Program Overview
The MA in Psychology at Meridian University offers coursework drawing on spiritual traditions, somatic practices, creative arts, mythology, indigenous wisdom, literary and poetic imagination, deep ecology, mystical philosophy, cultural history, and social critique. Students use this foundation to activate core capacities and develop skills they can carry into a wide range of professional directions, including coaching, education, leadership, and the arts.
The program offers concentrations including Depth Psychology, Transpersonal Psychology, Somatic Psychology, Integral Psychology, Expressive and Movement Arts, Developmental Coaching, and Collective Trauma and Social Healing. At the heart of the curriculum sits Imaginal Psychology, a distinct orientation students learn to work with and to situate among the major schools of the field.
The program takes its own approach to transformative learning, treating the transformation of identity, personal life, and professional life as connected work. Embodiment, meaning-making, and community-making are developed as critical dimensions of creative participation in contemporary society. The degree runs 18 to 24 months in Online and Hybrid formats, with quarterly enrollment and in-person sessions at Meridian's Los Angeles Campus for hybrid students.
Hear from Meridian student, Michelle G., a year and a half into the MA in Psychology. She talks about the cohort culture, moving through the program with the same group of people, and how the learning asked her to stay present with whatever came up in the room. She describes leaving with that capacity at a different level than when she arrived.
Read about the experiences of our students and alumni as they navigate graduate study.
"So far, my experience has been pretty phenomenal. It’s an incredible program. One of the things that’s really special about Meridian is the cohort culture. What’s called for is your presence, to be with the as-is in the moment, and to allow whatever’s in the room to arise without trying to fix, move, or change it. That capacity, I felt like I came into Meridian with, but I’m going to be leaving at a whole other level of ability to do that. The learning here is kind of meant to throw you for a loop and let you sit in that, and when you come out the other side, there’s a transformation that’s taken place."
"I didn’t really know what to expect when I came here. I guess I expected that things would be very personal and that there would be a lot of depth in the work. That has met my expectation. I hoped that it would be really fun, but it’s even more fun than I expected. That’s been a wonderful and pleasant surprise. I’m called to this work in Psychology, and so now it’s like I’m answering and I get to, in a sense, come home to something I’ve been moving toward for all my existence. So, I feel so grateful and blessed to be able to study that and to have access to all the things I’m doing here."
"I chose Meridian for a lot of different reasons. I know that I can slam through a traditional curriculum; I've done it my whole academic career. But, I almost want to say that there was a sense of a calling to try something different. It just didn't seem like an interesting enough idea to pursue a PhD in the same way that I've pursued all of my prior education. I was attracted to a lot of things about Meridian that I knew would be particularly challenging for me, which is that transformational learning platform. Participation and being asked to become vulnerable around certain topics has been an exciting challenge."
Program Pillars
Meridian's MA in Psychology combines transformative learning with a rich curriculum to prepare students for paths in coaching, education, leadership, and the arts.
Coursework draws on spiritual traditions, somatic practice, creative arts, mythology, indigenous wisdom, deep ecology, cultural history, and social critique.
Students develop creative inquiry practices, examine their own culturally shaped perceptual lenses, and strengthen the skills to bring fresh perspectives into their professional work.
The program nurtures imagination, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence, forming compassionate educational leaders who navigate complex challenges with integrity and wisdom.
Find clear, practical information here
Designed for people drawn to the study of the psyche beyond the clinical track, who want to bring psychological depth into coaching, education, leadership, the arts, or community work.
Yes. Students typically complete the program in 18 to 24 months alongside professional work, through online learning or a hybrid format with in-person classes in Los Angeles.
Students complete 64 credits, equal to 640 hours of coursework, and have up to five years from initial enrollment to finish the degree.
Apply online with official transcripts, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Applications are accepted quarterly, and Meridian's admissions team will support you through each step.
Need more information about the MEd?
Connect with Meridian's team to learn more about the MA program, ask questions, or start your application.