Apply for the Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research

Applications for the 2023-2024 cohort are now closed, and no late applications will be considered.  We will advertise here when admissions for 2024-2025 are open.

Please join our newsletter list at the bottom of this page for announcements about the next cohort.

Application Dates for the 2023-2024 Class

Applications for 2023-2024 are open beginning February 15, 2023 and will close March 31, 2023.

All application materials must be uploaded between the above dates. Separate documents and sections of the application may be saved, which allows the applicant to finish the submission later. The admissions application and additional materials, including optional scholarship application statement, must be submitted no later than March 31st. No additional materials can be added once the application has been fully submitted.

• Applications Open: Wednesday, February 15, 2023
• Applications Close: Friday, March 31, 2023

Our goal is that all invitations for admission and need-based scholarship awards will be given before or by June 15, 2023.

For questions regarding online application submissions, please contact the Certificate Enrollment Coordinator, Wendy F. Campbell, MA, at admincptr@ciis.edu, or call the Center at: 1-415-575-6243.

2023-2024 Eligibility Criteria for the Certificate

The certificate is designed for advanced professionals working in related therapeutic areas: licensed mental health clinicians, specific medical professionals, and ordained/commissioned clergy and chaplains. Licensed professionals in these specializations must have an MA/MS, MSW, BSN or higher degree in behavioral health, medicine, or mental health fields. Clergy and chaplains must be trained in a recognized program with multiple teachers within one or more of the major world religions, hold an MDiv, have completed 4 units of CPE, and be ordained or commissioned prior to application. Pre-licensed applicants are not eligible for the certificate program. Some states limit eligibility for their residents for either Hybrid or Online programs, or in some cases, both types of programs. See below about state authorizations.

Hybrid Cohort Professional Eligibility – Boston and San Francisco:

These professionals who hold the following specific advanced degrees and licensure, commissions, or ordinations may apply to the hybrid certificate programs:

• Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LAADC with MA)
• Attorneys in counseling specialties (JD)
• Behavioral Analysts (BCBA/BCBA-D with MA/MS or PhD)
• Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM with MS)
• Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (PhD/PsyD)
• Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
• Counseling Nutritionists (RD, RDN, CNS, or CCN with MA/MS)
• Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
• Naturopathic Doctors (ND)
• Nurse Practitioners (NP with MS)
• Occupational Therapists (OT with MA/MS)
• Ordained Clergy and Commissioned Chaplains (with M.Div. and 4 units of CPE)
• Pharmacists (MS or PharmD)
• Physical Therapists (PT with MA)
• Physician Assistants (PA)
• Physicians and Psychiatrists (MD/DO)
• Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC/LPC)
• Registered Nurses (BSN or higher)
• Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners (TCM with MA/MS)

State Restrictions on Hybrid Programs for Residents: 

Some states restrict residents from taking hybrid training programs out of state. In these cases, such states require institutions to be authorized or exempt in order to enroll trainees residing in the state. Below is the list of states for which California universities are either considered ineligible universities and/or states for which CIIS has not applied for eligibility to enroll Hybrid trainees. The Provost’s Office is not currently planning to apply in any of these states for an exemption.

If you reside in one of these states, unfortunately you are not eligible to apply for the Hybrid certificate programs. If you do not see your state listed in this exclusion list for Hybrid trainees, you are eligible to apply.

• Arkansas
• District of Columbia (DC)
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Maryland
• North Dakota
• Virginia

Online Cohort Professional Eligibility:

Only professionals who hold the following specific advanced degrees and licensure may apply to the Online certificate program:

• Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LAADC with MA)
• Behavioral Analyst (BCBA/BCBA-D with MA/MS or PhD)
• Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (PhD/PsyD)
• Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
• Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (NP with MS)
• Psychiatrists (MD/DO)
• Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC/LPC)
• Psychiatric Registered Nurses (BSN or higher)

State Restrictions on Online Programs for Residents:

Some states restrict residents from taking Online training programs out of state. In these cases, such states require institutions to be authorized or exempt in order to enroll trainees residing in the state. Below is the list of states for which California universities are either considered ineligible universities and/or states for which CIIS has not applied for eligibility to enroll Online trainees. The Provost's Office is not currently planning to apply in any of these states for an exemption.

If you reside in one of these states, unfortunately you are not eligible to apply for the Online certificate programs. If you do not see your state listed in this exclusion list for Online trainees, you are eligible to apply.

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Delaware
• District of Columbia (DC)
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Rhode Island
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

Other Criteria Details:

These are strict criteria and only people with the above degrees and credentials are eligible to apply. For these professionals, we welcome applicants with a substantial background in psychological treatment with diverse populations, and/or spiritual direction in: behavioral medicine, chronic trauma and PTSD, palliative care, hospice, psychiatry, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, oncology, mediation and resolution, and/or pain management.

The Center for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research especially encourages applications from eligible individuals within the above list who: identify as BIPOC; identify as LGBTQIA+; are military veterans/service members; are clinical CIIS faculty, students, alumni, supervisors, adjuncts, and staff; and/or serve under-resourced and under-represented populations.

For medical professionals, clergy, chaplains, and counseling attorneys, those applicants with substantial experience in providing psychotherapy, counseling, pastoral care, mediation, and/or spiritual direction will be considered strong candidates for the certificate program.

Criteria for Clergy and Chaplains: Ordained clergy and commissioned/ordained chaplains are considered as applicants if they actively serve in pastoral counseling and spiritual direction within the well-known world religious traditions. The three requirements for this group are that they must: have earned an accredited M.Div. with study in psychology and therapeutic skills; be ordained or commissioned within a supervised traditional and established curriculum with multiple teachers; and have completed 4 units of CPE prior to application. We encourage submissions from these applicants. There is aid available for clergy and chaplains who demonstrate financial need.

Criteria for Counseling Attorneys: Only JD licensed attorneys with demonstrated supervised training and counseling work with families, couples, and individuals in several specific areas are eligible to apply. These areas are limited to: divorce mediation, child custody mediation and resolution, end-of-life counseling, estate plan counseling, family and elder law counseling, and community dispute resolution. A strong candidate will be an applicant who did this counseling work under clinical supervision in non-profit or service agencies for the benefit of under-resourced populations. Counseling attorneys must have passed the bar, been licensed prior to applying, and have earned certifications in one or more of these specific areas.

Criteria for Eligible Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners, Physical Therapists, Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Certified Nurse-Midwives, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists, Behavioral Analysts, and Counseling Nutritionists: These professionals must have an accredited master’s or doctoral degree in one of these specific disciplines, as well as the applicable license. These specific credentials are required for the above 2023-2024 applicants.

International Licensed Medical and Mental Health Professionals: The Center welcomes and accepts applicants from outside the U.S. We review the licensing credentials from non-U.S. professional boards on a case-by-case basis. To date, we have had the pleasure of training 66 international physicians and licensed psychotherapists.

Continuing Education Hours and Credits

Trainees may earn up to 30 approved hours of applicable Continuing Education Hours and Credits for an additional administrative fee. Please see the details below of the organizations with which the certificate program has contracted to provide Continuing Education Hours and Credits.

In 2019-2022, many of the psychedelic-assisted training certificate classes were approved by these three organizations for up to 30 credit hours.

Information on Continuing Education Credit for Physicians and Nurses: CME AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ^TM  from CME Consultants.

Information on Continuing Education Credit for Psychologists and Nurses: CE credits for psychologists are provided by the Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) which is co-sponsoring this program. The Spiritual Competency Academy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Spiritual Competency Academy maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE credits for LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFT license renewal for programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association. LCSW, LPCC, LEP, LMFTs, and other mental health professionals from states other than California need to check with their state licensing board as to whether or not they accept programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association. SCA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN Provider CEP16887) for licensed nurses in California. RNs must retain this document for 4 years after the course concludes. SCA is an approved CE provider for National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coaches (CEP Number 100196).

For questions about enrolling in CE or receiving your Certificate of Attendance, contact Wendy Campbell at wcampbell@ciis.edu.

For other questions about CEs, contact Spiritual Competency Academy at info@spiritualcompetencyacademy.com.

Information on Continuing Education Credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs: Course meets the qualifications for hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. The California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs (Provider #85777). CIIS maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

Trainees are awarded a certificate of completion for course work after paying the continuing education fee and completing the CE program evaluation up to 30 hours. Continuing Education Certificates are mailed to trainees.

2023-2024 Application Materials

All application materials will be uploaded at www.ciis.edu/psychedeliccenter, beginning on our open admission start date of February 15, 2023. Selected candidates will be invited to interview with an admissions committee member as the next step in application for admission. Only candidates who have turned in all of their application materials will be considered for the interview stage. This interview will be via video conference. Not all applicants will be invited for an interview.

A 2023-2024 completed application will consist of the $150 non-refundable application fee and the following materials:

• Certificate Application Form
• Background and Goal Statement
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Credential Documents (for degrees, license, ordination and/or commission)
• Professional References (name and contact details for one or two references)
• Need-Based Scholarship Application Statement (optional)

Certificate Application Form: Applicants will apply via CIIS’ application portal, where applicants will submit their information and documents. This process will be completed online including paying the application fee.

Background and Goal Statement: In 2-3 pages, you will describe your background and interest in this certificate. Tell us anything pertinent regarding your personal development and progress through the stages of licensure, commissioning, or ordination. Please include descriptions of your training in therapy, medicine, counseling law, or spiritual direction. Tell us about your training in diversity, equity, and inclusion and how you use that knowledge and skill base to improve your clinical work or spiritual direction practice. Share how you learned the following topics didactically and where you practiced these skills and knowledge with diverse clinical populations: the understanding of psychological diagnoses; understanding of the therapeutic alliance; how to conduct individual and group psychotherapy; recognition of transference and counter-transference; skills in addressing diversity, inclusion, and belonging; maintaining professional and pastoral boundaries; and confidentiality. Tell us how you integrate psychology, mindfulness, or spirituality into your own practices of personal development.

In addition, your goals are important to us. Please share with us what you hope to do with this certificate. Make sure to consider the ways you might use this training for your current work in the world, to expand your skills in advocating for inclusion and equity in healthcare, and how this training can contribute to your long-term life goals.

Resume or Curriculum Vitae: Applicants will include a resume or CV that outlines the history of their higher education, licensure, ordainment, or commission status, practica, internships, residencies, work in service to communities, pastoral care, and fieldwork.

Credential Documents: For licensed and ordained/commissioned applicants – Applicants will submit: a copy of their current license(s); or for clergy, commission/ordination papers and documentation of 4 units of CPE (400 hours); or for counseling attorneys, any post-graduate certifications in counseling fields.

Professional References: Applicants will submit the names, email, phone contact information, and relationship to the trainee of one or two current or past clinical supervisors, mentors, and/or professors who are willing to be a reference. We prefer contacting references rather than reading letters of recommendation.

Need-based Scholarships

We receive funding from generous donors for scholarships for trainees from under-represented communities enrolling in the Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research. These scholarships are awarded to certificate trainees and will help promote equity in this emerging field and access to these healing medicines for all diverse communities. The certificate program sponsors need-based scholarships for applicants under six specific criteria:

• Those in demonstrated financial need
  • Those identified as BIPOC
  • Those identified as LGBTQIA+
  • Those who are military service members/veterans
  • Those who are clergy or chaplains
  • Those who are serving under-resourced communities

We encourage applicants to apply if they meet any of the criteria. To apply for the 2023-2024 need-based scholarships, applicants will write a 1-page letter describing their membership in any of the groups above. Each applicant will also report key facts about their financial situation. The Need-Based Scholarship statement letter is due with the application materials. Our goal is that applicants for aid will be notified on a rolling basis through June 15, 2023.

We would like to thank all our certificate program graduates who generously funded scholarships since 2016. The Certificate Alumni Association created a substantial scholarship fund for BIPOC enrollees for which we are very grateful. Dr. Jesus Gomez established The BIPOC Scholarship; Dr. Denise Renye established a scholarship for a trainee who comes from a working-class family; and Elizabeth Baer provided a scholarship for a trainee who identifies as BIPOC. The Boston Psychedelic Research Group established a scholarship fund for Boston cohort BIPOC enrollees. Thank you to the George Sarlo Foundation, which has funded the Ricci Coddington Diversity Scholarships. Thank you to Dr. Wendy Feng, who funded a three-year gift to establish The Monnica T. Williams Scholarships and The Indigenous Scholarships. Thank you to trustees of CIIS, Dr. Ricki Pollycove, Betsy Gordon, and Maeve Rockefeller for additional scholarship funding. We would also like to thank all our generous donors throughout the years who have made substantial gifts to provide scholarships to certificate trainees.  

2023-2024 Payment and Withdrawal Policies

Applications will not be considered without payment of the application fee at time of full submission.

Application Fee: $150 non-refundable

Tuition Cost: $8,900

Enrollment Deposit: When an applicant is offered admission to the 2023-2024 program, $500 is due within two weeks of the offer of admission or by June 22, 2023, whichever comes first. This enrollment deposit will secure your space in the program.

Payment Schedules: The $8,900 tuition, less the enrollment deposit and any need-based scholarship awarded, may be paid in one or three payments.

• One Payment Option: Due 30 days after Enrollment Invitation Letter or July 7th, 2023, whichever comes first.
• Three-Payment Option: One-time $50 processing fee added. Payments due 30 days after Enrollment Invitation Letter or July 7th, 2023, whichever comes first, September 7, and November 7, 2023. 

Continuing Education Payments (Optional): For those trainees who choose to receive the available Continuing Education Hours or Credits, there will be an additional charge of $10 per credit or hour for CMEs and $60 per weekend for CEs. Up to 30 Continuing Education Hours and Credits may be earned during the training.

Withdrawal Policies: Any trainee who wishes to withdraw may do so at any point in the program. Requests for withdrawal must be documented in writing to the Associate Director and the Admissions and Enrollment Manager of the program. The Admissions and Enrollment Manager will determine if any tuition is due back to the trainee, based upon the program’s published payment deadlines and the date of documentation of the trainee’s request. The CIIS business office will send trainees any funds due by check. The program does not accommodate deferrals. If a trainee cannot continue in the program, the trainee will need to withdraw and apply again the following year.

The following policies and dates apply to withdrawals from the program after the trainee has made their first tuition payment. Any need-based scholarships, and payment processing fees will be deducted before the tuition refund is determined. 

• If the trainee withdraws from the certificate program before or on Friday, July 7th, 2023, all tuition paid to date will be refunded including any applicable payment processing fee, less the non-refundable $500 enrollment deposit.
• If a trainee withdraws from the certificate program on or after Saturday, July 8th, 2023 and before Monday, October 16th, 2023, then 25% of their full tuition (minus any payment processing fee or need-based scholarship) will be due and the remainder will be refunded.
• If a trainee withdraws from the certificate program on or after Tuesday, October 17, 2023 and before Monday, November 20, 2023, then 50% of their full tuition (minus any payment processing fee or need-based scholarship) will be due and the remainder will be refunded.
• The full tuition fee of $8,900 (minus any payment processing fee or need-based scholarship) is due if a trainee withdraws from the certificate program on or after Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

For withdrawn trainees who wish to reapply for the program in the future:

• Trainees who have withdrawn may reapply at any time in the future but must pay the new application fee when reapplying. A trainee who withdrew from a previous year will need to pay all of the tuition (at beginning of program or in a payment plan option) for the new year in which they reapplied and will complete the entire new year's coursework. Payments made in the first year do not carry over into any future year for which the trainee reapplies.
• If requested, Continuing Education hours or credits may be awarded for classes for which the trainee filled out the appropriate paperwork prior to the date of withdrawal.
• Scholarships do not carry forward from the original year. New application statements for need-based scholarships must be submitted and reviewed.

Policy for Missed Classes

Policy for Missed Classes: Please note that students must complete the entire curriculum in order to receive the certificate. Should a student miss 2 or more hours of teaching time, the student is responsible for completing a make-up option. This make-up assignment may potentially be at an additional cost. In certain cases, the student may find a class elsewhere to fulfill the requirement. All make-up classes must be chosen from an approved list or be approved by instructional staff. However, there are defined circumstances involved if any student misses more than 25 hours in the classroom. They may be asked to take a portion of the certificate hours with the 2024-2025 cohort of students. In this special case, the certificate will then be conferred as soon as the student completes the missed work with the 2024-2025 cohort.

Policy for Missed Mentor Meetings: All trainees are required to attend their mentor group meetings as well as individual meetings with their mentor during the program. If a trainee needs to miss a mentoring group meeting, the trainee will give the mentor notice about their absence as soon as they know that they will not be able to attend. If under extenuating circumstances, that trainee misses more than one group meeting, the mentor will discuss ways that the trainee can make up the work. If a trainee needs to miss a scheduled individual meeting, the trainee is responsible for rescheduling within two weeks.

Special Circumstances for MAPS PBC Modules at CIIS: We recommend an applicant carefully consider the cohort they are applying for and the dates, times, and location of that cohort’s 6-day live session. Students need to attend the designated dates for all classes and the MDMA-assisted therapy education event with their particular cohort. Depending on the number of hours that are missed, this will entail either joining the following year at CIIS or making approved arrangements with CIIS. 

Refund Petition Process

Trainees who believe they have extenuating circumstances warranting a credit, refund, or adjustment of the program cost may present a petition to Dr. Laura Pustarfi, Associate Director. The petition must include an explanation of this circumstance along with supporting documentation, which will become the property of CIIS and will not be returned. The petition must be submitted within 90 calendar days of the last day of the program.

Guidelines on Student Affairs

Values of CIIS from the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A diverse academic community offers a rich and dynamic perspective to CIIS's intellectual environment. Diversity is broader than the traditional categories of age, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation. It also encompasses disability, socioeconomic status, family background, language, the level of academic preparedness, learning style, and even different communities with which our students, faculty, and staff are associated. As a result of intentional engagement with our own identities and the work of diversity, we uncover our similarities through our differences, thus allowing us to celebrate and honor our shared humanity.

Inclusion is respecting and embracing those distinctive characteristics each member of the CIIS community adds to the institution. It goes beyond numerical diversity. Inclusion is the creation of a climate where all feel valued and appreciated-where there is substantive interaction between and within groups, such that the very space becomes renewed by those included and all are willing to be challenged and enriched by the introduction of ideas, ways of knowing, and perspectives that were not originally centered. This inclusive environment best allows students, faculty, and staff to thrive as individuals and as a community.

The Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research has partnered with the CIIS Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to:

• Prepare trainees to meet the evolving challenges of diverse communities in an increasingly unjust world.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, trainees, and community members to increase learning about BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Indigenous scholarship, worldviews, and cultures.
• Create a Culture of Belonging throughout the program in order to foster empathy, connection, and risk taking.

See the CIIS website for more information about the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

Instructions for Disability Accommodation

Students who request accommodation for a disability should contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services at the Office of Student Affairs by emailing osas@ciis.edu. Students will be guided through the registration procedures for accommodation. Any questions, requests for accommodation or access, or concerns regarding services for students or applicants with a disability as defined by law should be addressed to the Director of the Office of Student Accessibility Services. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as Amended (ADAAA), the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have equal access to the programs and services available to all students at CIIS. Further, equal access for students with disabilities is fundamental to the mission and educational philosophy of CIIS.

Information on CIIS Student Affairs, Complaints, Services

All programs at CIIS are covered by the Student Affairs Office. All departments that offer continuing education adhere to the university's complaint procedures. For more information, please follow the above link for all the services offered from the Office of Student Affairs.

University and Federal Policies

• Certificate program registration does not constitute admission to a CIIS academic program. Students registered in certificate programs are not eligible to earn a degree. Those seeking a degree must submit an application for admission to their program of interest.
• Should a certificate program student later apply and be admitted to a CIIS degree program, no credit hours earned as a certificate program student may apply toward the requirements of the degree program.
• Students registered in certificate program are not eligible for federal financial aid, CIIS university scholarships, or CIIS student employment positions.

Upon application, applicants will need to certify that:

• They understand that the application fee covers the cost of processing an application and that the fee is not refundable for any reason.
• All of the information on the application is true and correct to the best of their knowledge. They understand that if they misrepresent or deliberately omit information, fail to notify Admissions of changes to the information, or submit fraudulent application documents, their application will be rejected or, if admitted, their acceptance will be revoked, or, if enrolled, they will be dismissed.