General, Clinical & Licensure Tracks

CIHS’ California-approved license eligible psychology programs, both the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (which is a partial requirement for licensure as a psychologist), provide a unique opportunity for students. CIHS’ innovative curriculum instructs the graduate student in psychology with the knowledge to practice clinical psychology with an emphasis on consciousness and the mind, body, spirit connection, rather than a primary focus on the medical model. 

Students can meet the partial requirements for licensure by the state of California’s Board of  Psychology (Clinical Psychology) with an innovative curriculum that sees the client as a human being seeking health and wholeness, rather than a reductionist diagnosis. CIHS recognizes the practice of psychology as one of the healing arts that can be useful on a person’s search for health, healing, and wellness. CIHS’ clinical psychology programs emphasize integration and an expansive model of consciousness and well-being.

The core courses in both programs emphasize general psychology and clinical psychology, whereas the course electives can be in integral psychology. Ph.D. students may choose to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with Integral Psychology emphasis or a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology for candidates intending to obtain a clinical licensing.  Students are allowed to draw upon the programs in Life Physics, Comparative Religion and Philosophy, and Integral Health to fulfill their course electives.

Master of Arts in General Psychology (General, Clinical or Integral emphasis)

The core curriculum clinical emphasis of the General Psychology Master of Arts program is designed to provide entry-level graduate students with a solid grounding in the basic foundations of psychology. Upon successful completion of the core curriculum, the student fulfills the remaining degree requirements by taking courses in substantive areas in psychology, including clinical psychology. The clinical psychology emphasis is designed to prepare students for the Institute’s Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology. If an integral emphasis is desired, the course program follows a more interdisciplinary track with an emphasis on general psychology, integral psychology, Comparative Religion and Philosophy, and/or Life Physics.

View Courses and Degree Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology  (Licensure Track Available)

The aim of the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology is to provide advanced coursework that addresses core issues in clinical psychology as a treatment and research area. In addition to the state course requirements for licensure, CIHS’ Ph.D. provides elective coursework opportunities in the field of psychology. Areas in which psychology overlaps with other disciplines will be addressed. In particular, emphasis will be placed on consciousness, spirituality, and holistic treatment in addition to the traditional clinical psychology curriculum.

An additional requirement for students preparing for licensure is 50 hours of personal counseling with licensed professionals. This is arranged by the student. Please see the California Board of Psychology Laws & Regulations for details about licensure. Some of these hours can count toward licensure if undertaken during the supervision process.

View Courses, Degree and Licensure Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (Integral Emphasis)

Degree Requirements

Ninety-Four (94) graduate quarter units beyond the Master’s Degree are required to complete the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Integral Psychology. The number of core courses and quarter units (including dissertation) required would depend on the number of core courses that students have completed at the Masters level.

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Core Curriculum

Required for all Ph.D. students (unless the courses were completed at the Master's level, then other courses will be substituted).

PSY 700              Academic Writing Within the Human Sciences              (4 units)

PSY 701  Foundations in Integral Studies             (4 units)

PSY 702  Consciousness Studies                           (4 units)

PSY 703  Counseling & Communications Skills (4 units)

PSY 704  Spiritual Education                                 (4 units)

PSY 705  Advanced Qualitative Research Methods                       (4 units)

PSY 706  Advanced Quantitative Research Methods                   (4 units)

PSY 896       Dissertation Topic Research                  (5 units)

PSY 897       Dissertation Methodology Review       (5 units)

PSY 898A    Dissertation I                                            (6 units)

PSY 898B     Dissertation II                                           (6 units)

Core Courses for Integral Psychology (Clinical Psychology) 

PSY 709       Human Development and Archetypes  (4 units)

PSY 708       Human Sexuality: Clinical Considerations*            (4 units)

PSY 730       Psychopathology and Psychopathogenesis **     (4 units)

PSY 749**   Clinical Aspects of Energy Psychology              (4 units)

PSY 750**   Energy Psychology: Foundations & Therapy    (4 units)

PSY 800       Psychology of Personality                     (4 units)

**If there is an equivalent course sequence in energy psychology methods, this can be taken in lieu of that requirement with approval from the Dean and/or Program Director.

Purses depending on their research interests. (Total core courses 46 units)

Elective Courses for Integral Psychology Emphasis

IH 790           Topics of Special Interest                   (4-8 units)

IH 799           Independent Study                            (2-12 units)

PSY 709        Human Development and Archetypes    (4 units)

PSY 736       Psychology of the Chakras                    (4 units)

PSY 749       Clinical Aspects of Energy Psychology              (4 units)

PSY 750       Energy Psychology: Foundations & Therapy    (4 units)

PSY 751       Psychoacoustics                                      (4 units)

PSY 754       Pranic Healing                                          (4 units)

PSY 755       Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT)   (4 units)

PSY 756       Meditation Practice, Guided Imagery, &  Alternative Techniques to Complement  Psychotherapy (4 units)

PSY 763       Psychology of Shamanism                     (4 units)

PSY 764       Transpersonal Psychology                     (4 units)

PSY 784       Ecopsychology                                        (4 units)

PSY 790       Topics of Special Interest          (4-8 units)

PSY 799       Independent Study              (4-12 units)

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Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology 

Degree Requirements

Ninety-four (94) graduate quarter units beyond the Master’s Degree are required to complete the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Clinical Psychology. The number of core courses and quarter units (including dissertation) required would depend on the number of core courses that students have completed at the Masters Level.  This would include 1) the core courses associated with the school’s mission and 2) students with a M.A. level clinical license or degree that includes the core courses required for clinical licensing.  It is important for students working towards licensure to establish that they have completed the required number of core courses in consultation with the Program Director. The remaining elective units will be planned with student’s career goals in mind. With the Program Director’s approval, students may draw on the Ph.D. programs in Integral Health, Life Physics and Comparative Religion and Philosophy for coursework electives.

An additional requirement for students preparing for licensure is 50 hours of personal counseling with licensed professionals. This is arranged by the student. Please see the California Board of Psychology Laws & Regulations for details about licensure. Some of these hours can count toward licensure if undertaken during the supervision process.

Students in this program may be required to take prerequisite courses if their background at the M.A. level has not fully prepared them to succeed in the Institute’s Ph.D. program, at the discretion of the Program Director.

For PhD students, graduate transfer credits may be granted for a total of 16-quarter units of relevant graduate courses previously completed at an approved or accredited institution for non-licensure students.* For licensure track doctorate students, two relevant courses or 8 units of graduate coursework may be transferred at the discretion of the Program Director.

Advancement to Candidacy consists of successful completion of all coursework (except PSY 896, PSY 897, and 2 research-based papers as detailed under Advancement to Candidacy (please see page 5) upon discussion with the Academic Dean and/or Program Director) . Successful Advancement to Candidacy is a prerequisite for a clinical internship and the dissertation sequence (4 courses). The examination tests the student’s ability to provide sophisticated written discussions concerning substantive matters in psychology relating to the practice of Psychology.

Core Curriculum

Required for all PhD students (unless the courses were completed at the Masters level, then other courses will be substituted).

PSY 700*  Academic Writing Within the Human Sciences    (4 units)

PSY 701       Foundations in Integral Studies      (4 units)

PSY 702       Consciousness Studies       (4 units)

PSY 703**   Counseling & Communications Skills (4 units)

PSY 704*** Spiritual Education    (4 units)

PSY 705****Advanced Qualitative Research Methods    (4 units)

PSY 706**** Advanced Quantitative Research Methods   (4 units)

PSY 896       Dissertation Topic Research    (5 units)

PSY 897       Dissertation Methodology Review       (5 units)

PSY 898A    Dissertation I      (6 units)

PSY 898B     Dissertation II      (6 units)

*If taken at the MA level, this course does not need to be repeated.

**Required for licensure for PhD track (can be taken at either MA or Ph.D. level). If Counseling and Communication Skills was taken at the MA level, then Integral Spiritual Coaching needs to be taken at the PhD level or vice versa.

*** Additional units may be taken as electives

****Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Research and Research Statistics are prerequisite to both Advanced Research courses. Students may take one or both of the courses depending on their research interests. (Total core courses 46 units)

Core Course for Intended Clinical Licensing

Students intending to obtain state licensure are required to take a minimum of nine (9) courses from this section, unless these courses have been taken at the masters level and do not need to be repeated at the Ph.D. level but can be replaced with other electives to fulfill the 94 unit requirement for the Ph.D. degree. Those with asterisks are either recommended and/or required by the California Board of Psychology as courses to fulfill a licensure track PhD in Clinical Psychology degree.  

**Recommended *Required

PSY 609       Human Development and Archetypes  (4 units)

PSY 708       Human Sexuality: Clinical Considerations*        (4 units)

PSY 710       Ethics and Law in Psychology **          (4 units)

PSY 713       Family Violence, Partner Abuse, & Child Abuse: Assessment & Intervention*          (4 units)

PSY 715       Aging, Long-term Care, and Grief *    (4 units)

PSY 717       Psychopharmacology*     (4 units)

PSY 718         Substance Abuse: Assessment, Intervention, & Treatment*      (4 units)

PSY 719       Diagnosis in Clinical Psychology **    (4 units)

PSY 723       Sociocultural Influences and Intervention Strategies**     (4 units)

PSY 724       Neuropsychology   (4 units)

PSY 725       Psychology of Mind-Body and Energy               (4 units)

PSY 726       Psychological Testing & Assessment **             (4 units)

PSY 730       Psychopathology and Psychopathogenesis **    (4 units)

PSY 800       Psychology of Personality       (4 units)

PSY 819       Psychotherapy: Approaches and Strategies    (4 units)

PSY 820       Pre-Doctoral Internships    (4 units)

* Students may take one or both courses

Licensing Requirements as a Psychologist in California

If licensing is the ultimate goal of the student, the Institute encourages the student to check with her or his respective state, and professional associations to ascertain requirements as these change from time to time.

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The Board of Psychology is the relevant governing body for the psychology license in California. Graduates who have earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from a State approved educational institution (such as CIHS) are eligible to take the licensing exam when they have completed a total of 3000 hours of supervised clinical experience. The Board will accept a maximum of 1500 hours of pre-doctoral supervised clinical experience toward the total of 3000 hours, once the student has advanced to candidacy. CIHS students intending to become licensed in California should map out their doctoral curriculum with the Program Director.

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All regulations can be annually dynamic. Although each student works closely with his/her program director, ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to ensure their program meets his/her future educational and professional goals. It is recommended that all Ph.D. students contact to the Board of Psychology and obtain the most recent edition of the Laws and Regulations. 

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More information is available online: http://www.psychology.ca.gov/

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*For information on the current status of CIHS in regards to clinical licensing, please contact  Hope Umansky , Dean of Academic Affairs.