A Course In Miracles makes clear it is but one version of the universal curriculum. Even although the language of the Course is that of traditional Christianity, it expresses a non-sectarian, non-denominational spirituality. A Course In Miracles, therefore, is just a universal spiritual teaching, not really a religion.

A Course In Miracles is intended to be always a comprehensive self-study program. It says hardly any about how precisely it ought to be studied, other than the instructions given in the Introduction to the Workbook for Students. We do give you a useful study guide to assist you begin your study of A Course In Miracles. our free study guide here.

A Course in Miracles – often abbreviated ACIM or simply called the Course – is a complete self-study spiritual thought system. As a three-volume curriculum consisting of a Text, Workbook for Students, and Manual for Teachers, it teaches that the way to universal love and peace—or remembering God—is by undoing guilt through forgiving others. The Course thus is targeted on the healing of relationships and making them holy. A Course in Miracles also emphasizes that it's but one version of the universal curriculum, of which you can find “many thousands.” Consequently, even though the language of the Course is that of traditional Christianity, it expresses a non-sectarian, non-denominational spirituality. A Course in Miracles, therefore, is really a universal spiritual teaching, not a religion.

The Text presents the idea of the Course and has generated into its study the development of the experience of forgiveness that is the Course's goal for the student. In this regard, A Course in Miracles states that “its goal for you personally is happiness and peace.” (T-13.II.7:1) The Text also explains the cornerstone for fear and guilt, and how they can be overcome through miracles, which are defined as maximal “expressions of love.” The miracle is defined because the shift in perception from fear to love.

The Workbook for Students consists of 365 lessons, an exercise for each day of the year. This one-year training program begins the process of changing the student's mind and perception, although it isn't intended to bring one's learning how to completion. As stated in the Preface to the Course, “At the conclusion, the reader is left in the hands of his or her own Internal Teacher, Who'll direct all subsequent learning as He sees fit.” (Pre: ix-x) You can study the Workbook's daily lessons in both text and audio in English; also available as text in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.

The Manual for Teachers is written in question-and-answer form and provides answers to a few of the more likely questions a student might ask. It also contains clarification of several terms the Course uses, explaining them within the theoretical framework of the Text and because of their practical application through the Workbook.

A Course in Miracles was “scribed” by Dr Helen Schucman through an activity of inner dictation that she identified as originating from Jesus. A scientific and research psychologist and tenured Associate Professor of Medical Psychology, she was assisted by Dr William Thetford, her department head, who was simply also a tenured Professor of Medical Psychology at the Medical Center where they both worked. Just what, then, is A Course in Miracles? The summary from its Introduction, which appears on page one of the Text, is quite succinct and brief but describes its core teaching perfectly. It reads:

Anyone at all can benefit from A Course in Miracles. One doesn't need to be an intellectual to understand from it and utilize it as a spiritual path. Nonetheless, it's written on a top intellectual level with sophisticated metaphysical, theological, and psychological concepts incorporated into the teaching throughout the three books. Much of it is written in blank verse.