The University for Integrative Learning serves a spiritual learning community in ways consistent with humanistic educational philosophy and psychology. UIL places individuals at the center of their own learning processes in relation to all aspects of life.
Guiding Principles and Values
- Every individual is a unique and complete being: spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical.
- Freedom of individual expression is an inherent intellectual and spiritual birthright.
- Learning is a lifelong process.
- Lifelong learning is both a right and a responsibility that cannot be ignored without denying life at its root.
- Active, cooperative, interdisciplinary learning is encouraged throughout life.
- Everyone deserves equal access to advanced educational degrees.
- Equality and diversity are actively fostered in regard to race, sex, class, age, ethnic background, sexual orientation, and different abilities.
- The community is honored as a valuable resource for learning.
- Relevant life experience is a valid, credit-worthy part of academic degree programs.
- Lifelong learning allows shorter enrollment periods for each degree level.
- Theory, practice, and critical understanding must be integrated to provide a holistic assessment of learning experiences.
- The relationship between learners and mentors functions best in an atmosphere of safety, trust, and respect, including power-balanced dialogues that nurture individual and interpersonal growth.
- Academic degrees, learning, and life itself are essentially spiritual/religious experiences, in harmony with each individual’s personal beliefs.
- Human diversity, pluralism, and all nonviolent belief systems are honored in accordance with the credo of UIL’s parent organization, the Association for the Integration of the Whole Person (AIWP).