Javascript is currently not supported, or is disabled by this browser. Please enable Javascript for full functionality.

Skip to Main Content
    Saybrook University
   
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2017-2018 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Summer Addendum 
    
Catalog Navigation
2017-2018 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Summer Addendum [Archived Catalog]

Psychology, Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health Specialization, Ph.D.


Return to Academic Programs Return to: Academic Programs

Specialization Coordinator: Robert Schmitt, Ph.D.

Students in the Department of Humanistic & Clinical Psychology may opt to declare a Specialization in Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health (CSIH). Students may select many paths through this Specialization based upon their interests. While a Specialization is not required to earn the degree, it will be listed on the transcript if students complete the requirements.

The CSIH Specialization takes an integrative (mind, body, and spirit) approach to understanding individual, cultural, and transcultural perspectives to transformation, healing and wellness. We believe that well-being and health needs to embrace all dimensions of human life. The integrated study of consciousness, spirituality, and health offers ways of understanding people’s inner worlds as accessed through such methods as depth psychology, self-regulation, inner healing, mental imaging, the arts, dream work, and contemplative practice.

The study of consciousness offers students a unique opportunity to explore various aspects of consciousness through methods ranging from psychophysiology, ethnography, and historiography to explorations of work and community life, interpersonal relationships, spiritual beliefs, and social action. Given the diverse array of course offerings, students are able to create a degree path that suits their particular interests and career goals.

The study of spirituality supports students who want to pursue work in areas such as pastoral care, spiritual guidance, and life coaching, or who want to integrate understanding of the spiritual dimension of human life into another profession. Faculty members work with students to focus their studies in ways that best meet their academic, professional, and personal goals.

The study of integrative health empowers students to focus on the study of integrative approaches to healing and stress management that have not been regarded as standard within mainstream medical and psychological care, including conditioning of immune functioning (psychoneuroimmunology), traditional Chinese medicine, shamanism, Ayurvedic (East Indian) medicine, and Native American medicine.

Studies also focus on additional alternative health practices relevant to psychological and physical health and include the ethical application of meditation, nutrition, energy medicine (e.g., therapeutic touch, healing touch, and energy channeling), hospice work and chaplaincy, and many others. Mind-Body therapies like these are being integrated rapidly into health care settings, from imagery, hypnosis, biofeedback, meditation, mindfulness, and health coaching, to expressive therapies such as music, dance, art, and indigenous ceremonies. Students may also explore spirituality, including its role in physical and psychological health, personal relationships, organizational functioning, and communities.

Although not intended as preparation for licensure, studies in this Specialization can be applied to the work of psychologists and other licensed mental health professionals. Studies can also be applied to health care, peace work, pastoral care, spiritual counseling, conflict resolution, education, consulting, and organizational work.

 

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree in Psychology; Specialization in Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health


The course requirements listed below are for students enrolled in the Psychology degree program.
The charts below will show you the basic academic requirements for a Specialization in Consciousness, Spirituality, & Integrative Health for the Ph.D. Degree

CSIH Specialization Electives (any course with CSIH prefix): 9 Credits


Other Electives: 15 Credits


Total: 68-83 Credits ***


*Registration in RES 1100B required if practicum research not completed during RES 1100A

** Dissertation to be completed in a minimum of two semesters. Students registering for the Doctoral Dissertation with required degree coursework outstanding must complete all degree requirements within 10 consecutive semesters, inclusive of summer. Students registering for the Doctoral Dissertation with no outstanding degree requirements must complete their degree program within 9 consecutive semesters, inclusive of summer. 

***Saybrook transcript must reflect a minimum of 60 completed credits of post-master’s learning for the PhD.

M.A. to Ph.D. in Psychology; Specialization in Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health


CSIH Specialization Electives: 15 Credit(s)


Other Electives: 9 Credit(s)


Total: 60-75 Credits ***


*Registration in RES 1100B required if practicum research not completed during RES 1100A

**Dissertation to be completed in a minimum of two semesters and a maximum of six full semesters

***Saybrook transcript must reflect a minimum of 60 completed credits of post-master’s learning for the PhD.

Consciousness, Spirituality, & Integrative Health Course List:


Return to Academic Programs Return to: Academic Programs