University of Sedona
The University Of Sedona is a private, post secondary, distance learning, theological school operating under the auspices of the International Metaphysical Ministry. IMM is a non-profit, religious exempt organization as designated by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States. The curriculum is strictly non-secular and theological in nature. Students are prepared for Ministerial and other related careers in the holistic, New Thought branch of Metaphysical Theology.
New Thought, as a theological movement, began in the nineteenth century. This movement was thrust forward by a number of spiritual thinkers and philosophers such as Phineas Parkhurst Quimby, Myrtle Fillmore, Charles Fillmore, William Walker Atkinson and Ernest Holmes. From its inception, independence of thought, teachings, and belief has been an important, deeply rooted characteristic of the New Thought Movement. This makes it difficult for academia to categorize New Thought Churches, Ministries, and Organizations into set denominations with explicit BOUNDARIES of belief - as they do with other religious movements. Nevertheless, a number of New Thought Denominations, such as Unity Church and Religious Science, have become easily recognizable by main stream society.
The University Of Sedona is totally focused on a New Thought Theological curriculum and legally exists beyond the scope of the (U.S.) Higher Education Act of 1965. The University has been influenced for over fifty years by the deeply rooted tradition of independence of the New Thought Movement. The University has chosen independence rather then joining with a secular type association, organization or agency for accreditation. There is no official accrediting agency governing metaphysical education. Therefore, the IMM voluntarily maintains extensive oversight, quality control, and critical evaluation of the University’s activities, and religious curriculum. Academic standards that are at least equal to that of most secular, accredited, post secondary educational institutions within the United States are strictly maintained. This is accomplished through both exam and Thesis/Dissertation review.
The University Of Sedona can trace its history as a teaching institution, with its own unique philosophy over the last fifty years. This would include various educational and research facilities. The actual University Of Sedona, an independent entity as it exists today, was founded in 2003 by Dr. Paul Leon Masters. The University of Sedona applied for, and was granted, full legal right to award non-secular degrees up to Doctoral or Ph.D. level in the various ministerial specialties.
The International Metaphysical Ministry, which operates the University Of Sedona, is a worldwide New Thought Metaphysical Ministry having exposure in the domestic United States along with over seventy countries internationally. IMM has over fifty years of service in the private, post secondary religious field.