The Depth Psychology Academy
Advanced Studies in Myth, Fairy Tales, Alchemy, and the History of Depth Psychology
The Advanced Certificate in Foundational Depth Psychology is a guided self-paced pathway for students who wish to continue their study of Jungian and depth psychology beyond the introductory foundations.
This advanced pathway brings together four substantial Academy courses:
- Jung 105 - Jung and Mythology
- Jung 106 - Jung and Fairy Tales
- Jung 107 - Jung and Alchemy
- Jung 200 - History of Depth Psychology
Together, these courses guide students more deeply into symbolic imagination, archetypal pattern, transformation symbolism, and the historical development of depth psychology.
Who This Pathway Is For
This pathway is intended for serious adult learners who want to deepen their understanding of Jungian and depth psychology through myth, fairy tale, alchemy, and historical perspective.
It may be especially helpful for:
- Therapists, counselors, and helping professionals.
- Educators, clergy, and spiritual directors.
- Artists, writers, and creative practitioners.
- Students of mythology, religion, literature, and symbolic life.
- Thoughtful lay students seeking a deeper engagement with Jungian psychology.
Students will benefit from prior study of Jungian concepts, dreams, symbolic interpretation, and active imagination.
Relationship to the Certificate in Foundational Depth Psychology
The Certificate in Foundational Depth Psychology is the preferred preparation for this advanced pathway.
That first certificate introduces students to Jungian terms and concepts, applied Jungian psychology, dream work, and active imagination. The advanced certificate continues that work through symbolic systems and historical perspective.
Completion of the first certificate is strongly recommended, but not required. Students who already have a working knowledge of Jungian psychology, dreams, symbolic interpretation, and active imagination may also be ready to begin here.
Recommended Course Sequence
We recommend taking the courses in this order:
1. Jung 105 - Jung and Mythology
The pathway begins with mythology because myth opens the broadest field of archetypal imagination.
Myths give symbolic form to creation, transformation, conflict, initiation, sacrifice, descent, renewal, death, rebirth, and the relationship between human life and the sacred.
From a Jungian perspective, myths help us recognize large archetypal patterns that shape individual lives and collective cultures.
2. Jung 106 - Jung and Fairy Tales
Fairy tales narrow the symbolic field from large mythic worlds into compact stories of conflict, danger, transformation, loss, discovery, and renewal.
They are especially valuable for understanding psychological development, complexes, shadow material, anima and animus motifs, redemption patterns, and the hidden logic of transformation.
In this pathway, fairy tales deepen the student’s capacity to read symbolic stories as expressions of psychic life.
3. Jung 107 - Jung and Alchemy
Alchemy is one of Jung’s most difficult and important symbolic fields.
In Jung’s mature work, alchemical symbolism became a central language for understanding individuation, transformation, the union of opposites, projection, matter, psyche, spirit, and the long work of psychological development.
Alchemy belongs after mythology and fairy tales because students will already have begun working with symbolic and archetypal material before entering this more complex tradition.
4. Jung 200 - History of Depth Psychology
Jung 200 serves as the capstone course for the advanced certificate.
After working through mythology, fairy tales, and alchemy, students step back and place Jungian psychology within the wider history of depth psychology.
This course helps students understand where these ideas came from and how Jungian psychology belongs to a broader history of the unconscious, healing, symbolism, religion, culture, and human development.
Suggested Pacing
The Advanced Certificate in Foundational Depth Psychology is self-paced. Students may move through the courses according to their own schedules.
We recommend approaching the work slowly and reflectively. These courses are intellectually and symbolically rich, and they are not designed merely for rapid completion.
A possible pacing model is:
- One course every 8 to 12 weeks for a steady pace.
- One course every 3 to 4 months for a slower, more reflective pace.
- One year or longer for students who want to integrate the material deeply into personal, professional, creative, or spiritual life.
There is no need to rush the work. The value of this pathway lies not only in completing the courses, but in allowing the material to deepen over time.
Completion Requirements
To qualify for the Advanced Certificate in Foundational Depth Psychology, students must complete all four required courses:
- Jung 105 - Jung and Mythology
- Jung 106 - Jung and Fairy Tales
- Jung 107 - Jung and Alchemy
- Jung 200 - History of Depth Psychology
Each course has its own lessons, readings, quizzes, assignments, or other completion requirements.
Students should make sure that all required course materials are complete and that each course is marked complete on the Academy site. This includes clicking the lesson completion button for each required lesson so that the Academy site can accurately record course progress.
How to Request the Full Certificate
After completing all four required courses, students may request the full Advanced Certificate in Foundational Depth Psychology.
The process is:
- Complete Jung 105, Jung 106, Jung 107, and Jung 200.
- Make sure all required lessons, readings, quizzes, assignments, and completion steps are finished.
- Confirm that each course is marked complete on the Academy site.
- Submit the Advanced Certificate request form.
- The Academy will review the student’s completion record.
- Once completion is verified, the student will be enrolled in the final Certificate Completion course.
- The student completes the final step in that short completion course.
- The Academy site issues the full Advanced Certificate in Foundational Depth Psychology.
The final Certificate Completion course is a short hidden course used only for issuing the full certificate after completion has been verified. Students do not need to purchase this course separately.
For Students Who Already Own One or More Courses
Students who already own one or more of the required courses do not need to repurchase those courses in order to complete the advanced certificate pathway.
Students may complete any remaining required courses and then request the full certificate after all four courses have been completed.
What This Certificate Represents
The Advanced Certificate in Foundational Depth Psychology recognizes completion of a substantial independent-study program in Jungian and depth psychology through the Depth Psychology Academy.
The program guides students through advanced foundational study in mythology, fairy tales, alchemy, and the history of depth psychology.
It represents sustained engagement with symbolic, archetypal, imaginal, and historical dimensions of depth psychology.
What This Certificate Does Not Represent
This certificate does not constitute professional licensure, clinical certification, academic credit, psychotherapy training, or formal Jungian analytic training.
It is not a substitute for graduate education, clinical supervision, personal therapy, professional credentialing, or supervised clinical preparation.
The courses are educational in nature. Students working with personal psychological material are encouraged to proceed thoughtfully and to seek appropriate professional support when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the first certificate required before enrolling in the advanced certificate?
No. Completion of the Certificate in Foundational Depth Psychology is strongly recommended, but not required.
Students who have already studied Jungian psychology, dreams, symbolism, and active imagination may be ready for the advanced pathway.
Can I take the courses out of order?
Yes. Students may take the courses in any order, especially if they already own one or more of them.
However, the recommended sequence is designed to provide the clearest progression:
- Mythology
- Fairy Tales
- Alchemy
- History of Depth Psychology
Why is Jung 200 placed at the end rather than the beginning?
Jung 200 can be taken independently, but in this pathway it functions best as a capstone.
After studying mythology, fairy tales, and alchemy, students are better prepared to step back and understand Jungian psychology within the wider history of depth psychology.
How long do I have to complete the program?
The program is self-paced. Students may move through the courses according to their own schedules.
We recommend a slow and reflective pace rather than rushing through the material.
Is this a professional credential?
No. The certificate recognizes completion of a substantial independent-study program through the Depth Psychology Academy.
It does not constitute professional licensure, clinical certification, academic credit, psychotherapy training, or formal Jungian analytic status.
Closing Orientation
The Advanced Certificate in Foundational Depth Psychology is designed for students who wish to continue serious Jungian and depth psychological study through the symbolic worlds of myth, fairy tale, alchemy, and historical reflection.
The pathway invites slow, thoughtful engagement with some of the richest materials in the Jungian tradition.
Students who complete the program will have moved through a substantial sequence of study in archetypal imagination, symbolic interpretation, transformation symbolism, and the historical development of depth psychology.