Overview
Concentration Description
The Somatic Psychology concentration emphasizes coursework aligned with professional practice in contexts such as somatic education, psychotherapy practice, health and wellbeing coaching, employee wellness programs. The approach to learning somatic psychology at Meridian University is rooted in the transformative learning paradigm at the heart of Meridian’s programs, with a particular emphasis on embodied approaches to teaching and learning.Embodied pedagogy draws on the scholarly research in education that understands the lived experience of the body as a legitimate but marginalized source of knowledge, and the cultivation of deeper access to embodied knowledge as an opportunity for students to develop a locus for authoritative knowing embedded in their own bodily experience. Because the body features prominently in the articulation of social difference, helping students become more attentive to the embodied interactions in the classroom also supports them to be more skillful in the navigation of power differentials in relationships with others.Practices, methods, ideas, and topics engaged within this concentration’s courses, by way of example, include: Body metaphors, nonverbal felt experience, embodiment, historical trauma.
“... for that called Body is a portion of the Soul as discerned by the five Senses...”
Coursework
Sample Courses
- Leadership and Embodiment
- Foundations of Somatic Psychotherapy
- The Poetic Body
- Approaches to Somatic Psychology
- Cultivating the Senses
- Movement Practices and Cognitive Development
“We’re living in a time where the reset button of history has been hit. Radical social, economic and environment changes are becoming the norm and creating a rapidly changing world that demand new patterns of thinking, being and doing for our own personal development, as well as for collective well being.”
Curriculum
Academic Structure
Meridian's academic structure gives students the flexibility to navigate the University's curricular architecture in ways that match their passions, professional goals, and other life commitments.
The structure is designed to serve a diverse student body, who live around the globe, have varied cultural and clinical visions for their careers, and are at different stages in their professional journey.
Students enroll in a degree program, can elect a concentration, and register for one or multiple courses each quarter. In addition to core courses for the specific degree program and anchor courses that represent the Transformative Learning intent of Meridian's curriculum, students select elective courses that align with their Meridian concentration, background, and career path.
Flexible Delivery
Learning Formats
Meridian University offers two learning formats: Online and Hybrid.
- The Online format is ideal for students completing their degrees remotely, combining synchronous and asynchronous learning.
- The Hybrid format is tailored for those seeking a blend of online learning and in-person classes at Meridian's Los Angeles Campus.
Introducing Unique Impact Scholarships
Available to Meridian University students worldwide, Meridian University's Impact Scholarships represent the University's commitment to supporting graduates to take transformative action in the fields of Business, Education, Leadership, and Psychology.
- The Meridian Social Entrepreneurship Scholarship
- The Meridian Developmental Coaching Scholarship
- The Meridian Collective Trauma Transformation Scholarship
Programs
Degrees Available
* Hybrid format available at the Los Angeles Campus.
Learn More
Interested in learning more about the programs at Meridian?
In-Person and Hybrid Learning
The Los Angeles Campus is the primary location for in-person and hybrid courses at Meridian University. Students have the opportunity to engage face-to-face with faculty and peers while also benefiting from the flexibility of online coursework.
Learn More About the Campus
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