Exploring Jungian Concepts
Certificate Program Director: Alan Vaughan, PhD, JD
C.G. Jung's insights into the human condition, the operations of the psyche, and implications for cultural expression are as relevant in the early 21st century as they were in the early 20th. The Jungian Studies certificate focuses intensely on his collected works.
The goal of this certificate is to introduce students to the primary materials, promote understanding of concepts and their practical applications, and deepen their insight into the processes of both the personal and the cultural psyche. Seminars will also explore key challenges to Jung's ideas and will maintain a critical as well as a hermeneutical perspective on his theory. As with other influential intellectuals, Carl Jung, the person, remains a controversial figure. Analytic psychology continues to be changed and enriched through open dialog with critical voices.
The curriculum is designed to deepen the understanding of the psyche's process for clinically-trained therapists, for those currently seeking clinical certification who wish a psychodynamic orientation, and for those who wish to facilitate their personal and professional understanding of analytic psychology.
Curriculum
The Jungian Studies certificate is a 16-credit program open to matriculated and non-degree students. Standards for the academic quality of student work in certificate programs are the same for matriculating and non-degree students. Satisfactory graduate level work is required of all students for certificate completion.
The program requires you to complete 14 weekend in-person seminars over a two-year period. These seminars are taken at the Jung Center in Houston, Texas. Each seminar is worth one unit. In addition, a two-unit capstone paper is required. The capstone paper requires you to demonstrate the ability to pursue a topic focusing on Jungian and/or analytic subject matter. This paper should include a clear thesis to be addressed, or a comparative study (e.g. Freud versus Jung on a particular topic), or symbolic analysis of a text or cultural form. Additionally, you will demonstrate knowledge of other applicable literature on your subject, as well as independent thinking and research.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this certificate each student will be able to:
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Demonstrate knowledge of key Jungian concepts
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Understand the analytic, psychodynamic Weltanschauung
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Be familiar with secondary literature germane to the primary texts
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Exhibit a capacity for independent research on psychological issues
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Utilize symbolic methods for interpretation of psychological and cultural phenomena.
Learning/Teaching Approach
The Jungian Studies curriculum is based on the study of the classical Jung corpus. Each year, five of the seminars will focus on primary sources. A sixth seminar will feature the work of post-Jungians such as Hillman, von Franz, Giegerich, Edinger, and others, while a seventh will focus on a Jungian approach to symbolic and cultural materials as manifest in religious, mythological, or political motifs. Each seminar will examine critiques of Jung's work, as well as more recent developments in Jungian theory and praxis.
What's Next
For more information on this or other certificate programs, please complete the form on the right. You may check multiple options.
To enroll in this certificate as a non-degree student, go to Apply Online and select the desired certificate option. This certificate is available to current Saybrook degree students in certain programs as part of, or in addition to, degree classes. Please contact Admissions or your faculty advisor/mentor about enrolling.
