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Ecopsychology Master of Arts

Do you want to help heal the perceived rift between human beings and the natural world? Are you interested in building greater connections between people and the planet for the betterment of both? 

Then begin with yourself. Naropa University’s low-residency Master of Arts degree in Ecopsychology integrates psychology and ecological issues in the study of human-nature relationships. At Naropa University, contemplative practice and transpersonal psychology provide a foundation for this integration, which is unique in the world. This combination of interior and exterior exploration offers you a one-of-a-kind path to deepen your relationship to nature and develop a more sustainable life and career that aligns with your values.

Foster your individual growth and personal awakening. Acquire practical, non-clinical skills for working with others. And deepen your intrinsic and intellectual understanding of nature. The Naropa Ecopsychology master’s degree program will connect you to a strong community of learners: fellow travellers on the journey to discovering how best to serve as empowered, aware, and compassionate agents of healthy ecological change.

Psychology of Wilderness experience

The heart of Naropa’s master’s degree program in Ecopsychology is a class called, “Psychology of Wilderness Experience.” This rite of passage course will take you into the Colorado wilderness for ten days, where you will camp, acquire backcountry skills, participate in a three-day fasting solo, then return to share your experience of deeply connecting to nature.

Credits Required

38

The Ecopsychology master’s degree program is a two-year, 38-credit program merging online and on-campus work. It offers theoretical grounding in ecopsychology along with transpersonal psychology, contemplative nature awareness practices, wilderness immersion, service learning, and mindfulness training.

Degree Requirements

Students learning in the classroom

Student Highlight

“I feel Naropa is changing who I am on a very basic level. Naropa is preparing me to be a more open and connected person. Naropa is opening my heart to service. Naropa is healing me. Wow—that's quite a job for a university education!”

 

— Christine Baugh, MA Ecopsychology 2016
 

More Alumni / Student Voices

Featured Ecopsychology Classes

  • Transitions and Rites of Passage
  • Ecopsychology in Context
  • Ecology Concepts and Applications for Ecopsychology
  • Ecopsychology Training
  • Psychology of Wilderness Experience

 

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Understanding of Concepts, Theories, & Current Issues - Students articulate the important concepts, theories, and current issues of transpersonal ecopsychology.
  • Nature-Based Practices - Students demonstrate a high level of knowledge and skilled ability in nature-based practices.
  • Applied Transpersonal Ecopsychology Skills - Students integrate and apply key principles, skills and practices of transpersonal ecopsychology into their personal and professional lives, to address a challenge facing humans and the natural environment.
  • Contemplative Practice Skills - Students integrate and articulate the value of contemplative practices.

 

Tina Fields

Faculty Highlight

“With each encounter at Naropa, I feel even more impressed by the depth of my colleagues’ wisdom and heartfelt caring for the world.”

— Tina Fields, PhD
Ecopsychology Faculty Lead

co-editor of So What? Now What? The Anthropology of Consciousness Responds to a World In Crisis

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