COURSES
Modern American Spiritualism Course
This program is comprised of 30 on-demand, online lessons, allowing you the freedom to work at your own pace. Students have up to 5 years to complete the course they select.
Each lesson consists of study material, a bibliography, required and recommended reading, and a set of questions for the student to answer. Written answers are reviewed and graded by an assigned credentialed examiner.
Pastoral Skills Course
The Pastoral Skills course is a two week course to introduce students to the techniques of pastoral care and information on the types of Spiritualist religious services, and includes guided practice. The course is a prerequisite for Licentiate Ministers and those wanting to transfer their ordination from non- NSAC churches.
Additional information is available by contacting MPI.
Modern American Spiritualism Course
Credential Requirements
Those seeking credentials with the National Spiritualist Association of Churches (NSAC), for Ordained Minister, Licentiate Minister, Commissioned Spiritualist Healer, Certified Medium, and National Spiritualist Teacher, must successfully pass the related lessons.
| Credential(s) | Requirements |
| Licentiate Minister Ordained Minister National Spiritualist Teacher |
full course |
| Commissioned Spiritualist Healer | Lessons 1 through 9 inclusive, 21 through 24 inclusive, and 28, 29 |
| Certified Medium | Lessons 1 through 20 inclusive and 28, 29 |
Course Materials
All lessons are copyrighted by the Morris Pratt Institute and no portion may be reproduced, copied or sold without the expressed written permission of the MPI. Additional information is available by contacting MPI.
Course Curriculum
Unit 1: The History of Spiritualism
Lesson 1: Psychic Events Prior to Modern Spiritualism
Generalities of Spiritualism
Miscellaneous Considerations
Forerunners of Modern American Spiritualism
Lesson 2: The Advent of Modern Spiritualism
Hydesville Background
The Fox Family
After Hydesville
The Fox Sisters
The Peddler and the Cottage
Spiritualism’s Progression
Lesson 3: Spiritualism As An Organized Religion
History of the National Spiritualist Association of Churches
Principles and Definitions of the Association
Specific Growth of the Association
Certification from the Association
Unit 2: The Religion of Spiritualism
Lesson 4: Spiritualism as a Philosophy – Part I
Philosophy Defined
Spiritual Natural Laws
The Spiritualistic Philosophy
The God Idea
Creation and the Philosophy of Spiritualism
Lesson 5: Spiritualism as a Philosophy, Part II
Attitudes Toward Death and Dying
Death, Dying and the Spiritualist Philosophy
The Reality of Life, Death and Dying
Lesson 6: Spiritualism as a Philosophy, Part III
Various Interpretations of Life After Death
What We Know About Life After Death
Considerations on Life After Death
Descriptions of the Spirit World
Lesson 7: Spiritualism’s Teachings and Views, Part I
The Positive Aspects of Modern Spiritualism
Spiritualism’s Views
Spiritualism and Christian Theology
Lesson 8: Spiritualism’s Teachings and Views, Part II
Physical and Spiritual Nature of the Individual
The Individual’s Duty
Life and Its Purpose
Unit 3: The Science of Spiritualism
Lesson 9: Spiritualism As Science
General Considerations
Relationship Between Science and Spiritualism
Early Scientists Who Studied Spiritualism
Early Scientific Research Organizations
Position of Science to Spiritualism – Spiritualism to Science
Lesson 10: Classification of Phenomena
Davis’ Classification of Mediumship
Crookes’ Classification of Mediumship
Sprague’s Classification of Mediumship
Classification According to Parapsychology
Lesson 11: A Study of the Phenomena – Part I
Telepathy
Clairvoyance
Clairaudience
Lesson 12: A Study of the Phenomena – Part II
Retrocognition
Precognition
Prophecy
Lesson 13: A Study of the Phenomena – Part III
Inspirational and Inspired
Inspirational Speaking and Writing
Independent – Automatic Writing
Trance
Lesson 14: A Study of the Phenomena – Part IV
Clairsentience
Psychometry
Spirit Photography
Lesson 15: A Study of the Phenomena – Part V
Materialization & Dematerialization
Teleportation & Apportation
The Status of Phenomena today
Lesson 16: A Study of the Phenomena – Part VI
The History of the Human Aura
Kilner, Kirlian and the Aura
Science/Parapsychology & the Aura
Spiritualism and the Aura
Lesson 17: A Study of the Phenomena – Part VII
Levitation
Out-of-the Body Experiences (OOBE)
Independent Voice (Direct Voice)
Lesson 18: Practice & Application of Phenomena -Part I
Awareness and Self-Realization
General Introduction to Meditation
The Practice of Meditation
The Application of Meditation
Lesson 19: Practice & Application of Phenomena – Part II
The Practice of Mediumship
Unfoldment of Mediumship
Lesson 20: Practice & Application of Phenomena – Part III
Mediumship and the Medium
Ethics, Education and the Medium
Mediumship and the Sitter
Benefits of Mediumship
Unsatisfactory Results of Mediumship
Unit 4: A Study of Healing
Lesson 21: A History of Healing
Healing in Prehistory
Healing During Ancient History
Healing During the Middle Period
Healers of Modern Times
Lesson 22: The Theory of Healing
Healing Classifications
Spiritual Healing and the Spiritualist
Spiritual Healing and the Scientist
Lesson 23: Avenues of Healing
Contact Spiritual Healing
Absent Spiritual Healing
Psychic Surgery
Healing Without Spirit Intervention
The Healing Intelligence
Lesson 24: The Practice of Healing
General Considerations
The Practice of Healing
The Healing Experience
Activities for the Spiritual Healer
Steps for Certification
Unit 5: Comparative Religion
Lesson 25: Comparative Religion – Part I
The Beginning and Development of Religion
Religions of Some Ancient Cultures
Lesson 26: Comparative Religion – Part II
Buddhism
The Beliefs of China
Hinduism
Lesson 27: Comparative Religion – Part III
Zoroastrianism
Judaism
Christianity
The World of Islam
Unit 6: Representing Spiritualism
Lesson 28: Church Organization
The Parent Body
Stow Memorial Foundation
Spiritualist Benevolent Society
Certification
Auxiliaries
Incorporation of Auxiliaries
Organizing New Societies
Suggested Church Bylaws
Lesson 29: Serving Spiritualism
Serving the Platform
Platform Decorum
The Sermon Process
The Pastor
Special Observances
Suggested Platform Decorum
Lesson 30: Your Role in Spiritualism
The Importance of Image
Our Image – Our Future
A Brighter Future for Spiritualism – How?
Lesson Worksheets