How to Apply

Admissions decisions are based on past academic achievement, fit with the program mission, maturity, and motivation for educational and personal development.

Our department will consider applicants from a variety of academic backgrounds, including the humanities, the social sciences, the natural sciences, the arts, or professional degree programs.

Ph.D. Application Requirements

Admission to the Ph.D. program is independent of admission to the master’s program and requires a separate application. A doctoral applicant must have done outstanding work at the master’s level to be considered.

Students admitted into the doctoral concentration who do not have a master’s from CIIS in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness may be required to complete up to an additional 18 units of coursework (minus equivalencies) from the core section of the master’s curriculum.

Prospective students will need to submit the following materials:

Online Admissions Application: Begin the application process by submitting an online application and paying the non-refundable $65 application fee.

Degree Requirement: A bachelor's and master's degree (or the equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution. 

Minimum GPA: A GPA of 3.0 or higher in previous coursework is required. However, a GPA below 3.0 does not automatically disqualify an applicant and 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 Office of Admissions to discuss their options. 

Transcripts: Official transcripts from all accredited academic institutions attended where 7 or more credits have been earned. If transcripts are being mailed to CIIS, they must arrive in their official, sealed envelopes. Transcripts from institutions outside the U.S. or Canada require a foreign credit evaluation through World Education Services (WES) or CIIS will also accept foreign credential evaluations that are in a comprehensive course-by-course format from the current members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Two Letters of Recommendation: Recommenders should use standard business format and include full contact information-name, email, phone number, and mailing address. 

Autobiographical Statement: A four-to-six page (typed, double-spaced) introspective autobiographical statement discussing your values, emotional and spiritual insights, aspirations, and life experiences that have led to your decision to apply. The autobiographical statement should describe some themes or significant life events that have a direct bearing on your decision to apply to this program. 

Goal Statement: A two-to-four page statement of your educational and professional objectives and demonstrating familiarity and alignment with at least one core faculty member's area of expertise. Explain your motivation for specialization in this area. The goal statement should articulate what you hope to gain from your time in the program and, if appropriate, how your time in the program relates to your long-term personal and professional aspirations.

Research Proposal: In 300-900 words please propose the research project you hope to work on in your doctoral studies. (We understand that your research project might change as you pursue your degree with us.) In addition, identify at least one Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness core faculty member who would be appropriate to serve as a mentor and faculty advisor. Show close familiarity with that faculty member's particular area of expertise. Demonstrate the necessary preparation and motivation for specializing in that area (or areas), especially with respect to research leading to the dissertation.

Academic Writing Sample: A writing sample of eight-to-ten pages (typed, double-spaced) that demonstrates your capacity to think critically and reflectively and demonstrates graduate level writing abilities. A sample that uses outside sources must include proper citations. You may submit copies of previous work, such as a recent academic paper, article, or report that reflects scholarly abilities.

M.A. Application Requirements

Prospective students will need to submit the following materials:

Online Admissions Application: Begin the application process by submitting an online application and paying the non-refundable $65 application fee.

Degree Requirement: An undergraduate degree (B.A., B.S., or the equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution.

Minimum GPA: A GPA of 3.0 or higher in previous coursework is required. However, a GPA below 3.0 does not automatically disqualify an applicant and 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 Office of Admissions to discuss their options.

Transcripts: Official transcripts from all accredited academic institutions attended where 7 or more credits have been earned. If transcripts are being mailed to CIIS, they must arrive in their official, sealed envelopes. Transcripts from institutions outside the U.S. or Canada require a foreign credit evaluation through World Education Services (WES) or CIIS will also accept foreign credential evaluations that are in a comprehensive course-by-course format from the current members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Autobiographical Statement: A four-to-six page (typed, double-spaced) introspective autobiographical statement. The autobiographical statement should describe some themes or significant life events that have a direct bearing on your decision to apply to this program.

Goal Statement: A one-page (typed, double-spaced) statement of your educational and professional objectives. The goal statement should articulate what you hope to gain from your time in the program and, if appropriate, how your time in the program relates to your long-term personal and professional aspirations.

Academic Writing Sample: A writing sample of five-to-fifteen (typed, double-spaced) pages that demonstrates your capacity to think critically and reflectively and demonstrates graduate level writing abilities. A sample that uses outside sources must include proper citations. You may submit copies of previous work, such as a recent academic paper, article, or report that reflects scholarly abilities.

Letters of Recommendation: Though letters of recommendations are not required for the master’s degree application, we encourage applicants to include up to two such letters if they feel it would strengthen their overall application.