Requirement: M.D. degree or M.S. or Ph.D. degree in Physiology

In this Ph.D. program students will conduct original doctoral research on the physiological effects of the Transcendental Meditation program, Maharishi Ayurveda herbal products, Maharishi Vedic Vibration Technology, or other aspects of Maharishi’s programs for development of consciousness and health. Research may be conducted on the cardiovascular system, which is the primary area of interest of the University’s Institute of Natural Medicine and Prevention or any other physiology parameters for which the student has expertise, pending approval of the faculty.

This Ph.D. will require a dissertation proposal, to be approved by the Physiology and Health graduate faculty. Following dissertation proposal approval students will conduct their research under the guidance of the faculty. Length of time to complete the Dissertation will depend on the scope of the research project, but it is anticipated that at least 2 years full time research and writing would be the norm.

Special Advanced Standing for the Ph.D. in Physiology Degree

Students who already have attained an M.D. degree or M.S. or Ph.D. in Physiology may request special advanced standing toward the Ph.D. in Physiology degree. Transcripts of previous graduate course work will be reviewed and credits will be applied where appropriate among the following areas: Maharishi Consciousness-Based Health Care, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, general physiology, neurophysiology, anatomy, pathology, research methods, and statistics.

To be able to waive all course work for the Ph.D. degree, students must have at least 60 semester units of graduate course work, including Maharishi Consciousness-Based Health Care courses, approved by the department’s graduate faculty, in addition to receiving special approval by the director of the program and the dean of the graduate school. In certain cases, students will be allowed to waive the comprehensive exam and directly register for dissertation proposal guidance.