Institutional Accreditation
Pacifica is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). More information on Pacifica’s accreditation is available here.
State Authorizations
The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions offering distance education to comply with state regulations. At Pacifica Graduate Institute, we understand that regulations for distance education vary by state. To comply with these regulations, we have obtained specific state authorizations for the relevant programs. Below is the current status of our authorizations (or exemptions), which we regularly update to reflect any changes.
Programs and Their Authorizations:
Each program listed below has specific state authorizations/exemptions:
- MA Depth Psychology and Creativity
- MA/PhD Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Eco-Psychologies
- PhD Integrative Therapy & Healing Practices
- MA/PhD Jungian & Archetypal Studies
- MA/PhD Mythological Studies
- MA/PhD Psychology, Religion, and Consciousness (Currently pending approval from the Department of Education. Prospective students should be aware that this status may affect eligibility and other factors related to enrollment.)
States Currently Accepting New Students:
Pacifica Graduate Institute is authorized to enroll students from the following states in our low-residency programs:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Illinois
- Minnesota (only for MA/PhD Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Eco-Psychologies, and MA/PhD Mythological Studies)
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
Seeking Authorization:
Prospective students residing in the following states are encouraged to contact our Admissions Office for the latest status of authorizations in these states:
- New York
New Federal Regulations (Effective July 1, 2024):
In accordance with a new rule issued by the Department of Education in October 2023, institutions must satisfy educational requirements for professional licensure in each state where federally aided students are enrolled. This regulation impacts our MA in Counseling Psychology, PsyD in Counseling Psychology, and MA/PhD in Clinical Psychology programs.
- These programs may not meet all the California licensure requirements as those may change, and students are responsible for staying informed about licensure regulations.
- Prospective students outside California considering relocation should initiate the application process but must not commence the program until they have moved to California.
Responsibility of Students:
Current students are responsible for understanding and complying with the licensure requirements in their respective states. We recommend consulting with state licensure boards or legal advisors for the most current and relevant information.
