As we move forward into the future the greatest needs of humanity will not be met with technological advances alone, but with the emergence of individuals who possess both the abilities and spiritual development sufficient to facilitate conscious evolution for the highest good of all concerned.

Such a shift represents an enormous movement from an egocentric attitude based upon fear and characterized by a win-lose approach to life, to a mutually supportive attitude based upon the recognition that there are choices available through which everyone wins. To that end, learning principles, strategies, and skill sets for assisting people in the direction of creating constructive, meaningful, and fulfilling lives is essential.

The Great Questions of Our Time

A shift of this magnitude surfaces enormous questions to be considered such as, “How do we learn approaches that foster mutual trust?” “What will be the qualities of synergistic relationships and how will we facilitate their emerging?” “What kinds of organizational structures will best encourage conscious development?” “What weather will prevail in the economic climate?” “How will organizations morph into more conscious organisms?”

Perhaps at the top of the list is the question, “What will be the educational experience necessary to deeply prepare individuals who are uniquely qualified to address the emerging needs of humanity as we transition into the future?” “Where will people go for such a quality of education?” To dare to advance in these directions, great courage is needed, as well as a willingness to explore frontiers in human evolution.

What Do I Have to Contribute in the World and How Can I Do It?

The University of Santa Monica Doctoral Program in Spiritual Psychology with an Emphasis in Soul-Centered Leadership (Psy.D.) is for graduates of the USM Master’s Degree Program in Spiritual Psychology. The intention of the Psy.D. Program is to prepare graduates to become professional Facilitators of Soul-Centered Living and, in that capacity, to utilize the principles, tools, and competencies of Spiritual Psychology in a variety of career and professional applications.

By combining a unique blend of practical and relevant skills with in-depth academic education, each doctoral candidate will effectively respond to the question, “What do I have to contribute in the world and how can I do it?” Each class will be a living crucible of leaders who understand that facilitating Soul-Centered Living is commensurate with ministering to humanity’s greatest emerging needs. Thus, the USM Psy.D. is ultimately a Program for those who have an inner calling to serve.

The Psy.D. Program in Spiritual Psychology with an Emphasis in Soul-Centered Leadership is a Program that recognizes, accepts, and honors the whole person, including the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. This Doctoral Program builds upon USM’s Master of Arts in Spiritual Psychology.

Program Objectives:

To provide students with knowledge and experiences designed to strengthen their commitment to live according to a service orientation to life by utilizing their Soul-Centered education in a professional capacity.
To prepare professional Facilitators of Soul-Centered Living to serve in myriad occupations such as Health Care Professionals, Educators, Entrepreneurs, Artists, Writers, Business Executives, Managers, Consultants, and occupations in Not-For-Profit Organizations.
To provide students with a structure within which they have the opportunity to clarify their heartfelt purposes and spiritual values. This structure will also support them in developing the discipline, tools, and strength-of-heart necessary to effectively implement their calling in the world.
To provide students with a broad foundation in the discipline of Spiritual Psychology, which fosters the ability and willingness to engage in life in alignment with an inner vision of a world where integrity and compassion prevail and differences, both globally and those inherent in everyday life, are settled peacefully.
To provide students with guidance and support in continuing to recognize and heal unresolved issues residing within, since a hallmark of a professional Facilitator of Soul-Centered Living is the willingness to engage in the necessary and ongoing inner work of transformation.
To provide students with ample opportunities for cultivating their capacity for attuning to Spirit and listening to and following Spirit’s guidance in service to living a Soul-Centered life.
To involve students in an educational community in which everyone supports each other both in expressing the authenticity of who they are and also in accomplishing results in physical world reality.

The Heart of the Doctoral Program

The Doctoral Program in Spiritual Psychology with an Emphasis in Soul-Centered Leadership recognizes that in the fast-paced emerging global economy, a specific set of inter- and intra-personal skills, attitudes, and approaches to situations will be essential if one is to succeed professionally, while also making a contribution for the highest good of all. These skills, attitudes, and approaches will cut across all professions and have as a defining characteristic a spiritual orientation to life. We define learning these skills, attitudes, and approaches as learning to live a more Soul-Centered life and refer to graduates as professional Facilitators of Soul-Centered Living.

The Doctoral Program in Spiritual Psychology with an Emphasis in Soul-Centered Leadership is unique in that it educates participants in the practical application of the following core competencies.

The competent graduate:

Has a broad foundation in the discipline of Spiritual Psychology and demonstrates sound cognitive knowledge and understanding as well as mastery in effectively utilizing the theories, principles, tools, and skills of Spiritual Psychology.
Embodies the qualities that are hallmarks of a Soul-Centered Leader including authenticity, presence, compassion, integrity, courage, strength-of-heart, intuition, and wisdom.
Is accepting of Self and others, psychologically mature, aware that there is opportunity in every challenge, and trained to move from a negative to a positive focus and interpretation of all experience.
Has developed the modalities of rational/analytic thinking, metaphorical/symbolic thinking, and intuitive ways of knowing in service to effective Soul-Centered Leadership.

The competent graduate also demonstrates:

Mastery through the effective use of more than 40 Soul-Centered Basic Communication Skills.
A clear awareness that all of humanity consists of divine beings having a human experience and this awareness informs his/her attitude, choices, and actions.
Mastery as a professional Facilitator of Soul-Centered Living in effectively applying the tools and principles of Self-Facilitation in service to assisting others in the compassionate revelation of the Authentic Self through the use of techniques including: Establishing Intention, Acceptance, Taking Responsibility, Healing through Forgiveness of Self and Others, Referencing Back to Life, Gratitude, and Service.
A service orientation to life, cultivates a service consciousness, and demonstrates the ability to successfully produce results and to make a meaningful contribution in the world.
A well-developed facility for recognizing challenges as opportunities to be used for growth, learning, and upliftment when viewed through the lens of the Soul’s journey, the evolution of consciousness, and a learning orientation to life.
Comprehension of basic research attitudes, designs, and methodology, and has successfully designed and completed their own research project as part of their dissertation.
The ability to “walk the talk” as a Soul-Centered Leader; they demonstrate congruence between their vision, values, and actions.
The ability to facilitate the upward flow of consciousness while simultaneously facilitating individuals, groups, and/or organizations into greater alignment with their stated goals and values.
Personal discipline necessary for effective Soul-Centered Leadership including establishing and accomplishing goals, making and keeping agreements, utilizing the skills of effective project management, etc., that support making a meaningful contribution in the world.
The hallmarks of Spirit-Led Leadership: a well-developed capacity for attuning to Spirit, listening, and following Spirit’s inspiration and guidance.
Awareness of and mastery in transforming the shadow side of Soul-Centered Leadership and nurturing the authentic empowerment of Soul-Centered Leadership within their own consciousness.
Integration of the professional ethics of Soul-Centered Leadership and Facilitating Soul-Centered Living.
Effective skills of critical thinking and writing.
The ultimate competency of a Soul-Centered Leader and professional Facilitator of Soul-Centered Living: an unconditionally loving consciousness.

The integration of knowledge and skills acquired throughout the Program are measured by the successful completion of a Doctoral Comprehensive Examination and applied Dissertation.

For more information about the Psy.D. Programs in Spiritual Psychology, please see the USM Catalogue, pages 40-54.