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Accepting applications for Fall 2020 Semester
Now accepting applications for Fall 2021!
Apply for Fall 2021
Application Deadline Information for Fall 2021:
February 15 th, 2021 – 1st Priority deadline. Submit by February 15th, 2020 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.
This program starts each Spring and Fall semester.
Apply now at apply.ciis.edu/apply
Read more about our application requirements or join us at an upcoming event
Admissions Requirements
Please follow the steps below to apply today! Visit Applying to CIIS for application deadlines and additional information.
Step 1: Online Application
Begin by submitting your online application. Please note that there is a $65, non-refundable application fee.
Step 2: Official Transcripts
Applicants must submit official transcripts from all accredited academic institutions attended. If not sent electronically, transcripts must arrive in their official, sealed envelopes. Transcripts can be mailed to 1453 Mission Street. San Francisco, CA 94103.
To be eligible for admissions, applicants must have completed a minimum of 54 transferable semester units and a maximum of 80 units. General education requirements are designed to give you a broad background in various disciplines. Learn more about what constitutes transferable units.
General Educations Requirements: The completion of the following fields is not a prerequisite to enter the program, but rather an assessment of general education requirements necessary for graduation. We encourage you to meet as many of these requirements before entering the program, however if you are lacking units in one of these subjects, often you'll be able to take them as elective courses while enrolled in the program at CIIS.
- 3 units of college level math
- 9 units of humanities and art
- 6 units of natural sciences
- 6 units of expository writing
- 9 units of social sciences
- 3 units of oral communications
If you are uncertain about your eligibility, you can email your unofficial transcripts to School of Undergraduate Studies for an unofficial transcript evaluation at dmurillo@ciis.edu
International Student Requirements
- English Language Proficiency Test Report
Applicants for whom English is not their native language are required to submit an English language proficiency score. Exceptions are made for students who have earned their Bachelor of Arts degree from English language universities. Admission to CIIS requires a minimum score for one of the following exams:
- TOEFL: 80 test score.
TOEFL is an Internet-based test. The CIIS TOEFL code is 4807. Visit the TOEFL website. - IELTS 6.0 band score
Visit the IELTS website
- International Credential Evaluation
For students with an international academic history, please follow these steps for your foreign credential evaluation (e.g. WES – World Education Services):
- Please provide your complete and entire academic history on the application form.
- For credits earned outside of the United States or Canada, we will need a foreign credential evaluation. You, the applicant, need to initiate and request this, at your own expense, through a CIIS-approved foreign credential evaluation provider.
- CIIS favors foreign credential evaluations provided by WES – World Education Services, and specifically the course-by-course-report.CIIS accepts the WES 'Basic' report, but applicants may wish to complete the 'ICAP'.
- CIIS will also accept foreign credential evaluations that are in a comprehensive course-by-course formatfrom the current members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
- The foreign credential evaluation is used in lieu of sending original transcripts from abroad to CIIS. Original or notarized copies of the transcripts should only be sent to the foreign credential provider, per the foreign credential provider's instructions; there is no need to send these to CIIS!
- If you have studied abroad as part of credits received in the United States or Canada (i.e. transfer credits from abroad), no WES evaluation is needed - provided these units are showing on your US/Canadian transcript. If you wish to receive transfer units for any courses earned outside of the United States/Canada that are not showing on a US/Canadian transcript, we do need a foreign credential evaluation for these courses.
Step 3: Admissions Essay
Submit an essay (five to seven pages typed, double-spaced) that incorporates discussion of the following:
- Experiences that shaped their desire to continue or return to college now
- Personal interest in a degree in Psychology
- Preparedness to work in an online program
- Applicant’s goals and expectations for their experience in the program
Step 4: One Letter of Recommendation
One letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to your academic abilities or preparedness (preferred), or your work/professional experience. The letter should not be from a close friend, family member, or therapist.
Pre- Admissions Interview
Once the office of admissions receives a complete application, successful candidates will go onto faculty review (you will receive an email when this happens). At that point, the department will contact you for an interview if they find you a viable candidate. Please allow 2-3 weeks time for faculty to contact you to schedule an interview.
Undergraduate Scholarships
Undergraduate Single Parents Scholarship
In line with CIIS's deep commitment to diversity, inclusion, and advocating social justice, the university is offering four $2,500 scholarships to newly admitted undergraduate students that identify as a single parent of a dependent child, for the academic year 2020-2021. To apply for the fall 2020 semester, submit an application by April 15, 2020.
Stay tuned for the February 2021 annoucement regarding Diversity Scholarship for School Year 2021-2022.
CIIS is a university deeply committed to diversity, inclusion, and advocating for social justice. The university, guided by these principles, has disbursed forty $5,000 Diversity Scholarships for the academic year 2020-2021. In line with our institutional mission of embracing traditions that enhance social and political liberation, these scholarships are intended to support the recruitment of a diverse student body, particularly students historically underrepresented in higher education. The Diversity Scholarship application deadline for Spring 2021 has passed. We anticipate offering the Diversity Scholarship for School Year 2021-2022; stay tuned for an annoucement in February 2021 for School Year 2021-2022.
Contact us
For any additional admission questions, please contact our admissions counselor:
Desiree Murillo
(415) 655-5577
dmurillo@ciis.edu
