Jan09
A Faculty-Led Info Session with Jocelyn Chapman and Estrella Gonzales
Doctor of Philosophy in Transformative Studies
Join a community of passionate scholars exploring innovative ways to make a difference in the world through our online Ph.D. program.
Program Overview
Our Approach
The Transformative Studies Ph.D. is a pioneering transdisciplinary degree program whose mission is to develop scholars committed to doing research in innovative ways that combine scholarship, creativity, and self-inquiry. Today’s interconnected and fast changing world needs more than disciplinary specialization. It also needs transdisciplinary scholars who know how to integrate a wealth of research generated in multiple disciplines to do justice to the complexity of the many problems and potentials of our age. We offered one of the first online doctoral degrees, starting in 1993, and we are also one of the world’s first transdisciplinary doctoral programs.
Transdisciplinary research is grounded in systems and complexity thinking. It emphasizes the importance of context, interconnection, and self-reflection. It sees every inquiry as an opportunity for self-inquiry and frames the research journey as a creative process. Successful completion of the program requires a high degree of self-direction, motivation, and a passion for scholarship that is both rigorous and imaginative. The program is designed to provide a rich and diverse learning community and interactive learning experiences. Students are guided in finding a research topic that inspires them and can be supported by faculty. The faculty guides students in developing dissertation topics that match the current interest areas and expertise in the department. Students should familiarize themselves with the faculty’s interest areas to ensure that their research topic can be supported. Current faculty interest areas include, but are not limited to, creative futures, extraordinary abilities and beliefs, ecopsychology, sustainability, comparative religions, systems theory and complex thought, new religious movements, leadership, social change, and creativity.
Career Paths
As a Ph.D. program, all of our Transformative Studies students already hold a master’s degree, and many are already situated in a career that is reflected in their dissertation topics. Our graduates go on to contribute to the development of better research and scholarship in their professional areas of work, such as:
- Faculty, deans, directors at universities
- Consultants on business, social and environmental issues
- Coaches focusing on personal and professional development
- Researchers in think-tanks and related organizations
- Leaders in organizations focusing on issues including the environment, personal development, technology.
Curriculum
The Transformative Studies Ph.D. consists of a minimum of 36.4 semester units (two years of full-time coursework and participation in four intensives) plus a dissertation. The program includes 18 units of foundational courses and 12 units of electives, which may be taken from elective courses offered at the University.
Throughout the two years of online coursework, all students meet for virtual intensives twice per year, at the beginning of fall and spring semesters. Participation in all intensives is mandatory.
Coursework concludes with two comprehensive exams in essay form. One is the literature review for the student’s dissertation topic, the other addresses the chosen research methodology for the student's dissertation.
Curriculum Highlights
TSD 8125 Creative Inquiry: Scholarship for the 21st Century (3 units) This course provides an introduction to research as a creative and transformative process. It will address issues such as the relationship between the academic and the transformative; what it means to be a scholar in the 21st century; how to get in touch with one’s research passion and integrate it into one’s coursework; how to think about research in a way that integrates personal reflection and personal growth with solid, grounded scholarship in an academic context; what the role of the literature review is and how to approach it; and how to develop one’s academic voice. The knowledge base is drawn from the philosophy of social science, educational and developmental psychology, creativity research, complexity, and inter- and transdisciplinarity theories and research.
TSD 8210 Self, Society, and Transformation (3 units) This course examines the relationship between self and society in a planetary context. It will address the nature of interconnectedness, examine new ways of understanding our planetary predicament, and introduce interpretive frameworks from the sociology of knowledge, the sociology of social change, and the study of cultures. Throughout the course, students will be invited to look at their own research inquiry through these particular lenses.
TSD 6526 The Ecology of Ideas (3 units) All inquiry is situated in an ecology of ideas, which is to say the literature for a dissertation, including: scholarly articles, books, essays, and/or cultural artifacts. This course supports students as they identify, evaluate, and orient themselves within all this dissertation literature. The course explores the nature and role of theory in any inquiry. Finally, it prepares students to develop and articulate their own stance and theoretical orientation for any type of dissertation, whether it be qualitative or theoretical.
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Semester 1 | Fall
TSD 6001 Online Intensive I (.1 unit)
TSD 8005 Introduction to Transformative Studies (3 units)
TSD 8125 Creative Inquiry: Scholarship for the 21st Century (3 units)
TSD 8210 Self, Society, and Transformation (3 units)
Semester 2 | Spring
TSD 6002 Online Intensive II (.1 unit)
TSD 8130 Transdisciplinarity: Complex Thought and the Pattern That Connects (3 units)
TSD 8215 Varieties of Scholarly Experience (3 units)
Semester 3 | Fall
TSD 6003 Online Intensive III (.1 unit)
TSD 6526 The Ecology of Ideas (3 units)
Semester 4 | Spring
TSD 6004 Online Intensive IV (.1 unit)
Comprehensive Exams - (6 units)
TSD 9610 Essay - Dissertation Literature Review (3 units)
TSD 9611 Essay - Dissertation Research Methodology (3 units)
Electives (12 Units)
Total units for the degree coursework - 36.4
Dissertation Proposal
TSD 9800 Dissertation Proposal Completion (.1 unit per semester and up to 4 semesters to complete)
Dissertation
TSD 9900 Dissertation Writing (.1 unit per semester and up to 8 semesters to complete)
Creative Futures Focus
The Creative Futures Focus challenges students how to think about compelling futures, envision what better futures might be like, and explore emerging practices that support the creation and embodiment of more desirable personal and collective futures. The focus is an official designation that requires three courses (two mandatory, one selected from a list of electives), and when completed will appear on students' transcripts.
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Contexts - Understanding the current context, its historical drivers, and how to make sense of them
Concepts - Exploring core theories that inform the focus, and concepts such as progress and utopia
Capacities - Reviewing current limited definitions of human capacities, findings in recent research about expanded human capacities (e.g., transpersonal & positive psychology, wisdom, spiritual traditions), and how they can be applied to creating more desirable futures.
Possibilities - Shedding light on both historical and current, large and small examples of human possibilities (specifically focusing on intercultural, interracial, intergender, international creativity and thriving,) to give a sense what is possible, inspire, show what has been done, what can be done, and what we want and can do more of
Practices - Creating the future requires developing specific practices to develop abilities needed to navigate this age of transformation. The program will focus on exploring well-established as well as leading-edge practices that can facilitate the development of “futures consciousnesss.”
Focus Learning Outcomes
- Understand the plurality of interpretations of the current condition from multiple sources and traditions, the driving forces, and the effects of expected dystopian futures on most of the population in the US and globally
- Analyze and evaluate concepts used in the discourse of the future, introduce new concepts with a view to application in the development of creative futures
- Develop a grounding in the interrelated theories of creativity, complexity, and synergy as an underlying conceptual framework for thinking about creative futures
- Research, document, contextualize, and provide narratives for examples of creative diversity in a range of contexts, illustrating human possibilities that inspire and counteract limiting assumptions about what is and is not possible
- Demonstrate an understanding of the expanded notion of what it means to be human with a focus on possibilities and capacities found in humanistic, transpersonal, and positive psychology, then study of wisdom, as well as the great spiritual traditions
- Apply relevant practices to support developing and embodying creative futures
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Three courses total (9 units) are required: TSD 6480, TSD 6485, and an eligible elective.
TSD 6480 Creating the Future: Exploring Human Possibilities
This course serves as an introduction to thinking about and cultivating capacities for the future from the personal to the global. The course will focus on 6 areas: Context, Concepts, Capacities, Possibilities, Practices, and Integration. The global context situates us in time and space: How we got here and what the key issues are. In order to address a complex and uncertain world, concepts and ways of thinking need to be revised and incorporate systems thinking and complex thought. A reassessment of “human nature” is needed to acknowledge the extended human capacities found in multiple disciplines. While dystopian futures dominate, we will highlight and research human possibilities through the study of inspiring global examples at both micro- and macro-levels. Drawing on a range of traditions, we will learn about practices that support the development of better personal and collective futures. The concept of Transformative Leadership will serve as a framework and as a practice to embody our desired future in this time of transformation.
TSD 6485 Planetary Consciousness and the Future: The interaction of creativity, culture, and diversity and the evolution consciousness
The development of planetary consciousness can give us greater insight into ourselves, our possible identities, how we construct our understanding of the world, and how we interact with others. Students will explore the extent to which their life is already “planetary,” finding examples in, among others, everyday items, language, music, ideas and beliefs, and work. We will begin by excavating our assumptions about, and experience of identity in a global context, apply a systems/complexity view to global and personal interconnectedness, and then look at the creativity of diversity using global examples in the arts, food, and spirituality. You will be asked to research examples of cultural diversity and creativity, culminating in an exploration of your own “planetary consciousness."
Examples of Eligible Elective Courses:
- TSD 6137 Reverse Imagineering: Systems Change for the 21st Century
- TSD 6138 The Art of Transformation: For flourishing and Creative Futures
- TSD 6655 Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary: For the Love of All Sentient Beings
- TSD 8014 Creativity and Personal Transformation
- TSD 8421 Ecological and Social Healing: Mindful Awareness and Social
Entry Requirements
The Transformative Studies Ph.D. attracts an international community of creative, self-directed learners from diverse academic and occupational backgrounds. Recent entering classes included educators, administrators, online teachers, theatrical directors, professional musicians, social workers, artists, health researchers, peace negotiators, ministers, and organizational and diversity consultants.
The successful applicant will have demonstrated skills and competencies in his or her field of work, which might be in such areas as education, health care, the arts, social activism, psychology, organizational development, or corporate management. Applicants should have a demonstrated capacity to learn and to work both independently and collaboratively.
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 an accredited college or university.
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 the 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 US 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: Two letters of recommendation, at least one from an advisor or someone familiar with your ability to do advanced academic work. Recommenders should use standard business format and include full contact information-name, email, phone number, and mailing address.
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.
Resume
Goal Statement: Three Brief Admissions Essays
- Research interests (500 words maximum). Describe the research or topical interests that inspire your work in our program. Propose an area of study for your dissertation topic and a tentative research question. Mention or cite the names of scholars or academics whom you have either read or worked with as a way to show us that you understand what doing doctoral-level work means.
- Goal statement (500 words maximum): How do you see a Ph.D. in transformative studies at CIIS advancing your professional and personal goals?
- School/work/life balance (350 words maximum): Please comment on how you will balance the demands of a doctoral program with your other obligations (e.g., employment, caretaking, volunteering, self-care, etc.). Be sure to include whether you have participated in any form of distance education and how you managed to stay on task and motivated while in coursework.
International Student Information
Diversity Scholarship Application
Our Department in Action
Jan23
A Faculty-Led Info Session with Jeanine Canty
Feb22
Attend the Spring Open House on February 22, 2025 to get to know your admissions counselors and learn more about CIIS' bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. programs.
Take the Next Step
For over 50 years, CIIS has been at the forefront of education that integrates rigorous science, innovative scholarship, and social justice. You will learn from faculty at the forefront of their fields, local artists and activists, and a community of peers as passionate and dedicated as you. There’s never been a better time to be here – let’s build a healthier and more equitable world.