This program was designed to give the student a sound base in traditional Western Psychology and Integrative Transpersonal Psychology. Students will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Transpersonal Psychology by exposure to Tibetan Buddhist concepts from a psychological perspective. This program is offered to provide health care providers and interested persons a basic understanding of Tibetan Buddhist concepts and how they can contribute to service for others.
PREREQUISITES:
A Master of Arts in addition to specific prerequisite courses which must be completed in the first year of study.
REQUIREMENTS:
The Doctor of Philosophy degree requires the completion of 95 quarter units at the graduate level. The student will develop an individualized program of study by completing the core Psychology requirements (40 units), the core Transpersonal Psychology requirements (30 units), and selecting 15 additional elective graduate level courses. Students are required to write and defend a Ph.D. Dissertation (10 units, including an Oral Qualifying Exam and Final Oral defense), and complete 60 hours of personal counseling with licensed professionals. Successful passage of the Doctoral Comprehensive Exam is also required.
Curriculum:
Course titles that satisfy degree requirements:
Prerequisite Courses (25 units)
Course Units
CTR 600 Psychology Business
Principles 5
CPS 605 Clinical Counseling Skills
Training 5
CPS 610 Psychopharmacology 5
CPS 611 Advanced Clinical Skills
Training 5
CPS 615 Cross-Cultural Counseling 5
Graduate Core Psychology Course Requirements (40 units)
Course Units
CPS 501 Writing Skills & Research 5
CPS 691 Behavioral Statistics I 5
CPS 693 Social Psychology 5
CPS 695 Selected Topics: Brief Therapy 5
& Crisis Intervention –or-
Mediation
CPS 702 Group Therapy: 5
Theory & Practice
CPS 703 Understanding the Body: 5
East/West Perspectives
CPS 704 Psychopharmacology 5
CPS 705 Advanced Research 5
Methods
Graduate Transpersonal Core Requirements (30 units)
Course Units
CTR 670 Introduction to Tibetan 5
Buddhist Psychology
CTR 671 Theories of Consciousness 5
CTR 672 East/West Psychology 5
CTR 673 Meditation & Mandalas 5
CTR 770 Birth, Death, and
Intermediate States 5
CTR 778 Engaged Buddhism: Practicum
in Buddhist Psychology 5
Graduate Transpersonal Psychology Elective Courses (15 units)
Course Units
TRP 674 Traditions of 5
Transformational Arts
TRP 675 Mind/Body Approaches 5
to Health
TRP 676 Alternative 5
Healing Therapies
TRP 678 Selected Topics in 5
Transpersonal Studies
TRP 771 Foundations of 5
Contemplative Depth
Psychotherapy
TRP 774 Fundamentals of Energetic 5
& Somatic Therapies TRP 776 Contemplative, 5
Transpersonal Therapies
Graduate Tibetan Buddhist Psychology Elective Courses
Course Units
TBP 779 Selected Topics in Tibetan 5
Buddhist Psychology
TBP 790 Introduction to Tibetan 5
Healing Approaches
TBP 791 East/West Medical Dialogue 5
TBP 794 Advanced Methods in 5
Tibetan Healing
TBP 795 Independent Study in 5
Tibetan Buddhist Psychology
Dissertation (10 units)
Course Units
TBP 800 Dissertation/Project 5
Writing I
TBP 801 Dissertation/Project 5
Writing II
Students working on their Dissertation, Master’s Thesis, or Senior Project must be registered for the respective course every quarter until the project has been completed. The Dissertation, Master’s Thesis, or Senior Project is complete when the student has successfully passed the oral examination where applicable and the final approval
forms have been signed by the project chairperson and SDUIS Director of Research.
Required Total Units: 95
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:
1) All residential courses, other than independent study, are taught in a classroom setting. Each instructor provides students with a syllabus that contains an outline of the course objectives, the course content, student performance expectations, textbooks and related study materials, and evaluation methods used for grading purposes.
2) Courses are traditionally taught in lecture style with group discussions, student presentations and written assignments.
3) Instructional methods also include research projects and experiential components such as internship and practicum requirements. Faculty provide individualized academic advising as needed and encourage ongoing student dialogue in class and online. Upon completion of the core curriculum, students become involved in their capstone research project, the Doctoral Dissertation. Students are required to complete sixty (60) clock hours of personal counseling provided by a licensed
therapist approved by the University. Grading criteria are presented to students in the course syllabus provided at the beginning of class. The University’s grading policy is designed to meet the highest professional standards of objectivity, fairness, and accuracy.
4) Independent study courses are an in-depth study of a topic and directed by SDUIS faculty or an equally qualified mentor who is approved by the Chief Academic Officer.
5) Student learning performance outcome evaluations include essay and objective examinations, research, reports, and experimental activities.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD:
Distance Education
1) The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology with Specialization in Tibetan Buddhist Psychology program is also offered through distance education. Direct education is delivered to students via e-mail. Students submit their assignments to the instructor and class weekly. The instructor reviews the work and prepares a feedback to be sent to the students and class weekly.
2) Each student is provided with a syllabus that contains an outline of the course objectives, course content, weekly assignments and student performance expectations.
3) Instructors work closely with students to monitor their progress.
“Notice to Prospective Students
This institution approved by the Bureau for Private Post-secondary Education to offer degree programs. To continue to offer degree programs, this institution must meet the following requirements:
• Become institutionally accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, with the scope of the accreditation covering at least one degree program.
• Achieve accreditation candidacy or pre-accreditation, as defined in regulations, by July 1, 2017, and full accreditation by July 1, 2020.
If this institution stops pursuing accreditation, it must:
• Stop all enrollment in its degree programs, and
• Provide a teach-out to finish the educational program or provide a refund.
An institution that fails to comply with accreditation requirements by the required dates shall have its approval to offer degree programs automatically suspended. “