The Practical Spirituality (PS101) courses arethe first steps on your way to a degree at Emerson. The two six-week classes teach you the basics -- the ten core concepts of Religious Science. Shown here are a part of a recent class, co-taught by Dr. Joyce Sterling (left in white) and Rev. Dr. Maggi Butterfield-Brown (right in blue sweater) at the Oakhurst center.

The Educational Arm of the
Affiliated New Thought Network (ANTN)
Emerson Theological Institute is owned, controlled, operated and maintained by the Positive Living Center of Central California, Inc.

    Degree Programs

           Accreditation Information 
           Credit for Previous Study   
           Degree and Credential Programs

Accreditation Information

Emerson Institute is a division of the Positive Living Center Corporation of Central California, Inc. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission International for Schools, Colleges and Theological Seminaries. With  its executive offices in Beebe, Arkansas,  the ACI  currently accredits over 200 schools and colleges in 33 states in the United States and in 11 countries on five continents.

This is a church-related accreditation, not an academic one. Students taking Emerson classes should not assume that credits will be accepted by secular and other private schools, colleges, businesses, or governmental agencies. It is the responsibility of the students to check with school districts, businesses, and other institutions to determine if Emerson credits will be accepted prior to taking classes.

Credit for Previous Study

Emerson will give credit for previous studies successfully completed through other schools, and, in some situations, work experience, seminars, and workshops related to the major field of study.

To receive credit supporting documentation must accompany application for admission. See Enrollment for complete information

Degree and Credential Programs

All of Emerson's courses of study and programs have the New Thought belief system as a foundation. It  incorporates universal spiritual principles as found in world religions and teachings. 

Emerson takes pride in its spiritually-oriented programs and its emphasis on solid spiritual and personal growth. Spiritually-based, not academic, degrees are thus offered. Students desiring academic degrees (such as Ph.D., M.A., B.S., etc.) should enroll in  private or state colleges offering such degrees.

The Institute offers instructional tracts as follows:

Certificate of Completion in
Practical Spirituality

• Practitioner Credential

• Ministerial Credential, Interfaith
• Ministerial Credential, Religious Science

Degrees

• Bachelor of Religious Studies

• Master of Religious Studies
• Doctor of Religious Studies
• Doctor of Spiritual Studies
• Doctor of Divinity