Global Ph.D. in Psychology
The Global Ph.D. in Psychology provides opportunity for working adults to study transpersonal psychology in a distance learning and online format for personal, educational or professional advancement. The program is designed for mature students who have the ability to work independently and the desire and motivation to parlay the principles and practices of transpersonal psychology into creative and professional applications. ITP's Global Ph.D. in Psychology is a 120 unit program combining online classes, residential seminars, and innovative research.
ITP's Global Ph.D. in Psychology focuses on the research, evaluation, and application of transpersonal principles, (such as mindfulness, discernment, compassion, and appreciation of differences) in four major areas: individuals, small groups, organizations, and global community. Besides giving students the opportunity to integrate academic rigor with experiential learning, the program fosters collaborative learning through group dialogue and participation. In addition students will have the opportunity to apply these principles of transpersonal psychology to specific activities, such as research, counseling, education, wellness, administration, as well as religious, spiritual, and other helping professions.
As with each of ITP's degree programs, the Ph.D. in Psychology will help students develop competencies in three inter-related areas of learning:
- Academic: Each student will develop an advanced knowledge of transpersonal psychology, including a mastery of the theoretical and philosophical foundations of the field, as well as a mastery of research, critical evaluation, and creative contribution to the field in the context of psychology and related disciplines.
- Professional: Students will be expected to develop the skills, abilities, and attitudes required to apply transpersonal principles to specific activities of human endeavor, such as education, research, counseling, administration, wellness, spiritual concerns, human development, social needs, and helping professions. Students will pay special attention to how these skills, abilities, and attitudes can be specifically applied to those areas that are most closely related to their present or planned professional work.
- Personal: In keeping with ITP's philosophy, this program focuses on the blending of the academic and experiential aspects of learning, and encourages students to integrate the teachings of transpersonal psychology into their lives. In particular each student is encouraged and supported to cultivate a balanced integration of the values, attitudes, and practices involved in transpersonal development, such as mindfulness, compassion, discernment, and appreciation of differences. The cultivation of these psycho-spiritual characteristics is integral to ITP's whole-person learning model.
Application of Transpersonal Practices and Skills
In addition to mastery of the philosophical, theoretical, and research foundations of Transpersonal Psychology, the Global Ph.D. program includes two additional and inter-related components. The first research component involves translating the transpersonal skills students are learning throughout their course of study into research tools, and the second is practical application of these research tools. Specifically, students apply principles and practices of mindfulness, compassion, discernment, appreciation of differences, intuition, other sense modalities, and other ways of knowing to various areas or contexts familiar to them, including individuals, small groups, organizations, and the global community.
These areas of research may intersect with a student's professional life, personal relationships, volunteer experience, or internship. These areas are seen as the proper contexts or "fields" in which to apply the transpersonal skills the student is learning.
In a very practical way, students are encouraged to translate transpersonal skills into research skills. For example, students may be asked: How might you use the skill of discernment when working within an organization? What role does the appreciation of differences have on your experience with small groups, either as a leader or as a participant? What effect can the practice of mindfulness have on your work with individuals? What practical purpose can compassion serve when working within much larger systems, such as a global community?
Practical Research and Program Evaluation
Research will be applied to practical issues and questions, with an important emphasis on program evaluation. Both conventional and transpersonal research skills will be devoted to addressing real-life issues and concerns, and to assessing the effectiveness of various practices and programs in the four possible application areas of individuals, small groups, organizations, and the global community.
Students will have opportunities to plan and conduct research in their present or future work settings. For example, if one works primarily with individuals, assessing the outcomes of a particular psychological intervention could be the focus of the research. A similar individual-level project could explore the role and impact of various spiritual practices in people's lives. Beneficial dynamics within family systems could be examined. A student working or planning to work in an educational or medical setting could examine the effectiveness of a particular service-providing program within that organizational setting. At a global level, one might research the nature and effectiveness of certain ecological principles or practices. Many projects will have the flavor of action research in which one studies how well one is actually accomplishing the desired outcomes of the services one is providing.
For further information please contact hschneider@itp.edu
Admission Requirements and Prerequisites
For more information on how you can apply to the Global Program’s Ph.D in Transpersonal Psychology please contact the Admissions Office at: (650) 493-4430 ext.216 or
e-mail itpinfo@itp.edu