Frequently Asked Questions by Potential SDUIS Students

Q. How much do courses/degree programs cost?
A. The undergraduate tuition is $180 a unit therefore a 5 unit course at the BA level is $900. At the graduate level tuition is $240 per unit or $1200 for a five unit course. Classes can be audited without credit for a fee of $600. Although our degree programs vary to fit the needs of our student's plans the degree costs generally are as follows, The BA program’s maximum cost would be $32,400, The MA programs range from $20,985 to $22,425 and the maximum cost for our doctoral programs would be $24,585. Our certificate programs are available at a maximum cost of $9,600.

Q. How long does it typically take to finish a degree program?
A. Typically, it takes about two years to complete or finish a degree. The length, of course, varies with the student’s choice in creating a schedule that works for his or her lifestyle and other commitments.

Q. What does the school have available in the way of grants, stipends, studentworkers etc. What kind of federal funding is available?
Students can call Mission Federal or SDUIS. Before students apply online for the loan they must submit an application along with the $60 application fee to the registrar’s office. Students who apply for loans without having submitted these materials will not be considered by SDUIS. If the loan is approved, a credit account is set up for the student and tuition and fees are applied to that credit for the duration of the program. Registration will not be accepted for an upcoming quarter from students with a balance from the current quarter until the balance is cleared.

With our current approved status, we cannot participate in any Federal or U.S. Government loan programs. Furthermore, as a small, young university, we are not yet able to offer any means of university funded financial support to our students. However, SDUIS is working hard on providing grants, scholarships, and stipends and anticipate offering these means of financial support in the near future. In the meantime, please contact the admissions office for more information on private scholarships.

Q. How many students are currently enrolled in the university?
A. SDUIS has quadrupled the enrollment since its inception in April 1999. At the point of our second anniversary we have an enrollment of 180 students, most of whom are in our graduate programs. We consider our students our most valuable resource. The quality of academic qualifications, motivation, and potential for leadership in their fields is extremely high.

Q. Is this school accredited? When do you expect to be accredited? What does state approved mean?
A. San Diego University for Integrative Studies (SDUIS) is a state approved degree granting institution regulated by Articles 94700 - 94999, inclusively, of the California Education Code. We operate under the authority and regulation of the Bureau for Private, Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE).

Currently, the University is completing the Application for Accreditation Eligibility according to the documentation guidelines posited by the Senior College Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Upon the Commission's review of this important application document, one of the following outcomes will occur:

1 . The Commission determines that the University is eligible to proceed with an application for Candidacy for Accreditation; or,

2 . The Commission determines that additional documentation is needed prior to their final assessment on the University's readiness to proceed with the process for Candidacy.

SDUIS Administration maintains an unwavering commitment to the Accreditation process. However, this process may require from two (2) to four (4) in the eventual achievement of WASC Accreditation.

Our university offers several graduate degrees in psychology with sub-specialties, such as Transpersonal, Sport, and Expressive Arts Therapy. We also offer programs for completing the coursework required to qualify to sit for the California Psychology License and the California Marriage and Family Therapy License. Please note that licensing requirements, if any, are regulated by the particular State you wish to practice in. Please inquire with the authorities in your state about requirements and regulations.

Accreditation is not the same as state approval and licensing. As an "Approved" school, our credits may not be transferable at other institutions and some employers, like government agencies, may require graduates from "Accredited" Universities. Our graduates, however, are able to practice psychology in the areas of counseling, consulting, and education with few limitations. Please inquire with the specific university or employer with whom you want to apply your degree.

Q. Is the school APA approved?
A. In order for a school to be APA approved they must first be WASC accredited. However, even once SDUIS becomes accredited we will not be seeking APA approval.

SDUIS will not participate in APA approval for the following reasons: our foundation is of a humanistic, holistic, and applied nature with emphasis on a balanced approach to everything we do. APA strictly focuses on clinical research and also mandates all faculty-members to be APA approved. Such mandates would narrow our scope and philosophy. While research and clinical work are an important part in all of our programs, we also emphasize the human and applied aspects. APA approval has no bearing in sitting for the licensing exam, the validity of your degree, or for your ability to become a successful practitioner in California. However, certain States, such as Florida for example, mandate that your degree is issued from an APA approved school.

Q. What credits can I transfer from my past studies? How many credits can I transfer for each program?
A. Only credits that have not been used as part of a completed degree program can be transferred into a SDUIS program. The maximum number of transferable units for the BA program is 135-quarter units, for the Masters programs 8-quarter units, and for the Doctoral programs the allowance is 45-quarter units.

Q. If I was to enroll in the distance learning format how much coursework would I have to be in residency for?
A. Residency refers to classes taken while enrolled at SDUIS. For online degrees, residency can also mean classes taken physically at our San Diego campus. Distance Learning students will be required to complete following courses in the classroom setting. These courses must be completed at SDUIS and cannot be transferred from another university. The specific courses are as follows:

• CPS 605-- Clinical Counseling Skills Training
• CPS 611-- Advanced Clinical Skills Training
• CPS 702-- Group Therapy: Theory & Practice

All Core classes for the Expressive Arts Therapy program require that students be physically present in a San Diego classroom for successful completion. For the Ph.D. program, the Practicum and Group Therapy courses are also completed residentially. To fit the individual lifestyles of our students all of these courses are offered as intensives in the Winter and Summer Quarters, and can be completed in six days. They are also conveniently scheduled so that you can come to San Diego during the best weather months!

Q. How does the distance learning format work? How many times do go on-line A week? How long do courses last? Is the price the same?
A. On-line courses are 5 units and last a period of six weeks. There are usually two consecutive online session in any give quarter. You are asked to log on a minimum of five times a week and to participate actively in discussions and exchanges. Instruction and assignments are posted at the beginning of each week. The student then does the work off-line at his or her own pace and convenience and the work is reviewed by the class instructor on-line along with group discussions. The tuition for the distance learning format is the same as for classes taken in residency.

Q. What is your campus like?
A. SDUIS is now centrally located in Historic Old Town, in San Diego, California. Our new Spanish style building with a courtyard and water fountain is a few blocks from the San Diego Trolley Transit Center, 150 Old Town landmarks, and tourist shops. We are near the intersection of I-8 and I-5, about a ten-minute drive north of downtown San Diego and Historic Gaslamp District, and also a short drive to most San Diego destinations, including San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Sea World, and the San Diego Airport, among others. The campus offers three classrooms, along with the school’s administrative offices, Carl Rogers Library and computer lab. There is a kitchen with a microwave and refrigerator for the student body, and an outdoor patio with seating. There are several hotels, apartment complexes, and restaurants to meet the needs of local students attending residential classes and out of town students here for summer intensives. Free parking is available to all students.

Q. What do your graduates typically go into after completing their degrees?
A. Our graduates tend to go into the fields of Counseling, Psychotherapy, Private Practice, and Consulting. Many students are already in the helping field bringing to the classroom their professional experience.

Q. How is the admissions process at the University? Is acceptance into the school difficult? When can I start?
A. The application process, like the University, is humanistically oriented with a minimal amount of tasks. The prospective student meets with an admissions officer either in person or on-line at which time the officer will provide the student with an Admissions Packet. After the applicant completes the written personal statement, receives two letters of recommendation, and obtains transcripts of previous college work, a final admissions interview is scheduled. When accepted, the student and University will sign an agreement that outlines all costs for their chosen program, program requirements, and refund policies. It is possible to take courses before the admissions process is complete as an extension student and later apply those credits to the degree program.

Q. What is the workload like?
A. Coursework at SDUIS is rigorous and challenging, courses are taken in a small class setting with an emphasis on investigation and dialogue. The faculty strives to create a highly supportive environment and to put the students in a position to succeed and have personal needs met. Our instructors are caring individuals who work daily in the areas that they teach. Students will find a personalized and flexible program of study at SDUIS.

Q. Would it be possible to contact a current student for information?
A. We strongly encourage potential students to get in touch with their future peers to get an idea of their opinions about SDUIS. For this reason we provide student contact lists available to those who request them. Many of our students have volunteered to talk with potential students because they believe in SDUIS and the education they are receiving here.

Q. What can I use certification for? How does sitting for licensure work with a state approved school?
A. We are fully approved by the Board of Behavioral Science Examiners and the Board of Psychology to provide coursework for licensure as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a licensed Psychologist in the State of California. Certification is not to be confused with licensure; rather, it is to denote an extended course of study in a particular area. This program is usually attractive to professionals who have already received a degree/licensure, or people who are just beginning to explore their educational avenues and have a personal interest in a certification program.