Consciousness Studies
The Consciousness Studies Program at the International University of Professional Studies (IUPS) invites students to explore the nature of awareness and the evolution of human potential through a holistic, mind-body-spirit approach to education. This innovative online graduate program in consciousness studies bridges science, psychology, and spirituality—aiming to dossolve the dualities between the physical and spiritual dimensions of existence.
Students are guided by mentors to inquire deeply into the nature of self and reality, the interconnectedness of all life, and the transformative power of awareness. Coursework integrates insights from transpersonal psychology, mindfulness research, philosophy, and contemplative traditions, offering a truly integrative foundation for personal and global transformation.
Through experiential learning and individualized study plans, students develop the capacity for expanded self-awareness, authentic presence, and conscious leadership. The program encourages intuitive expression and inquiry into how consciousness influences health, relationships, creativity, and social systems.
Graduates of the M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Consciousness Studies apply their learning in a wide range of traditional and emerging fields—becoming educators, coaches, therapists, spiritual teachers, artists, healers, and community leaders. They are equipped to contribute meaningfully to a world in need of conscious, compassionate, and purpose-driven action.
Masters Program: 45 Credits
(30 Credits in Required Courses, 15 Credits in Electives)
Doctorate Program: 90 Credits
(50 Credits in Required Courses, 40 Credits in Electives)
Combined Masters/Doctorate Program: 120 Credits
(50 Credits in Required Courses, 70 Credits in Electives)
Course credits toward your degree may be earned in the following ways:
Many students earn course credits by having their mentor assign books to read on the course topic, and writing papers or completing projects that demonstrate their understanding of the assigned material. Credits can also be obtained by attending conferences, workshops, retreats, or online courses from established academic institutions. Students may request and submit for IUPS approval (through their mentors), permission to earn credits through external programs. Students also have the opportunity to assist in designing their own electives, allowing for education customization.
A key criteria for earning credits is for students to demonstrate how learning this subject matter impacts their lives personally and professionally. Integration of course material is of paramount importance at IUPS.
Course # Credits Required Core Courses for Masters
CNS 501 4 Spiritual Systems(Sufism, Taoism, Christian, Buddhism, Shamanism, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism)
CNS 502 3 Science and the Nature of Reality
CNS 510 4 A Study of Contemporary Consciousness Teachings
CNS 520 2 Theories and Practice of Meditation
CNS 521 2 Models of Consciousness
CNS 580 3 Practicum: Integrating Awareness Practice into Daily Life
CNS 585 2 Exploration of Consciousness Research
CNS 590 10 Thesis Research Project
Electives
Below are examples of electives that one may consider taking as part of this degree program in Consciousness Studies. Students, in concert with their mentors, shall determine which electives are most relevant to their educational aspirations.
Course # Credits Courses
CNS 640 1 - 5 Art and Spirituality
CNS 641 1 - 5 Consciousness of Indigenous People
CNS 642 1 - 5 Eco-Psychology
CNS 643 1 - 5 Holotropic Breathing
CNS 644 1 - 5 Human Relations and Communication
CNS 645 1 - 5 Meditation/Consciousness Retreats
CNS 646 1 - 5 Metaphors and Symbols of Transformation
CNS 647 1 - 5 Mind/Body Healing
CNS 648 1 - 5 Myths and Symbols
CNS 649 1 - 5 Parapsychology and the Unconscious
CNS 650 1 - 5 Psychology of Dreams and Sleep
CNS 651 1 - 5 Rebirthing Processes
CNS 652 1 - 5 Spiritual Activism
CNS 654 1 - 5 Transpersonal Psychology
CNS 655 1 - 5 Women's Spirituality Studies
CNS 656 1 - 5 Stephan Bodian's School for Awakening
Course# Credits Required Core Courses for Doctorates
CNS 601 5 Spiritual Systems (Sufism, Taoism, Christian, Buddhism, Shamanism, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism)
CNS 602 5 Science and the Nature of Reality
CNS 610 5 A Study of Contemporary Consciousness Teachings
CNS 620 5 Theories and Practice of Meditation
CNS 621 5 Models of Consciousness
CNS 680 5 Practicum: Integrating Awareness Practice into Daily Life
CNS 685 5 Exploration of Consciousness Research
CNS 690 15 Dissertation Research Project
Consciousness Studies Course Descriptions
REQUIRED CORE COURSES
(Please note: All Doctoral coursework (600 courses) involve more advanced research and in-depth study.)
CNS 501/601 Spiritual Systems (Sufism, Taoism, Christianity, Buddhism, Shamanism, Judaism, Hinduism)
The history and development of spiritual systems of Eastern and Western traditions will be explored. This course is designed to study in-depth the diverse spiritual approaches, including the differences and commonalities that exist.
CNS 502/602 Science and the Nature of Reality
The role of modern science in the explanation of consciousness and reality will be addressed. A critical evaluation of the paradigm will enable the student to study the nature of phenomena, including such enigmatic experiences as: precognition, near-death experiences, deja-vu, and altered states of consciousness. We will deal with the implications of the materialistic approach, which often defines consciousness as a product of, and limited to, processes in the brain.
CNS 510/610 A Study of Contemporary Consciousness Teachings
This course will examine the many ways in which the concept of consciousness has been used in the contemporary spiritual, professional, and popular literature. It will explore the most widely celebrated theories and problems concerning the nature of consciousness and will include such contemporary teachers as Eckart Tolle, Adyashanti, and others.
CNS 520/620 Theories and Practice of Meditation
Theories of Eastern and Western meditation will be studied. Research will be presented that demonstrates empirically and scientifically how meditation practice can result in greater clarity of mind, inner balance and integration, and other benefits in terms of energy, creativity, and many health benefits including longevity. The practice of meditation will be applied with the approach toward experiencing pure consciousness. The meditative state can result in an experience of going beyond the conditioned mind toward the unified state of consciousness that mystics of all ages pointed to.
CNS 521/621 Models of Consciousness
Students will study the meaning and scientific underpinnings of consciousness with the investigation of theories, research, publications, and scientific debates and conferences. The hidden as well as explicit assumptions held by consciousness scholars about the nature of consciousness will be investigated. The student will explore the field from diverse approaches: neuroscience, cross-cultural studies, cognitive approaches, existential – phenomenological methodologies, quantum physics, and other related disciplines. Non-duality, mindfulness, and the state of silence will be explored since they are the essential aspects of the subjective experience of consciousness.
CNS 580/680 Practicum: Integrating Awareness Practice into Daily Life
Practicum experience can be attained in numerous ways, including residential retreats, conferences, workshops, as well as self-directed meditative and spiritually-oriented everyday experiences. Working in a business, non-profit organization, volunteer programs can be experienced as a practicum experience, particularly when the student communicates regularly with their mentor during the experience. Students have been creative and innovative in finding settings that allow them to integrate awareness practice into daily life.
CNS 585/685 Exploration of Consciousness Research
This course will include the investigation aimed at the rigorous and leading edge approaches in consciousness research that include neuroscience, quantum physics, technology, contemplative approaches, meditation, the spiritual bypass, and altered states such as hypnosis.
CNS 590/690 Dissertation Research Project
A dissertation is required and a proposal must be submitted to the mentor and department chair. Upon approval, students will work with their mentors to gain direction for research, formatting, and editing. The dissertation will be a substantial and original contribution to the literature in the field of Consciousness Studies.
ELECTIVE COURSES
CNS 640 Art and Spirituality
Exploring the intersection of creativity and consciousness, this course investigates how artistic expression can serve as a pathway to spiritual insight and personal transformation. Students examine visual arts, music, and performance as tools for exploring inner experience, meaning-making, and transpersonal awareness. Through reflective study and experiential practice, learners engage with art as a medium for cultivating mindfulness, self-expression, and deeper connection to the sacred.
CNS 641 Consciousness of Indigenous People
Students explore the spiritual, philosophical, and cultural perspectives of Indigenous peoples, focusing on their understandings of consciousness, interconnectedness, and the natural world. The course examines traditional rituals, storytelling, and practices that cultivate awareness, community, and harmony with the environment. Through comparative study and reflective engagement, learners gain insight into how Indigenous approaches to consciousness inform transpersonal, ecological, and embodied spiritual practices.
CNS 642 Eco-Psychology
This course explores the dynamic relationship between human consciousness and the natural world. Students examine how ecological awareness, environmental ethics, and spiritual ecology inform psychological well-being and collective transformation. Emphasis is placed on integrating ecological consciousness into personal growth, therapeutic practice, and community engagement. Through reflection, experiential exercises, and research, learners develop an expanded sense of self that includes the more-than-human world.
CNS 643 Holotropic Breathing
Exploring the transformative potential of breath, this course examines holotropic breathing as a tool for accessing altered states of consciousness and deep emotional release. Students engage with the theoretical foundations, techniques, and safety considerations of this practice, integrating insights from transpersonal psychology and somatic awareness. Through reflective exploration (and potentially guided practice with a skilled practitioner), learners experience the connection between breath, psyche, and spiritual growth, fostering self-discovery, healing, and expanded consciousness.
CNS 644 Human Relations and Communication
Addresses the dynamics of interpersonal connection, examining the principles of effective communication, empathy, and relational awareness. Students study verbal and nonverbal expression, conflict resolution, and the role of consciousness in shaping relationships. Through interactive exercises, case studies, and reflective practice, learners develop skills to foster meaningful connections, enhance emotional intelligence, and support personal and professional growth in diverse social and organizational settings.
CNS 645 Meditation/Consciousness Retreats
Immersing oneself in extended contemplative practice, this course offers students the opportunity to deepen meditation, mindfulness, and awareness through structured retreats. Participants can choose from a variety of meditation techniques, reflective exercises, and group practices designed to expand consciousness and cultivate inner stillness. Through experiential engagement, learners gain insight into the integration of meditative practice with personal growth, spiritual development, and transpersonal awareness.
CNS 646 Metaphors and Symbols of Transformation
Exploring the symbolic language of consciousness, this course examines how metaphors, myths, and archetypal imagery can catalyze personal and spiritual transformation. Students analyze cultural and psychological interpretations of symbols and engage in experiential exercises to apply these insights to self-exploration, creative expression, and therapeutic contexts. Through study and reflective practice, learners discover how symbolic frameworks support meaning-making, inner growth, and expanded awareness.
CNS 647 Mind/Body Healing
Exploring the dynamic connection between mental and physical well-being, this course investigates practices that promote holistic health and self-healing. Students examine techniques such as mindfulness, somatic awareness, breathwork, and energy-based approaches, while considering the psychological and physiological mechanisms behind them. Experiential exercises and reflective study help learners integrate mind/body practices into personal growth, therapeutic work, and transpersonal consciousness development.
CNS 648 Myths and Symbols
What can myths and symbols reveal about human consciousness? This course delves into the archetypal imagery, stories, and symbolic systems that shape culture, psychology, and spiritual understanding. Students explore mythological frameworks, analyze symbolic meanings, and engage in reflective or creative exercises to connect these insights to personal and collective transformation. The course emphasizes the ways symbolic knowledge can inform self-awareness, transpersonal growth, and therapeutic practice.
CNS 649 Parapsychology and the Unconscious
Exploring the frontiers of consciousness, this course investigates phenomena such as extrasensory perception, telepathy, and other parapsychological experiences in relation to the unconscious mind. Students examine historical and contemporary research, theoretical frameworks, and case studies, while reflecting on the implications for psychology, spirituality, and human potential. Experiential exercises and critical discussion encourage learners to integrate insights from parapsychology into personal exploration and transpersonal practice.
CNS 650 Psychology of Dreams and Sleep
Dreams offer a window into the unconscious mind and the workings of a deeper consciousness. This course explores theories of dreaming, stages of sleep, and their psychological, neurological, and spiritual significance. Students analyze dream symbolism, techniques for dream recall and interpretation, and their application in therapeutic and personal growth contexts. Experiential exercises encourage learners to connect insights from dreams and sleep patterns to self-awareness, creativity, and transpersonal development.
CNS 651 Rebirthing Processes
Rebirthing offers a transformative approach to releasing emotional blocks and accessing deeper states of consciousness. Students explore the theoretical foundations, techniques, and safety considerations of rebirthing, emphasizing breathwork and conscious awareness. Through guided practice and reflective exercises, learners experience how these processes can facilitate emotional release, personal insight, and integration, supporting growth in both therapeutic and transpersonal contexts.
CNS 652 Spiritual Activism
This course explores the intersection of consciousness and social change, examining how spiritual principles can inform ethical action, advocacy, and community engagement. Students study historical and contemporary examples of spiritually motivated activism, analyze strategies for promoting social justice, and reflect on the integration of personal growth with collective responsibility. Students are encouraged to develop practices that align inner development with meaningful societal impact.
CNS 654 Transpersonal Psychology
An overview of the history of psychology and its development into the current understanding of Transpersonal Psychology is offered. This course is designed for the study and experiential learning of psychological expansion of awareness into the study of extraordinary states of consciousness, exploration of spiritual gifts, body-mind wisdom, all of which lead into deeper transformational learning.
CNS 655 Women's Spirituality Studies
Examining the unique contributions of women to spiritual traditions, this course explores feminine archetypes, rituals, and practices across cultures. Students analyze historical and contemporary perspectives on women’s spiritual experience, empowerment, and leadership, while engaging in reflective and experiential exercises. The course highlights the role of embodiment, creativity, and relational awareness in cultivating personal insight, transpersonal growth, and a deeper connection to the sacred feminine.