 - Effective Communication A: Emotional Dynamics (3 units)

Electives - Select among the following: (9 units)
CNS 5039 - Writing Your Story (2 units)
IPP5045 - Psychosynthesis
CNS 5620 - Issues in Consciousness Studies (Varies)
HHE 5125 - Energy Models of Healing (2 units)
IPP 5054 - Enneagram Assessment (3 units)

Culture and Consciousness
CNS 5020 - Archetypal Mythology (3 units)
CNS 5120 - Diversity, Community, Consciousness (3 units)
CNS 5284 - Consciousness and Sustainability (2 units)

Electives - Select among the following: (8 units)
CNS 5039 - Ancestral Consciousness and Healing (2 units)
CNS 5039 - Writing Your Story (1 Unit)
CNS 5620 - Issues in Consciousness Studies (varies)
CNS5830 - Ecotherapy as Cultural Work (3 units)
IPP 5347 - Spirituality, Symbols, Dreams (2 units)

Deep Sustainability
CNS 5010 - Paradigms of Consciousness (3 units)
CNS 5284 - Consciousness and Sustainability (2 units)
IPP 5033 - Living Systems and Creative Potential (2 units)
CNS 5023 - Shamanic Traditions of our Ancestors (2 units)

Electives - Select among the following: (7 units)
CNS 5039 - Ancestral Consciousness and Healing (2 units)
HHE 5173 - From Farm to Table (3 units)
HHE 5145 - Health, Environment, Sustainability (2 units)

Dream Studies
CNS 5030 - Sleep, Dreams, and States of Consciousness (2 units)
CNS 5039 - Stones, Shamans, & Goddess Dreams (1 unit)
CNS 5216 - Lucid Dreaming (2 units)
CNS 5280 - Dreams, Archetypes, and Personal Mythology (2 units)
CNS 5282 - Dreams: Initiation and Indigenous Ways of Knowing (2 units)
CNS 5345 - Shamanism & Dreams (1 unit) CNS 9210 - Dream Studies Fieldwork (0 units)
CNS 5212 - Psychology of Dreams (2 units)
CNS 5215 - Integral Approach to Dream Work (2 units)
IPP 5347 - Spirituality, Symbols, Dream (2 units)

[1] These undergraduate courses or their approved equivalents are prerequisite to the graduate program.  Students who have no completed them prior to admission are required to do so during the first year of graduate study.

[2] This requirement must be satisfied by taking IPP courses 5300 - 5399.  Consult an advisor for guidance.

[3] Consult with an advisor for appropriate course selections.

[4] Students taking the Integrative Project option complete seven units of electives.  Students writing a thesis complete five units of electives.  Electives may be chosen from graduate courses offered throughout the University.  Students admitted to certificate programs in the College of Professional Studies may also apply these courses toward their electives.

Program Information

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Program Locations

• Pleasant Hill - Main Campus

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• Career Opportunities in this Field
• C&TS Application Requirements and Form

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