Admission Requirements & FAQ’s

Admission Requirements

In evaluating applicants for its programs, Pacifica assesses the student’s ability to demonstrate psychological mindfulness. The Institute defines psychological mindfulness as the capacity to attend to intrapsychic, interpersonal, and environmental issues by thinking metaphorically, demonstrating empathy, listening reflectively to one’s own language and that of others, and using psychological language in a manner which recognizes its strengths and limitations. All programs have an emphasis in depth psychology.

The Office of Admissions is currently accepting applications for all programs

• M.A. in Counseling Psychology
• M.A./Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
• Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology
• Ph.D in Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices
• M.A./Ph.D. in Jungian Psychology and Archetypal Studies
• M.A./Ph.D. in Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Eco-Psychologies
• M.A./Ph.D. in Mythological Studies
• M.A. in Depth Psychology and Creativity

M.A. in Counseling Psychology

• Program seeks individuals who are psychologically minded, and who show evidence of emotional resilience, cultural awareness, and commitment to scholarly questioning necessary to work with diverse individuals and communities.
• Program values students whose backgrounds include work in social, psychological, religious, or human services, and academic training in psychology or the humanities.
• Successful applicants will display scholarly writing skills and an interest in research.
• Program values students with experience in personal psychotherapy.
• Application Requirements:
  • Personal statement (3-5 pages)
  • Resumé/curriculum vitae (CV)
  • 4-6 page APA format academic writing sample
  • 2 letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional) with recommendation form
  • Acknowledgment of licensure requirements information form
  • Your answers to state licensure specific questions: This portion of the application is an important opportunity for applicants to carefully research the licensure requirements in the state or jurisdiction you plan to pursue licensure, and to thoughtfully familiarize yourself with those guidelines. For the first question, please include the name of your state or jurisdiction’s applicable licensing board for masters level licensure, as well as the website link, email, or phone information for contact (for example, in the state of California, this would be the Board of Behavioral Sciences). For the second question, please answer whether your state requires any particular accreditation status for the masters level licensure you are seeking (a yes or no question, and if yes, what the required accreditation status includes). Some states may require accreditation from organizations such as CACREP or COAMFTE. The third question asks exactly how many practicum hours you are required to achieve during your Masters program in your state.

1. 1. 1. The licensing board website of the state or jurisdiction where I plan to become licensed and how to contact the board to inquire about pre-degree and post-degree educational and supervised practicum requirements;
      2.  Whether the state or jurisdiction where I plan to become licensed requires the academic program to have any particular accreditation status to be eligible for licensure as an LMFT or an LPCC; and
      3. How many hours of supervised practicum experience are required for each license offered by the state or jurisdiction in which I plan to become licensed.

• • Official transcripts – must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited or state-approved institution of higher education. All transcripts must come directly from your academic institution. Where do I send my transcripts?

M.A./Ph.D. Clinical Psychology

• Applicants are expected to bring a strong foundation in psychological scholarship, specifically scholarly research and writing, as well as a demonstrated interest and aptitude for the study of depth psychology, which will be assessed during the application process for bachelor level applicants.
• Program seeks individuals who are psychologically-minded, and who show evidence of emotional resilience, cultural awareness, and commitment to scholarly questioning necessary to work with diverse individuals and communities
• In addition to advanced writing and scholarship skills, successful candidates will have supervised clinical experience and manifest an interest in the relationships among psychology, the humanities and human sciences.
• The experience of personal depth psychotherapy is highly valued.
• Application Requirements:
  • Personal statement (3-5 pages)
  • Resumé/curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Minimum 5-10 page academic writing sample
  • 3 letters of recommendation with recommendation form
  • Acknowledgment of licensure requirements information form
  • Your answers to state licensure specific questions: For the first question we need the website link included as the answer. For the second question we need to know whether your state requires a certain accreditation for licensure as a psychologist (a yes or no question, and if yes, what the accreditation status is). The third question needs to know exactly how many hours are required in your state. For example, please look up the California Board of Psychology if your state is California.
    • 1. The licensing board website of the state or jurisdiction where I plan to become licensed and how to contact the board to inquire about pre-degree and post-degree educational and supervised pre-doctoral internship requirements;
    • 2. Whether the state or jurisdiction where I plan to become licensed requires my academic program to have any particular accreditation status to be eligible for licensure as a psychologist; and
    • 3. How many hours of pre-degree supervised practicum experience are required for psychologist licensure in the state or jurisdiction where I plan to become licensed.
  • Official transcripts – must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited or state-approved institution of higher education. All transcripts must come directly from your academic institution. Where do I send my transcripts?

Psy.D. Counseling Psychology Program

• Program seeks individuals who are psychologically minded, and who show evidence of emotional resilience, cultural awareness, and commitment to scholarly questioning necessary to work with diverse individuals and communities.
• Program values students whose backgrounds include work in social, psychological, religious, or human services, and academic training in psychology or the humanities.
• Successful applicants will display scholarly writing skills and an interest in research.
• Program values students with experience in personal psychotherapy.
• Application Requirements:
  • Personal statement (3-5 pages)
  • Resumé/curriculum vitae (CV)
  • 8-10 page academic writing sample
  • 3 letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional) with recommendation form
  • Acknowledgment of licensure requirements information form
  • Official transcripts – must have a master’s degree from a regionally accredited or state-approved institution of higher education. All transcripts must come directly from your academic institution. Where do I send my transcripts?
  • Your answers to state licensure specific questions:This portion of the application is an important opportunity for applicants to carefully research the licensure requirements in the state or jurisdiction you plan to pursue licensure, and to thoughtfully familiarize yourself with those guidelines. For the first question, please include the name of your state or jurisdiction’s applicable licensing board for doctoral level licensure, as well as the website link, email, or phone information for contact (for example, in the state of California, this would be the Board of Psychology). For the second question, please answer whether your state requires any particular accreditation status for the masters level licensure you are seeking (a yes or no question, and if yes, what the required accreditation status includes). Some states may require accreditation from organizations such as APA. The third question asks exactly how many practicum hours you are required to achieve during your doctoral program in your state.
    • 1. The licensing board website of the state or jurisdiction where I plan to become licensed and how to contact the board to inquire about pre-degree and post-degree educational and supervised pre-doctoral internship requirements;
      2. Whether the state or jurisdiction where I plan to become licensed requires my academic program to have any particular accreditation status to be eligible for licensure as a psychologist; and
      3. How many hours of pre-degree supervised practicum experience are required for psychologist licensure in the state or jurisdiction where I plan to become licensed.

Ph.D. Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices Specialization

• Applicants are expected to have a strong foundation in the field of psychology and a demonstrated interest and aptitude for the study of depth psychology.
• In addition to masters level education and professional development, this doctoral specialization requires candidates to have work experience with clients in a distinct healing-oriented or therapeutic profession.
• The program is ideal for diverse practitioners (licensed, pre-licensed, or license-exempt) in the following professions (partial list): Psychotherapists, Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Social Workers, Professional Counselors, Health and Medical Professionals (Nursing professionals, Physicians, Allied Health Providers), Jungian Analysts, Psychoanalysts, Specialized Addiction and Treatment Counselors, Expressive Arts Therapists, Spiritual and Pastoral Counselors, Health and Wellness Practitioners with Advanced Training, and Other Qualified Consultants and Counselors.
• Applicants must either be practicing or are enrolled in the program for case consultation and presentation.
• Because the program maintains a strong emphasis on learning through practice consultation groups, we seek candidates who are psychologically-minded and show evidence of emotional resiliency.
• Prior commitment to personal growth and development as a client or patient working with a therapeutic professional is an important factor in the consideration of the application.
• In addition to having advanced skills in writing and scholarship, successful candidates will hold some familiarity with, and aptitude for, the perspectives of depth psychology, and demonstrate a commitment to practice and research in a therapeutic and healing-oriented profession.
• Application Requirements:
  • Personal statement (3-5 pages)
  • Resumé/curriculum vitae (CV)
  • 8-10 page academic writing sample
  • 3 letters with recommendation form
  • Official transcripts – must have a master’s degree from a regionally accredited or state-approved institution of higher education. All transcripts must come directly from your academic institution. Where do I send my transcripts?

M.A./Ph.D. Program in Depth Psychology with Specialization in Jungian Psychology and Archetypal Studies (hybrid)

• Applicants must demonstrate an aptitude in the following areas: a background in psychology through formal coursework or personal study and experience; a background in interdisciplinary studies, such as the humanities, sciences, and social sciences; a demonstrated interest and ability in scholarly research; and a familiarity with the perspectives of depth psychology, such as psychoanalytic, Jungian, and archetypal psychology.
• Application Requirements:
  • Personal statement (3-5 pages)
  • Resumé/curriculum vitae (CV)
  • 8-10 page academic writing sample
  • 3 letters with recommendation form
  • Official transcripts – must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited or state-approved institution of higher education
• Personal Statement: Please describe your professional and academic areas of interest related to Jungian depth psychology and archetypal studies (noting key theories and practices that have influenced you and books you have read in and around Jungian psychology), and discuss how this degree would advance your professional and academic goals. Address your potential for success in the program, including anticipated strengths and challenges, and add any other information you feel is important for the Admissions Committee to consider. All transcripts must come directly from your academic institution. Where do I send my transcripts?

M.A./Ph.D. Program in Depth Psychology with Specialization in Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Eco-Psychologies

• Applicants must have a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree from a regionally accredited or state-approved institution of higher learning. Applicants must also demonstrate aptitude in the following areas: a background in psychology through formal coursework or personal study and experience; a background in interdisciplinary studies, such as the humanities and social sciences with an emphasis in cultural studies, social justice studies, and environmental studies; a demonstrated interest in scholarly research and active community engagement around an issue of their concern.
• Application Requirements:
  • Personal statement (3-5 pages)
  • Resumé/curriculum vitae (CV)
  • 8-10 page academic writing sample
  • 3 letters with recommendation form
  • Official transcripts – must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited or state-approved institution of higher education. All transcripts must come directly from your academic institution. Where do I send my transcripts?

M.A./Ph.D. Mythological Studies Program

• Program seeks students who have the potential to succeed in the creative application of mythological themes and psychological insights. In the process of reviewing applicants, attention is focused on past educational, creative, and professional endeavors.
• Successful completion of a comprehensive examination at the end of the second year of the program and demonstrated proficiency in academic research are required for continuation into the third year of coursework in the program.
• Application Requirements:
  • Personal statement (3-5 pages)
  • Resumé/curriculum vitae (CV)
  • 8-10 page academic writing sample
  • 3 letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional) with recommendation form, it is highly recommended to include 1 academic letter of recommendation as 1 of the 3 letters
  • Official transcripts – must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited or state-approved institution of higher education. All transcripts must come directly from your academic institution. Where do I send my transcripts?

M.A. Depth Psychology and Creativity (hybrid)

• Program seeks students with a background in the humanities, the arts, psychology, education, and healing professions. Other degrees will be considered. Successful applicants will also display excellent writing skills and show an interest in the application of depth psychological principles to their creative practices and/or work in the world.
• Application Requirements:
  • Personal statement (3-5 pages)
  • Resumé/curriculum vitae (CV)
  • 4-7 page writing sample The program welcomes both creative and academic writing samples. The program prefers recent samples, and applicants may submit more than one type of writing. Examples include: A short research paper with references, an essay or article aimed at either a scholarly or general audience, a chapter from a memoir, a chapter or two from a novel, a collection of poetry with some accompanying commentary, a screenplay or stage play with accompanying commentary.
  • 2 letters with recommendation form
  • Official transcripts – must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited or state-approved institution of higher education. All transcripts must come directly from your academic institution. Where do I send my transcripts?