Become a student
Lecturer
David Lipschitz graduated from the global PhD programme at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (now Sofia University), where his research adopted a case study approach to explore extraordinary experiences of forgiveness.
He is currently part of Rosemarie Anderson’s post-doctoral research programme, and is conducting an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis into how High Net Work Families consciously parent their children to instill values of compassion and practices of generosity.
David is part-time faculty at the Gordon Institute of Business Studies (GIBS), University of Pretoria, where he supervises PhD and MBA research and teaches qualitative research methodology on the doctoral studies programme, and applied personal transformation, an elective that examines transpersonal development as applied to leadership.
David heads up research for the Institute of Mindfulness in South Africa. He is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, working primarily with couples and adults. He is a consultant both locally and globally with a special focus on the broad areas of Change Management and Leadership development. He has also developed a particular interest in consulting to family businesses.
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Curriculum: year One
- Core modules
- Specialist options
20 credits each
Approaches to Consciousness
Offers you a broad introduction to consciousness studies, cognitive neuroscience of consciousness, consciousness and spiritual traditions.
Find our more:Approaches to consciousness
Learning Through Integrative Practice
An 8-month experiential immersion in a personal programme of integrative practice, with the aim to foster whole-person development.
Individual needs and aspirations are considered in the development of the practice plan, and critical engagement with the practices is encouraged through regular webinars and reflective sessions.
Find out more:Learning Through Integrative Practice
Spiritual Psychology
Module leader:Dr. Ellis Linders
This module explores the changing meaning of spirituality in contemporary secular culture. Moreover, it identifies and examines the relationship between psychology and spirituality as a change in psycho-spiritual paradigm. The module is titled ‘spiritual psychology’ to reflect this relationship. Although there are many correspondences, spiritual psychology differs from transpersonal psychology in that it specifically draws on spiritual traditions and new or ‘neo’ spiritual expressions.
As a student, you will choose two specialist options (see SPECIALIST OPTIONS tab for all courses) to explore which each reflect an expression of contemporary spiritual engagement. They also exemplify approaches in which spiritual traditions and their practices are viewed through the lens of contemporary psychology. The psychological lens allows issues of definition, measurement, and frameworks concerning spiritual experience to be critically evaluated according to scientific principles.
Specialist options for the Spiritual Psychology module - Select two
Contemporary Mindfulness
Tutor:Dr. Tamara Russell
The migration of mindfulness from monastic to mainstream settings has exposed both pitfalls and opportunities. Informed by neuroscience, cognitive psychology and martial arts perspectives, this module option encourages students to drill down to the core of mindfulness to support the wise implementation of this ancient practice in our complex modern environments.
Find out more:Contemporary Mindfulness
Entheogens and Psychedelics
Tutor: Pascal Michael, PhD
Taking a cross-disciplinary and multi-cultural approach, this module option explores transpersonal and transformative qualities of the psychedelic experience, illuminating its meanings and implications for individuals and communities.
Find out more:Entheogens and Psychedelics
Feminine Spiritualities
Tutor:Dr. Kendra Ford
Feminine Spiritualities refers to a spectrum of perspectives, practices, histories, and cultures that balance on the fine edges of feminism, contemporary spirituality, psychological theory, and mystical traditions. This option is an embodied and critical exploration of the feminine principle within psychological, religious and spiritual contexts.
Find out more: Feminine Spiritualities
Shamanistic Psychology
Tutor:Dr. Steven Schmitz
Shamanism is the oldest spiritual tradition known to humankind and continues to be relevant in our contemporary world. For tens of thousands of years shamans have developed and used their technologies (knowledge, tools, skills) for shifting consciousness and for accessing the spirit realms for guidance, healing, and transformation.
Find out more:Shamanistic Psychology
Spirituality and the Imaginal
Tutor:Dr. Lila Moore
This module option explores the imaginal as an evolving phenomenon that has shaped the human spiritual experience: from Paleolithic cave art, altered states, and mythic rituals to the intersection of modern esoteric and spiritual movements, the creative arts and healing arts.
Find out more:Spirituality and the Imaginal
Transpersonal Dreaming
TutorDr. Tadas Stumbrys
In this module option, we study transpersonal dimensions of dreaming, drawing on scientific research and historical/spiritual traditions. We will explore the world of lucid dreaming and its potentials for growth and transformation.
Find out more:Transpersonal Dreaming
Curriculum: year two
- Core modules
- Specialist options
20 credits each
Transpersonal Psychology
Transpersonal psychology (TP) studies phenomena beyond the ego and their transformative and healing potential. Adopting the perspective that the human being is intimately interconnected to the cosmos in many ways, TP acknowledges the relevance and value of spiritual, mystical, and other exceptional human experiences.
The course covers the major theoretical orientations within TP, and the models they propose to understand these experiences and situate them in the larger context of human transformation and spiritual development.
The course also covers other complementary topics which reflect the growing edges of TP as a vibrant and multifaceted field.
Find out more:Transpersonal Psychology
Research Design
Our Research Design module provides a grounding in qualitative research methods.
Students venture into transpersonal approaches to research, offering you an introduction to methods which embrace embodied, intuitive and creative ways of expanding the human knowledge base.
Research Design allows students to work with these methods in a research project, tackling the philosophical and ethical issues surrounding transpersonal psychology methods.
Such as:
- The centrality of transformation for both researcher and participants
- Issues that arise when participants’ most meaningful experiences may be scrutinised
- Issues where practices may be evaluated for efficacy, and ideas concerning changing paradigms in psychological science
Find out more:Research Design
Applied Transformative Psychology
Module leader:Dr. Jessica Bockler
Applied transformative psychology focuses on the ways in which transpersonal, integrative, and spiritual perspectives can be applied in practice, considering personal and professional pathways and ethics of transformation. The concept of inner development is examined in the context of evolving ideas and theories exploring personal and systemic/collective change; and questions of ethical engagement in contemporary contexts are considered in the light of the evolving meta-crises of our times.
Students are encouraged to explore their own professional practice in relation to two of the specialist options (see SPECIALIST OPTIONS tab for all courses).
Specialist options for the Applied transformative psychology module — Select two
Creativity and Transformation
Tutor:Dr. Jessica Bockler
In this option we explore the nature of creativity and its relationship to human development and growth, as well as its relevance for social change. The evolving crises of our time call for inner and outer changes in our ways of being and doing. In Together, we consider how we can draw on our creativity to enable and support generative change processes in ourselves and in those we work with.
Find out more:Creativity and Transformation
Integrative Medicine
Tutor:Dr. Hennie Geldenhuys
This option explores the mind-body-spirit paradigm and its implications for an integrative and holistic approach to wellness and healthcare. Health, disease, healing and the psychosomatic are viewed through a transpersonal but pragmatic lens.
Find out more:Integrative Medicine
Multidimensional Trauma & Transformation
Tutor:Dr. Regina U. Hess
We will explore multidimensional applications for the transformation of individual, transgenerational, and ecological trauma drawing on clinical, transpersonal, indigenous, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy approaches and research. The goal is to support the person’s innate capacity to restore the mind-body-spirit-balance and eventually wholeness, including such dimensions as interpersonal relationships and relationships with nature, the cosmos, culture, and the community.
Find out more:
Transpersonal Coaching Psychology
Tutor:Jevon Dängeli
Transpersonal Coaching Psychology (TCP) can be described as the theory and practice of coaching that takes a holistic and integrative approach to support client growth and transformation. In thisoptionwe explore the basis and value of a transpersonal approach to coaching.
Find out more:Transpersonal Coaching Psychology
Transpersonal Ecopsychology
Tutor:Paul Maiteny
We are living in extremely destabilised times. We humans are undermining life-support ecosystems essential to life itself, ecological, social and personal. It is a tragic irony that we have been doing so with the aim of making our lives better. We have now reached the threshold point where the destructive results of our priorities and action is confronting us full-on. Yet, we are continuing to seek technological ‘solutions and fixes’ using the same motivations and types of thinking as have caused the devastation in the first place.
Transpersonal Ecopsychology provides a new way of thinking about and understanding human meaning and purpose as embedded participants in the ecosystem, rather than in the binary way of thinking of ourselves as ‘other’ to ‘nature’ and ‘the environment’.
Find our more:Transpersonal Ecopsychology: Knowing your role in a conscious Earth
Transpersonal Counselling and Psychotherapy
Tutor:Dr. Gabriel Fernandez Borsot
Transpersonal approaches to psychotherapy situate the process of psychological healing and maturation in the wider context of spiritual development. Thisoptionexplores the main features of these approaches, and their associated techniques and models.
Find out more:Transpersonal Counselling and Psychotherapy
Curriculum: year THREE
- Research dissertation
60 credits
The curriculum in the first two years of study provides students with the necessary skills to conduct a research project in their third year of study. Under the supervision of a faculty member, students choose an area of interest to explore in depth through an original study.
Research projects often adopt experiential and introspective approaches as well as traditional scientific approaches while exploring topics that emphasise the interrelationships between the somatic, psychological, social and spiritual levels of explanation.
WEBINAR SCHEDULE
A main feature of our online teaching environment is that required webinars are taught live and also recorded, which allows for synchronous involvement in content and lively discussions during the question-and-answer portions of webinars for those in attendance.
Webinars are generally scheduled well in advance, and are held on a varied schedule between 9:00-21:00 UK time.
Although we cannot commit to accommodate all time zones for all webinars, we hope for students in our global community to have the opportunity for synchronous participation throughout the programme. When live attendance is not possible, recordings of webinars are available almost immediately and can be viewed at a convenient time, making the programme accessible regardless of location in the world.
One-to-one and group meetings with personal tutors are scheduled at mutually convenient times.
Please note that whilst we do our utmost to give you advance notice, some flexibility in accommodating schedule changes and additional dates may be needed as and when they become available. This programme weaves a complex tapestry of asynchronous and live events befitting Master’s level study with a wide range of teachers. We therefore advise you that some flexibility will be needed on your part to join this programme and make the most of what it has to offer.
LEARNING APPROACHES
Our students enjoy a rich and interactive learning experience. Transformative learning methods are utilised in all our modules, which support a deep level of self-inquiry while fostering connection with experiential learning of programme content, research skills, and academic, professional and personal growth.
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES
- Live teaching webinars
- Live sessions involving experiential practices
- Student presentations
A SHARED LEARNING JOURNEY
- Reflective group meetings
- Peer group work
- Individual and group supervision
STUDY AT YOUR OWN PACE
- Written discussion forums
- Study of course materials
- Personal practice and projects
WHOLE-PERSON SUPPORT
- Personal tutor support
- Academic skills support
- Wellbeing support
CONTENT DELIVERY
The programme is 100% online and presented via synchronous and asynchronous webinars where students engage with faculty and each other. All coursework is taught on our learning management system, Canvas.
ONBOARDING
To support students in gaining foundational skills for MSc study, the Alef trust offers an introductory online course in APA referencing and academic writing skills, which incoming students are invited and in some cases required to take prior to the start of term. This enables those who are unfamiliar with APA formatting, as well as those who have been out of education for some time, to feel more prepared for embarking on their MSc.
ASSESSMENT
Course assessments are mainly in the form of written essays and reports. Several assignments encourage use of creative media to express the learning journeys, and students can choose to do this in ways that meet their creative skills and interests. Examples include visual art, music, creative writing, and videos. A number of modules include asynchronous forum participation. Some modules also include group project assessments which involve live presentations and attendance at presentations by peers.
Your schedule will require some flexibility to accommodate these in all three years of the programme.
In the final year, you conduct your own research project under supervision. Assessment of this final-year module involves a research dissertation, online presentation, and a blog-style post.
Depending on the nature and weighting of the assignment, these are either 2,000, 3,000 or 4,500 words in required length, and the final dissertation is 10,000-12,000 words, depending on the methodology used.
LIBRARY ACCESS
As a student enrolled on a collaborative programme with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) you have access to a range of LJMU’s electronic library resources.
This includes an extensive selection of relevant books and journals, as well as academic learning resources oriented towards the ongoing development of skills such as scholarly writing.
Visual Map of the MSc PROGRAMME
Year 1
Orientation
7503ALEFTP Learning Through Integrative Practice (20 Credits)
7501ALEFTP Approaches to Consciousness (20 Credits)
7502ALEFTP Spiritual Psychology (20 Credits)
Year 2
7504ALEFTP Transpersonal psychology (20 Credits)
7506ALEFTP Research Design (20 Credits)
7505ALEFTP Applied Transformative Psychology (20 Credits)
Year 3
7503ALEFTP Learning Through Integrative Practice (20 Credits)
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
Visual Map of the MSc PROGRAMME
Year One
Orientation
7503ALEFTP Learning Through Integrative Practice (20 Credits)
7501ALEFTP Approaches to Consciousness (20 Credits)
7502ALEFTP Spiritual Psychology (20 Credits)
+ Two Specialist Options
Year Two
7504ALEFTP Transpersonal psychology (20 Credits)
7506ALEFTP Research Design (20 Credits)
7505ALEFTP Applied Transformative Psychology (20 Credits) + Two Specialist Options
Year Three
7500ALEFTP Research Dissertation (60 Credits)
Alternative track: 1-year Postgraduate Certificate
Students wishing to gain a Postgraduate Certificate can enrol on the MSc route and complete their studies after gaining 60 credits in year 1.
Alternative track: 2-year Postgraduate Diploma
Students wishing to gain a Postgraduate Diploma can enrol on the MSc route and complete their studies after gaining 120 credits by the end of year 2.
Alternative track: 2-year MSc
The Alef Trust MSc inConsciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychologyis validated by Liverpool John Moores University in two programme formats. Students normally take the three-year part-time programme, although a two-year part-time programme is also available. Obviously, the primary difference between these programmes concerns the duration of study. However, there are additional considerations that applicants must take into account when deciding on their preferred programme of study:
Your qualifications: In order to be considered for the two-year programme, you must have a degree in psychology or a cognate science discipline, with a minimum grade of 2:1 (UK university system) or equivalent (non-UK universities).
Time availability: In order to be considered for the two-year programme, you must clearly demonstrate that you are able to commit to studying for approximately 25-35 hours per week.
Maturity: Our MSc is not simply an exercise in academic learning. The ethos underpinning the programme – confirmed by reflections from graduates – is one of students embarking on a developmental journey that entails deep maturation of their aspirations, relationships, and inner quests. In the experience of both staff and graduates this journey is most effective when taken over three years. In evaluating applications for the two-year programme, the admissions team will explore with the applicant their readiness to achieve the programme goals in only two years.
Shared experience: The journey is one in which forming bonds with those in your cohort can be highly beneficial. A student on the two-year pathway will straddle two cohorts, which may make this aspect of the experience more difficult. Again, the applicant’s resilience in this regard will be considered by the admissions team. Structurally, the arrangement of modules is broadly similar across the two pathways in years 1 and 2. The critical difference for those on the two-year pathway is that the Research Design module comes in year 1, and the Research Dissertation in Year 2.
Readiness to undertake research: The deeply reflective experiential, whole-person, learning which is at the core of this programme takes time to gestate during the first two years for most students, and culminates with the research dissertation in the third year. Applicants for the two-year programme will be expected to demonstrate to the admissions team that they have a preliminary plan about their potential research. If you wish to be considered for the two-year pathway, please indicate this in the application form. Our admissions team will contact you to arrange an interview to discuss whether this could be a suitable option for you.
If you wish to be considered for the two-year pathway, please indicate this in the application form. Our admissions team will contact you to arrange an interview to discuss whether this could be an appropriate option for you.
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