FAQ
QUESTION: Where is parapsychology taught?
ANSWER: There aren't a lot of places that people can find out where they can learn parapsychology from those who really know what they are talking about. Here's a brief list of some books and other resources you might want to check into. I will continue to add to the list as I have time, but for now, here's a start.
Formal Training Opportunities
Formal parapsychology training is difficult to find, but not impossible.
If you want to get a post-graduate degree in parapsychology, your best options are either the
Coventry University, which offers both
Masters and Doctoral programs in Parapsychology either
online or as part of their brick and mortar school or the highly respected
Koestler Parapsychology
Unit at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
The University of Utrecht in
the Netherlands at one time had a parapsychology program under
the auspices of parapsychologist Dick Bierman. The
current status of their program is unclear, but if you're local, it might be
worth checking with Dr. Bierman.
Parapsychologist Adrian Parker (who for a
time was the editor of the European Journal of Parapsychology) offers
doctoral supervision in the areas of altered states and
parapsychology at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. In
Europe, the doctoral program is mainly a dissertation - there is course work but this is in the general
area of methodology, research design, and statistics. A few additional courses are chosen in areas
reflecting the candidates area of interest.
Please note that it is dependent on the student having financial support in
order to gain entry to doctoral education.
The Rhine Research Center offers an
excellent 6 week summer course on parapsychology that allows you to meet with,
and learn from, real parapsychologists. It is a wonderful opportunity for
students. The location of the class may sometimes vary. Check their website for
more information.
Parapsychologist William Everist teaches a beginning parapsychology course at
Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona (and given its proximity to the very
haunted Tombstone, where Bill has done haunting investigations, might give
students the opportunity to go along on a real ghost investigation). The
course description itself can be read at www.pima.edu/aux/course_outlines/psy/psy224.rtf
Online Parapsychology Courses
Recent years have seen the development of online parapsychology courses.
You have to be careful when signing up for these, that they are run by true
parapsychologists, and not just anyone throwing material together. The courses in the
list here are ONLY taught by legitimate parapsychologists.
Coventry University offers a full online program in parapschology.
Their main focus is on a Masters program, but those interested in a Doctorate can do this, as well. For more
information, you check out their flyer or visit their website
here.
Koestler Parapsychology
Unit at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland has a 10 week
online course. Course topics include: historical context, spontaneous paranormal experiences,
testing ESP and PK in the lab, latest lab research developments, theories in parapsychology, belief in the paranormal,
testing psychic claimants, conceptual issues and implications of parapsychology. The course teaches what methods
parapsychologists use, what parapsychologists have found, about people's paranormal experiences, what critics say
about parapsychology, how to think critically about paranormal claims and experiences. You can read more about the
program here...
The Australian Institute of
Parapsychological Research, Inc. has two online courses (a certificate course and an advanced certificate
course in parapsychology), which are now available to the public. They are administered by parapsychologist
Lance Storm, who is the editor of the Australian Journal of Parapsychology.
To go to the AIPR website click here...
Parapsychologist Loyd Auerbach offers a certificate distance learning program in parapsychology
in association with the HCH Institute. It is a 60 hour course with telephone classes
and mp3 lectures. Some are also available on CD-ROM. Loyd also has individual
classes including: Introduction to Parapsychology; Parapsychology: The Cross Over Science;The Search
for Life after Death;, and Ghost Hunting. For more information go
to www.mindreader.com/paraprogram or
www.hypnotherapytraining.com.
Loyd also lists his current seminars on his main website at
mindreader.com/events/index.htm. Loyd is an acknowledged expert on hauntings and spontaneous case
field investigation work, with vast media experience.
The University of
Utrecht in the Netherlands used to have an 11 week online course under the
excellent supervision of parapsychologist Dick
Bierman that ran from May until June.
This looked to like a terrific class. Dr. Bierman has said the course is not
currently available, but that things may
change in the future. If so, I will be sure to post the information here.
Also check out this FAQ listing good books on parapsychology.
