California Institute for Human Science

I've been searching the net for a DL Masters in Comparative Religion or Religious Studies and I happened to come across the California Institute for Humans Science. They are CA approved and seem to be a legitimate operation.
http://www.cihs.edu/index.asp

They offer an MA in Comparative Religion & Philosophy.
http://www.cihs.edu/academic/comparative_orie.htm

If you have any, I would like to know any opinions, experiences, etc. about this school. Are (Were) they related to the University for Humanistic Studies??

BTW, I don't EVER plan to teach religion or use this degree to obtain employment so RA is not an absolute must. I am simply fascinated with learning different religions and cultures.

 

I share your interest in comparative religion and religious studies. I'm also interested in the CA-approved world.

But CIHS? I get the impression that the school is kind of a vehicle for its founder, Hiroshi Motoyama, to propound his idiosyncratic theories on subtle energies.

http://www.cihs.edu/cihs/president.asp

I might be wrong, but I suspect that the flakiness factor at this place might be fairly high. But if you are more atuned to ki-energy than I am, it might be great.

You might want to check out the University of Wales at Lampeter. They have an MA in the Study of Religions that seems to be doable by DL. You would have to verify that. It's very inexpensive and includes some interesting modules. Apparently this thing was designed for British school teachers, where Religious Education is a subject taught in the schools.

http://www.world-religions.net/

If you would be willing to specialize in Buddhism, the University of Sunderland offers a DL MA in Buddhist Studies. I believe that at least one of our Degreeinfo brethren is currently enrolled in this one. The originator of the program is Peter Harvey, a well known author in academic Buddhism.

http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/buddhist/

If you must go the CA-approved route, you might take a look at the University of Philosophical Research. It's reasonably credible and is one of the current DETC applicants. It's pretty expensive though. Their MA in Consciousness Studies resembles a degree in religious studies, built aound a consciousness theme, with stuff like Jungian psychology and parapsychology added. Phil Elwood from USC teaches here. I like it better than CIHS.

http://www.uprs.edu

You know, if you are just studying for your own interest and don't need a degree for employment purposes, perhaps you should widen your search to non-degree non-credit DL offerings. There are lots of them out there. Many are associated with practice groups and could add a whole different experiential aspect to your studies.

A few examples (out of many) that caught my eye include:

Ashoka University. This thing just started this summer, offering a variety of short inexpensive non-credit DL courses taught by an all-star lineup of teachers.

http://www.ashokaedu.net/

A serious three-year Buddhist course in the Tibetan Karma-Kagyu tradition. It appears to cost $100/class, including books. Despite not offering credit or degrees, they do have exams that you have to pass in order to progress.

http://www.nalandabodhi.org/study.homestudy.html

Learn Tibetan

http://www.tibetanlanguage.org/

Learn Sanskrit

http://www.americansanskrit.com/

 

Bill, thanks for the response. I usually thrust my own instincts when it comes to choosing a school, but I also looked at the president's homepage before I started this thread and, well, it seemed...what is the word...cultish??

Anyways, I'm looking at the UK programs that you gave me and Ashoka University. I am also looking at the DL MA in Philosophy programs at Holy Apostles College & Seminary (http://www.holyapostles.edu/)

I looked at the University of Philosophical Research earlier when they showed up on the DETC applicant list. I was very interested when looking at the program in Consciousness Studies. I don't know about their admission requirements, though. Seems a little "big brother" to me.

Again, thanks for your advice.