Degree and Certification Programs
Integral Studies in Human Development: A Nature-Based Approach
Integral EcoPsychology & Human Development Program: BA/MA
Doctorate of Earth Ministries Program: PhD
Online & Field Courses
“Never in the history of Earth has the fate of so many life forms and landforms been in the hands of one species. The true measure of success of Homo sapiens hangs in the balance, hinged by the thin thread of our commitments and actions.”
~Rich Silver
Program Overview
“What we need now are heroes and heroines…a million of them.”
~Edward Abbey
These are exciting, but challenging times. Join us in the call of the hour in the great adventure of the emerging Ecozoic Era, the call to create a society that works for us all. Join us in the central mission of the Integral Age of this Ecozoic Era, reinventing society through reinventing the human; the reintegration of Society and Nature and the unfolding of our greater human potentials.
All degree programs at University of Earth are designed to prepare students for our changing times while developing a skill set that will give them the best possible opportunity to create a sustainable career in their chosen field. Through combing a scholarly pursuit of knowledge, the practical application of that knowledge and adopting personal practices of the student’s choice which will facilitate the development of the individual’s greater potentials, students are prepared to offer their unique gifts to the world and become leaders in their communities. Students graduate as scholar-practitioners in the fields of Ecopsychology and Human Development with a minor in their chosen field. (Scroll to bottom of this page for a curriculum overview and a list of core courses.)
Why get a degree through U of Earth?
“The central mission of our times is the reinvention of the human...at the species level.”
~Thomas Berry
First and foremost, you will become a more amazing and effective member of our species. With a dedication to both the scholar and practitioner aspects of the program you will become a better member of both your local community and the greater Earth community, you will be a better partner, parent, employee or employer. In short, you will be better at whatever you do on the road to becoming the reinvented human; better able to contribute to the reinvention of society. But there are reasons beyond that to get a degree with U of Earth.
Cultural historians remind us that societies have been required to reinvent themselves on a number of occasions. The key indicator of when that time has come is when the four central institutional pillars of society; politics, economics, education and religion become ineffective, dysfunctional and fail to provide appropriate solutions to society’s major challenges. The consensus among laypeople and experts alike is that we are now in one of those times.
Many leading authorities in education claim our educational system is obsolete and not preparing students for the future. Harvard’s internationally renowned authority on education, Howard Garner, says it this way, “I discern two legitimate reasons for undertaking new educational practices. The first is that current practices are not working. The second reason is that conditions in the world are changing significantly…certain goals, capacities, and practices…might even be seen as counterproductive.”
“You never change things by fighting existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.
~Buckminster Fuller
Following our mission of reinventing society through reinventing the human U of Earth has created a new model of education appropriate for our times, an antidote to our educational system in seeming decay. With no end in sight to escalating education fees, ever increasing student loan accumulation and little hope of job placement, U of Earth has created an innovative educational system that addresses these dilemmas.
Our degree and certification programs are affordable, innovative, sustainable and flexible. We believe our programs are the most in depth and comprehensive in the field of Human Development and the emerging field of EcoPsychology. By including the component of human development in our core curriculum students gain a deep awareness of our greater human potentials; potentials essential for our future and in creating a sustainable society.
It is worth noting that some scholars studying what our future economy will look like predict that the field of human development will emerge as a key component of an EcoEconomy. It is an honor that U of Earth has positioned itself to be a leader in this aspect of the new economy.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from our program have several career options. With the knowledge, skill set and personal development a graduate leaves our program with, individuals will position themselves to stand out among other candidates in many fields, fields as diverse as human resources, community development, outdoor recreation, outdoor education, and of course many of the “green” careers. In addition, as new sustainable careers emerge out of necessity in our changing economy our graduates will be positioned to take leadership roles.
“It is difficult to get people to understand something when their salary requires
them not to understand it.”
~Upton Sinclair
Become a U of Earth Mentor
There is perhaps no greater obstacle to creating a sustainable society than the fear of job loss in an already depressed job market. Even though all indications are that the global and national economy are in permanent decline the necessary and inevitable transition from our current economic model of consumer materialism is and will continue to be met with tremendous resistance as the Sinclair quote above indicates. Einstein warned, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." To solve this dilemma U of Earth has created an innovative educational self-supporting and life-enriching economic model for those who choose to create a career with us. Find out how our "Rivers of Life" educational economic model works.
Perhaps the most creative aspect of our model is that it allows students to pay for their education and even earn extra money while they deepen their studies. We are honored to offer this opportunity for students who choose to help create a better world and have a lucrative career while creating a stream of income and possible living space for their later years serving as community Elders.
Private Practice
U of Earth scholar-practitioner graduates may consider themselves EcoPsychologists, EcoTherapists, EcoLife Coaches, EcoGuides or EcoEducators as is appropriate. With the right combination of entrepreneurial skills and the mastery of the skill set provided through the curriculum the possibility of establishing a successful private practice is promising.
It is important to note that research in the efficacy of counseling and therapy indicates; overall for people entering counseling/therapy, one-third get better, one-third don’t change and one-third get worse. The primary feature of effectiveness of therapy appears to be the level of human development of the counselor/therapist along with appropriate client-counselor match. The emphasis on Human Development and the uniqueness of the skill set offered through U of Earth will set graduates apart in the emerging fields of nature-based therapies and education.
Educational Methodology
Love of Learning
The love of learning is not only innate in humans, it is essential. It has been said that learning is for the mind what food is for the body, making learning a fundamental need for humans. While conventional education with its mandated and forced curriculums has damaged and perhaps even destroyed the innate love of learning in many, at U of Earth our methodology or pedagogy is based on the principle of allurement. What do we find fascinating? While U of Earth provides degree program guidelines and core curriculums the students are expected to follow their attractions and explore their fascinations (allurements). It is in pursuit of our attractions and fascinations that the love of learning returns and our true genius is discovered.
Shared Knowledge
The Information Age and the internet are putting an end to conventional education's authoritative model. While appropriate mentoring and guidance remain important to the educational process, unlimited access to information has changed the role of the teaching profession. At U of Earth we have replaced the authoritative and competitive model still prevalent in traditional education with a model featuring cooperation, collaboration and shared knowledge.
Nature as Teacher & Healer
Spending time in nature is an essential element to your education at U of Earth; Nature is the primary teacher and healer. While traditional college level courses typically require an hour of classroom time per week for every credit, for example, three credits equals three hours of weekly classroom time, at U of Earth students are expected to spend time in nature equal to the amount of time they would normally spend in a classroom. Students may spend this time completing readings and assigned nature activities, simply letting nature be teacher and healer, or any other way of being in nature that is attractive.
Becoming a Teacher & Healer:
Cultural Historian and EcoPhilospher Thomas Berry claims that it will be the shamanic personality that will bring in the new society, that is, the personality that can communicate with and speak for other life forms. The shamans were the first therapists, the medicine people of indigenous cultures, the healers and teachers of their societies. We agree with Berry and others who claim that it will be this type of person, the healers and teachers that will be instrumental in reinventing society. With that, our U of Earth scholar-practitioner training is intended to develop the Healer-Teacher in our students while offering guidance in developing the student's potentials in interspecies communication.
Terms & Schedules
Alienation from nature is the primary cause of our cultural and social decay and the commercialization of our seasonal holidays in place of traditional seasonal celebrations has robbed humanity of its broader imagination and creativity. Attuning to the daily, monthly and seasonal rhythms and cycles of nature is an important aspect of U of Earth and for creating a sustainable society.
With that, each quarter begins on the equinoxes and solstices with two weeks of celebration. U of Earth will host gatherings on designated solstices and equinoxes in beautiful nature locations to celebrate the turning of the season while offering workshops for the general public and specialized training for students. For students who can attend, this is an opportunity to meet and interact with other students and faculty. At these times mentors will hold interviews and orals to assess the progress of students in mastering the skills of their programs.
Course Schedules
Our online courses follow a schedule coinciding with the moon cycle, with assignments due on the Full and New Moons, depending upon the agreed upon schedule. A course syllabus will be sent to students prior to the start of each course.
Course Load
It is recommended that students do not enroll in more than three courses at one time. To offer students the opportunity to speed up or slow down the pace of their course work students may take one course self-paced at any given time. Here are sample program pace schedules.
Students in Residence Program
University of Earth is creating outdoor recreation & education partnerships in locations where students can live in beautiful nature settings and deepen their studies while serving as interns. U of Earth staff works with our partners to select appropriate candidates and facilitate creating an agreement between the student and host.
Degree Program: Integral EcoPsychology & Human Development BA/MA/PhD
Curriculum Overview:
Total Credits: 60/63 PhD
Core curriculum: 33 credits
Elective courses: 12 credits
Life service credit: 6 credits
Internship: 6 credits
Master's project/paper: 3 credits / 6 credits PhD
Elective courses: 12 credits
Life service credit: 6 credits
Internship: 6 credits
Master's project/paper: 3 credits / 6 credits PhD
Core Curriculum: 33 credits (Course Descriptions)
Satisfactory completion of this grouping of courses is considered the minimum necessary to attain mastery as a scholar-practitioner in the field of Integral EcoPsychology & Human Development. Each course has designated readings, however, in keeping with U of Earth's Love of Learning pedagogy students can petition to substitute designated readings with alternative course related readings.
Elective Courses ~ Developing & Offering Our Gifts: 12 credits
This concentration of courses is considered the student's minor and is designed to give the student an opportunity to supplement their graduate program with thematic courses that they have a strong attraction toward. It is intended to complement the student's application of the core curriculum in some way. Each of us has particular gifts to offer through our work and this element of the degree is designed to facilitate the development of those particular gifts. These courses generally come from programs outside of U of Earth. Examples of thematic elective grouping include course study in permaculture, health, nutrition or the therapeutic application of art, dance, music, yoga, etc.
This concentration of courses is considered the student's minor and is designed to give the student an opportunity to supplement their graduate program with thematic courses that they have a strong attraction toward. It is intended to complement the student's application of the core curriculum in some way. Each of us has particular gifts to offer through our work and this element of the degree is designed to facilitate the development of those particular gifts. These courses generally come from programs outside of U of Earth. Examples of thematic elective grouping include course study in permaculture, health, nutrition or the therapeutic application of art, dance, music, yoga, etc.
Students may want to emphasize specific training for their electives through programs such as Joanna Macy's The Work That Reconnects, Bill Plotkin's Animus Valley Institute Soulcraft, Michael Cohen's Project Nature Connect or some other appropriate training.
Another option for meeting the elective requirement is to complete the minor with courses within U of Earth with an emphasis on reinventing society in one of society's four institutional pillars, Education, Politics, Economics & Religion.
Options include:
EcoEducation
EcoPolitics
EcoEconomics
EcoReligion (Spirituality)
Life Service Credit: 6 credits
This grouping of credits is awarded in honor of the value of the student's previous life experiences. Six credits are awarded for the student's participation in any activity, whether as a paid position or volunteer, that has contributed in some way to bettering their community or our planet. Students and faculty will discuss and agree on what will fulfill this aspect of the curriculum. Fulfillment of the Life Service Credit also requires the student to create their personal genogram (ancestral tree) and to begin writing their own personal autobiography, addressing specific developmental stages, utilizing a Narrative Therapy approach. (Prerequisite: EcoT 701)
This grouping of credits is awarded in honor of the value of the student's previous life experiences. Six credits are awarded for the student's participation in any activity, whether as a paid position or volunteer, that has contributed in some way to bettering their community or our planet. Students and faculty will discuss and agree on what will fulfill this aspect of the curriculum. Fulfillment of the Life Service Credit also requires the student to create their personal genogram (ancestral tree) and to begin writing their own personal autobiography, addressing specific developmental stages, utilizing a Narrative Therapy approach. (Prerequisite: EcoT 701)
Internship: 6 credits
The six credit internship is designed to allow students to apply their knowledge in a practical manner while offering community service. The internship will be creatively designed in a shared effort between the student and U of Earth faculty in order to provide the most valuable experience for the student. Students are encouraged to choose internships within the four institutional pillars of society, Education, Politics, Economics or Religion or within the field of the Health and Wellness with the intent of refining their skills and reinventing society. Students intending on creating a private practice as an EcoTherapist or EcoLife Coach will be required to commit to an agreed upon number of practicum hours under the supervision of a selected committee as part of their internship.
The six credit internship is designed to allow students to apply their knowledge in a practical manner while offering community service. The internship will be creatively designed in a shared effort between the student and U of Earth faculty in order to provide the most valuable experience for the student. Students are encouraged to choose internships within the four institutional pillars of society, Education, Politics, Economics or Religion or within the field of the Health and Wellness with the intent of refining their skills and reinventing society. Students intending on creating a private practice as an EcoTherapist or EcoLife Coach will be required to commit to an agreed upon number of practicum hours under the supervision of a selected committee as part of their internship.
Master's or Phd project/thesis: 3/6 credits
This aspect of the degree program is intended to help the student refine and polish the conceptualization and development of their soul gifts and develop a plan for delivering those gifts to the world. For students already offering their gifts to the world the project/thesis aspect provides an opportunity for deep reflection and further refinement.
| Certification Level I | Credits | Course # |
| The Human & Our Sacred Living Universe: Orientation Course | 3 | EcoT 600 |
| The Foundations of EcoPsychology: An Introduction | 3 | EcoT 601 |
| The Essentials of EcoTherapy: An Introduction | 3 | EcoT 602 |
| Certification Level II | ||
| Our Sacred Work: Discovering Your Life Purpose & Greater Potentials | 3 | EcoT 700 |
| Nature & Psyche: Recovering the Soul | 3 | EcoT 701 |
| Archetypes, Allies & Ancestors: Embracing the Mythic Self | 3 | EcoT 702 |
| The Natrual History of Personality: The Enneagram | 3 | EcoT 703 |
| Certification Level III | ||
| The Integral Self I: Reinventing the Human | 3 | EcoT 801 |
| The Integral Self II: Integrating the Shadow | 3 | EcoT 802 |
| The Integral Self III: Integrating Body, Heart & Mind | 3 | EcoT 803 |
|
Counseling & Coaching: The Basics (Students in other tracts may substitute appropriate courses for this course) |
3 | EcoT 804 |