Courses

PSYT 520/320
Psychology of Wilderness Experience (3)
Through group process, experiential activities and ritual, participants experience an ancient, pan-cultural, earth-centered rite of passage in a wilderness setting. This course follows the traditional stages of a rite of passage: Severance (leaving behind what is familiar); Threshold (three days and nights of solitude/fasting); and Reincorporation (bringing back gifts or insights to the community). Open to the transformative power of nature, participants have the opportunity to inquire deeply and directly into themselves and their relationship to the natural world and their community. Participants provide their own camping equipment and share food and transportation. Course is open to students by application and permission of instructors. Lab fee.

PSYT 603e
Meditation for Social Change Leaders (3)
Students develop skills that cultivate mindfulness, awareness and compassion in order to be effective agents of social change. Mindful breathing, sitting meditation and sensory awareness exercises are introduced along with a view of leadership that includes personal sustainability. This course combines online delivery with a three-day, on-campus component. Online fees apply.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

PSYT 608/618
Transpersonal Psychology Intensive I, II (3)
These weeklong courses introduce MATP students to transpersonal psychology and provide in-depth exposure to current issues and developments in the field. They also provide the opportunity for community building, face-to-face instruction in transpersonal processes such as meditation and ritual, and application of topics from the online courses. Students are expected to prepare for the course prior to attending and to complete a written assignment after the course.

PSYT 656
Ecopsychology Intensive I (1)
The course focuses on advanced topics within ecopsychology, further builds community within the program and aims to teach specific skills for working with individuals and groups in an ecopsychological context. The students’ meditation practice and an understanding of its importance in ecopsychology are deepened. Prerequisites: Completion of PSYT 608 and ENV 565e. Open to first-year students in the Ecopsychology concentration within MATP only.

PSYT 667
Ecopsychology Intensive II (1)
Building on previous courses, this course teaches theories and techniques of specific applications and practices for ecopsychology facilitators. Students have a chance to both observe these practices and practice them in the intensive course. A second purpose of this course is face-to-face community building in the low-residency MATP Ecopsychology program. An in-depth self-assessment paper is required. Prerequisite: PSYT 656. Open to low-residency Ecopsychology students only.

PSYT 670e
Transpersonal Psychology I: Foundations and Central Concepts (3)
An introduction and examination of central concepts, theories, practices and applications of transpersonal psychology. The on-campus sections are designed for students in the transpersonal counseling programs. These sections extend counseling and psychology into transpersonal areas. The theories of the central figures in the field are discussed and compared as well as the roots of transpersonal psychology in the world wisdom traditions and multicultural considerations. Students learn counseling applications of transpersonal psychology. The online section of this course explores foundations of transpersonal psychology and its applications to meditation, ritual, ecopsychology, psychological research, multicultural diversity and other areas. All sections blend intellectual exploration, practice and self-reflection. Online fees apply (670e).

PSYT 685
Ecopsychology Training (3)
Ecopsychology explores human-nature relationships and the implications of a deeper connection between human and nature for mental health, personal growth, environmental action and sustainable lifestyles. This advanced course assumes an understanding of the theory and practices of ecopsychology. It is directed toward the interface of ecology, transpersonal psychology and contemplative practice (i.e., nature, psyche and spirit); critical evaluation of ecopsychological thinking; and the development and use of ecopsychology practices in personal and professional applications. Prerequisite: ENV 565e.

PSYT 738e
Transpersonal Service Learning I (1.5)
Students apply and deepen their learning through service. With guidance from program faculty, students arrange a service-learning project in an area of their choice. Course lectures, reading and discussion support this learning by examining the nature of transpersonal approaches to service and by providing a forum for interaction and support among students and faculty. MATP and ECOC only. Online fees apply.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

PSYT 748e
Transpersonal Service Learning II (1.5)
This is the second of a two-semester sequence in which students apply and deepen their study of transpersonal psychology through service. This semester, students complete the service-learning project begun in Transpersonal Service Learning I and complete a written paper integrating their learning with theory and research in their area of service and with understanding of transpersonal service. Online lectures, reading and discussion support this learning. MATP and ECOC only. Online fees apply.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

PSYT 839e
Master’s Paper Online I (1.5)
The first of a two-course sequence in which students apply and deepen their learning of transpersonal psychology through completion of a major written paper. The final paper should provide a definition of transpersonal psychology, a literature review of a particular topic, and critical and creative inquiry into a transpersonal approach to the topic. The paper should also include self-reflection of the student’s relationship to the topic. Students work closely with the instructor, an expert reader and classmates. The online course environment provides support for the process of writing this paper. In the first-semester course, students produce an outline and proposal for their paper and 10–20 page literature review of their chosen topic. Online fees apply.

PSYT 880e
Master’s Paper Online II (1.5)
The second of a two-course sequence in which students complete a major written paper on a topic of their choice. In the second-semester course, students complete the paper. Online fees apply.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (ENV)

ENV 520e
Deep Ecology in Context (3)
This online course offers an introduction to deep ecology philosophy in historical and cultural contexts, including contemporary currents of thought such as ecopsychology, eco-spirituality, systems thinking, bioregionalism and voluntary simplicity. Deep ecology alternatives for addressing ethical and ecological problems are examined along with options for effective and compassionate action. Required for MATP ECOC. Online fees apply.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

ENV 565e
Ecopsychology (3)
Ecopsychology is concerned with human and ecological health, and proposes that the well-being of both is intimately linked. Ecopsychology places psychology in an ecological context and draws on psychological insight for effective and sustainable environmental action. This course integrates academic, experiential and contemplative approaches in examining ecopsychological theory and practices. Online fees apply.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.

ENV 615e
Ecology Concepts and Applications for Ecopsychology (3)
This online course reviews fundamental concepts in ecology and explores their relevance to ecopsychology. We explore organisms in their environment, population dynamics, community ecology, ecosystem dynamics and Gaia theory. A field component involves natural history investigations in each student’s local bioregion. As a group, we develop a place-based perceptual ecology and inquire into the dynamic interrelationships between local ecology, global change and the human psyche. Required for MATP ECOC. Online fees apply.
This class is also available noncredit online. Click here for registration details.