Program Cycle

A general pattern for Gaia University programs starting in 2012:                                 

Online Elements/Modules: For details of each element see PROGRAMS>Courses & Certificates.

Learning Online with Gaia U 
(2 elements of 2 weeks each = 4 weeks)

Online Life and Career Review 
(2 elements of 2 weeks each = 4 weeks)

Online Learning Intentions and Pathway Design 
(2 elements of 2 weeks each = 4 weeks)

Online Transformative Action Learning Certificate (TALC) 
(3-6 elements of 2 weeks each = 6-12 weeks depending on program)

During your Transformative Action Learning Certificate course you will be preparing your second Output Packet with a focus on your inner ecology as your project.  All online elements generate certificates of completion.

Project Work

After your Learning online with Gaia U course, your Life and Career Review and Learning Intentions work and Transformative Action Learning Certificate courses, you will focus on your project work. Documenting your projects and processes and actively creating learning opportunities for yourself will be your main tasks. You may live in your home community, another community and/or travel freely as you seek out people and organizations that are allied to your project work. Project work is self-determined and self-directed (with signficant mentorship). The only requirements are that the themes and actions are within the boundaries of the ethics of Gaia University.

Project Design, Implementation and Management

As you proceed with your project work, you will have periodic meetings, either in person or online, with mentors and advisors who will help you to better define, design and implement your projects as well as effectively manage and critically reflect on your work in the world.

Peer Support

You will meet frequently with your peer guild buddies and with other members of your peer support guild, developing a collaborative network.

Project Documentation

Every 6-8 weeks you will post an output packet to your ePortfolio, which is a showcase of both your projects and processes. After completing each output packet, you will perform a self-review and participate in a peer review onine exchange workshop, and receive a detailed review from your main advisor.

Specialist Advising and Learning Support

With guidance from your main advisor you will use your Gaia U budget to receive specialized content knowledge and learning support.

All Gaia U Community Calls, Content Webcasts

You will participate in Gaia Radio, which presents a series of community calls and content webinars/webcasts for which you will have the opportunity to suggest topics and guest speakers.

End-of-Year Presentation Workshop

During end-of-year presentation workshops you will share the outcomes of your learning and project work with your peers and advisors and do a deep review. You will also further develop your understanding of Gaia University tools and systems and learn about new developments in the organization. These end of year presentations may be done either face to face with one of our allied associations or online. 

External Review

In the capstone (final) year of all BSc and MSc degree programs, associate output packets undergo external review.  In the diploma programs your portfolio will be reviewed and you will be given feedback by your advisor and peers. 

Graduation

For associates at the end of their programs, the end-of-year workshop and presentation is considered a completion workshop and an informal graduation ceremony may be held.  In addition Gaia University will hold a yearly graduation certificate ceremony which all graduates globally for that year's cycle may attend. Our accreditors hold an annual graduation ceremony in Oxford, England which you might also choose to attend. Lastly, associates often hold local graduation ceremonies, inviting parents, friends and colleagues. Many celebrations are possible!

Start-of-Year Workshop

If you are in a multi-year program, you will begin the next year with a workshop that offers further content, design training and mentorship. These may be local workshops and are selected based on your interests in consultation with your main advisor.  Some previous start-of-year workshops include the Village Building Convergence in Portland OR, USA; the Bioneers conference in San Rafael, CA, USA;  Financial Permaculture in Hohenwald, TN, USA;  Advanced Permaculture Design in St. Croix, Virgin Islands and other international programs. Start of Year workshops are not included in tuition fees and are negotiated by the associate with the course providers.