Application Process

Application Deadline

• January 15, 2022 -  1st priority deadline for Drama Therapy. Submit by January 15th at 11:59pm PT for guaranteed review. ​After this date, this program may be full and only interview for waitlist spots or not be able to further review applications.

• February 15, 2022 - 1st priority deadline for all other programs. Submit by February 15th at 11:59pm PT. for guaranteed review. ​After this date, some programs may be full and only interview for waitlist spots or not be able to further review applications.

• March 15, 2022 - 2nd application deadline: pending program space availability (after the priority deadline). Applications after this date are considered on a space-available basis and may not be considered if you miss this deadline.

• April 15, 2022 - 3rd application deadline: pending program space availability (after the Feb 15th priority deadline). After this date, some programs may be full and only interview for waitlist spots or not be able to further review applications. Applications will be considered on a space-available basis and may not be considered if you miss this deadline.

• May 15, 2022 - 4th application deadline for programs still accepting applications (after the Feb 15th priority deadline). After this date, some programs may be full and only interview for waitlist spots or not be able to further review applications.

Undergraduate GPA Required

A of 3.0 or higher in previous coursework is required. However, a GPA below 3.0 does not automatically disqualify an applicant. CIIS will consider a prospective student whose GPA is between 2.0 and 3.0. These individuals are required to submit a GPA Statement and are encouraged to contact the Admissions Team to discuss their options.

GRE Requirement

None

Prerequisite Courses

Community Mental Health

• The Community Mental Health program considers the following factors to be desirable for admission: a background, interest, and demonstrated commitment to public and community mental health (work or volunteer), and evidence of a commitment to achieving positive health outcomes in these settings. Alternatively, experience in community planning, community organizing, and/or social justice in a paid or volunteer position is helpful.

Drama Therapy

• Applicants must have a background in drama/theatre. A minimum of two undergraduate psychology courses, and volunteer or paid work experience in human services are strongly recommended.

Integral Counseling Psychology

• Two undergraduate psychology courses from an accredited college or university are recommended but not required. Completion of coursework in one of the following areas is strongly recommended: human development, psychopathology, theories of personality, and/or introduction to psychology.

• CIIS’ Integral Counseling Psychology program seeks individuals who:

  • Have some background or interest in integral/East-West philosophy and psychology.

  • Are pursuing a path of personal growth through yoga, meditation, personal psychotherapy, etc.

  • Have demonstrated a capacity to learn and work both independently and collaboratively.

  • Show a demonstrated commitment to the field, through volunteer or paid experience in a psychologically-oriented community service agency.

Somatic Psychology

• The somatic psychology graduate program seeks highly motivated, creative, and mature students who have demonstrated a strong interest in work with somatic understandings. While this includes work in literature, humanities, and the social sciences, it is useful for prospective students to have had training in various somatic approaches, such as massage therapy, Feldenkrais, the Alexander technique, bioenergetics, Rosen work, massage, shiatsu, acupuncture, martial arts, dance, yoga, yoga therapy, or meditation.

Application Highlights

Community Mental Health

• Goal Statement: What do you envision doing, professionally, with a M.A. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Community Mental Health? How do you envision spending your work time and energy? Please provide a one-page statement of professional goals and objectives.

• Resume 

• Admissions Essay: Please address the following two questions in a four-to-six page (typed, double-spaced) reflection:

  • What do you understand psychotherapy to be? In your own words (without jargon), please define psychotherapy and describe how you think that it works. In the context of psychotherapy, what is the process of healing and growth? (We are not seeking a textbook or academic definition, but rather a window into your thinking and perspective on psychotherapy).

  • Reflect on the considerations unique to providing psychotherapy for historically marginalized, under-represented, and/or oppressed individuals, communities, and populations? What qualities of a therapist or therapy do you think are most important in this context? Please give an example of one such quality that you possess or are working on cultivating.

• Two Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation will be accepted from academic advisors, professors, professional supervisors, or someone able to attest to your ability to undertake the work required for your program. Recommenders should use standard business format and include full contact information-name, email, phone number, and mailing address.

Drama Therapy

• Autobiographical Statement: A five to six-page introspective essay in which you reflect on significant childhood and adult life experiences that have impacted your personal and psychological development.

• Goal Statement: A one-page statement of your professional interests, goals, or passions.

• Two Letters of Recommendation: From academic advisors, professors or professional supervisors. Recommenders should use standard business format and include full contact information: name, email, phone number, and mailing address.

• Background Outline: A one-page outline specifically listing your background/experience (if any) in: (1) theatre/drama (2) psychology (3) human services/counseling work, and (4) creative arts therapy. If you hold a degree in any of these areas, you can simply indicate that (for example, BFA in Theatre). For all other areas, list any courses, internships, or work experience pertinent to that category (or indicate "none").

Expressive Arts Therapy

• Short Essay Responses: Please write a series of brief responses, one for each of the following prompts in the order that they appear:

  • Why are you interested in applying to CIIS specifically to study Expressive Arts Therapy? (350 words maximum)

  • Describe the creative arts modalities you would bring with you into the Expressive Arts Therapy program. (350 word maximum)

  • Please describe the direct human services experiences you have had in either employment and/or through volunteering. (200 word maximum)

  • What internal and external strengths and resources do you draw from to help you cope in your daily life? What social supports does this include? (200 word maximum)

  • Our graduates are expected to be able to work with people from very diverse social, cultural, sexual/affectional preference, gender and socioeconomic backgrounds. What is your experience of relating across dimensions of difference? (200 word maximum)

  • The low-residency program requires a high level of self-directed, autonomous work in addition to the ability to work in groups. Please describe your experience in: a.) working individually, and b.) working collaboratively in a group to meet a deadline. (200 word maximum)

  • Due to the hybridized nature of our education delivery format, students must demonstrate the ability to work with/navigate online learning formats. Please describe a challenge you have encountered in working in an online learning environment and how you overcame (or imagine overcoming) the challenge. (200 word maximum)

• Two Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation will be accepted from academic advisors, professors, professional supervisors, or someone able to attest to your ability to undertake the work required for your program. Recommenders should use standard business format and include full contact information - name, email, phone number, and mailing address. 

• Academic Writing Sample: A five-page sample of a piece of your academic writing (typed, double-spaced) that demonstrates your capacity to think critically and reflectively and demonstrates graduate-level writing abilities. You may submit copies of previous work, such as a recent academic paper, article, or report that reflects scholarly abilities. The selected sample must be five consecutive pages. A sample that uses outside sources must include proper citations. Please include the reference pages from this writing sample. (The reference pages are not included in the five-page limit.)

• A Current Curriculum Vitae detailing your educational and professional experience.

Integrative Counseling Psychology

• Autobiographical Statement: A four-to-six page (typed, double-spaced) introspective autobiographical statement describing your personal values, emotional and spiritual insights, and meaningful life experiences that are foundational to your development and that led to your decision to apply.

• Goal Statement: A one-page (typed, double-spaced) statement of your professional goals and objectives that demonstrates your commitment to the field of integral counseling.

• Resume

• Two Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation will be accepted from academic advisors, professors, professional supervisors, or someone able to attest to your ability to undertake the work required for your program. Recommenders should use standard business format and include full contact information-name, email, phone number, and mailing address in the body of the letter.

Somatic Psychology

• Autobiographical Statement: In four-to-six pages (typed, double-spaced), discuss childhood and early family experiences, and significant educational, sociocultural, or personally meaningful experiences in your later development. Describe the life experiences that led to your decision to apply to the program. Please include your current somatic practices.

• Statement of Purpose: Include a one-page (typed, double-spaced) statement of what you imagine that your professional life might look like in 10 years, including how your practice might be structured, how the somatics component might be present, and any other items such as research and other aspects of personal and professional development.

• Resume

• Two Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation will be accepted from academic advisors, professors, professional supervisors, or someone able to attest to your ability to undertake the work required for your program. Recommenders should use standard business format and include full contact information-name, email, phone number, and mailing address.

Interview Requirement

Community Mental Health

• Because the program operates on a cohort model, students are interviewed about their goals, objectives, and experiences. These interviews aim to create a cohort of students who can support, motivate, and sustain one another during the seven semesters of study.

Drama Therapy

• Individual and group interviews by invitation from the program.

Integral Counseling Psychology

• Individual and group interviews by invitation from the admissions committee.