If you have further questions about Admissions after reading our FAQ page, please contact an Admissions Counselor, email admissions@ciis.edu, or submit our Request Information form.

Is CIIS accredited?
The Institute is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The Psychology Doctorate program (Psy.D.) is also accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Where is CIIS located?
The Institute is located in the South of Market area in San Francisco. The location is within easy walking distance of public transportation including the Municipal Bus (Muni) system and the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) subway system. For more details, visit How to Find Us.

With whom can I speak to learn more about the academic programs?
Please contact the Admissions Office at 415.575.6154 or admissions@ciis.edu to request to speak with an Admissions Counselor. Or refer to the Admissions Counselor Contact List for the contact information of the Admissions Counselor who can respond to your specific academic program questions. Admissions Counselors can also assist you in getting in touch with faculty, current students, and alumni from your program of interest. Speaking with someone from the CIIS community may provide you with a broader perspective on the Institute. And please let us know if you would like to visit the school or schedule a class visit.

How many students are enrolled at CIIS?
The Institute's student body consists of nearly 1000 students, with 10% being international students (representing over 30 countries), 15% students of color, and 75% women. Students range in age from their early 20's to their 70's, with the average age being 33.

What is the cost of attending CIIS?
For a detailed breakdown of tuition, please see tuition rates and fees.

How can I finance my education at CIIS?
The Institute participates in the Federal Stafford Loan program. In addition, there are several scholarships as well as work-study opportunities available at the Institute. See Financial Aid for more specific information.

What are the application deadlines?
Please refer to the Application Deadlines page for details.

Can I apply after the priority deadline?
Yes, on a space available basis. Please contact the admissions counselor in charge of your program of interest for current space availability.

Can I apply to more than one program?
No, students may only apply to one program at a time.

Can I defer my acceptance?
Yes, students who have been accepted to a program may, pending departmental approval, defer their acceptance for up to two semesters from the time they were originally accepted. See admissions policies for more information.

Can I go part-time?
While it is recommended that students go full-time, students may take fewer than 9 units. Some programs, especially those in the School of Professional Psychology, require students to get approval from the department before taking less than a full course load. Please note: student who take fewer than 6 units and are not working on their thesis or dissertation, are not eligible for financial aid.

Can I work and go full-time?
Yes. Many student pick up part time employment while attending full-time. It is not recommended that student work more than 20-25 hours a week while taking 9 or more units.

Can I take courses in other programs?
In most cases, students do have the opportunity to take courses outside their chosen area of study (in some programs it is required that they do so). However, many courses in the School of Professional Psychology are off limits to students not enrolled in a psychology program due to the sensitive nature of the course.

Is the GRE required?
The GRE is required only for the doctoral program in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.). All other programs do not require the test.

Is the school religiously affiliated?
No. While the school honors of spiritual dimension of intellectual work, it does not subscribe to any particular religious sect or doctrine.

Can I transfer units from another program?
Provided the course work was not part of another degree earned, students may transfer up to 1/6th of the coursework required to complete the program to which they are applying (e.g., if the program is 60 units long, one may transfer up to 10 units). See admissions policies for more information.

Is housing available?
While the school does not have a traditional campus with dormitories, it does offer assistance to those who need to relocate as part of their decision to attend CIIS. Please see housing for more information.