Doctor of Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness

Our Approach

CIIS’ Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Ph.D. program has been designed to help shape the intellectual, moral, and spiritual leadership necessary for meeting historic global challenges. The crisis of late modernity calls for a fundamental reorientation of our civilization, including a transformation of both our institutions and our own consciousness. 

Drawing upon some of the most powerful ideas and impulses of our philosophical, scientific, and religious traditions, the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Ph.D. is constructed with an intensive multidisciplinary course of study to help accelerate students' journeys into their leadership roles.

Career Paths

The Ph.D. in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness is a research doctorate designed to prepare candidates to take leadership roles in addressing key philosophical challenges, questions, and issues of our time. As a transdisciplinary program, our graduates pursue a wide variety of philosophical, ecological, and humanitarian paths, projects, and vocations. Alumni of the program are actively involved in diverse professional areas, such as:

• Teaching, writing, and scholarly publication
• Leading and facilitating programs for cultural, spiritual, and personal transformation
• Creating, producing, and developing new media and engaged arts projects
• Organizing, advocacy, and policy advancement
• Reimagining and renewing a variety of professional fields (e.g., education, religion, medicine, technology, the arts, finance)

Curriculum

The curriculum is offered in both online and in person formats and students may select from the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness track or the Integral Ecology track. Coursework is customizable with a wide variety of electives available. Upon taking and passing their comprehensive exams, students begin the process of writing their dissertation beginning with the dissertation proposal. After completion, candidates must defend their dissertation before a committee of faculty members.

Online students are highly encouraged, but not required, to participate in the annual residential retreat, intensive courses, and other program-associated events held in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Curriculum Highlights

PARP 7400 Psyche and Spirit: From the Psychology of Religion to Transpersonal Theory (3 units) This course explores the relation of psyche to “spirit”—that is, to religion, spirituality, and spiritual philosophies and worldviews—through a consideration of the development that leads from classic representatives of the psychology of religion to the principal paradigms of contemporary transpersonal psychology. Readings include primary texts—set in their appropriate contexts—by William James, C.G. Jung, Stanislav Grof, Ken Wilber, Jorge Ferrer, Jenny Wade, and others. Major themes include the evolution of consciousness; connections between main elements of Western spiritual and intellectual traditions and analogues from Asian traditions; and contributions of esotericism, new paradigm science, and non-ordinary experiences to transpersonal theory.

PAR 6079 Ecology in a Time of Planetary Crisis (3 units) Ecology is the study of oikos, Greek for “household” or “home.” What does it mean, existentially, to find that our home, Earth, is under threat as a result of human actions? This course provides a broad overview of the human imbrication in planetary systems. We examine critical planetary issues, including climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, freshwater depletion, agriculture, fisheries collapse, and globalization, from a holistic perspective. Framing of ecological issues are placed in dialogue with religious and spiritual views, allowing students to discuss the complex interconnected ways that worldviews, biophysical science, institutions, ethics, and justice have shaped the current state of the Earth.

PAR 6472 The Colors of American Philosophy: Pluralism, Pragmatism, and Political Transformation (3 units) This course introduces core thinkers and themes in the American philosophical tradition and emphasizes the importance of pluralism, pragmatism, and political transformation. In line with this emphasis, course readings emphasize the influence of Native American, African American, female American, and Latinx thinkers. Course participants will be invited to situate themselves in relation to the themes explored and to present on a relevant text of their choosing that is reflective of their own background. The aim of the course is to provide participants with a conceptual grounding in the diverse histories of American thought in the hope that this grounding is of service to social and political transformation in the present.

Entry Requirements

Students admitted into the doctoral concentration who do not have a master’s from CIIS in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness may be required to complete up to an additional 18 units of coursework (minus equivalencies) from the core section of the master’s curriculum.

Required Application Materials

Online Admissions Application: Begin the application process by submitting an online application and paying the non-refundable $68 application fee.

Degree Requirement: A bachelor's and master's degree (or the equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution. 

Minimum GPA: A GPA of 3.0 or higher in previous coursework is required. However, a GPA below 3.0 does not automatically disqualify an applicant and CIIS will consider a prospective student whose GPA is between 2.0 and 3.0. These individuals are required to submit a GPA Statement and are encouraged to contact our Admissions Team to discuss their options. 

Transcripts: Official transcripts from all accredited academic institutions attended where 7 or more credits have been earned. If transcripts are being mailed to CIIS, they must arrive in their official, sealed envelopes. Transcripts from institutions outside the U.S. or Canada require a foreign credit evaluation through World Education Services (WES) or CIIS will also accept foreign credential evaluations that are in a comprehensive course-by-course format from the current members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Two Letters of Recommendation: Recommenders should use standard business format and include full contact information-name, email, phone number, and mailing address. 

Autobiographical Statement: A four-to-six page (typed, double-spaced) introspective autobiographical statement discussing your values, emotional and spiritual insights, aspirations, and life experiences that have led to your decision to apply. The autobiographical statement should describe some themes or significant life events that have a direct bearing on your decision to apply to this program. 

Goal Statement: A two-to-four page statement of your educational and professional objectives and demonstrating familiarity and alignment with at least one core faculty member's area of expertise. Explain your motivation for specialization in this area. The goal statement should articulate what you hope to gain from your time in the program and, if appropriate, how your time in the program relates to your long-term personal and professional aspirations.

Research Proposal: In 300-900 words please propose the research project you hope to work on in your doctoral studies. (We understand that your research project might change as you pursue your degree with us.) In addition, identify at least one Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness core faculty member who would be appropriate to serve as a mentor and faculty advisor. Show close familiarity with that faculty member's particular area of expertise. Demonstrate the necessary preparation and motivation for specializing in that area (or areas), especially with respect to research leading to the dissertation.

Academic Writing Sample: A writing sample of eight-to-ten pages (typed, double-spaced) that demonstrates your capacity to think critically and reflectively and demonstrates graduate level writing abilities. A sample that uses outside sources must include proper citations. You may submit copies of previous work, such as a recent academic paper, article, or report that reflects scholarly abilities.

International Student Information
Diversity Scholarship Application