Go Deep to Go Far
PhD in Wisdom Studies
Our PhD program is open to a spectrum of disciplines and interests. It aims to address a range of challenges and opportunities in virtually every area of human and ecological life. Our doctoral program is dedicated to helping you to find your unique and well-researched contribution to shaping and co-creating a new global civilization in which the human species acts as responsible and respectful stewards of our larger planetary ecosystem.
The PhD in Wisdom Studies encourages you to draw on the insights from the world’s wisdom traditions, find their relevance to today’s world and add your unique perspective to the field.
Upon completion of Ubiquity’s Doctoral Program, you will be awarded the title “Doctor of Philosophy.” This is one of the highest honors society bestows and indicates respect and acknowledgement for an expertise that the larger community can count on for integrity and professional competence.
What motivated you to do a Ph.D. program?
As spirituality became more central in my life, I felt the need to deepen my knowledge and practice. I already had a Master’s degree, so it seemed natural to take the next step. Ubiquity University provided the perfect environment to nurture my mind and soul.
Why was it a good experience?
To call my experience at UU good would be a colossal understatement. The Ph.D. program profoundly transformed my life for the better. There isn’t another school that could have done so. I am a more loving, whole, and wise person because of my studies. I am forever grateful.
Juan Carlos Arean, Ph.D. in Wisdom Studies
At every level in the doctoral process, you will be supported. You will be required to take certain core courses and will have the freedom to design the rest of your program in consultation with your mentors and the Dean of Graduate Studies.
You can select courses from either inside Ubiquity or outside Ubiquity. This means that if there is a course you need to take that is offered through another institution, you are free to do so. Ubiquity’s in-person courses are also available for doctoral credit.
This PhD Degree is composed of 60 credits:
- Core and elective courses (24 Credits)
- Dissertation (36 Credits)
3 core courses (11 Credits):
- The Creative Journey to Dissertation: Finding Your Voice, Making Your Mark (Gyorgyi Szabo, PhD – UU – online) (4 credits)
- Chartres Academy (UU – in-person/Virtual 1 or Virtual 2) (4 credits)
- Great Books (3 credits)
An additional 13 credits must be earned through course work approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.
The rules guiding our assignment collection and grading process can be found here: Ubiquity University Grading Policy
Admissions Process: Complete an initial interview with our Dean of Graduate Studies, then submit all materials prior to registering for courses.
All doctoral students must submit:
- Transcript of completed Master’s Degree that clearly displays title of your major, date of graduation, list of courses taken and grades received
- Essay indicating your educational goals and the area of research you want to explore
- Your most recent resume/CV
Pre-requisites
The Prerequisite for the PhD is a Master’s Degree in any field. We will need to see a transcript with proof of graduation (a copy of a diploma page only is not sufficient).
(Given the requirement to have a Master’s degree before pursuing a PhD degree, we also have a combined MA/PhD in Wisdom Studies [LINK] enabling you to get your MA qualification first and then continue studies toward your PhD. This program is composed of 80 credits consisting of 44 credits earned from online or in-person courses, and a dissertation worth 36 credits. Please discuss with the Dean of Graduate Studies.)
Tuition and Fees
Total PhD Credits and Fees for the whole Program is approximately $18,000 for 60 credit fees ($300 per credit), Dissertation fee, Major Advisor fee, and External Examiner fee. You pay course fees as you go for the courses, whether they are Ubiquity courses or courses from another institution*. The dissertation fees must be paid in full prior to dissertation defense. Payment plans for the dissertation fees portion are available. For more information about the dissertation process itself, please see our Dissertation Manual.
Learn more about the program in our Ubiquity University Student Handbook
Information about how we process refund or cancellation requests can be found here: Refund and Cancellation Policy.
*In addition to the cost of credits for each course, students will need to pay the basic cost for courses. This amount will vary if courses are taken from outside Ubiquity as Independent Study.
Ubiquity University is a global University for inner and outer regeneration. Our mission is grounded in the reality that history has reached a critical moment and people everywhere need to be nurtured to develop new, conscious mindsets, skillsets and toolsets to solve global challenges.
Ubiquity University is different. We are built for people who understand that the current global paradigm is unsustainable. We believe that meeting systemic threats such as climate change depends on the creation of empowered individuals who have done the inner work needed to prepare them to do right and do well in the world.
What our students say
I got my start with Ubiquity when I attended Chartres Academy for several summer sessions, which I found to be stimulating, and transformational. The teachers, and lectures were quite profound, and were very accessible to the students. Through my course work, and interactions with many people attending Chartres Academy I began to be interested in the programs of study offered by Ubiquity University, especially Integral Transpersonal Psychology. My career had been in music, yet I was looking for ways to integrate my skills incorporating Integral Transpersonal Psychology. I grew immensely, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally under the guidance of my teachers, and fellow students from all over the world.
I loved working on my dissertation and highly valued working on something that I was very passionate about. In this process I found my own voice to be able to fully express my truth in the world.
I chose Ubiquity University’s PhD program because of the flexibility and freedom to concentrate on coursework that would support my research on ancient wisdom. The Chartres pilgrimage was a profound and transpersonal experience. The faculty was very supportive and I especially enjoyed the diverse community, and like-mind connections – many of which I am still friends with today.
My initial motivation to engage with a Ph.D. program at Ubiquity University was that Ubiquity’s educational model is grounded in the world’s wisdom traditions. Therefore I pursued my passion for engaging in in-depth research into the field of study involving the Early Buddhist approach to developing wisdom. The process allowed a deep dive into this topic from multiple angles, including practice, study, and textual exegesis. It was a life-transforming challenge filled with many rewards and insights.
I found it was an expanding experience, broadening my knowledge, understanding and perspectives. I particularly like the way in which students are required to incorporate what they learn into day to day life and explore what this might mean, anchoring academic theory into praxis. I also enjoyed the encouragement and challenge of my PhD supervisor who provided tangible value to my thesis. The environment was very supportive from the academic staff, the administrative staff and fellow students.
Entering into a PhD Program at Ubiquity in Wisdom Studies was an incredible experience and supported the ways that I learned best. This was absolutely the right program for me. I felt seen, heard, connected, and supported throughout my educational journey.
Reasons to do a Ph.D. are as diverse as PhD topics. For pursuing a doctorate, it could be about to start or advance a research in a particular field one is passionate about, follow a scientific or philosophical curiosity, openness and drive to improve oneself and learn new skills. One of the other strong reasons is the desire to make an original contribution to a specific subject. After all, this is a defining quality of a Ph.D. that sets it apart from other university qualifications. The aim is to create something new and significant that will stand alongside the work of previous scholars as well as affect and influence humankind’s evolution towards a more coherent, conscious, peaceful and just world for all.
Co-directors
Examples of Dissertations from our Students
Mother Earth: A Global Myth for a Planet in Crisis by Jennifer Sundeen DMin
This dissertation rests on two presuppositions: That myth is an inherent aspect of human society, and that we are a global society without an adequate universal mythology.
The Creative Journey to Dissertation
Finding Your Voice, Making your Mark
The “Creative Journey to Dissertation” is a 1-week intensive designed by our Dean of Graduate Studies Dr. Gyorgyi Szabo. The course is a critical part of the dissertation writing process and is a requirement for all MA candidates.
Faculty: Gyorgyi Szabo
Support during your Graduate Program
During your graduate dissertation writing you will be supported by a Major Advisor of your own choosing, as well as optional writing courses and writing mentorship.
