Human Science

The Human Science program prepares students to view critically the nature of theory, methodology, social practices and conditions, and the nature and meaning of being human. It is an approach whose origins can be traced to the conversation begun during the Enlightenment questioning whether the methods of natural science were sufficient to relfect the nature, complexity, and subjectivity of being human.Human Science continues an important dialogue and poses alternative modes of inquiry essential for psychologists, behavioral and social scientists, and other who work to seek a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Students in the Human Science program are interested in how individual beliefs, social structures, and religious, spiritual, and cultural traditions shape personal experiences, shared world views, and inform theory and practice in a variety of fields. .

In both the MA and PhD programs, students may pursue a unique transdisciplinary plan to focus on individual academic and professional goals. Graduates have studied such diverse topics as gender and violence; metaphysics and altered states of consciousness; alternative health; popular media and culture; technology; architecture; the meaning of sports; bio-ethics and race; social change among indigenous peoples; community organizing; evaluation of prevention and intervention programs; the way in which religious and therapeutic values impact health care; and physician and patient spirituality.

Whether they're designing business policies that empower workers or mediating family and workplace conflict; whether they're working in grassroots social activism to improve living conditions or exploring the impact of popular media on other cultures, Saybrook's program in Human Science gives our graduates the tools they need to excel.

Program Choices

We offer two degrees in Human Science: MA and PhD; and our students may also tailor their degree program by choosing a specialization. Human Science students may also select a concentration or certificate in a particular area of focus.

MA Human Science Degrees and Specializations

PhD Degree

PhD Human Science

Alumnus Video: Gregory Holler

You need to upgrade your Flash Player This is replaced by the Flash content. Place your alternate content here and users without the Flash plugin or with Javascript turned off will see this. Content here allows you to leave out noscript tags. Include a link to bypass the detection if you wish.

Our Community Profiles

Kirwan Rockefeller
Human Science Alumnus '94

"Saybrook allowed me to create bridges. It allowed me to create my own path."

Laura Tadd
Human Science Student

"Human Science at Saybrook is grounded, open minded, and lets me incorporate all the things I think are important into one program."

Anne MacRae
Human Science Alumna '92

"Saybrook is a much better match for people who want to delve into practice and theory based on their own experience. I had some extraordinary professors who understood that their students already brought something important to the table.