The Core Curriculum

“In most colleges, knowledge is defined as that which is external to the individual.
Here, you get to work with truth both from an intellectual standpoint and a heart level.”

—Nitai Deranja, Director, Education for Life


The core curriculum provides the foundation for all advanced work at the college. It’s purpose is to give students an experiential as well as intellectual appreciation for how the basic tenets of yoga philosophy – the union of mind, body, and spirit – can be applied successfully to every aspect of life. Areas of exploration include Alternative Technology and Sustainable Living; Dharmic Business and Leadership; Directional Psychology and Healing; Education for Life; Inspirational Arts; World Cultures and Consciousness; and The Small Communities Solution. The courses are grouped in two categories: General Education (28 units) and Foundation (32 units). Together they constitute the 60 units of credit required for the Associate of Arts degree in Living Wisdom Studies.

For a complete list of courses please read our General & Degree Catalog (PDF 952KB).


General Education (Breadth) Requirements :

Area 1: Communication in the English language – 7 units

  • The Art of Oral Expression (1 unit)
  • Art of Written Expression (3 units)
  • Associate of Arts Individual Project (3 units)

Area 2: Mathematics – 3 units

  • College Math (3 units)

Area 3: Arts and Humanities – 9 units

  • Creativity and Self-Awareness (3 units)
  • Foundations of Western Philosophy (3 units)
  • Art of Musical Expression (3 units)

Area 4: Social Sciences – 3 units

  • Introduction to Education for Life (3 units)

Area 5: Natural Sciences – 3 units

  • Alternative Science and Technology (3 units)

Area 6: Foreign Language – 3 units

  • Spanish, Italian, or Hindi (3 units)

Foundation Courses

  • Sustainable Living (3 units)
  • Directional Psychology: (3 units)
  • World Cultures & Consciousness (3 units)
  • The Art of Dramatic Expression (1 unit)
  • Foundations of Eastern Philosophy I & II (6 units)
  • Art and Science of Raja Yoga (3 units)
  • World Cultures and Consciousness/Study Abroad (6 units)
  • Material Success through Yoga Principles (3 units)
  • Introduction to Health and Healing (2 units)
  • Cooperative Spiritual Living – 10 hours per week, ongoing (2 units)
  • Physical Activity – 3 hours per week, ongoing (non-credit)

The Upper Level Curriculum

A total of 120 units are required for the Bachelor of Arts in Living Wisdom Studies.
60 units of lower division courses (the core curriculum) and 60 units of upper division courses (selected from the Emphasis Areas) complete the B.A. Degree requirements. See the Course Catalog for a complete list of courses offered and course descriptions.

Major Requirements for Bachelor of Arts Degree (Total of 60 units)

At the end of the second year, students will prepare an academic and personal retrospective in a 2nd Year Portfolio that includes representative samples of course and field work that document their experience at the college to date. They will submit a reflective essay that assesses their personal growth and describes the direction and emphasis they would like their studies to take in the upper division.

Under the direction of their Academic Advisor each student will formulate a plan of study for their third year that includes 30 units of coursework and internship/fieldwork experiences in areas aligned with their field of interest.

At the end of the third year students work again with their Academic Advisor to draft a plan of study focused around a Major Culminating Project that will include further coursework and learning activities totaling the final 30 units of work needed to qualify for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Living Wisdom Studies.








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