The Institute Program

Three-year Program

The Institute’s independent graduate-level program is over a three-year period and involves the following:

Attending three sessions per year
Intensive reading, reflection and discussion
Completing an individually designed independent project
Completing a program of supervised field work
Additional assignments (short papers, book reports and/or oral presentations)

Students come to New York City or Washington, D.C. for long weekend seminars in December and April and a five day seminar in August. The program provides a unique opportunity to bring together a diverse faculty and student body of those who take a nontheistic, naturalistic approach to humanism, whether interpreted in secular or religious terms

How it works

Following the curriculum outline, mentors of each class chose reading materials and/or assignments for each session. To provide ample time for students to complete session requirements, reading materials are directly mailed and assignments given well in advance. Thus, students are expected to come prepared to discuss materials and/or present assignments at each session.

For the convenience of students

The Institute does make arrangements for students to stay in a hotel near the meeting locations. In New York City, catering is provided for every meal. In Washington, D.C., catering is not available, but students are given a meal stipend as a reduction in tuition.