Admissions Information

Program Specific Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission to a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking program at CGI, review the policies and requirements on this page and the corresponding program admissions page as follows:

Degree Programs

• Doctor of Behavioral Health Admissions

Licensure information related to DBH program admission is provided on the Doctor of Behavioral Health Admissions page.

Non-degree Study

• Non-degree Admissions

Admissions Decision Appeal Process

An applicant may appeal the admissions decision post receipt of the admissions decision letter by contacting the Director of the Program via email. The DBH Director can be emailed at dbhdirector@cgi.edu.

Student Identity Verification

To meet industry standards for an online institution, CGI takes measures to verify the identity of our students during the admissions process.

1. Submission of a government-issued ID during the admissions process
2. Review and verification of a government-issued ID during the admissions process
3. Verification of identity during the admissions interviews, via phone or video

International Student Degree-Seeking Admissions Requirements & Process

CGI welcomes international students from around the world. International applicants participate in the same degree-seeking admissions process as U.S applicants and are required to meet the same requirements in addition to the following international admissions requirements:

1. International applicants who have earned their degree from a non-US institution must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course transcript evaluation from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member. A list of NACES member organizations can be found at http://www.naces.org/members.htm. Evaluation documentation and results must be sent directly from the NACES member to the Institute Registrar for admissions evaluation. Use the mailing address below for NACES transcript evaluation results:
   • Cummings Graduate Institute, Attn: Registrar, 2111 East Baseline Road, Suite E1, Tempe, AZ 85283
   • The academic credentials evaluation determines if an applicant’s education history meets admission requirements. International applicants are responsible for the selection and management of the academic credential evaluation process and should be mindful of the process in managing the enrollment timeline.

2. 2. International applicants must demonstrate completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework from an accredited college or university in the United States, or from a recognized post-secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction. Of the 30 credit hours, the following requirements must be met:
      Of the 30 semester hours, the following requirements must be met:
      • Fifteen (15) hours in the sciences
      • Six (6) hours in non-remedial English composition
      • Three (3) hours in speech/public speaking.

      If prospective students have completed a minimum of fifteen (15) academic credit hours in an institution using English as its primary language of instruction and documentation within two (2) years of applying to CGI with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, they may be exempt from demonstrating English language proficiency.

Admissions Requirements for Applicants Whose Native Language is Not English

In situations where English was not the language of instruction, international applicants can also meet the English requirement by submitting official documentation with the minimum scores or higher.

For doctoral degree applicants must meet the following::

• A minimum score of 65 on the paper-delivered Test of English as a Foreign Language TOEFL PBT);
• Or a minimum score of 80 on the Internet Based Test (iBT);
• Or a 6.5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS);
• Or a 58 on the Pearson Test of English Academic Score Report;
• Or a 105 on the Duolingo English Test;
• Or a 55 on the 4-skill Michigan English Test (MET);
• or 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE);
• or 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE

For master degree applicants must meet the following:

• A minimum score of 60 on the paper-delivered Test of English as a Foreign Language TOEFL PBT);
• Or a minimum score of 71 on the Internet Based Test (iBT);
• Or a 6.5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS);
• Or a 50 on the Pearson Test of English Academic Score Report;
• Or a 100 on the Duolingo English Test;
• Or a 55 on the 4-skill Michigan English Test (MET);
• or 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE);
• or 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE).

English proficiency scores, if English was not the language of instruction, must be sent from the testing agency to the Registrar. Use the mailing or email address below for English Proficiency test scores:

Cummings Graduate Institute
Attn: Registrar
2111 East Baseline Road, Suite E1
Tempe, AZ 85283

registrar@cgi.edu

International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable US or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive any transfer credits, and are not admitted without documentation that meets admission.

Visa Sponsorship

Cummings Graduate Institute does not participate in the student visa/I-20 program.

Transfer Students

CGI welcomes transfer students. Transfer students participate in the same admissions process as new degree seeking applicants and are required to meet the same requirements, in addition to the following transfer student requirements and conditions.

To learn about program specific transfer credit requirements, procedures, and how to apply, visit the corresponding page listed below.

• DBH Program Transfer Credits
  

Transfer Credit Policy

CGI has set guidelines for transfer credits to be considered. Transfer credits are accepted for degree seeking programs only. The goal of the process is to recognize previous work by students that meet the expectations of the Institute for academic content, rigor, scope, and relevance. In order for credits to be considered, prospective students must submit unofficial transcripts during the application process for review and an official transcript must be received by the Institute Registrar prior to the student beginning the first day of their program.

All decisions for the award of credit for coursework completed at any other institution is at the sole discretion of the Director of the Program at CGI.

Transfer Credit Conditions

Credits must meet the guidelines outlined in the Transfer Credit Policy, including the following:

1. Credits must come from a program at accredited colleges and universities, or from institutions approved by a foreign nation’s Minister of Education where the approval process is comparable to accreditation in the United States.
2. Credits must be degree level equivalent in order to be transferred into the institution.
3. Credits are only awarded for courses in which grades of 3.0 (“B”) or better on a 4.0 scale were obtained as a student and considered equivalent to CGI doctoral coursework on a course-by-course basis.
4. Credit(s) awarded are transferred as equivalent credit amounts. Course grades and GPA are not transferred or reflected on the student’s account, Program of Study, or Official Transcript.
5. Credit(s) must have been earned as a credit-bearing learner and not as an auditing student, faculty, teaching assistant, or experiential learner.
6. Credit is only awarded for courses completed by the student within seven (7) calendar years prior to acceptance at CGI.
7. In alignment with industry standards, the maximum allowed transfer credits to be accepted are nine (9) credit hours for the Doctor of Behavorral Health program and fifteen (15) credit hours for the Master of Healthcare Leadership program.
8. The Institute reserves the right to deny transfer credits in accordance with Institute Policy.

Transfer Credit from International Schools

In order to qualify for transfer credit, courses completed at recognized international institutions must be applicable to CGI’s degree program and comparable to the nature and quality of the Institute courses. Applicants who wish to receive transfer credit for coursework completed outside the US or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from a NACES member.

Prior Education & Training Policy for Veterans

In Accordance with 38 CFR § 21.4253(d)(3), CGI will inquire about each veteran‘s previous education and training, and request transcripts from all prior institutions, including military training, traditional college coursework and vocational training. Previous transcripts will be evaluated and credit will be granted, as appropriate.

Transfer Credit Max

The maximum amount of transfer credits awarded for the DBH program is outlined on the program admissions page and transfer credit page.

• Doctor of Behavioral Health Admissions
• Doctor of Behavioral Health Transfer Credits

Transfer Credit Evaluation Process

In order for credits to be considered, prospective students must adhere to the following procedure. During the application process, prospective applicants must submit the following:

1. An unofficial transcript of any transfer credits must be uploaded in the online application. The transfer credits cannot be officially awarded until the official transcript must be received by the Registrar prior to the student beginning the first day of the program.
2. A copy of the prior Institute’s Catalog which includes course descriptions for any courses the applicant wishes to transfer must be uploaded in the online application. Additionally, the Institute may request copies of course syllabi for review, in the event the Catalog course descriptions do not fully articulate the course alignment.
3. Once the unofficial transcript and catalog are received, the Director of the Program reviews the supporting documentation. The Director’s review consists of looking at the courses being requested to be transferred ins content from the prior institution’s catalog. If the course description and information in the catalog is not enough, the Director will then use the course syllabus to review the internal content of the course. From there, because of the Director’s subject matter expertise and knowledge in CGI curriculum, they are qualified to determine if the prior course is equivalent and eligible to be transferred into CGI.
4. The Director of the Program then documents the decision on the Transfer Credit Request documentation.
   1. If the credit is denied, the request will show the denial and the reasoning for the denial.
   2. If the credit is approved, the request will show the approval and which course the transfer credit will be equivalent to at CGI.
5. The Director of the Program sends the Transfer Credit Request documents via DocuSign to the Registrar.
6. The Registrar then does a final audit of the transfer credits to ensure they are within the allotted time frame, course credit amounts are equivalent, and the amount awarded is within the limit of CGI’s Transfer Credit Policy.
7. Finally, if the official transcript is available at time of review, the Registrar awards credits based on the evaluation and updates students’ file, online account, and documents it in the Enrollment Agreement if the Transfer Credits are reviewed prior to the Enrollment Agreement being sent out to the applicant. If the unofficial transcript is only available at the time of review and attached to the Transfer Credit Request Form, the Registrar marks the transfer credits in pending status until an official transcript is received and transfer credits are verified. Transfer credits cannot be officially awarded until the official transcript has been received.
8. The Registrar informs the student of the outcome of the Transfer Credit Evaluation via the Transfer Credit Request form and/or in the Enrollment Agreement.

If the student is unsatisfied with the outcome of the Transfer Credit Evaluation, the student can submit a Transfer Credit Appeal.

Transfer Credit Appeal Process

In the event that a student disagrees with the awarded transfer credits or requests an exception to be considered for over the transfer credit maximum policy, the student may submit an appeal using the following procedure accompanied with the transfer credit appeal form. All appeal forms must be received by the Registrar within ten (10) calendar days from sending the Enrollment Agreement.

1. Complete the Transfer Credit Request Form
2. Submit documentation supporting the request:
   1. Course description from the catalog at the credit-granting institution
   2. Syllabus
   3. An explanation for consideration
3. All correspondence regarding appeals will be delivered to your school email address within 10 calendar days.

Note:

• Submit one (1) appeal form per course.
• All required documents must be received by CGI for reconsideration.
• It is the student’s responsibility to prove that a course taken at another institution is equivalent to those of the program.

All decisions for the award of credit for coursework completed at any other institution are at the sole discretion of the Director of the Program, and all decisions are final.

Non-Degree Seeking Admissions Requirements and Process

The non-degree seeking admissions requirements and process are outlined on the non-degree admissions page.

Admission Classification Overview

Students admitted to CGI are assigned an admission classification based upon the results from the admissions committee. Admissions classifications include the following:

1. Admitted
2. Provisionally Admitted

Student admission classification is stated in the admission notification letter. If a student is classified as provisionally admitted, the letter outlines steps with deadlines as to how the student can advance from provisionally admitted to admitted status.

Admitted Classification

A student may begin a program at CGI as an Admitted student if all admissions requirements are met.

Provisional Admission Classification Policy

A student may begin the program at CGI under the Provisional Admissions Policy under the following circumstances:

1. Provisional Admission may be granted to an applicant who submits and is admitted with a completed application, non-refundable application fee, and required documentation minus the Official Transcript for admission. A student Provisionally Admitted under this circumstance must submit an Official Transcript by the end of their first enrolled term in order to enroll in courses for a second term. Failure to submit an Official Transcript under this circumstance revokes the admissions acceptance and the student may not proceed with the coursework. This policy does not apply to official transcripts for transfer credit evaluation.
2. Provisional Admission may be granted to an applicant at the discretion of the Director of the Program. A student provisionally admitted must complete the required courses within the stated outcomes and timeline outlined in the Program Enrollment Agreement. Failure to complete the required courses within the stated outcomes and timeline revokes the admissions acceptance, and the student may not proceed with the coursework.

Admissions application deadlines for the 2024-2025 academic year are:

Dates are subject to change. 

Admissions application deadlines for the 2025-2026 academic year are:

Dates are subject to change.