Shamanic ways teaching is individualized and experiential: Shamanic ways as we understand and practice them are learned and taught best in sacred circle and through spiritual companionship. Shamanic ways are passed on in non-ordinary reality by Spirit and the Spirits through dreaming, the shamanic journey process, and through oral tradition from mentor to student even when they are also partially learned from internet resources, books, DVDs, CDs, workshops, and classes. ASQ University's program covers many topic areas but different topics will be focused upon by every student. No two shamans work alike and no two shamanic practices are alike so no two courses of instruction at ASQ University are alike.

Please notice: ASQ University's certification is not intended to indicate certification as a shaman. ASQ University's certificate does indicate that a professional level mentored apprenticeship of 3 years length or more in shamanic practices and principles, backed by detailed documentation has been completed to the satisfaction of student and mentor and Companions Circle. Candidates with college level preparation or a college degree may choose to earn a degree instead of or in addition to a certificate, based upon the number of documented credit hours earned before and after joining ASQ university. Candidates with prior documented shamanic experience and relevant education may receive advanced standing on a case by case basis.

Shamanhood is conferred only by Spirit and Spirits and apprenticeship to Spirit and the Spirits is life long. Enrollment in ASQ University's apprenticeship is a way to weave together many relevant courses of study and life experiences and candidates are encouraged to practice what they know as called by Spirit and Spirits under such a description or title as shamanic practitioner. For candidates with college level preparation a broader, self-designed course of study centered around the shamanic certificate program and including completion of a supervised thesis or project can lead to earning a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) Degree, and further study can lead to earning a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) Degree.

Ordination: Those who complete ASQ University's program or its equivalent are eligible to apply for ordination as a shamanic minister of Companions Circle Church. Ordination is by appointment by the Board of Directors through a further application and interview process. Yearly dues, continuing education, and a yearly practice report are a few additional requirements for ordained ministers of Companions Circle. Companions Circle may recognize ordinations and education by other churches and organizations. Requests for ordination by ASQ University students and other shamanic practitioners are considered on a case by case basis.

Requirements for earning credits and receiving our certificates of course completion: Complete email or snail mail application with real name, address, email and/or phone contact information, curriculum vitae, and statement of aspirations and your request to join the program with reasons why; Copies of transcripts, certificates, and other documentation of any relevant education and experience, sent to the snail mail address below; Contribution - A monthly donation of $10.00 or a $231.00 lifetime membership donation (use Pay Pal buttons below or snail-mail address); Ongoing interaction with our mentor and other circle companions through email, message circles, snail mail, or phone consultation; and Begin ongoing shamanic circle in-person attendance here or near you. (You may have to open a circle yourself.)

Approved for credit: Instruction by The Rev. Elizabeth Cunningham Perkins; participation in the Shamanic Shift Center circle; participation in workshops or classes presented by Shamanic Shift Center and Companions Circle Church; Instruction members in good standing of the Society for Shamanic Practitioners (SSC), the Foundation for Shamanic Studies (FSS), or the Circle of the Sacred Earth (CSE), considered on a case-by-case basis; instruction by faculty of other shamanic schools, considered on a case-by-case basis; documented hours of the candidate's own independent studies, instruction by Spirit and the Spirits and ongoing active shamanic practice; relevant college or postgraduate level courses, continuing education, professional development, and ministerial (or pastoral or seminary) training after review and approval.

Credit hours: At Aloha Salem Quest (ASQ) Seminary's self-educational mentored experiential apprenticeship program each course credit hour, or continuing education hour, or professional development hour, or life experience credit hour = 10 clock hours of relevant contact or study or experience or 1 college credit. The number of credits in major areas of shamanic education required to complete ASQ University's certificate program are outlined below:

Curriculum and sequential steps for completion of ASQ University's shamanic apprenticeship program beyond application, payment and acceptance:

• Completion of 20 hours of Basic Shamanic Ways studies documented by typewritten report(s) and/or certificates
• Ongoing attendance at a shamanic circle for at least 1 year with a typewritten report
• Completion of 300 hours of experiential studies in Advanced Shamanic Ways topics - such as divination, healing, weather shifting, dreaming, core shamanic techniques, sacred clowning, shamanic alchemy, community shamanism, shamanic innovations, eco-shamanism - documented by typewritten reports and/or certificates
• Completion of 60 hours of studies in professional ministering skills and knowledge documented by typewritten reports and/or certificates and through demonstrations of competence
• Completion of 300 hours of studies in sciences and technologies - documented by written reports and/or certificates
• Completion of 300 hours of studies and experiences in art - documented by written reports, works of art, and/or certificates
• Completion of 200 hours of studies in elective related topics - such as religion, spirituality, philosophy, numbers, mathematics, linguistics, psychology, alternative and complementary healing, or other - documented by written reports and/or certificates
• 200 hours or more of significant, related life experiences transformed into shamanic teachings and processes with typewritten descriptions or recorded in-person presentations
• Completion of a project in shamanics for self, community, and world change towards better and best with a detailed typewritten report or recorded in-person presentation
• Submission of a 4,000 to 5,000 word typewritten essay detailing the standards and parameters of shamanic practice and how you live these standards.
• Submission of 30 hours of audio-cassette recorded shamanic sessions or other shamanic activities with typewritten reports
• Ongoing contact with your mentor in person, by phone, and email throughout the program
• Interview and oral examination
• Review, final exam, and approval
• Agree to practice in accordance with our ethics
• For ordained ministers: Complete at least 50 relevant CEUs and a practice report each year

This is a new yet old-fashioned, flexible yet rigorous approach: Take great responsibility and take full advantage of the wide diversity of educational opportunities available today from multiple sources through all kinds of media. Design your custom program around our broad requirements. Who knows? Maybe someday we will get even more techno- and cyber-shamanic and produce boxed DVD + accompanying textbook and workbook and/or interactive telephonic and streaming video shamanic apprenticeships, if and as we are guided and empowered by Spirit and Spirits! (In the meanwhile, if you find those kinds of courses for sale you can probably get ASQ University credit for taking them.)

Credits earned by registered student candidates of Aloha Salem Quest (ASQ) Seminary are acknowledged and certified as soon we receive and review (through snail mail, email, or phone conversation) detailed documentation of satisfactory completion of diverse, relevant, self-educational experiences, courses, practice sessions, college credits and CEUs, and projects - in agreement with a mentor. Masters and Doctoral degree programs can be designed around the certification program for candidates with Bachelors or Masters level college preparation. To request admission to Aloha Salem Quest (ASQ) University Seminary of Shamanic Ways send your full real name, address, contact information, educational and vocational background, spiritual autobiography, and reasons for seeking initiation, mentoring, certificates, and/or candidacy for a degree in your self-designed snail-mail application and send transcripts and other documentation of previous education and experience. Use the Address listed below.

For ongoing mentoring, record-keeping, and certificate of completion we request a $231 lifetime donation or maintain an ongoing $10.00 pledge (USD) to help offset costs and assist the non-profit mission of Companions Circle. Tuition for specific shamanic educational experiences is paid separately to the teachers, organizations, or companies presenting the instruction.

If you wish to apply please email the required information as stated above then begin paying a pledge or pay for a lifetime membership. Either use the PayPal or Google Checkout buttons below or snail-mail a check or money order to the address below with your transcripts and other documentation of prior education. (All proceeds support Companions Circle's non-profit mission but quid pro quo payments or donations are not tax-deductible.)

Multi-choice Google Checkout button: Choose the appropriate option from the drop-down menu!

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Lifetime Membership - $231.00

Snail mail:
Companions Circle
Attn: The Rev. Elizabeth Cunningham Perkins
544 East Ogden Avenue STE 700-112
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Recommended: Open an email conversation first by going into specifics on our all-purpose contact form.

Notice: The educational programs of Shamanic Shift Center and Companions Circle have been reviewed by the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board and declared to be parochial, and exempt from government oversight. All degrees and certificates awarded by Aloha Salem Quest are spiritual, parochial, religious, and ministerial in nature, recognized by the church, and accredited individually by detailed documentation.