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Department of Applied Arts & Sciences

  • Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences — Available in on-campus and online, this program takes special advantage of the interdisciplinary thinking cultivated at MIU, where we study the fundamental principles of intelligence and consciousness at the basis of all disciplines. This view is introduced in the first course in the major, Exploring Consciousness, and then further elaborated throughout the major. Two later courses specifically look at the integration of human physiology with consciousness and the integration of physics with consciousness. In a final senior project, students demonstrate their ability to integrate two or more fields based on their deepening knowledge and experience of consciousness.The major also focuses on holistic personal development, both from the standpoint of general intelligence and from the standpoint of the skills essential for workplace success, including, for example, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, written and oral communication, and health. This program especially supports students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degree by transferring credit from other universities without a large concentration in a discipline.The online offering includes recorded videos as well as live webinars and online forums that give students the opportunity to interact with the faculty and with other students. The flexible schedule and availability online mean that those with jobs and family can study while continuing with their present responsibilities. Progress as quickly or as slowly as you choose – students can take as few as four or as many as 20 units per semester (essentially full-time). Which courses and how many you take is up to you and your schedule.
  • Individualized Major baccalaureate program — Students may propose an individually designed major that takes advantage of the courses offered across two or more departments of the university.
  • Bachelor’s Specializations — Students who complete 32 credits of study from another department of MIU may take their Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree with a specialization in that field.
  • Minor in World Peace — This 20-credit interdisciplinary minor draws on coursework in several departments
  • Studies in Exercise and Sports Science — Courses in Exercise and Sports Science are administered through this department.
  • Studies in Education — The Applied Arts & Sciences Department hosts the offering of a credit-bearing course that includes instruction in the Transcendental Meditation technique, and it houses the courses on Consciousness-Based Education for faculty and graduate instructors.

Featured faculty

ken daley

Ken Daley Chair of the Department of Applied Arts & Sciences

ken daley

Ken Daley is Professor of Exercise and Sport Science at MIU. He served for nine years as a sport administrator and consultant for the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. During that time, he also served on the 8-person National Coaching Certification Council which was the governing body for all coaching education in Canada. He then joined the faculty of Maharishi International University and Maharishi School and was voted teacher-of-the-year at both.

Professor Daley has coached gymnastics at the club and university level. His activity as a gymnastics judge eventually led to an international rating in that sport.

Professor Daley’s area of research and publication has been split between sport science and electronic publication. He has presented over thirty times at the state, national or international level in sport science and seven times at the state or national level on electronic publication. He has authored or edited nine books / manuals, authored twenty-two articles, developed four electronic journals / newsletters, and developed numerous web sites. He has taught courses on basic computer skills and web development and acted as an industry consultant in web development.

He has served in the following capacities:

  • Executive Director, Iowa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
  • Executive Director, Let’s Go Jeff Co
  • Program Director, The Tobacco Prevention Center
  • Initiative Organizer, Blue Zone Project for Fairfield
  • Council member, Health, and Hyman Services RHEC VII (Heartland)
  • Co-Chair, Iowa Partners: Action For Healthy Kids

He has lead adventure sport trips to 10 continental states as well as Greece, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Hawaii.

During the last 40 years he has been active in the physical fitness industry both as an educator, administrator, and participant. His preferred personal physical activities have varied over the years but at present his sports of choice are sailing, rock climbing, mountain biking, and white-water kayaking.

matthew beaufort

Matthew Beaufort, MA

matthew beaufort

Matthew Beaufort has explored connections between art and consciousness, including editing a 12-hour videotaped course and a book on Consciousness-Based Art Education, lecturing at other colleges, and presenting at professional conferences. He has led many art tours in Italy, England, France, China, and the United States. He enjoys engaging people to explore their perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about art. Through this inspiring process, they refine their awareness and discover deeper dimensions of their consciousness, including the potential for higher states of consciousness.

dustin matthews

Dustin Matthews, MEd, MA

dustin matthews

Dustin Matthews attended Plymouth State University and got a bachelor's degree in physical education, a master's degree in education and played and coached football during his time there. Dustin also has a master's degree in Maharishi's Vedic Science from Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa where he now resides. In his free time, Dustin enjoys meditating, working out, writing songs, books, and screenplays, and has an interest in acting. He was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and grew up in Eliot, Maine, on the same street as Robert Frost.

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