Curriculum for Spiritual Paths Institute Degree Program in InterSpiritual Wisdom

The Spiritual Paths Institute Program in InterSpiritual Studies has been designed by a multi-faith team of teachers. Each teacher is a recognized scholar and acclaimed author, as well as an authentic leader, teacher, and practitioner of his /her respective spiritual tradition. The Spiritual Paths Institute Program in InterSpiritual Studies systematically builds the scholarly and experiential understanding of the spiritual traditions and practices imbedded within the world’s major religions. During their studies, students will be exposed to English translations of primary source materials, classical commentaries and modern exegeses of many of the world’s great spiritual traditions.

The Advanced and Certificate Degree each require 36 credits, nine per semester. Advanced students will be required to attend semester intensives, participate in weekly distance learning sessions by phone and online, complete research papers, and complete a final project. Certificate students will be required to attend semester intensives, participate in weekly distance learning sessions by phone and online, complete readings, and complete a five-page reflection paper for each course. Auditors will be asked to attend semester intensives, participate in weekly distance learning sessions by phone and online, and complete readings.

Each of the four semesters is based on themes which are: 1. Metaphysics, 2. Transformation, 3. Applied Spirituality, 4. Global Vision and Personal Commitment. There are three courses each semester valued at three credits each for a total of nine credits per semester. The courses include a survey, an elective, and a practicum. Students will be required to write two or three papers per semester for each course. Students may elect to focus on a specific tradition, on InterSpirituality in general, or the application of InterSpirituality to their a specific profession such as teaching, social work, ministry, chaplaincy, psychology, psychiatry, law enforcement, law, public policy, diplomacy, international relations, politics, economics, business, and the military. Our curriculum will also help qualify professionals in such emerging fields as InterSpiritual education, counseling, mentoring and ministry.

Semester Intensives

At the beginning of each semester, all students will attend the seven-day intensive. They will choose their advisor, form a close-knit community with their fellow students, meet with the registrar and financial personnel, and create a plan with their advisor for their course of study for the next four semesters, and sign a course contract with each of their teachers for the present semester. Students may elect to declare a major in one of the spiritual traditions offered by the institute, to emphasize a specific theme, or to focus on applying InterSpirituality to their chosen profession.

The primary subject for each intensive will be the survey course on the theme of the semester. Each day will consist of an early morning meditation, presentations by teachers, small group discussions, individual meeting times between students and teachers, and evening experiential sessions.

Each course will require weekly consultation with teachers, weekly lectures, work with a study partner, independent research, required readings, and two papers or an approved project. Students who wish to conduct research, engage in spiritual practice, or participate in community service activities with other teachers and organizations will need to receive approval from their advisor and the academic Dean.

The Spiritual Paths Institute Program in InterSpiritual Studies has been designed by a multi-faith team of teachers. Each teacher is recognized as an authentic leader, teacher, and practitioner of his/her respective spiritual tradition. This program systematically builds the scholarly and experiential understanding of the spiritual traditions and practices embedded within the world’s major religions. During their studies, students will be exposed to English translations of primary source materials, classical commentaries and modern exegeses of many of the world’s great spiritual traditions.