Online MSc in Consciousness & Transpersonal Psychology

Programme structures and features, curriculum units (modules), credit and award requirements
The programme is offered in part-time (3 - 5 years) study mode. Exceptionally, students may seek permission to complete in two years by completing the Thesis in year two. Such requests would have to be received within three weeks of the commencement of the second year of a student's programme. Permission would depend on the Programme Team's view of the student's progress over year 1, and will be subject to a realistically timed research proposal. The appropriate module credit is awarded for the successful achievement of the learning outcomes for the module. The credit value for each module is indicated in brackets. A 20 credit module is equivalent to 200 hours of learning activity. All modules are 20 credit unless otherwise indicated below: 

Overview of Modules

HUMCDM001: Approaches to Consciousness 
This module addresses the broad array of scientific and non-scientific inputs to the study of consciousness - from philosophy, modern physics, biology, neuroscience, and mysticism, as well as psychology. In addition to considering the substantive ideas from these disciplines - including such topics as consciousness and quantum physics, pure vs. ego consciousness, states of consciousness, the evolution of consciousness - the module also focuses on questions concerning the validity of differing approaches and the extent to which a cross-disciplinary study of consciousness is achievable. Assessment is by one discussion forum summary of 1500 words and an evaluative web site review (for details, see p. Error! Bookmark not defined.) of 2500 words (weighted 40:60).

HUMCDM002: Foundations of Transpersonal Psychology
This module aims to provide students with a thorough grounding in and understanding of the history, foundations and major theoretical approaches within transpersonal psychology. Topics include (1) History and Context of Transpersonal Psychology, (2) Transpersonal Experience, (3) Maslow, Self-Actualization and Self-Transcendence, (4) Jungian Approaches to Individuation and the Transpersonal, (5) Assagioli and Psychosynthesis, (6) Wilber and Integral Psychology. Assessment is by one discussion forum summary of 1500 words and one essay of 2500 words (weighted 40:60).

HUMCDM003: Integral Experiential Learning
In this module, students undertake and report on a self-chosen schedule of integral experiential learning. The experience or practice must incorporate some work on physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, behavioural and interpersonal modalities. The schedule to be followed must first be approved by the Programme Leaders as involving the potential for integral practice and therefore capable of allowing the student to meet the learning outcomes of the module. The schedule must involve regular experiential activity carried out over a period of not less than 12 weeks during the student's period of enrolment on the postgraduate programme, and must total at least 100 hours of personal experiential work. Examples of the kinds of schedules of learning that we consider to offer the potential for students to meet the learning outcomes include Integral Transformative Practice (Leonard & Murphy, 1995), and The Quest (The Quest Partnership, 2001). Note that Accreditation of Prior Learning (APEL) is not available for this module. Assessment is by one reflective and evaluative report of 5000 words.


HUMCDM004: CTP Research Methods
This module introduces students to epistemological issues surrounding research in Consciousness Studies and Transpersonal Psychology. The relevance of participatory and transformational approaches is examined, and the value of adopting a pluralistic view of research design in these areas is stressed. The module reviews the importance of both quantitative and qualitative methods within such a pluralistic paradigm. Formative assessment will be available through short exercises relating to qualitative procedures (e.g., use of computer assisted qualitative data analysis software). The student's grasp of key issues is promoted through two summative assessment projects. The first requires the student to critically evaluate a published research paper that is relevant to the CTP field, in terms of its conceptual base, research design, treatment of data and conclusions. The second takes the form of an investigative project into phenomenological features of transformative experience. Students will be expected to collaborate in the design of a semi-structured interview protocol and in the coding procedures applied to interview transcripts. Finally, students are introduced to the major principles to be incorporated in a standard research proposal (of the type that would be employed for the Thesis module in the MSc programme). Assessment is by one critique of a published research paper (2000 words, weighted 40%), and one report of a collaborative project (3,000 words, weighted 60%).

HUMCDM005: Thesis (60 credits)
In this module, students carry out an individual research study in the area of Consciousness and/or Transpersonal Psychology. The research study may be partly theoretical but must be primarily empirical in the sense that it involves data collection and analysis using appropriate principles and methods, which may be qualitative and/or quantitative. Students choose their own topic, in consultation with tutors. Each student will be allocated a supervisor to advise upon the study undertaken and to monitor progress. Supervisions will take place through e-mail and/or telephone contact. Assessment is by one online thesis seminar and one thesis of 15,000 words maximum (weighted 20:80). Unlike other assessments on the programme, which may be submitted electronically, two printed and bound copies of the thesis must be submitted.

HUMCDM006: Philosophy of Religion (20 credits)
This module introduces students to Philosophy of Religion by exploring and evaluating major challenges that have been made to the bases of religious belief on epistemological grounds. These include the arguments of scepticism, the refutations of rationalist arguments for the existence of a deity, the epistemological problems revealed by logical positivism, and present-day challenges made by natural science and psychology. Counter arguments in support of the rationality of religious belief are explored and evaluated. These include the view that contemporary science and religion are not in conflict (presented by writers such as Barbour), the arguments of process philosophy and process theology, and J. Hick's interpretation of religion which leads to his 'pluralistic hypothesis'. Assessment is by one discussion forum summary of 1500 words and one essay of 2500 words (weighted 40:60).

HUMCDM007: Issues in Transpersonal Psychology
This module explores in depth some of the major contemporary areas of research and debate in Transpersonal Psychology. Topics include (1) Religion, Metaphysics and Transcendence, (2) Regression and the Pre-Trans Fallacy, (3) Gender Issues in Transpersonal Psychology, (4) The Transpersonal Shadow, (5) Transpersonal Psychotherapy and Counselling, (6) Critiques, Evaluation and Future of Transpersonal Psychology. Assessment is by one discussion forum summary of 1500 words and one essay of 2500 words (weighted 40:60).

HUMCDM008: Spirituality in the Workplace
This module reviews the impact that traditional and recent ideas on spirituality have had, and continue to have, on approaches to work. Various definitions of 'spirituality', especially by comparison with 'religiousness,' are investigated in depth, and the meaning of 'workplace' is discussed. Different approaches to management styles that incorporate ideas of spirituality are examined. The module considers the place and value of psychological and spiritual techniques in the context of work, and issues of morality and ethics relating to the working environment are studied. Students are required to examine an organisation with which they are presently connected (or one with which they have been involved in the past), and to consider the ways in which spiritual aspects are/could be/could have been integrated within it. Assessment is by one discussion forum summary of 1500 words and one case study of 2500 words (weighted 40:60).

HUMCDM009: Parapsychological Perspectives on the Transpersonal
This module examines the relationship between parapsychology and transpersonal psychology and the contribution of parapsychological research for our understanding of the transpersonal. Topics include (1) Parapsychology and the Transpersonal, (2) Extrasensory Perception and Precognition, (3) Psychokinesis and Healing, (4) Mediumship and Channeling, (5) Out-of-Body and Near-Death Experiences, (6) Past-Life Research. Assessment is by one discussion forum summary of 1500 words and one essay of 2500 words (weighted 40:60).

HUMCTM010: Psychology of Spiritual Practice 
This module surveys the key features of a variety of spiritual practices and examines the psychological models and explanations which further our understanding of them. Thus, prayer, meditation, sacred dance and ritual, amongst others, are examined in relation to cognitive, neuropsychological and depth psychological perspectives. The role of 'maps' as representations of meaning in both spiritual and psychological traditions is also examined. Finally, the module considers the relationship between models of the mind drawn from introspective spiritual traditions and their counterparts in contemporary, scientific psychology. Assessment is by one discussion forum summary of 1500 words and one essay of 2500 words (weighted 40:60).

HUMCDM011: Independent Study
The University Modular Framework allows postgraduate students the option of undertaking independent study to replace certain taught modules. The Independent Study module provides this opportunity, with the proviso that where a named award in Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology is sought, the topic of study should be relevant to the subject matter of the programme. The study may, but does not have to, include an empirical investigation. Students may, for example, undertake a theoretical review of some issue in Consciousness Studies or Transpersonal Psychology, and/or incorporate their own empirical research. Students who wish to undertake Independent Study must discuss their ideas with a Programme Leader in order to decide upon the feasibility and appropriate scale of the proposed study. As independent study, the student's work is self-directed, although a small amount of supervision is offered. Students considering taking this module must be capable of working with a high degree of independence. The module is primarily intended for those students with a special interest in a particular topic in the area of Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology. Students may undertake only one Independent Study as part of their award. Assessment is by one report of 6000 words.


Award Structure
The requirements for the three postgraduate awards offered by the programme follow from the above modular structure.

Award title Required modules

PG Cert Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology 

HUMCDM001: Approaches to ConsciousnessHUMCDM002: Foundations of Transpersonal Psychology+ 1 other 20 credit module fromHUMCDM003: Integral Experiential Learningand year 1 and year 2 option blocks*Total = 60 credit

PG Dip Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology 

HUMCDM001: Approaches to ConsciousnessHUMCDM002: Foundations of Transpersonal PsychologyHUMCDM003: Integral Experiential Learning+ 3 other 20 credit modules fromHUMCDM004: CTP Research Methods (subject to approval from programme leaders)and year 1 and year 2 option blocks*Total = 120 credit

MSc Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology 

HUMCDM001: Approaches to ConsciousnessHUMCDM002: Foundations of Transpersonal PsychologyHUMCDM003: Integral Experiential LearningHUMCDM004: CTP Research MethodsHUMCDM005: Thesis+ 2 other 20 credit modules from year 1 and year 2 option blocks*Total = 180 credit


Approach to online learning

In pragmatic terms, our approach to online learning is informed by two broad considerations:
1. The need to facilitate self-directed learning, especially given the Masters level of the programme
and
2. The need to provide an interactive environment within which the learner's understanding of the knowledge base may be expressed and shaped through contact with fellow students and the programme tutors.
The trigger for self-directed learning will not simply comprise lecture notes or reading lists pasted onto a web site. Rather module leaders will provide material deliberately angled towards specific issues in consciousness and transpersonal psychology, focussing where possible on those that are known to have been addressed significantly through sources that are available electronically. Similarly, the format for interactive activities will be more ambitious than would be the case with simply a form of question-and-answer session by e-mail. Provision of a good quality interactive environment, as well as a staff commitment to active engagement with students via its facilities, is essential not only for pedagogic reasons, but also to encourage a full sense of belonging on the part of students. 

More specifically, we shall be meeting the challenge of the above two considerations in the following ways:
1. For every topic, a general introduction together with an outline of critical content and learning tasks will be made available on the virtual learning environment (Blackboard). Additionally, two or three questions, issues or themes, deemed by the module leader to be central to current debate on the topic, will be provided. Key and indicative resources will include websites and other online materials, as well as journal articles available online through JMU systems.

2. The interactive environment will operate through several levels:

· Programme level. The 'CTP programme module' will house all key documentation and information relating to the programme as a whole (e.g., student handbook). Its discussion board will be available for students to make comments or raise questions relating to any and all aspects of the programme and their interest in the areas of Consciousness Studies and Transpersonal Psychology. Postings might, for example, relate to practical considerations or to the debate of an issue not covered in the module topics. All members of the programme team will be able to access the discussion board, and may contribute if they deem it appropriate. In addition, students will be encouraged to share their e-mail addresses, so that comments to which staff members would not have access could be shared.

· Module level. Each module will have a general module forum and a number of subsidiary topic forums. The module forum will be available to both module tutors and students for posting material related to the subject matter of the module that may not be specific to a given topic (see below). The module tutor may, for example, wish to reply to a query raised in a student e-mail in a way that would be available to all students on the module as outlined below. The number and objectives of the topic forums will vary across modules. However, in the case of modules other than HUMCDM003 Integral Experiential Learning, HUMCDM004 CTP Research Methods, and HUMCDM005 Thesis, a standard pattern will be followed comprising six topic forums. Each topic forum may, in turn, contain two or three specific issue forums. Students will post their responses to the questions/issues raised by the module tutor on the appropriate forum. Further postings to this forum will include the module tutor's responses to initial student postings and subsequent discussion.

· Individual level.
NB. For details of the time-scale of response in the following cases, see 'service agreement' (will be available to students later). 

· Administrative/technical. Student e-mails will be sent to the programme administrator, who will either deal with the matter directly or forward it to an appropriate specialist (e.g., an individual in Computing and Information Services).

· Academic. Where the issue relates to one of the topics within a given module, or more broadly to the subject matter of the module, the student should e-mail the module tutor. The tutor's response will be 
(i) a return e-mail to the student addressing the issue 
or
(ii) a posting to the module forum or programme level forum (depending on the nature of the material)
In the case of (ii), an e-mail will be returned to the student informing them of the posting.

NB. If the material related to the student's personal experience, permission would be sought from him/her prior to posting on a forum. 
· Personal. All students will be allocated a personal tutor. Any issues of a personal nature, or generally relating to a student's progress on the programme, should be sent in an e-mail to the personal tutor

Fees

Students living in EU: 

60 Credits per year @ L22.00 per credit = L1320 per year

Total MSc fee over 3 years L3,960

Students living outside EU:

60 credits per year @ L30.00/$45.00 per credit = L1800/$2700 per year

Total MSc fee over 3 years L5,400/$5400

N.B. $ conversions are approximate and are likely to change.

Payment Method

· Payment in full by Cheque/Cash/Credit/Debit Card
· Instalment Payments by Direct Debit
· Instalment Payments by post-dated cheque
· Instalment Payments by Credit/Debit card

Instalment Arrangements

6 payments would be taken from your account in October, November, December, February, March and April (dates to be announced).

Details: http://www.mdani.demon.co.uk/trans/humtrans.htm