Degree & Certificate Programs

All of EI’s courses of study and programs have the New Thought metaphysical philosophy as a foundation, incorporating universal spiritual principles as found in world religions and teachings. EI takes pride in its spiritually-oriented programs and its emphasis on spiritual and personal growth.

This means that spirituality-based, non-academic, degrees are offered. Students desiring academically approved degrees should enroll in universities and colleges offering such degrees.

Certificate Programs Offered

EI certificate programs provide the credentials needed to work as a practitioner, chaplain, minister, or teacher.

All Emerson programs are based on Prior Learning Experience, so students may enroll in a program having already completed some of the course requirements through other means. All courses listed in the Catalog, therefore, may be considered as “this, or equivalent study.” A Letter of Review is provided upon enrollment to determine which, if any, course requirements have been completed.

New Thought Practitioner Credential

Introduces and develops practice in applying New Thought principles, leading to demonstrations of effective treatments in the 3rd year, and spiritual leadership training in the 4th year.

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees

Requirements for Completion

  • The EI Foundation program classes for Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.
  • Completion of a written examination
  • Signing the Code of Ethics for Practitioners

New Thought Minister Credential

Provides the foundation for, and experience in, service and leadership in a pulpit, community, or focus ministry, based on New Thought principles and practice.

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.
  • Completion of an oral examination and a written examination, and signing the Code of Ethics for practitioners

Requirements for Completion

  • Completion of 1 year residency in an active New Thought ministry
  • Completion of 12 units of classwork in the PS500 range, or equivalent
  • Completion of a written examination 
  • Completion of an oral examination 
  • Signing of the Code of Ethics for Ministers

Interfaith New Thought Minister Credential

Integrates practices from the many faith traditions of the world into the practice of a New Thought Minister.

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.
  • Completion of 1 year residency in an active New Thought ministry
  • Completion of 12 units of classwork focusing on World Faith Traditions, or equivalent
  • Completion of a written examination 
  • Completion of an oral examination 
  • Signing of the Code of Ethics for Ministers

Requirements for Completion

  • Completion of a 5th year (30 credit units) of classes in the IF600 range, focusing on the world’s faith traditions
  • Acceptance of a project or written examination integrating the material, following EI’s guidelines for papers and reports.

Sacred Interspecies Relationships Credentials

These honor the interconnected web of life that we’re part of with all species, applying New Thought practices & principles, and provides the credential to foster and support the sacred relationship between species as what is called Animal Bereavement Facilitator and “Animal Chaplain.”

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.
  • Completion of 1 year residency in an active New Thought ministry
  • Completion of an oral examination and a written examination
  • Signing the Code of Ethics for practitioners

Requirements for Completion – Animal Bereavement Facilitator

  • Completion of requisite coursework in the Passmore Animal Chaplain program

Requirements for Completion – Chaplain of Sacred Interspecies Relationships

  • Completion of requisite coursework in the IR700 range.
  • 1 Year practicum.

Expressive Arts Minister Credential

Integrates visual and performing arts into the practice of a New Thought Minister.

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.
  • Completion of 1 year residency in an active New Thought ministry
  • Completion of 12 units of classwork in the 500 range (see p. 26-27), or equivalent
  • Completion of a written examination 
  • Completion of an oral examination 
  • Signing of the Code of Ethics for Ministers

Requirements for completion

  • Completion of a 5th year of study in the WS840-899 range, focused on Expressive Arts in Ministry
  • Acceptance of a project and written examination integrating the material.

Degree Programs Offered

Many professionals find that additional study can enrich their personal, spiritual, and professional lives. Emerson’s degree programs are designed to provide support for all levels of interest and activity.

All Emerson programs are based on Prior Learning Experience, so that students may enroll in a program having already completed some of the required classes through other means. A Letter of Review is provided upon enrollment to determine which, if any, course requirements have been completed.

Practical Spiritual Studies 

Emphasizes New Thought principles, practice, and history, within the context of the Judeo-Christian tradition and Western culture in which it was formed.

Bachelor of Practical Spiritual Studies (BPS)

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Completion of 2 years of general education requirements, including at least 3 classes in each of the following fields: history, social sciences, sciences, literature, the arts, philosophy, language (at least 2 classes in a non-English language, may include a linguistics or communications class), mathematics.

Requirements for Completion

  • Completion of the EI Foundation program Year One, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.

Master of Practical Spiritual Studies (MPS)

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program coursework Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.

Requirements for Completion

Doctor of Practical Spiritual Studies (PSD)

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.
  • A Master’s degree

Requirements for Completion

  1. 1 year (30 credit units) PS500 level Classes
  2. Acceptance of a written dissertation or equivalent project making a unique contribution to the fieldl, following EI’s guidelines for papers and reports..

Interfaith Studies

Broadens experience and understanding of the world’s faith traditions and their core spiritual base. Makes it possible for New Thought ministers to offer services within some other faith traditions.

Master of Interfaith Studies (MIS)

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program coursework Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.

Requirements for Completion

Doctor of Interfaith Studies (ISD)

Prerequisites for enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.
  • A Master’s degree

Requirements for Completion

Sacred Interspecies Relationship Studies

The Sacred Interspecies Relationships program addresses the interactions between humans and the other species that share this planet with us. Particular attention is paid to those beings we call “pets” and the range of actions and emotions associated with caring for, living with, and grieving the passing on of beings of other species.

Master of Interspecies Relationship Studies (MIR)

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program coursework Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.
  • The Chaplain of Sacred Interspecies Relationships credential

Requirements for Completion

Doctor of Sacred Interspecies Relationship Studies (IRD)

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.
  • The Chaplain of Sacred Interspecies Relationships credential
  • A Master’s degree

Requirements for Completion

  • 1 year (30 credit units) IR700 level Classes
  • Acceptance of a written dissertation or equivalent project making a unique contribution to the field, following EI’s guidelines for papers and reports.

Wisdom Studies

The Wisdom Studies program deepens the student’s understandings of wellbeing in the 5 aspects of human existence: physical, social, emotional, financial/material, and spiritual.

Master of Wisdom Studies (MWs)

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program coursework Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.

Requirements for Completion

Doctor of Wisdom Studies (WsD)

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.
  • A Master’s degree

Requirements for Completion

Transcendent Studies

The Transcendent Studies program provides an opportunity for the student to explore the Transcendental roots of New Thought, including mysticism and alchemy, and develop skills that allow them to experience the Oneness of all that Is.

Master of Transcendent Studies (MTs)

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program coursework Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.

Requirements for Completion

Doctor of Transcendent Studies (TsD)

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.
  • A Master’s degree

Requirements for Completion

Doctor of Divinity

Provides practicing ministers an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and expand their offerings; after 5 years of leadership in ministry.

Doctor of Divinity (DD)

Prerequisites for Enrollment

  • Completion of Enrollment Application and payment of fees
  • Completion of the EI Foundation program Years One – Four, with all assignments and instructor reviews completed.
  • A Master’s degree
  • A Minister’s Credential
  • 5 years of experience in the pulpit or field

Requirements for Completion

  • Written examination

Enrichment Learning Programs (Non Degree)

Students are welcome to enroll in Emerson Institute and take courses that fit with their personal needs, beliefs, interests and steps towards self-actualization. Emerson Institute classes may be taken for choices towards personal growth and not necessarily leading to a degree. If, at a later time, a student decides to pursue a degree or credential, the courses already taken will be considered for credit in all the degree programs.

Emerson Institute also offers classes and workshops outside of its degree programs that are designed to provide specific skills and understandings to a broader audience. Again, if, at a later time, a student decides to pursue a degree or credential, the courses already taken will be considered for credit in all EI degree programs.

CLICK HERE to Enroll today

2025 Commencement Ceremony

Accreditation Information

Emerson Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission International. This is a church-related accreditation, not an academic one. Students taking classes through Emerson Theological Institute should not assume that credits will be accepted by secular schools, colleges, businesses, or governmental agencies. It is the responsibility of the student to check with schools, businesses, and other institutions to determine if EI credits will be accepted, prior to taking classes.

Emerson Theological Institute is owned, operated and controlled by The Emerson New Thought Center of Central California, Inc., a 501c3 non-denominational New Thought church. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission International for Schools, Colleges and Theological Seminaries. With its executive offices in Arkansas, the ACI currently accredits over 200 religious schools and colleges in 33 states in the United States and in 11 countries on five continents.

Emerson Theological Institute
PO Box 2127 40359 Hwy 41, Suite 2
Oakhurst, CA 93644
email: info@emersoninstitute.edu

Emerson Theological Institute is owned, operated, and controlled by the Emerson New Thought Center, a 501c3 New Thought Church.  It is headquartered in Oakhurst, California near beautiful Yosemite National Park, was founded by Dr. Angelo Pizelo, and operates under the direction of the Board of Trustees. Copyright Emerson Institute 2025 – All rights reserved.