Sofia University is internationally recognized as a leader in transformational research and teaching. The University cultivates leaders and is dedicated to academic excellence with a shared commitment to authenticity, inclusivity, cultural humility, ecological stewardship, and service to others.

Online Learning for the Betterment of Humanity

Sofia University, home of the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (ITP), was founded in 1975 by Dr. Robert Frager. Originally focused on residential masters and doctoral psychology students, demand for the degrees prompted ITP in 1985 to introduce its first distance education Global Masters in Transpersonal Psychology program. The success of the correspondence distance program was greatly improved with the advent of the internet and true online courses, which allowed faculty to provide a strong collaborative learning environment in which students communicated with each other, as well as the college instructors. Showcasing the success of the online platform is the Global PhD in Psychology program, which is ranked in the top 20 best online psychology programs for 2017 – 2018.

Approximately 39% of Sofia University students are currently enrolled in online only degree programs. Courses are offered through Canvas, a learning management platform that provides mobile-friendly and asynchronous learning. Students are able to discuss assignments, deliberate over key transpersonal topics, build rapport with staff, and heighten their intellectual awareness of several academic subjects.

A Key to Success – Participatory Learning

The University believes that participatory education is the key to effective e-learning. Close learning communities are formed at in-person seminars, where students can meet with one another and creatively express their academic passions. College instructors provide weekly feedback and new learning opportunities through intellectually stimulating assignments. Such tasks require learners to access multidisciplinary ways of responding to information that would incorporate critical thinking and reflective responses, such as creative expression and recent technological innovations. As such, Sofia has optimized computer interaction capabilities and incorporated modern media to disseminate information about the transpersonal mission. Doing so has allowed students to reach their full potential by working on interpersonal relationships and spiritual connections.

Courses Offered by Sofia University

Each program and online course provided by Sofia University is academically rigorous; experiential learning is supported by a strong online community. Their exemplary psychology programs under the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (ITP) provide carefully designed, meaningful, holistic and transformative curricula that include cutting-edge research and theory in transpersonal psychology that focuses on human traditions and self-discovery. Students can progress from a Bachelor’s to a Doctorate degree, and accelerate through programs by combining their coursework from previous institutions. This enables them to undertake rigorous classes at more advanced levels while incorporating their new knowledge in professional work.

ITP provides a BA in Psychology, MA degrees in Transpersonal Psychology and Counseling Psychology and Doctorate level programs, such as the PhD in Transpersonal Psychology and the PsyD in Clinical Psychology. Sofia also provides certificates in Creative Expression, Spiritual Psychology, Transformational Life Coaching, Transpersonal Ecopsychology and Transpersonal Studies.

The School of Business and Social Entrepreneurship offers a Master’s of Business Administration online/onsite (MBA) and a Master’s of Business Administration (MBAO) that is the first Sofia program to be offered completely online and in the Chinese language, providing an opportunity for overseas students to earn a fully accredited MBA degree from a university based in the United States.

The School of Technology and Engineering offers an MS degree in Computer Science that incorporates transpersonal practices with technological innovation along with a Certificate in Unmanned Aircraft Computing. Finally, the School of Transformative Education offers a Master’s of Education in Transformational Arts.

Sofia University Accreditations

Sofia University is accredited by the nation’s premier regional accreditation body for higher education, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), since 1998. Through its rigorous review process, WASC has confirmed that Sofia University possesses the resources, policies, and practices to achieve its educational goals, and shows a dedication to the improvement and accountability of its programs. In 2015, Sofia was approved for an additional 7 years on its accreditation status.

Some Distinguished Alumni from Sofia University

The life of a university can be measured both by the success of its graduates and by its physical growth. Students come to Sofia with diverse ambitions and dreams. Alumni report that their experiences as students have been transformational on many levels, and assert that the curriculum is unique with regard to how it addresses humanity’s largest modern problems.

Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. and Stefanie Goldstein, Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology, graduated from The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology at Sofia University. They are currently the Co-Founders of The Center for Mindful Living in West Los Angeles.

Laura Bakosh, Ph.D. alumna and Co-Founder of Inner Explorer, provides mindfulness in schools. She recently received a $10,000 grant from AETNA to put this program in Florida schools. Laura says, “My time at Sofia University with the commitment to whole person education, has proven critical in my ability to co-found this nonprofit company and most importantly, help children succeed in school and ultimately in life.”

An Education that Incorporates All Aspects of Human Existence? Yes!

Dr. Robert Frager, Founder of the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology at Sofia University in 1975, set out to create a school of psychology that would fully prepare psychologists to understand human nature from an approach that transcends the pathological and encompasses the whole human being in the context of culture, physical health, mental health, and spiritual health. As a graduate from Harvard, Frager directly experienced the conventional approach to modern psychology practices and found them to be lacking and fragmented.  Today, Sofia University continues to add new programs and broaden its academic focus by applying transpersonal values to research, education, technology, and engineering.