Can You Study Astrology in College?

Last Updated on June 14, 2023 by Avia

Students have a hard time deciding on their major. Many follow their natural inclinations. They decide to become engineers, literature professors, or designers. However, there are those who don’t fit with the mainstream. Such individuals want to study astrology, holistic medicine, or another alternative school of thought.

Indeed, there are plenty of those who dream of studying astrology at a university. But the US doesn’t recognize it as a science. As a result, universities don’t offer any degrees in this discipline. With that said, students can get degrees abroad or opt for online schools in astrology. Unfortunately, some of such schools provide dubious certifications and often come with a hefty price. That’s why we’ve curated ways to study astrology and perhaps even get a certification in astrology. But before we explore the alternatives, let’s talk a bit about astrology and what it is.

About the Study of Astrology

No matter their interests or education, everybody comes across astrology at least once in their life. For example, you could have consulted the horoscope while preparing for a class in college. Maybe your interest in astrology grew to be an excellent guide, helping you decide if you should study astrology or if you should stick with conventional education and use a write my essay service and other resources to get a traditional degree. That’s why astrology is so helpful, and why it may be so interesting to you – because astrology is about interpreting the patterns and movement stars and planets to analyze people and events.

This discipline has been popular since ancient times. Ancient cultures from China, Greece, early Mesopotamia, Mexico – ultimately all over the world – created complicated systems based on astronomical events. These ancient star-charting astrologists could predict the things that would happen in the real world. Today, Western astrologers cast charts and can read aspects and transits of stars, signs and planets to help people understand their lives, themselves and their path.

According to Pew Research study on astrology, currently, 20% of American men believe in horoscopes, astrology and zodiac signs. The study goes on to show that over a third of women do as well. If you are a believer, and want to know more about astrology, here are a few options for you to study astrology.

Ways to Study Astrology

All astrological schools are based on ancient beliefs. However, each of them has their own background and influences. They come with their own set of rules and beliefs. Here are a few schools of thought that might inspire you to earn a certificate or learn more about astrology.

Western Astrology Studies

Western astrologers put a heavy emphasis on the role of celestial bodies. They are directly related to a person’s date of birth. Schools or educators that teach Western astrology will describe the twelve zodiac signs and how they are influenced by planets and stars according to date of birth. Western astrology was popularized in the west by Ptolemy in the 2^nd century AD. It is based on Babylonian and Hellenistic traditions, and is a common field of study for those new to astrology.

Hindu Astrology School

Jyotisha is a Hindu for of astrology also known as Vedic astrology. It is a system that recognizes the lights of heaven and heavenly bodies to clarify and gain insight into human, plant and animal life. India is currently one of the few places that provides a formal education in Vedic astrology. There are six higher education institutions that offer classes in astrology in India. In fact, India could potentially be one of the last countries that acknowledges astrology as a true science.

Chinese Astrology Studies

Chinese astrology is heavily entwined with the country’s philosophical system. In general, the Chinese culture tends to be deeply spiritual and adheres to their philosophical beliefs. The key concepts include: The three harmonies, Ten celestial stems, The five phases, and The yin and yang.

In its early days, Chinese astrology was applied to politics. Astrologers used it to identify omens. They also selected days for important decisions and events. Their zodiac system is tied to animals as well. Interestingly, direct observation of the stars was not traditionally used because it is a lunar-based system of astrology. Currently, the author does not know if there are schools one can attend to receive a degree in Chinese astrology. However, there are online courses such as the Feng Shui Institute that offer accredited courses.

University Courses in Astrology

As mentioned American institutions do not consider astrology a scientific discipline, therefore an accredited university is unlikely to grant a degree in astrology. However, this doesn’t imply there’s no way of getting a degree altogether. For example, Kepler College has individual courses and certificate programs. These cover basic astrological practices. There are several things students can learn such as: Psychological and natal astrology, Astrocartography, and chart formations.

There are even courses on starting your own business in astrology. Future astrologers can learn how to use social media and other marketing tools to attract new clients seeking astrological guidance. One such institution is the Avalon School of Astrology which offers its own certificate program. It takes three years to complete. Graduate students receive a professional certificate.

You might also consider taking the exam run by the International Society for Astrological Research. Those who want to travel abroad and study astrology can choose from several places. The British University of Wales Trinity Saint David has a program in cultural astronomy and astrology. Other countries have similar courses.

Online Courses

While some schools offer courses in astrology, most of the education is done online. There are several organizations that provide such services. There’s the Holistic Astrology School that has a comprehensive astrology course. It’s being taught by one of the top professionals in the field. It looks like the school has a lot to teach its students.

Another similar course is run by Luminous Multiuniversity. They promise participants a successful career as professional astrologers. The course takes only twelve months to complete. Annie Botticelli runs this and offers knowledge in business and self-development. Her astrological studies seem to work closely with various charts and astronomical phenomena.

Alanna Kaivalya’s program works along those lines as well. It offers an even shorter way of getting a Ph.D. in astrology in just eight weeks. She promotes the course as a must-have for those struggling with astrology, and people who want to study astrology in order to serve other people (as in run a business or sell astrological readings). The course has a strong emphasis on so-called energetic signatures. Other pseudoscientific concepts are also being taught within Kaivalya’s progam.

What’s common about all courses is their length. Getting any sort of degree usually takes several years. But these courses promise to provide vast volumes of knowledge in under a year. Moreover, taking such a course isn’t free. For example, Alanna Kaivalya’s program costs $997 to partake in.

Conclusion About Getting an Education in Astrology

Whether you want to get a certificate online, or get an education in astrology abroad, one thing is clear – it can be expensive. This is why many students of astrology choose to teach themselves. The famed astrologist and author of Love Signs, Linda Goodman was self-taught and was incredibly successful in her astrology business endeavors.

Ultimately, you should consider your goals. Why do you want to pursue an intense study in astrology? Do you want to start a business with it? Or maybe you just want to learn more about the ancient pseudoscience of astrology. If it’s a passing fancy, you might be better off getting a mentor who can tutor you. But if you’re gung-ho, and want to start a business, then the study of astrology might be best attained through an institution.