In addition to the general admissions requirements of the Institute, applicants to the Transformative Studies doctoral program must have completed a master's degree in the social sciences or a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation, with at least one from an academic advisor or someone familiar with the applicant’s ability to do advanced academic work. Applicants are also asked to provide a recent example of scholarly writing, a resume of relevant experiences and, of particular importance, a discussion of how they will use the resources of this curriculum to advance their chosen inquiry.

The successful applicant will have demonstrated skills and competencies in his or her field of work, which might be in such areas as education, health care, the arts, social activism, psychology, organizational development, or corporate management. Applicants should have a demonstrated capacity to learn and to work both independently and collaboratively. All students must have consistent access to a computer with the capacity to navigate the Internet and the Web, and the ability to use the online medium for ongoing dialogue.