California Institute of Integral Studies


M.A. in Counseling Psychology

Campus-Based and Hybrid Options

On-Campus Location:

CIIS
1453 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94103

CIIS Department of Counseling Psychology Page

 

Program details below are quoted from program websites, supplied here for informational purposes only, and subject to change at any time. Refer to the program website for current information, deadlines, complete admission requirements, etc. It is the responsibility of the prospective student to verify with program administrators program details and that the program still meets BBS requirements for licensure in the state of California.

Program Snapshot

Accreditation

WSCUC

The Drama Therapy program is accredited through the North American Drama Therapy Association - (NADTA)

Concentrations/Specializations Offered

LMFT Track or Dual LMFT/LPCC Track

  • LMFT (each concentration also has the opportunity to add coursework to make it a dual-track LMFT/LPCC program)

  • Drama Therapy program graduates are eligible to pursue the RDT (Registered Drama Therapist) credential.

  • The Expressive Arts concentration is also designed to meet the educational requirements to become a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) with the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA).

Length of Program

2-3 years full-time (some part-time options available, see below), 60-68 units

Schedule/Format

Community Mental Health

  • The Master’s in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Community Mental Health is a Board of Behavioral Sciences approved, 2.5 year, weekend cohort program. You will work closely with a core faculty advisor throughout your course of study.

  • The program is offered in an online hybrid format. Students receive asynchronous online lectures, readings, and engagement on a weekly basis. Each semester, students are required to attend five in-person, full-weekend immersions.

  • During the weekend immersions, students take in-person classes at CIIS with their cohort, allowing for deep and enriching relationships to form between students and with faculty. 

  • During the first year, students develop a theoretical foundation and engage in clinical coursework. In the second year, students enter a clinical practicum while continuing to take required courses. The program concludes with an integrative project in the final semester.

Drama Therapy

  • The Master’s in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Drama Therapy is a BBS-approved, 2-3 year program that is taught in person. You will work closely with a core faculty advisor throughout your course of study.

Expressive Arts Therapy

  • Classes are taught online in asynchronous and virtual synchronous formats. Students are expected to attend an in-person, one-week intensive, held at the start of each fall and spring semester on CIIS’ Mission Street campus.

  • Course lessons and online discussions require responses through writing, video and audio recordings, image sharing, and playlist creations. Synchronous virtual clinical practice weekends are scheduled two to four times during the semester depending on coursework. Students work in clinical practice dyads and small groups to deliver collaborative assignments. 

  • Students can choose between the full-time three-year option, or a part-time option, which completes the program in five-and-a-half years.

Integral Counseling Psychology

  • You have the choice between two formats:

    • Weekday - 3 years | Full time | Starts in August or January

    • Weekend - 3 years | Full time | 5 weekends per semester (Fri-Sun) | Starts in August or January

      • Most practicum sites are not available on weekends. Weekend Program students need to plan for the impact on their employment that a weekday practicum schedule may have.

Somatic Psychology

  • 2-3 year graduate program that incorporates a mandatory retreat in the first year.

Program Start

Integral Counseling

  • August or January

Estimated Total Program Tuition

$74,520 - $84,456

Religious Orientation

None

Entering Class Size and Classroom Sizes

Fieldwork Hours Accrued During Program

Community Mental Health, Expressive Arts Therapy

  • A minimum of 225 qualifying BBS hours must be completed during practicum training to qualify for graduation. If you are pursuing your LPCC licensure, you must complete a minimum of 280 qualifying BBS hours during practicum training to qualify for graduation.

Drama Therapy

  • You must complete a minimum of 300 BBS-qualifying practicum hours - 230 hours must involve drama therapy and 70 hours can involve other types and modalities of clinical client contact.

Integral Counseling Psychology, Somatic Psychology

  • Students are required to accrue 350 hours during practicum that can be applied to state licensing requirements.

Personal Psychotherapy Requirement During Program

Community Mental Health, Drama Therapy, Integral Counseling Psychology, Somatic Psychology

  • During practicum placement, students are required to complete 50 hours of personal psychotherapy with a licensed mental health professional.

Comprehensive Exam/Culminating Project/Thesis/Etc:

Community Mental Health

  • The program concludes with an integrative project in the final semester.

Drama Therapy

  • The capstone project, completed during the integrative seminar, is an opportunity to integrate accumulated learning with specific areas of personal academic interest. You will select one of the following capstone project options:

    • Self-Revelatory Performance (performed in a theater)

    • A quality research or theoretical paper designed for publication

    • Therapeutic theater performance directed by the student

    • Video documentary of clinical drama therapy work that the student has facilitated over time

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.

Program Summary

Our Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree reflects CIIS’ commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice. The integral pedagogy of both classroom and clinical training is designed to ensure that students have the knowledge and skills they need to provide effective and compassionate mental health care. 

Our programs prepare attentive, reflective, culturally-sensitive counselors and therapists with an unwavering commitment to equity in therapeutic practices. Our faculty have a wide range of research interests, among them trauma and recovery, ageism, gender and cultural identity, eating disorders, addiction and codependency, military families, foster youth and young adults, Buddhist psychology and mindfulness-based therapies.

Excellence in clinical skills is a top priority for the Counseling Psychology department. Each of our five programs includes broad training in psychological theory and methods, while also providing program-specific coursework and training in specialty disciplines.

The department is committed to advancing and promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice throughout the core curriculum. As a pedagogic community, we work collaboratively to identify and challenge entrenched systems of racism, ableism, classism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of oppression in the classroom, clinical training situations, and therapeutic spaces. 

All of our programs meet national norms for training in counseling and fulfill the educational requirements of California's Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) license or the optional Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with additional coursework. CIIS graduates have a 92% pass rate on the MFT licensure exam and have held the #1 position in California for pass rates over the last six exam cycles.

Our graduates go on to work in private practice, hospitals and school settings, governmental agencies, community non-profits, and other clinical settings.