Admissions

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Welcome to Pacifica’s Admissions webpages. We hope you find the information below useful as you navigate the admissions process. If anything is unclear please let us know by emailing us at applicant@pacifica.edu or call 805.879.7305. The Office of Admissions is currently accepting applications for all programs.

Why choose Pacifica?

Letter from the President: Who we are

Welcome, and thank you for choosing Pacifica Graduate Institute for your graduate studies. At Pacifica, we honor our past, celebrate our present, and prepare for the future.

In honoring our past, we remain committed to living our motto of tending the soul of and in the world and offering distinctive graduate degrees rooted in the traditions of depth psychology and mythological studies through Jungian practice.

We celebrate what is exceptional about the Institute today — our educational environment, distinguished by dedicated staff and faculty and transformative learning experiences that foster a spirit of free and open inquiry.

We take bold actions for a future where transformed learners imagine, innovate, and impact their homes, communities, and the world.

Originating as a center to serve the mental health needs of Santa Barbara County residents, the Institute has always been rooted in the mission of tending the soul. Almost 50 years later, our mission is as strong as ever to foster creative learning and research in the fields of psychology and mythological studies framed in the traditions of depth psychology.

Today, our nine transformative graduate degrees and certificate programs integrate diverse perspectives on the human psyche and multiple evidence-based understandings of the complexity of our world to enrich soul-centered knowledge through transformative learning experiences and disciplined practice. Our world-renowned faculty, administrators, and staff, and the unique settings of our two campuses, nourish respect for cultural diversity and individual differences. We have over 5,000 active alumni who serve in a variety of capacities, including but not limited to therapists, counselors, psychologists, artists, community leaders, and entrepreneurs.

Our increasingly complex, rapid, and uncertain world needs more Pacifica graduates now than ever, and we are delighted that you have decided to pursue your educational journey with us. As you read this guidebook, you will find a rich array of degree and professional development programs to plan your transformative educational experience. We welcome your leadership, scholarship, service, creativity, and impact in tending the soul of and in the world.

Your unwavering partner in collective transformation,

Dr. Leonie H. Mattison, Ed.D.
President & CEO, Pacifica Graduate Institute

Pandora Holmes

Executive Admissions Advisor pholmes@pacifica.edu 805-881-1637

Programs Advised:

• M.A in Counseling Psychology with Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling, and Depth Psychology

Katherine Bailey, MBA

Executive Admissions Advisor kbailey@pacifica.edu 805-881-1638

Programs Advised:

• Ph.D. in Depth Psychology with Specialization in Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices,
• M.A in Depth Psychology and Creativity with Emphasis in the Arts and Humanities,
• M.A/Ph.D in Clinical Psychology with Emphasis in Depth Psychology,
• Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology with Emphasis in Depth Psychology

Michael Mirabella

Admissions Advisor

mmirabella@pacifica.edu 805-881-1311

Programs Advised:

• MA/PhD in Depth Psychology with Specialization in Jungian and Archetypal Studies,
• MA/PhD in Psychology, Religion, and Consciousness,
• M.A/Ph.D in Depth Psychology with Specialization in Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Eco-Psychologies,
• M.A./Ph.D. in Mythological Studies with Emphasis in Depth Psychology

How to Apply

Apply

Apply online to one of Pacifica’s degree programs and specializations. Once you apply and pay the $75 application fee, you will then receive an email with instructions for accessing your applicant status portal. From there, you will receive directions on completing your application checklist. Your personal statement, writing sample, and resume will be uploaded to your portal, while other documents will be emailed to applicant@pacifica.edu.

Transcripts and Letters of Recommendations

Please request official transcripts for your application file, which can be submitted to the Office of Admissions in a sealed envelope or electronically. If sent electronically, please send them to the Office of Admissions at applicant@pacifica.edu

We do not need transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended, just from where your degree(s) were conferred.
If you have not yet finished the degree at the time of application, we recommend you submit an in-progress transcript to the Office of Admissions, and it can be unofficial; if you are accepted, we will need to receive the official degree transcript, once your degree is conferred, prior to the start date of the program.

Mailed transcripts can take several weeks for delivery, we recommend requesting them as soon as you apply. Transcripts can be mailed to:

Office of Admissions
249 Lambert Road
Carpinteria, CA 93013

International transcripts must be evaluated to determine U.S. equivalency. We will accept evaluations from current members of the NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) and AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc.). When applicable, international applications must submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) results.

Each academic program requests two or three letters of recommendation, each with an accompanying recommendations and form, at least one academic and one professional. Because it can take several weeks for recommenders to write and submit a letter on your behalf, a helpful strategy is to provide a deadline as to when you would like these documents received by Pacifica. NOTE: the recommender must sign both the letter of recommendation and the recommendation form.

Additional Required Documents

Each program requests a writing sample, personal statement and resume as important components of the application file. Please see Admission Requirements for the program specific guidelines and contact your Admissions Advisor for more detailed instructions.

NOTE: You do not have to begin the application process in order to begin collecting these documents and submitting them to the Office of Admissions. You may submit application documents to the Office of Admissions at applicant@pacifica.edu at any time; she will hold your documents until you officially submit your application for admission.

Application File Review

Once all documents for your application file have been received and your file is complete, the Admissions Committee will review your file and, on recommendation of the Committee, an interview can be scheduled.

Interview Process

• Interviews are an integral and important part of the admission process. The interview is conducted either via phone or Zoom depending on each program’s policy
• The interview addresses a number of important matters or topics regarding an applicant’s potential fit for the program
• The applicant is expected to share how they see Pacifica Graduate institute fitting into their academic, professional, and personal journey
• Interview topics include: educational experience, emotional maturity, personal readiness, future goals, and potential for success as a graduate student
• Notification of the admissions decision is sent after the interview

Acceptance

Applicants who have been accepted must submit a non-refundable deposit of $250 and enrollment agreement forms for confirmation. Those who are unable to attend the academic year can submit a new application and updated documents in order be considered for acceptance at a later date.

Transfer credits: a maximum of 16 quarter units may be approved for acceptance as transfer credit into a Pacifica graduate degree program. Any coursework completed more than four (4) years prior to the student’s matriculation at Pacifica Graduate Institute will not be considered for transfer credit. Application for transfer credits must be made during the application process and submitted by the accepted applicant at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the program. Please see our Transfer Credit Policy below for additional information or contact the Office of Admissions at applicant@pacifica.edu or 805.879.7305.

After You Are Admitted

FAFSA

Pacifica recommends that all applicants apply for federal student financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and using Pacifica’s school code G31268. FAFSA is available online and will require your prior tax return. The Federal Direct Stafford Loan program is an entitlement program and is not based on your income or assets. All applicants must meet the following requirements in order to qualify for federal financial assistance:

• Be admitted and enrolled on at least a half-time basis in an eligible program at Pacifica.
• Students must be in good standing and may not be in default on or owe a refund for any federal financial aid programs or federal liens.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.
• Provide proof of compliance with selective service registration and drug conviction regulations.
• Must be making Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FSAP) toward the completion of his/her degree requirements.

Once the FAFSA results are received, Pacifica will determine eligibility and email an Award Notification with instructions on how to complete the financial aid process. Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must accept or decline the Award on Pacifica’s Financial Aid Online System. If you accept the Award, you must complete an online Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling requirements through the Department of Education website. For specific questions, please contact Pacifica’s Financial Aid Office at 805.679.6197 or financialaid@pacifica.edu.

Scholarships

Pacifica is pleased to provide several institutional scholarship opportunities. The scholarships deadline for Fall start is August 15th for applicants that have been accepted to a Pacifica program. For information about our scholarships and process, please visit Pacifica’s scholarship information page.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for all applicable scholarships. However, scholarships cannot be combined with other Pacifica scholarships. Only one scholarship can be awarded per applicant.

Transfer of Credits

Due to the unique instructional nature of the doctoral and master’s degree programs, prior coursework or training usually is not equivalent to the approach and methodology taught at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Additionally, because of the sequential nature of the programs, students are strongly advised against transferring in prior coursework.

At both the Master’s and doctoral levels, up to 16 quarter units in transfer credit may be accepted from external regionally accredited institutions or their foreign equivalent,; and up to 16 quarter units in transfer credit may be accepted from another Pacifica Graduate Institute program, unless there is an approved Transfer Credit Agreement between programs that specifies an alternate number of units. Please consult with an admissions advisor regarding Transfer Credit options at Pacifica

Due to Pacifica’s emphasis in depth psychology, course content from other institutions may not be equivalent. Transfer credit requests will be reviewed by Pacifica faculty whose credentials lie in the discipline of the course request for transfer. The request will be approved or denied and the applicant will be notified of the decision. The decision will be final and is not subject to appeal. Partial unit credit will not be approved.

All transferable courses must have been completed:

• a. at an outside institution no more than four years prior to matriculation at Pacifica Graduate Institute.
• b. at Pacifica Graduate Institute no more than five years prior to matriculation for courses transferred from a master’s program at Pacifica Graduate Institute.
• c. at Pacifica Graduate Institute no more than eight years prior to matriculation for courses transferred from a doctoral program at Pacifica Graduate Institute.

The process of selecting courses for transfer credit requests and completion of documentation is the responsibility of the applicant/student, as well as converting semester units into quarter units. Transfer Credit Request Forms and all accompanying documentation must be submitted to the Office of Admissions during the application period once the applicant has been accepted, at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the program to allow time for transfer credit requests to be reviewed and approved.

Additional information about transfer of credits can be obtained from the Office of Admissions. Graduates of Pacifica Graduate Institute are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions for information regarding current Transfer Credit Agreements. Please email the Office of Admissions at applicant@pacifica.edu or call 805.879.7305.

For students eligible for education benefits through the Veterans Administration, all previous applicable education is eligible for evaluation. Credit will be awarded where appropriate and the program will be shortened accordingly. The student and the Veterans Administration will be notified promptly.

Contact Admissions

Pacifica’s Office of Admissions can be reached at 805.879.7305 or emailed at applicant@pacifica.edu for all general inquiries.
The Office of Admissions fax number is 805.969.3626 ext. 391
The mailing address for admissions application material is: Office of Admissions – Pacifica Graduate Institute, 249 Lambert Road, Carpinteria, CA 93013