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Maharishi International University

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Maharishi International University Degree Offerings

Maharishi International University appears in our ranking of Best Tiny Colleges.

Maharishi International University, formerly known as Maharishi University of Management, offers consciousness-based education that blends traditional learning with meditative techniques. Classes are available on campus or through the university’s online portal.

There are 10 distinct areas of learning from which students can choose at Maharishi International University. These areas are:

  • Applied Arts & Sciences
  • Art
  • Business
  • Cinematic Arts & New Media
  • Computer Science
  • Consciousness and Human Potential
  • English: Creative Writing & Literature
  • Mathematics
  • Physiology & Health
  • Sustainable Living

Maharishi International University offers traditional undergraduate majors like the Bachelor of Arts in Creative and Professional Writing and the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. More unique majors include a Bachelor of Arts in Ayurveda Wellness and Integrative Health, a Bachelor of Arts in Regenerative Organic Agriculture or a Bachelor of Arts in Consciousness and Human Potential.

Post-graduate offerings are vast and offered in areas of a wide variety of interests. For example, the Bachelor of Science in Aromatherapy is a wholly online offering that teaches about the science of essential oils, pulse assessment and how aromatherapy can be used to aid in the treatment of common diseases.

Maharishi International University is home to the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts where students can earn an MFA in Screenwriting. Students learn from industry professionals through a blend of online courses and intensive, on-campus study. They also have the option to hold a residency in Los Angeles to meet industry insiders. Students are trained in the art of screenwriting as well as marketing so that they will have a better ability to sell their screenplays after successful thesis defense.

Maharishi International University offers a limited number of doctoral degrees. Students can earn doctoral degrees in management, physiology or maharishi Vedic science.

Students can also take part in the school’s study abroad program. These programs change from year to year, but they allow both graduate and undergraduate students to travel around the globe as they continue their studies. Recent destinations for study abroad opportunities have included Mongolia, Ghana, Costa Rica, Ireland and Nepal.

About Maharishi International University

Maharishi International University was founded as Maharishi University of Management in 1973 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The university was created to educate students while integrating transcendental meditation, environmental consciousness, and spirituality. The school was originally located in Goleta, California. It moved to its current home in Fairfield, Iowa in 1974.

Maharishi International University has a small student body with under 1,000 students. About half of these students are part-time. Full-time students are required to live on campus as freshmen in single rooms. Buildings on the campus were created using natural materials and green energy. The campus is vegetarian, hosts its own organic vegetable farm, and utilizes solar energy.

U.S. News and World Report gives Maharishi International University a tier-two rating. It is not ranked among other colleges and universities in the Midwest.

Maharishi International University Accreditation Details

Maharishi International University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university’s business programs are accredited by the International Assembly for College Business Education.

Maharishi International University Application Requirements

The Maharishi International University has a rolling application process. The school does have specific start dates that have application deadlines, but students can begin their education during any of the start times if they are accepted.

Students apply online through the university’s application portal. Undergraduate applicants must provide proof of high school diploma or GED. Conversely, transfer students pursuing an undergraduate degree can avoid providing proof of high school education if they can show completion of 24 hours of undergraduate credit at an accredited institution. Students need to have earned a 2.5 GPA or higher, though may be considered for admission if grades are slightly lower.

Graduate degree-seeking students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. They need to have earned a 3.0 GPA or higher during their time as an undergraduate.

Along with academic record, admission is based on extracurricular activities, work experience, recommendations, answers to essay questions, and a personal interview. The university has a 41 percent acceptance rate.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The cost of tuition for Maharishi International University is roughly $16,500 per semester. This figure may be significantly higher or lower depending on a variety of factors, including whether they are attending part- or full-time, if they are attending classes on campus or online and whether they are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Students may apply for financial aid. Because Maharishi International University is an accredited institution, students can use federal or state grants to pay for the cost of tuition. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, must be completed to learn if a student qualifies for need-based aid. Likewise, the FAFSA is used for many loans and need-based scholarships.

Students can use outside, private scholarships to offset the cost of tuition. These scholarships may be considered when the amount of grant aid is calculated. The university does not offer scholarships, though students should talk with the financial aid office to learn if this practice changes. Likewise, the financial aid office at Maharishi International School can help to guide students toward the appropriate applicants for scholarships, loans, and grants.

The school offers a payment program for students who prefer to pay tuition in installments rather than in one lump sum. The amount of the payments is based on the full rate of tuition. Additional fees may be assessed for the payment program.

The cost of tuition does not include all expenses related to studying at the Maharishi International School. Students must also budget for living expenses, course materials, travel experiences, and any required fees.

Learn more about the degrees available through Maharishi International University by visiting the school website.

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