History
California Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (1975–1986)
The institution was originally known as the ''California Institute of Transpersonal Psychology'', one of several transpersonally-oriented institutions formed in the 1970s.Chinen, Allan B. "The Emergence of Transpersonal Psychiatry", in Scotton, Bruce W., Chinen, Allan B. and Battista, John R., Eds. (1996) Textbook of Transpersonal Psychiatry and Psychology. New York: Basic Books.Taylor, Eugene (1992) "Transpersonal Psychology: Its Several Virtues". ''The Humanistic Psychologist'', Vol. 20, Nos. 2 and 3, pp. 285–300 The founders, Robert Frager and James Fadiman, wanted to offer the perspectives of east/west psychology alongside personal, therapeutic and spiritual disciplines, all within a community context. In 1980 Jungian analystInstitute of Transpersonal Psychology (1986–2012)
In 1986, there was a minor change of name, and the institution emerged as the ''Institute of Transpersonal Psychology''. By 1989, the institute had grown to offer a range of residential masters and doctoral programs, as well as external masters and certificate programs. It also oversaw the activities of a Transpersonal Counseling Center and hosted the ''Spiritual Emergence Network''. In 1992, the institute was granted candidacy by WASC.WASC Team Report. "Report to Sofia University of the Special Visit Site Team", December 16, 2016 Also, that same year, William G. Braud and Rosemarie Anderson joined the core faculty at the institution.Anderson, R. (2018). Toward a sacred science—Reflecting forward. ''The Humanistic Psychologist'', 46(1), 1–5. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/hum0000079 Braud later served as research director at the institute, as well as co-director of the institute's ''William James Center for Consciousness Studies''.Radin, Dean; Rae, Colleen; Hyman, Ray. "Is There a Sixth Sense?" ''Psychology Today'', July 1, 2000 In 1997, the institute was given initial accreditation by WASC. In 1998, Braud and Anderson released the book ''Transpersonal Research Methods for the Social Sciences: Honoring Human Experience,'' which sought to establish the field of transpersonal (or transformative) research methods.Braud, William and Anderson, Rosemary (1998). ''Transpersonal Research Methods for the Social Sciences – Honoring Human Experience''. SAGE Publications, Inc In 2002, it was reported that 410 students were enrolled in the fall semester at the institute. This included students enrolled in the institute's online program. At this time the institute offered programs in psychology and counseling, with an emphasis on both traditional and non-traditional psychological and spiritual models of instruction. Other certificate programs were also gradually established, such as the certificate in Spiritual Direction. WASC accreditation was reaffirmed in 2007 and in 2011Sofia University (2012–present)
In 2012, there was a new change of name, and also a change of academic profile. The Board of Trustees decided that the new official name of the institution was to be ''Sofia University''.Institute of Transpersonal Psychology Becomes Sofia University. Palo Alto, CA (PRWEB) July 16, 2012 The re-branding came with a transition from institute to university, and the institution now offered both undergraduate and graduate programs. Academic programs became structured according to three main orientations: the Graduate School of Transpersonal Studies, the Graduate School of Clinical & Spiritual Psychology and the School of Undergraduate Studies. In the mainstream press the institution was, by this time, associated with the concept of spiritual psychology.Otterman, Sharon. "Merging Spirituality and Clinical Psychology at Columbia". ''New York Times'', August 9, 2012 In 2013, the school had 526 full-time-equivalent students. Liz Li was appointed president in 2014, and became the first female president of the institution. Her successor was Barry Ryan. As of 2015 the university was reaccredited for an additional seven years by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Dr. Peter Bemski became president in January 2018.Sofia University Press Release. Dr. Peter Bemski Appointed as New President. Sofia University Enters New Stage of DevelopmentAcademics
The university comprises four schools: the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, the School of Technology and Engineering, the School of Business, and the School of Transformative Education. The school has broadened to include studies in computer science, including artificial intelligence, human computer interaction, big data and software design; applying transpersonal principles to real-world disciplines.Notes
:a. ''New York Times'' correction as of August 17, 2012, states that the original article (Otterman, 2012), in some editions, misidentified Sofia University/Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto (California) with the Institute for Transpersonal Studies in Santa Cruz (California).See also
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External links
* {{authority control Organizations based in Palo Alto, California Universities and colleges in Santa Clara County, California Educational institutions established in 1975 Schools accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Buildings and structures in Palo Alto, California Transpersonal studies For-profit universities and colleges in the United States Private universities and colleges in California