MASTER'S DEGREE

Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology

Accredited by Liverpool John Moores University

MSc in Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology

Programme Director
Prof. Les Lancaster, Ph.D

Our online distance-learning MSc in ‘Consciousness, Spirituality & Transpersonal Psychology’ provides an intellectually-stimulating programme of study which focuses on diverse topics around the nature of consciousness, the dynamics between psyche and soma, the psychology of self and higher states of being, and the psychological basis of spiritual and mystical practices. Our MSc programme is distinctive in valuing experiential approaches to learning and in encouraging students to incorporate insights from the programme into their own life journeys. In addition to a rigorous academic curriculum, modules exploring integral life practice, transpersonal approaches to research, and a research dissertation focus on the practical application of learning. The MSc programme consists of 180 course credits and most students complete the programme over 3 years, studying part-time. A 2-year pathway is available to those who can commit to intensive study of approximately 30 hours per week. The programme is run entirely online, although students are invited to attend an annual (optional) residential programme which takes place in the UK.

The MSc operates through our partnership with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), UK. The programme is validated/accredited by LJMU, meaning that the university ensures the quality of the MSc and that, on completion of the programme to Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma, or Postgraduate Certificate level students are awarded their certificates by the university during a ceremony in the awe-inspiring Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.

The MSc is further enhanced by a partnership of the Alef Trust with the Scientific and Medical Network (SMN), UK, a worldwide professional community for open-minded, rigorous and evidence-based enquiry into themes bridging science, spirituality and consciousness. Students become members of the network for the duration of their studies and have access to the network’s newsletter and its unique audio-visual lecture archive featuring many inspiring presentations by new paradigm scientists and scholars. Students also receive discounts to some of the SMN’s live events held annually in the UK.

Students wishing to gain a Postgraduate Certificate can enrol on the MSc route and complete their studies after gaining 60 credits in year 1. Equally, students wishing to gain a Postgraduate Diploma enrol on the MSc route and complete their studies after gaining 120 credits by the end of year 2.

Topic Areas

The nature of consciousness and its relation to the brain
Possibilities of consciousness beyond the brain
The psychology of self and higher states of being
The psychology of transformation
Contemporary spirituality

The psychology of shamanistic practices
Transpersonal approaches to business management
Creativity as vehicle for wellbeing and transformation
The psychological basis of spiritual and mystical practices
The dialogue between science and mysticism

Year 1 (Core Modules)

Module 'Approaches to Consciousness' (20 credits)

Our ‘Approaches to Consciousness‘ module offers a broad introduction to consciousness studies, cognitive neuroscience of consciousness, consciousness and spiritual traditions.

Module ‘Learning Through Integrative Practice’ (20 credits)

Our ‘Learning Through Integrative Practice‘ module offers an 8-month experiential immersion in a personal programme of integrative practice, with the aim to foster whole-person development. Individual needs and aspirations are considered in the development of the practice plan, and critical engagement with the practices is encouraged through regular webinars and reflective sessions.

Module ‘Spiritual Psychology’ (20 credits)

This module takes as its central focus issues surrounding spirituality and spiritual practice in the modern world. Ancient as well as contemporary expressions of spirituality are examined through transpersonal and psychological lenses. Students choose two specialist topics to explore as part of this module.

Specialist Options (Select Two)

Contemporary Spirituality

In this course we examine the phenomenon of spiritual awakening outside the context of spiritual or religious traditions.

Kabbalistic Psychology

We examine and evaluate psychological insights found within the corpus of kabbalistic texts.

Transpersonal Dreaming

We draw upon scientifically grounded theories and empirical findings around dreaming from a transpersonal perspective, as well as on related historical and spiritual traditions.

Transpersonal Ecopsychology

We explore how and why Homo Sapiens, are dependent on and participants in what we can today call the planetary and cosmic ecosystem.

Shamanistic Psychology

Shamanism is the oldest spiritual tradition known to humankind and continues to be relevant to our contemporary world.

Year 2 (Core Modules)

Module ‘Transpersonal Psychology’ (20 credits)

Our Transpersonal Psychology module offers an introduction to the history and principles of transpersonal psychology, mapping the major contributions to the field. We will examine the core epistemological and philosophical issues underlying a transpersonal approach to human psychology, explore major theoretical developments within, and closely related to, transpersonal psychology, and examine in greater detail several conceptual details within the field.

Module ‘Research Design’ (20 credits)

Our Research Design module provides a grounding in qualitative research methods, before venturing into transpersonal approaches to research, offering an introduction to methods which embrace embodied, intuitive and creative ways of expanding the human knowledge base. It not only gives students the opportunity to work with these methods in a research project, but also tackles philosophical and ethical issues surrounding methods in transpersonal psychology, such as the centrality of transformation for both researcher and participants, issues arising when participants’ most meaningful experiences may be scrutinized, issues where practices may be evaluated for efficacy, and ideas concerning changing paradigms in psychological science.

Module ‘Applied Transformative Psychology’ (20 credits)

This module focuses on the ways in which transpersonal, or spiritual, perspectives can be applied in practice, considering personal and professional pathways and ethics of transformation. Students will be encouraged to explore their own practice in relation to two specialist topics

Specialist Options (Select Two)

Creativity and Transformation

In this course we explore the nature of creativity and its relationship to human development and growth.

Meditation & Mindfulness

Exploring the potential of how meditation and mindfulness-based approaches for improving well-being is increasingly being recognised.

Transformational Leadership

This course will provide both the understanding and practices to expand human consciousness to enable leaders to discover new aspects of themselves, thereby embracing the essence of transformational leadership.

Transpersonal Psychotherapy and Counselling

In this course we explore transpersonal approaches to counselling and therapy.

Transpersonal Coaching Psychology

In this course we explore the potential of transpersonal approaches to coaching.

Year 3 (Dissertation)

Research Dissertation (60 credits)

Students conduct a research project under supervision, exploring their own area of interest in depth. We focus on a view of the person that emphasizes the interrelationships between the physiological, psychological, social and spiritual levels of explanation. Our philosophical orientation holds that the pursuit of psychological knowledge is advanced by experiential and introspective approaches as well as by the more traditional scientific approaches. In presenting a scholarly and multi-perspectival approach to the investigation of consciousness and the transpersonal, we adopt an open, non-ideological, and appropriately critical approach that acknowledges and respects individual differences of view, experience and belief.

Students are encouraged to complete the MSc Programme over three years. A 2-year pathway is available to those who can commit to intensive study of approximately 30 hours per week. The 2-year pathway entails study of Research Design in year 1, alongside the other modules listed in year 1. In year 2 students then take the Research Dissertation alongside the other modules listed in year 2.

Enrol for September 2018!

If you would like to enrol on our Master’s programme, or have additional questions, simply complete the form below and a member of our team will contact you. We offer a unique learning experience and will be here to guide you through every step of your learning.

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