A Course in Miracles is described by its original publisher, the Foundation for Inner Peace, as "a self-study spiritual thought system." The book was "scribed" by a clinical and research psychologist, Dr. Helen Schucman, through a process of inner dictation which she identified as coming from Jesus. Collaborating in the seven-year effort was her associate, Dr. William Thetford. A Course in Miracles was first published in 1975. There are presently over one million copies in circulation worldwide.