CIIS Women's Spirituality

Home
United States
San Francisco, CA
CIIS Women's Spirituality

Call Directions Website

Offering two rigorous academic programs at CIIS:
🌀 M.A. Women, Gender, Spirituality and Social Justice
🌀 Ph.D Women’s Spirituality and Ph.D.

The online Women’s Spirituality Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) offers rigorous M.A. degrees located at the intersection of Women/Gender Studies, Ethnic Studies, Philosophy, and Religion. Our curriculum incorporates scholarship from women and gender studies, ethnic studies, religious studies, philosophy, and other related fields. We do not espouse a singular spiritual framework or approach to feminism, rather, we support students in undertaking their own rigorous inquiry both within and beyond these fields. The Women Spirituality programs at CIIS are rooted in deep exploration as a means to create extraordinary change. We help imagine a new way of existing on the planet that centers connection to humans, animals, land, and spirit. Learn more here: https://www.ciis.edu/academics/graduate-programs/womens-spirituality

10/13/2026

Meet Kimberly Carter, PhD candidate in Women’s Spirituality at CIIS, professor, and founder of Carter Consulting Firm.

Her biggest takeaway from the program is learning not to sever different parts of her identity. Leadership and spirituality can be in the same room, together. This summer she brought that into a SHRM conference on human-centered approaches to developing talent, and into a yoga retreat where she spoke about voice and grief.

Her dissertation looks at Black women in digital communities and communal spaces.

10/08/2026

You’re invited to the inaugural book launch of the Women’s Spirituality Studies Press (WSSP). Share far and wide!

The press was founded by Dr. Mara Lynn Keller, one of the founding directors of our program, and it was one of her last projects. On October 28, we’ll gather to introduce WSSP and hear from the authors of its first three books: Mary Mackey (The Goddess of Burning Hair), Charlene Spretnak (Lost Goddesses of Early Greece, now in ebook), and Annie Finch (The Poetry Witch Book of Goddess Prayers).

Wednesday, October 28, 4-7pm PT
Namaste Room at CIIS in San Francisco, or on Zoom
Free. In-person space is limited, so register early.

Register here to attend in person: https://luma.com/bb5be9o3
Register here to attend online: https://luma.com/u4kdmidg

10/06/2026

Meet Dr. Karen Nelson Villanueva, who brings her expertise in Tibetan Buddhism, goddess traditions, and spiritual care to Women’s Spirituality this year. A college professor with over two decades of teaching experience and a trained chaplain, Dr. Villanueva’s work centers grief, loss, and contemplative practices that support spiritual transformation. This semester she’s teaching Women and World Religions.

Learn more about the M.A. and Ph.D. in Women’s Spirituality — link in bio.

10/01/2026

Meet Dr. Anna M. King, who brings her expertise in perinatal mental health and embodied social justice to Women’s Spirituality this year. A licensed clinical social worker, certified perinatal mental health specialist, and qualitative researcher, Dr. King integrates embodiment, relational practice, and social justice frameworks in her teaching and clinical work.

Learn more about the M.A. and Ph.D. in Women’s Spirituality — link in bio.

09/29/2026

Meet Dr. Sara Salazar, who returns to teach Birthing Futures: Mothering as Radical Praxis this year. A Chicana activist and scholar, Dr. Salazar has been at CIIS for 23 years, exploring the intersections of spirituality, art, activism, and healing through a commitment to revolutionary mothering and liberatory pedagogy.

Learn more about the M.A. and Ph.D. in Women’s Spirituality — link in bio.

09/24/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Annette Williams as Professor Emerita and Visiting Faculty this year. Dr. Williams served as Chair of Women’s Spirituality for nine years, leading with consistency, compassion, and deep commitment to inclusivity. A recognized scholar of the Yorùbá Ifá tradition and former Program Chair, Dr. Williams shaped Women’s Spirituality through decades of visionary scholarship and mentorship.

Learn more about the M.A. and Ph.D. in Women’s Spirituality — link in bio.

09/21/2026

Thinking about applying to our M.A. or Ph.D. programs? Join us for one of our fall information sessions and get your questions answered directly by faculty.

Upcoming dates:
🗓️ Wednesday, September 24
🗓️ Saturday, October 17
🗓️ Tuesday, November 10
🗓️ Friday, December 4

09/18/2026

Still sharing photos from retreat, because a few weeks later we’re still thinking about it. How’s the semester going? Drop an emoji in the comments—no 200-300-word discussion post required. 😉

09/11/2026

Join us for Women’s Spirituality PhD Candidate Nikia Chaney’s dissertation defense, “Representations of Multi-Spiritness: A Poetic Performance Reframing Dissociative Identity Disorder and Multiplicity for Black Women,” on Monday, Sept. 14 at 12-2 pm PT. Link in bio!

Address

1453 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA
94103

Telephone

+14155756255

Website

https://linktr.ee/ciis_womenspirit, http://www.ciis.edu/wse

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when CIIS Women's Spirituality posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your university to be the top-listed university in San Francisco?