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    Saybrook University
   
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2021-2022 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
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2021-2022 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook [Archived Catalog]

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


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Specialization Coordinator: Marina A. Smirnova, Ph.D.

Students in the Department of Humanistic and 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 interdisciplinary and integrative (psyche, mind, body, and spirit) approach to understanding individual, cultural, transcultural, and transpersonal perspectives on consciousness evolution, biopsychosocial-spiritual and cultural transformation, spirituality, healthful and vibrant longevity, individuation, healing, wholeness, and wellness. We believe that well-being, vitality, and health need to embrace all dimensions of human life. The integrated study of consciousness, spirituality, and integrative health offers ways of understanding people’s internal and external growth, worlds, and lives as accessible through such pathways as consciousness studies, indigenous arts, depth psychology, transpersonal psychology, energy medicine, healthspan and vibrant longevity, spiritual creativity, self-regulation and self-healing, hypnosis, imagery and the imaginal, the arts, dreamwork, and contemplative practices. In this context, students who wish are certainly able to focus their work on transpersonal psychology, transpersonal inquiry, and transpersonal practices. 

The study of consciousness, psychology of consciousness, and consciousness evolution offers students a unique opportunity to explore various aspects of consciousness through approaches ranging from ethnography, autoethnography, and historiography to phenomenological, heuristic and Heuristic Self-Search Inquiry, hermeneutic, and art-based explorations of work and community life, interpersonal relationships, spiritual beliefs and practices, extended healthspan, healthful and vibrant longevity, culture, and social action. Given the diverse array of course offerings, in consultation with Psychology Faculty Academic Advisor, students are able to incorporate in their program plans courses that support their individual scholar-practitioner calling, interests, and career goals. The study of spirituality supports students who want to pursue work in areas such as pastoral care, spiritual guidance, spiritual mentoring, and life coaching or who want to integrate understanding of the spiritual dimension of human life into another profession or field. Faculty members work with students to focus their studies in ways that best meet their academic, professional, and personal goals. This Specialization allows students to focus on the study of interdisciplinary and integrative approaches to health, healing, healthspan, healthful and vibrant longevity, and well-being that have not necessarily been regarded as standard within mainstream medical and psychological care, including Western and Eastern spiritual wisdom, esoteric, mystical, and Earth-honoring traditions and practices. Additional alternative health perspectives, approaches, and practices relevant to psychological, psychospiritual, and physical health and vitality that are studied include meditation, mindfulness, psychomythology, energy medicine, healthspan and vibrant longevity, hospice work and chaplaincy, guided imagery, clinical hypnosis, Holotropic Breathwork, dreamwork, biofeedback, Enneagram, the arts, and indigenous healing. Students may also explore spirituality and consciousness, including their role in physical and psychological health, personal and professional relationships, organizational functioning, culture, 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 research, scholar-practitioner writing, health care, healthspan and longevity studies, peace work, pastoral care, spiritual counseling, conflict resolution, education, consulting, coaching, mentoring, and/or organizational work.

 

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


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 Ph.D. Degree in Psychology with Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health (CSIH) Specialization.

Research Course Sequence (taken in order):


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


Other Electives: 15 Credits


Upon completion of all required courses:


Total: 66 Credits ***


** 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 66 completed credits of post-master’s learning for the PhD.

M.A. to Ph.D. in Psychology Degree with Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health (CSIH) Specialization


The following requirements apply to students who (1) earn an M.A. in Psychology at Saybrook University and (2) are currently earning an M.A. degree and wish to apply for entry into the doctoral program immediately following graduation. If the student is accepted into the doctoral program and matriculates within two semesters of receiving the M.A., the following program requirements apply. If more than one-year elapses between finishing the M.A. and beginning the Ph.D. program, the student must adhere to the standard Ph.D. course requirements.

Research Course Sequence (taken in order):


Core CSIH Specialization Courses:


Select two of the following courses (or another course approved by the CSIH Specialization Coordinator): 6 Credits

CSIH Specialization Electives: 15 Credit(s)


Other Electives: 9 Credit(s)


Upon completion of all required courses:


Total: 66 Credits ***


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

***Saybrook transcript must reflect a minimum of 66 completed credits of post-master’s learning for the PhD.

Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health (CSIH) Specialization Course List:


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