Requirements for Graduation

1. Students must complete a total of 83 quarter units to fulfill the degree requirement for graduation. A minimum grade of C is required in each completed course. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained.

2. Students must comply with attendance requirements as stated in the Student Handbook.

3. Students must successfully pass a comprehensive written examination.

4. Students must pass a comprehensive oral exam at the end of the third year of course work.

5. Students must write, submit, and defend an original dissertation accepted by the faculty.

6. Students are advised to take part in depth-oriented psychotherapy or analysis while enrolled in the program. While this is not monitored or required for graduation it is strongly recommended by the faculty.

Practicum Requirements

There is no minimum number of required hours of practice, but students must be engaged in the practice of psychotherapy while enrolled in coursework.  This assures that all students are able to participate fully in the practicum sequence of courses. Pacifica does not provide supervision as required for licensure or any other purpose.  Students must provide for their own coverage for professional liability.

Comprehensive Examinations

The comprehensive examination consists of a written portion taken in the spring of second year and an oral portion taken in the spring of third year. The written exam is divided into three sections corresponding to the three study tracks of the program: Theory and Traditions of Depth Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Informed by the Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies, and Integrated Praxis: Research and Casework. It is designed to assess knowledge gained in the first two years of coursework and serves as a qualifying exam that students must pass in order to continue into the third year of study. The third year oral exam consists of the student’s formal oral presentation addressing the ways the three years of study have informed and seeded their work.

Doctoral Dissertation

The dissertation process involves the completion of all coursework in research methodologies, dissertation development, and dissertation writing.  Students must complete Dissertation Development I and have an approved Concept Paper before enrolling in Dissertation Writing.  The dissertation committee is composed of an advisor, an external reader, and a dissertation coordinator.  Each committee member must possess an earned doctorate based in part on a dissertation unless the Chair of the program waives this requirement.