Wisdom University

infobox University
name = Wisdom University


established = 1996
type = Private, Non-profit, Graduate
president = Jim Garrison
faculty = 12 "chairs," 38 adjunct
students = ???
city = flagicon|USA San Francisco
state = California
free_label = Accreditation |free = World Association of Universities and Colleges, the Accreditation Commission International (ACI). NB: Not regionally accredited
campus = Urban
website = [http://www.wisdomuniversity.org www.wisdomuniversity.org]

Wisdom University is a private graduate school headquartered in San Francisco. Founded in 1996 by theologian Matthew Fox, the school offers spiritual education of a mystical or New Age nature. Classes are held in San Francisco and several other U.S. cities, as well as certain overseas locations such as Chartres (chosen for its spiritual energies).

Its predominantly part-time faculty include a number of well-known figures, including Stanislav Grof, Raymond Moody, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Bruce Chilton, Rupert Sheldrake, and Alex Grey. [ [https://www.wisdomuniversity.org/faculty.htm Wisdom University - Personal Transformation, Wisdom Studies, Wisdom Spirituality, Emerging Wisdom Culture, Cultural Creatives, Sacred Activism, Deep Ecumenism, Chartres, Mystery School, Wisdom School ] ] The school has not received regional accreditation, but claims recognition from several accreditation mills.

Wisdom University is not to be confused with Ageless Wisdom University (Scottsdale, Arizona), or New Wisdom University (Chicago).

History

For many years, Matthew Fox taught through the Institute for Culture and Creation Spirituality, which he founded and directed. From 1977 to 1983, this institute operated under the auspices of the Mundelein College (a now-defunct Roman Catholic women's college in Chicago), after which it relocated to Holy Names College (a Catholic institution in Oakland, California). The program was shut down in 1991 by the order of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who would later become Pope Benedict XVI. In 1996, Fox and his faculty supporters founded a new institution--the University of Creation Spirituality, also in Oakland (now San Francisco).

Wisdom University adopted its present name in 2005. The name-change was the initiative of incoming president James Garrison, who felt that "Creation Spirituality" reflected specifically Christian preoccupations, and was therefore a poor match for the school's global, ecumenical outlook.

piritual philosophy

Although Wisdom University "does not discriminate on the basis of religion," Student handbook, p. 6 ] the school adheres to a certain spiritual perspective which its literature calls "emerging wisdom culture" (after a phrase from sociologist and WU faculty member Paul H. Ray). [ Student handbook, p. 3 ] and aims at "personal and professional transformation" . Where the major Western religions draw a distinction between reason and revelation, Wisdom University seeks to integrate these, citing the example of the ancient Greeks. [ From the "About Wisdom University" page of the school website. ] Accordingly, the school seeks to juxtapose "intellectual rigor, artistic expression, and mind/body development." [ Ibid., p. 8 ] .

Two types of ecumenical spiritual practice are required of all students: "Body Prayer" (thirty minutes in the morning) and "Art as Meditation" (offered afternoons). In addition, students end their day with a "process session" (intimate group discussion). Doctoral dissertations must demonstrate "subject / object synthesis" (i.e., show that the student has engaged on an inner spiritual journey). [ Student handbook, p. 14 ]

In the past, the school has included "social justice" among its principles, apparently with the expectation that students would adopt a left-wing political stance. In 2005, WU envisioned establishing a "Center for the Study of Religious Fundamentalism," aimed specifically at the "American Christian evangelical Right" [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20050420142014/www.wisdomuniversity.org/centerSRF.html About Us ] ] This center has not yet been created.

Method of Tuition

Some residence is required. For example, Ph.D. students must complete 12 five-day intensives. [Student handbook, p. 12 ] Most teaching takes place in the form of such intensives. "Pilgrimages" (tours) are another method. The school states that "Because of its commitment to integrated learning, Wisdom University does not offer any distance learning opportunities." [ Student handbook, p. 9]

Degrees

Wisdom University offers the following degrees:

*the Doctor of Philosophy in Wisdom Studies
*the Doctor of Ministry in Wisdom Spirituality
*the Master of Arts in::Wisdom Spirituality::Indigenous Mind::Art and Healing
*Certificates in ::Archetypal Studies and Projective Dream Work::Art of Spiritual Direction::Art and Healing::Nature, Trauma and the Soul

For doctoral students, the university suggests the following concentrations: [ Student handbook, pp. 13-14]

:*Advanced theology:*Conscious evolution:*Emerging wisdom culture:*Energy medicine:*Holotropic Breathwork / transpersonal psychotherapy:*Indigenous mind:*Social artistry:*The art of spiritual direction:*"Wisdom Studies" (i.e., more than one of the above)

Partners

Wisdom University has entered into "partnerships" with several institutions, for the purpose of limited mutual credit-recognition. Four are organizations founded by Wisdom's chair professors:

:Caroline Myss [ [http://www.myss.com/CMED/home/ Caroline Myss Educational Institute (CMED)] "Caroline Myss Educational Institute (CMED)" Official website.] :Stanislav Grof:Jean Houston:Lauren Artress

Other institutional partnerships include:

:The [http://sophiafoundation.org Sophia Foundation] :The [http://www.chaplaincyinstitute.org/ Chaplaincy Institute] : [http://www.onespiritinterfaith.org/osla_staff.htm One Spirit Interfaith Seminary]

In 1999, the school established an educational partnership with Naropa University (Fox then being the co-director of its Oakland branch), and offered an (accredited) Master of Liberal Arts in Creation Spirituality. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20001020071230/creationspirituality.com/dmin.shtml University of Creation Spirituality - Oakland, California, USA ] ] This relationship with Naropa no longer exists, nor does the degree.

Accreditation

In answer to the FAQ "Are you accredited?" the school offers the following explanation:

:"Yes, Wisdom University is licensed by the state of California, is accredited by the World Association of Universities and Colleges, and the Accreditation Commission International (ACI). These are international accrediting bodies. The World Association of Universities and Colleges, for instance, is registered with UNESCO, and ACI consists of nearly 350 schools in eight different countries. This is important to Wisdom University because we aspire to be a global learning community, holding classes not only in the United States and Canada but also in Europe and other parts of the world. Our international accreditation, however, is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, which only accredits American schools operating in the United States. This means that although we are accredited, our students cannot receive U.S. Federal student loans."

:"You might be interested in knowing that the fastest growing sector in United States is the non-accredited sector. This is because the accredited sector (meaning accredited by the U.S. Department of Education) is increasingly paralyzed and incapable of adapting to a rapidly changing world. Thus growing numbers of corporations and even officially accredited schools are developing non-accredited learning mechanisms to enable them to address rapidly evolving student demands."

A more truthful answer would be "No." In the United States, "accreditation" generally refers to "regional" accreditation, which Wisdom University does not have. The various authorities which have recognized them are widely considered to be less rigorous than regional accrediting bodies such as WASC. In fact the first of WU's claimed accreditors, the "World Association of Universities and Colleges" has recognized several outright diploma mills. The second, "Accreditation Commission International (ACI)", appears to be of the same nature, and has a history of fraudulent activity. John Bear reports that in a previous incarnation, the ACI recognized a school which listed as faculty members the Three Stooges, plus the pig from "Green Acres". [ [http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/dm3.html Accrediting Commission International ] ]

Links

[http://www.wisdomuniversity.org Official site]

References