California Institute of Integral Studies

California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) is a nonprofit university in San Francisco whose distinctive approach brings psychology, health, philosophy, spirituality, social sciences, and the arts into conversation. The institute offers bachelor’s-completion programs alongside a much larger graduate portfolio, plus certificates and public programs. Its education model is a particular fit for people looking for interdisciplinary or whole-person perspectives; applicants seeking a conventional, narrowly defined major should compare the curriculum and professional outcomes closely with other schools.

Programs and formats

CIIS reports more than 30 degree programs across three schools: Consciousness and Transformation, Professional Psychology and Health, and Undergraduate Studies. Areas include counseling and clinical psychology, integrative health, anthropology and social change, expressive arts and drama therapy, East-West psychology, ecology and religion, and philosophy, cosmology, and consciousness. The undergraduate division focuses on bachelor’s-completion degrees, including Interdisciplinary Studies, Psychology, and Psychedelic Studies. Delivery varies by program: campus-based, hybrid, and online options are available, sometimes with required on-campus intensives. For instance, Integral Counseling Psychology prepares students for counseling careers and has separate in-person and hybrid routes; the program’s unit load and licensure track differ by route. Use the program directory to compare current curriculum, delivery, and admissions requirements before selecting a department.

Tuition and financial support

For 2026–27, CIIS lists tuition at $1,028 per unit for undergraduates, $1,449 per unit for master’s students, and $1,674 per unit for doctoral students. These are unit rates, not full-degree totals; program length, clinical placements, intensives, and course fees can change the final bill. The school lists a $68 graduate application fee and separate registration, technology, wellness, and student-union fees. A deferred payment plan is available for a $53 fee. Request a program-specific cost estimate before enrolling.

CIIS participates in federal aid. Depending on the degree level and eligibility, assistance can include federal loans; undergraduate students may also qualify for Pell, FSEOG, or California Cal Grant funds. Scholarships and fellowships vary by program and have their own requirements and deadlines. For 2026–27, CIIS lists five Trustee Scholarships of $12,500, ten Presidential Scholarships of $10,000, and thirty $5,000 Mirra Alfassa Scholarships for newly admitted students; the published final deadlines were May 31 for graduate applicants and June 15 for undergraduates, so those dates have passed. Other department-specific awards may use different dates. Check the current costs and aid page and contact financial aid about the next cycle and your eligibility.

Accreditation and professional pathways

WSCUC lists CIIS as an accredited nonprofit institution, with the main San Francisco campus active. Institutional accreditation does not by itself establish eligibility for every professional license. If your goal is clinical practice, counseling licensure, or another regulated occupation, confirm that the specific degree, concentration, supervised hours, and state where you plan to work meet that profession’s current requirements. The WSCUC institution record is the place to check CIIS’s institutional accreditation and campus status.

Student comments and what to ask

Niche currently shows 63 graduate-school reviews. Recent comments praise faculty guidance, supportive interactions with staff, and the depth of study in specialized programs. The feedback is not a substitute for checking outcomes: ask the department about completion rates, placement or licensure preparation, practicum availability, and how much of a hybrid or online program requires travel. Student accounts can differ substantially across CIIS’s schools and degree tracks.

San Francisco campus and contact

The main campus is at 1453 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. CIIS lists (415) 575-6100 as its main number and publishes general building hours of Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., and Sunday, 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; closures and schedule changes occur, so confirm before a visit. The campus is several blocks from Civic Center BART and Van Ness MUNI, and street parking on Mission is prohibited weekdays from 4:00–6:00 p.m. Applicants can use CIIS’s application and admissions information to see program-specific deadlines. CIIS maintains an Instagram account and an official LinkedIn page.