By Oscar Woods 
If you’ve been searching for a metaphysical degree online, you’ve probably run into both names and wondered — are these the same school? Different branches? Competitors? They sound nearly identical, and that confusion is understandable. Here’s the full breakdown.
Table of Contents
Two Different Schools, Two Different Histories
These are completely separate institutions, with different founders, different locations, and different philosophies.
University of Metaphysics (UOM) was founded in 1976 by Dr. Paul Leon Masters and operates under the International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM), a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Sedona, Arizona. The school is part of a larger IMM university system that also includes the University of Sedona. According to its official records, it has served over 18,000 students across 125 countries.
University of Metaphysical Sciences (UMS) was founded in 2004 by Christine Breese and is based in Arcata, California. It operates under Wisdom of the Heart Church, also a 501(c)3 nonprofit. UMS is a newer institution by comparison, but has built a broad curriculum since launch.
Curriculum: Where They Look Similar and Where They Don’t
Both schools offer Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in metaphysical studies through distance learning. Students complete coursework at their own pace from home.
University of Metaphysics curriculum was written by founder Dr. Paul Leon Masters and focuses on New Thought Metaphysical Theology. The Bachelor’s program includes 48 modules with 48 open-book exams. Students must also hold ministerial status with the IMM as a prerequisite for earning degrees. The curriculum covers transpersonal, transcendent, holistic, and mystical teachings.
University of Metaphysical Sciences takes a broader, multi-author approach. Its curriculum was developed by 40+ writers, teachers, and researchers. The full program spans roughly 2,500 pages of written material across all three degree levels, plus over 70 guided meditations recorded by Christine Breese. Courses cover topics like Chakras, Astral Projection, Lucid Dreaming, Reiki, Yoga, Divination, Consciousness Studies, Trauma and Recovery, and more.
Accreditation: What Both Schools Have (and What Neither Has)
This is the part most prospective students want clarity on.
Neither school holds accreditation from a U.S. Department of Education recognized agency. As the Department of Education defines it, metaphysical degrees are religious and non-secular in nature. There is no federally recognized accrediting body for this category of institution. That means credits from either school cannot transfer to traditional universities, and federal student loans cannot be used.
That said, each school holds its own form of industry-level accreditation:
- University of Metaphysics is accredited by the International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM), its own parent organization.
- University of Metaphysical Sciences is accredited by the AADP (American Association of Drugless Practitioners) and the AAMA (American Alternative Medical Association), two independent third-party bodies in the holistic and metaphysical field.
UMS’s accreditation from two independent agencies is a meaningful distinction here.
Cost Comparison
| University of Metaphysics | University of Metaphysical Sciences | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Format | Distance learning, self-paced | Distance learning, self-paced |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral |
| Tuition (with scholarship) | ~$1,290 total (payment plan) / $900 prepaid | ~$875 prepaid for all three degrees |
| Prerequisite | Ministerial status with IMM required | No ministerial prerequisite |
| Parent Organization | International Metaphysical Ministry | Wisdom of the Heart Church 501(c)3 |
Both schools offer scholarships that significantly reduce the full tuition cost.
The Legal History Worth Knowing
There is a legal backdrop to this comparison that is public record. The International Metaphysical Ministry, operating the University of Metaphysics and University of Sedona, filed three lawsuits against University of Metaphysical Sciences over a period of several years. All three cases centered on Google Ads disputes. The most recent case was dismissed on May 12, 2025, with no damages awarded, no settlement, and no liability against UMS. No lawsuit from either side has ever involved questions about curriculum quality or degree legitimacy.
Which One Is Right for You?
The answer depends entirely on your goals.
If you want a curriculum grounded in a single founder’s theological system, with deep ties to a New Thought ministry framework, University of Metaphysics has over six decades of history behind it.
If you want a broader, multi-perspective curriculum with extensive guided meditation content and third-party accreditation from independent holistic bodies, University of Metaphysical Sciences presents a different kind of value at a comparable or lower price point.
Neither school will qualify you for secular employment requiring state-recognized credentials. Both are designed for people who want to work in spiritual teaching, metaphysical counseling, holistic life coaching, or consciousness-based fields.
When comparing the university of metaphysics vs university of metaphysical sciences, the core question is straightforward: whose teaching framework connects with what you want to study, and how you want to use your degree.
Both schools maintain publicly accessible catalogs and program details on their respective official websites.