Frequently Asked Questions

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If I begin with a payment plan and then switch over to paying the full amount, will I be able to get any credit for paying it off after having started on a payment plan?
Yes. If you switch to paying the full amount within the first six months, you would receive $200 off the payment plan you chose. If you switch within the first year, you would receive $100 off the payment plan you chose. After that there are no other discounts.

Can I choose one payment plan for course materials and another for tuition?
You can choose different plans for the course materials and the tuition fees. However, your course materials will be delivered based on your tuition plan. For instance, if the long term plan is chosen for tuition payments and the prepayment plan is chosen for course materials, courses will be delivered on the long term tuition schedule.

Do you grant degrees or give credit based on work or life experience?
No. We do not have an objective format for determining monetary value for work or life experiences. We are bringing much professionalism to the field of metaphysics, and giving credit for life experience is not solid evidence of earning a degree. This practice does not stand up if challenged by a court of law or federal agencies. Only true coursework is solid evidence of earning a degree. We also feel it is important for those who already know much about metaphysics to fill in the gaps in their knowledge.

Are all your courses correspondence courses or do we have to travel for live classes at some point in order to earn our degree?
All courses are correspondence courses and can be done in a distance learning format. We do not require that students come for live classes, as this is too difficult, time consuming and expensive for some people. We have designed the curriculum so that students can complete their studies and receive their degrees for a reasonable amount of money and no extra travel expenses or output of unnecessary time.

How do I know this is a real degree and not a diploma mill?
Universal Church Of Metaphysics is a registered 501(c)3 organization. The university is a program of the church and operates as a religious exempt institution in both California and Minnesota. The University Of Metaphysical Sciences is also accredited by the AADP and the AAMA. UMS avoids practices done by diploma mills that grant degrees based on life experiences or negligible amounts of coursework. UMS makes sure that all degrees are truly earned with proper coursework and experiential growth. Records of coursework are kept on file as a testament to the work the student has done. The reputation of the school and its practices is the truest definition of a real degree. UMS holds itself to the highest standards, and UMS graduates are truly trained for their work as spiritual counselors, leaders and healers in the field of metaphysics. A UMS degree is highly desirable and reputable in this particular line of work, and proof of the legitimacy of your degree is always available.

I already know a lot about most of the subjects you offer, for instance crystals, divination, channeling, psychic skills, etc. Do I have to take these classes? Can I choose alternative classes (like electives) in their place? Can I test out of classes by taking the exam and passing?
All classes in the Bachelors and Masters lists are part of our required curriculum, and you can choose what you like for your electives, but no courses can be substituted with electives or other work. Even though some of the courses might be information you have knowledge about, you will find that they fill in the gaps in your knowledge. They also serve as good reference material in your library should you ever need to know what particular terms mean. The courses are not difficult, so the courses you might not be as interested in should be easy enough for you to move through quickly.

We don’t offer the option of testing out of classes even if the student is familiar with certain subjects, for part of our mission is to make sure that all graduates of UMS, even those with previous knowledge of metaphysical subjects, fill in the gaps in their existing knowledge and are at least familiar with many terms, techniques, religions, concepts, and other such topics that we teach. In order to preserve the quality of our reputation for qualified graduates from our university, students must complete all required classes.

I already have a Bachelors/Masters degree. Can I just write the doctoral dissertation and receive my D.D./Ph.D.?
No. All students must begin at the Bachelors level because the school is unique. We must be sure that the student has been exposed to all the information we offer. Courses from other colleges are rarely similar, nor are they transferable. We apologize for this, but metaphysics is considered a “new emerging field of study” and has no set standards between colleges yet.

Do I have to write a Master’s thesis, or can I go on to the doctoral dissertation?
The Master's thesis must be turned in before the doctoral dissertation will be reviewed. A Masters degree must be earned before you are eligible for the Doctoral degrees. All coursework in the Bachelors and Masters curriculum, including the Masters thesis, must be completed before being eligible for the doctorate program.

Could the doctoral dissertation be a continuation of my Master's thesis? In other words, let's say the Master's thesis would be the first chapter of a book I write and the Doctoral would be the remainder of the book...
Each work must stand alone on its own. You might expound on the various chapters you would like to include in your book. However, the thesis and dissertation must be understandable without referencing the other because different teachers may read and grade them. As long as they can be read one without the other by an outside party, and found to be coherent, this would be fine. Two different topics that would be covered in your book would be best. For instance: Master's thesis, Ethics For Herbal Practitioners; Doctoral dissertation, Herbalism And It's Healing Effects. These are two topics that you would most likely cover in a book about herbalism. Or perhaps you could cover Historical accounts of herbalism practices and similarities in today's world. Think about the chapters of your book, and which ones would be somewhat separate from each other even though they are related to each other in your book outline.

Which degree should I get, the D.D. or the Ph.D, and what is the difference?
We recommend the Doctor of Divinity, D.D. degrees for those who are interested in one on one healing sessions and counseling with clients. We suggest that you earn your Doctor Of Divinity (D.D.) degree first if you are already doing one on one work with clients. The D.D. degree is what specifically gives you the right to work with clients in a counseling format as a minister or reverend. For those who wish to write books and give lectures, we recommend the Ph.D. For those who would like to do both, we recommend both degrees, as each serves a different purpose. The second Doctorate Degree can be earned after the first one for only $400 more. The Ph.D. gives prestige to students who would like to do the lecture circuit, write books, or teach classes. The Ph.D. is not recognized as a degree for counseling ministers. This is how the D.D. serves you in your practice. Most of our students pursue both degrees so that all areas are covered. In summary, the D.D. serves the practical purposes of your one on one practice, and the Ph.D. gives prestige to your books, lectures and classes.

How much coursework, and what are the courses, in the doctorate program?
There is no actual coursework. Doctorate degrees are based on your own personal research and work, which is presented in your Doctoral Dissertation.

Do the Masters courses apply to all the doctorate degrees if I am attaining more than one, or do I have to take all the Bachelors & Masters courses again?
No, you do not have to take all the courses over again. All coursework in the Bachelors and Masters curriculum apply to the second Doctorate Degree.

What would I need to do for the 2nd Doctorate Degree?
Do research on another metaphysical subject and write a 2nd Doctoral Dissertation.

How much more is the second doctorate degree?
The second Doctorate degree costs $400 more beyond the full tuition cost of your first three degrees.

Can I have all the Doctorates and my Ph.D.? What if I want all of it?
We do not recommend more than two doctorate degrees.

Do I pay separately for each degree, or does the price include all three degrees?
The full tuition cost, $1,995, includes the entire Bachelors Curriculum, the entire Masters curriculum, and the first Doctorate Degree. The Bachelors and Masters curriculum is the same for all Doctorate Degrees. Once the first is earned, the second Doctorate can also be earned without having to retake the Bachelor's and Master's program.

If I only want to complete the Bachelors degree and don't want to attain the Masters or Doctorate Degree, how much do I pay?
There are financial markers in every payment plan where each degree is awarded, (see Payment Plans page). Simply let us know that you want to stop payments there if you only want a Bachelors or a Masters degree. If you wish to continue later, within five years, you may resume studies. However, if tuition and course materials fees have increased, returning students will be required to pay the same fees as all students and earlier payment plans will not apply. However, the money previously paid will be levied against the new fees, and all previous payments are counted toward the total tuition and course materials fees.

How do we get the reduced tuition?
We have reduced tuition campaigns at various times of the year. The reduced tuition is available now because we are in an enrollment campaign at this time.

Can I photocopy and distribute UMS course materials in classes that I teach in my own hometown?
No. UMS does not authorize students or graduates to teach UMS courses, nor are they authorized to use the UMS course materials in their classes by photocopying and distributing course materials directly from UMS courses. Credit for UMS courses will not be given to anyone who has been a student of someone who photocopied or used UMS course materials in their teaching. All UMS course materials are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission from University Of Metaphysical Sciences. However, students of UMS who would like to teach are encouraged to create their own class materials based on their own original ideas, using UMS courses only as part of their reference material in quotes with proper credit to its source. Quotes and brief exercises from UMS course materials are fine for use in your own courses that you design.

The Universal Church of Metaphysics is registered as a non-profit... How does that relate to your school?
Universal Church Of Metaphysics is the parent non-profit 501(c)3 parent company of University Of Metaphysical Sciences. University Of Metaphysical Sciences is a program of the church. Ministerial licenses are issued through the university by the church. The Church does not issue ministerial licenses to anyone who has not finished the Master’s level of the curriculum at University Of Metaphysical Sciences. Universal Church Of Metaphysics is dedicated to providing a true education to those practicing spiritual roles as leaders in their communities. UCM believes that ministers should be trained so that they might be better equipped for functioning as spiritual counselors, guides and teachers to those who seek metaphysical guidance. Visit Universal Church Of Metaphysics page, where you will find the schedule for our weekly Sunday Services.

What is the difference between D.D. and D. Div.?
There is actually no difference as far as studies go. The curriculum for all the degrees is the same, no matter what letters you are choosing. The degree you choose is based solely on which letters you would like to see behind your name. Some prefer D.Div, but most prefer D.D. because it is more widely recognized.

Looking at the website under Doctorate Degrees Offered, there is a "Doctor of Metaphysics, D.M." and then under that is a separate column with "Doctor of Divinity in: D.D. or D.Div... Metaphysics, Metaphysical Sciences" etc. I'm not sure what the difference is between those...
The separate column is structured that way because the D.M. is it's own degree, whereas the D.D. and the D.Div has the options that are listed. For instance, your D.D. or D.Div can be in one of these categories, and would be listed that way on your certificate. Your diploma would say:
Doctor of Divinity in Metaphysics, D.D. (or D.Div.)
Doctor of Divinity in Metaphysical Sciences, D.D. (or D.Div)
Doctor of Divinity in Metaphysical Counseling, D.D. (or D.Div)

Would one person be my contact person throughout the study?
There are several staff members who can answer emails and phone calls pertaining to student questions, so there is no one person who handles each student. You may call or email and speak with anyone about courses, payments, or other such things. If they don't know the answer, they will find out for you, or have someone who does know the answer call or email you back.

How long to I have to finish the whole program?
5 years

How quickly can I finish the program?
1 year minimum. We require that the doctorate degree take at least one year to earn. It cannot be done any faster than this. You will be sent courses every month for a year (or more if you have chosen a longer payment plan).

I want to move through the courses more quickly than I am receiving them. My pace is faster than you are sending courses to me. I can handle more than three or four courses per month.
We do not send the entire curriculum to you all at once, for we like to make sure that the students don’t move too quickly through the curriculum at an unhealthy pace. We believe that a year is as fast as it should be and you may self pace yourself in that framework. We hope that students will digest the material thoroughly and not just skim the material in the courses.

However, at any point in your studies, you can work on your Masters thesis even while you are still in the Bachelors curriculum. You can also work on your Doctoral Dissertation even while you are in the Masters program. This should take up any extra time that you might have if you feel that you would like to receive coursework more quickly. If you are finding that you move through the courses so quickly that you have extra time before your next installment of courses, please feel free to request the Master’s thesis outline and we will send it to you so that you can begin your research for your thesis, even while you are still in the Bachelors curriculum.

Who are you accredited by?
We are accredited by the AADP, the American Association Of Drugless Practitioners, and the AAMA, the American Association Of Medical Alternatives. These agencies have been created for colleges like ours that don't fit into the traditional accrediting formats that secular and Christian Bible colleges do. They work with schools that offer alternative types of degrees.

What are the limitations of this degree?
These degrees are religious degrees, not secular degrees. You would not be able to teach at a secular or traditional college, call yourself a psychologist, or work for government agencies. They require traditionally accredited degrees. Otherwise there are no other limitations. Some states may require special arrangements of wording in advertisements like stating in small letters that it is a religious degree, not a secular degree. You must check with your own state to know what their present laws are at this time concerning religious degrees.

Can I teach at a college with this degree?
Only if it is a religious type of college, not a traditional, secular college.

Can I use my degree to call myself a Dr. in my “medical” practice?
Realize that these are not medical degrees, nor are they secular degrees. These are religious degrees, and must be used in this fashion. We do not recommend connecting your Dr. status to your work with medical practices in a way that would mislead your clients to believe that you have studied medical subjects. State specifically what your degree is in your advertisements, for instance: Dr. Jane Doe, D.D., Doctor of Divinity in Metaphysical Counseling, or Dr. Jane Doe, Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy in Metaphysical Sciences. Spell out your degree rather than just using the letters if you connect it to your medical type of practice so that there is no misrepresentation as a medical degree. If you are advertising for anything other than medical-type services, for instance your classes, writings, lectures and such, spelling out your degree would not be necessary. In the case of counseling, be sure to refrain from misrepresenting yourself as a psychologist by making it clear that you are counseling in a spiritual format with a ministerial license.

If we fail an exam, how many times do we get to try passing it again?
You may resubmit exams as many times as you need to.

Do you give grades on tests, or is it a pass/fail system?
We have a pass/fail system on exams. If you would like to know how you’re doing anyway, feel free to call and we will be happy to pull your file and let you know how well you have done on your exams.

Do you have a referral list of practitioners that I can get an appointment with?
No. We do not maintain a referral list, for we cannot guarantee the quality and integrity of practitioners we do not know.

I don't believe that techniques and practices are necessary anymore at this point in my path. I try to counsel people away from techniques and practices and help them wake up in the moment. Why should I learn about all these if I don't believe in them or find them useful?
It is important for a teacher and healer to know where each person is coming from in their spiritual path. There was probably a time in your spiritual path when techniques and practices were useful, and they were a necessary part of your experience. These courses help you become familiar with different ways that people are spiritually working to heal themselves. You can better help others if you understand what point they are at in their spiritual path.

What are the postage and shipping prices for foreign students who choose the option to receive courses by postal mail rather than internet downloads?
Postage varies from country to country and are subject to change because the postal agencies who determine the prices change their fees regularly. Therefore, we do not have a chart of postage prices because they are always changing. The way postage is determined and charged is that the student gives UMS a credit card # to keep on file and once the postage is determined for each package on an individual basis at the post office, the student’s credit card is charged for the postage and the student is notified by email as to what this fee is.

We hope this answers all your questions. Your questions are always welcome! Please feel free to email us or call 1-800-521-META (6382) if you have some more. We are happy to help with all your needs.