Doctor of Behavioral Health Admissions

Degree-Seeking Admissions Requirements – Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) Program

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B average) or better in the field of Behavioral Health or similar (Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy).* See Exception for Admissions policy.
2. Two (2) or more years of experience in the Behavioral Health Field.
3. Technology equipment and basic computer skills to be successful in the online Doctoral of Behavioral Health Program. To view Technology Requirements, visit: cgi.edu/technology.

No competency examinations are required for admission.

Professional Licensure and Admissions

Students are advised to contact state licensing boards to determine whether the Academic Degree Program meets the educational requirements for licensure in the state where the student resides. Students understand that they are responsible for researching their state laws and workplace/site policies. Professional licensure is not a CGI admissions requirement. The legislation is evolving quickly. Billing for reimbursement as a clinician typically requires a professional license as a behavioral health professional license and those eligible for licensure should clarify their scope of practice with the appropriate state health professional licensure office in their state. Making an informed decision means knowing the landscape of healthcare in a student’s local area.

For Doctor of Behavioral Health Students ONLY:

Practicing as a Doctor of Behavioral Health does not require a professional license, and there is no licensure for a DBH in any state or nation at this time. That said, be aware of the following professional considerations before beginning the DBH Program to make sure it is the right fit for your career goals. The use of the “Doctor” title may be prohibited in certain areas. Every country, state, and the employer is different when it comes to the use of the “Doctor” title. Students should research local legislation and employer practices related to the use of the “Doctor” title.

Degree-Seeking Admissions Process – Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) Program

Completed online admissions application form, including the following documentation:

1. Copy of a government-issued ID
2. Resume or CV
3. Statement of Intent
4. Unofficial transcripts reflecting highest degree earned
5. Official transcripts reflecting highest degree earned
6. Contact information for four (4) professional references to provide a recommendation in support of your application (three (3) total recommendations needed)*
7. Application Fee ($50)**

* Professional references will be contacted at the email address provided to request completion of a recommendation form.
** Waived for students eligible for Military Tuition. Documentation of military status is required during the application process.

Completed applications are reviewed to determine the applicant’s eligibility for admission. Eligible candidates are contacted by the Admissions Coordinator to schedule an interview and detailed instructions are shared on how to participate in the interview. The interview is the final step in the admissions application process. Upon completion of the interview, an admissions decision is rendered by the admissions committee, and the applicant will be accepted or declined admission into the DBH program. Notification of the admissions decision is sent to the applicant post interview.

Within ten (10) calendar days of a student’s accepted admission to the Doctor of Behavioral Health Program or non-degree program, the admitted applicant receives an enrollment packet via DocuSign that includes a Program Enrollment Agreement, Catalog, and Program Fee Payment information. Once the student signs the Program Enrollment Agreement they are required to submit payment for their one-time Program Fee of $150. Once that is all completed the student will meet with their Advisor and then be enrolled in CGI’s New Student Orientation (NSO). The first-term tuition will be billed to the student’s account after the student finishes New Student Orientation and is registered in their courses. Every time after the initial term, students will be billed for tuition following the close of course registration.

Exceptions for Degree-Seeking Admissions Policies – Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) Program

A completed application demonstrating that the candidate meets all admission requirements may advance to interview eligibility with the following exceptions:

1. An applicant who completed a master’s degree in a non-Behavioral Health field (e.g. Allied Health fields) must have their transcripts evaluated to determine if previous coursework meets the standard curriculum requirements. 
2. Candidates who have completed the application paid the application fee, and submitted required documentation minus the Official Transcript for admission may be eligible for an interview.
3. Candidates who have completed the application, paid the application fee, and submitted required documentation minus a third professional recommendation, may proceed to an interview if the first and second recommendations have a rating of average, above average, or outstanding in all evaluation areas and a final recommendation of “enthusiastically recommend this applicant.

An application may advance to admission with the following exceptions:

1. Provisional admission may be granted to an applicant who submits and is admitted with a completed application, application fee, and required documentation minus the Official Transcript for admission. A student provisionally admitted under this circumstance must submit the 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.
2. Provisional admission may be granted to an applicant per the discretion of the Director of the DBH Program if the applicant demonstrates the potential to succeed in the interview and interview eligibility review.

Transfer Credit Max

The maximum amount of transfer credits awarded for the DBH program is nine (9) credits. Transfer credits are not accepted for non-degree programs.

For information on transfer credit policies, process, and conditions, visit: https://cgi.edu/admissions/.

Non-Degree Seeking Admissions Requirements

CGI welcomes students who wish to pursue coursework to advance their personal and professional knowledge. To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B average) or better in the field of Behavioral Health or similar (Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy). See Exception for Admissions policy.
2. Two (2) or more years of experience in the Behavioral Health Field.
3. Technological equipment and basic computer skills to be successful in our online Doctoral of Behavioral Health Program. To view up-to-date requirements, visit: https://cgi.edu/technology/

Non-degree students are limited to completing twenty-four (24) credit hours as non-degree status.

If a non-degree student later applies for admission to the degree program, the student is required to formally apply to the degree program and submit all required documentation; the Application Fee will be waived. The student is evaluated as a new applicant and must meet tuition and graduation requirements in addition to policies in effect at the time of application to the degree program. Admission into the degree program is not assured.

Non-Degree Students Admissions Process

To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the following information and documentation:

1. Completed online admissions application form, including the following documentation:
   1. Copy of a government-issued ID
   2. Resume or CV
   3. Unofficial transcripts reflecting the highest degree earned
   4. Official transcripts reflecting the highest degree earned 
2. Application Fee ($50)* 

* Waived for students eligible for Military Tuition. Documentation of military status is required during the application process.

Completed applications are reviewed to determine the applicant’s eligibility for admission. Upon completion of the application review, an admissions decision will be rendered by the admissions team, and the applicant will be accepted or declined admission into CGI to pursue non-degree coursework. Notification of the admissions decision will be sent to the applicant post-application review.

Within ten (10) calendar days of a student’s accepted admission to the Doctor of Behavioral Health Program or non-degree program, the admitted applicant receives an enrollment packet via DocuSign that includes a Program Enrollment Agreement, Catalog, and Program Fee Payment information. Once the student signs the Program Enrollment Agreement they are required to submit payment for their one-time Program Fee of $150. Once that is all completed the student will be enrolled in CGI’s New Student Orientation (NSO). The first-term tuition will be billed to the student’s account after the student finishes New Student Orientation and is registered in their courses. Every time after the initial term, students will be billed for tuition following the close of course registration.

Concurrent Program Enrollment

Concurrent programs are defined as two or more academic programs that may be pursued at the Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI) by a student resulting in completion of the requirements for two or more degree-seeking and or non-degree seeking programs. Enrollment in concurrent programs is regulated by CGI. Overlap of credits allowed (i.e., where credit hours can count towards more than one program) is governed by the Concurrent Program Enrollment Policy.

Visit the Concurrent Program Enrollment Policy to verify the requirements and steps for pursuing concurrent program enrollment at CGI as a prospective student, currently enrolled student, alumni, or withdrawn student. Concurrent enrollment questions can be directed to the Admissions office at admissions@cgi.edu.

View the Concurrent Program Enrollment Policy