What does the application process consist of?
One of our admissions counselors will work with you to facilitate the completion of your application file. After all application materials have been submitted, your file will be reviewed by an Admissions Committee and you may be invited for an interview. During this interview the program Chair, Director, or faculty member will ask about your personal and professional goals and assess your academic qualifications. You will also have an opportunity to ask the interviewer questions about the program and the Institute as a whole. Within two weeks after the interview, the Admissions Office will contact you with the decision of the Admissions Committee. If you are invited to interview for a Residential Program or the Low-Residency MA in Counseling Psychology, an on-campus interview is required unless you are an international student.
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What are you looking for in an applicant?
Because of our whole-person education that addresses our students' personal, academic and professional development, we seek students with solid academic backgrounds who already have a strong sense of their own capabilities and are committed to their intellectual, spiritual, and emotional growth. Each of our students is expected to have spent previous time in self exploration, through therapy, or spiritual practice, or both.
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For All Degree Programs
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is required for all programs. In addition, entrance into our degree programs may require specific course work. Entrance into Year One of our Master's and Doctoral programs may require specific course work beyond the Bachelor's degree. Students who do not have a background in psychology will be asked to do specific course work to prepare for entrance into and success in our graduate programs. This might be one or two foundational psychology courses, such as Abnormal Psychology and Lifespan Development, or another class such one in academic writing. The decision is made by the program chair after a review of the applicant's file and an interview.
Where can I take the prerequisite courses?
Prerequisite courses can be taken at your local university or community college, through an undergraduate distance learning school, or by passing a CLEP exam. In addition, ITP's Global Program offers a specially-designed Prerequisite Fulfillment Course (see below).
Timeframe to Complete Prerequisites
Due to the academic rigor of our programs, students are strongly encouraged to complete their prerequisites prior to beginning their first year.
ITP Prerequisite Fulfillment Course
ITP offers a 6-week online prerequisite course called Foundation in Psychology. The course is designed to give incoming ITP students who have not studied psychology a foundation in theory and terminology. It covers topics in Abnormal Psychology, History & Systems of Psychology, and Lifespan Development. This course is taught at the undergraduate level and does not carry any credit. It is offered several times each year. For the schedule, fee and registration form, please click here.
Please Note: Prospective students may apply to any program prior to completing their prerequisites. Students may also be admitted into a degree program without having completed the required course work. However, their admission will be conditional, and all course work must be completed within the time frame specified in the admissions letter.
Registration for Prerequisite Fulfillment Course
Registration for Prerequisite Sessions
To register for an ITP Prerequisite course, download the Prerequisite Registration Form. Then submit the form and payment to the Registrar Office at registrar@itp.edu, or mail to 1069 East Meadow Circle Palo Alto, CA 94303, or fax to 650.204.6844. You will then be registered and sent a username and password to access the course. You must have online capability to enroll in this course and need to allow two weeks for the registration process to be completed.
Global Certificate students are not required to take prerequisite courses unless the student plans to advance into an ITP degree program. Certificate students who are interested in advancing into the Masters program are advised to take their prerequisites prior to starting their Certificate year.
For further information, please contact the Admissions office at 650.493.4430 ext. 216 or email admissions@itp.edu
Online Education Related Requirements
All ITP Programs require students to use technology for learning, researching, completing assignments,
communicating regularly with Faculty, Mentors, and Staff, and connecting with fellow students. Courses are delivered via
the Angel Learning Management System (LMS), which employs browser-based technology designed to work with both
Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh computers.
Minimum hardware and software requirements for the 2011-2012 academic year are listed below. Please be aware that these minimum requirements will change over time as hardware and software development progresses. It is strongly recommended that students obtain equipment that exceeds the minimum configuration to ensure a more satisfying and productive learning experience.
Windows
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
- Processor: Intel Pentium (2.8 Ghz) minimum; Intel Core 2 Duo (any speed) recommended
- RAM (Memory): 768K RAM (memory) minimum / 1 Gb recommended for Windows XP; 1 Gb RAM minimum / 2 Gb recommended for Vista and Windows 7
- Monitor: 1024 x 768 minimum suggested monitor resolution for the Angel LMS online course environment
- Software: Microsoft Office 2007 or 2010
Apple
- Operating System: Macintosh OS X version 10.4 or higher; 10.5 (Leopard) or 10.6 (Snow Leopard) recommended PowerPC G5 1.0 GHz or higher;
- Processor: Intel Core Duo (any speed) 512K RAM (memory) minimum / 1 Gb recommended for Power PC-based Macs; 1 Gb RAM minimum / 2Gb recommended for Intel-based Macs
- Monitor: 1024 x 768 minimum suggested monitor resolution for the Angel LMS online course environment
- Software: Microsoft Office for Macintosh 2008 or 2011
Internet Connection
• 56K modem over dialup connection minimum; broadband (DSL or cable) connection highly recommended
Angel LMS Compatible Browsers
• Firefox 3.x (Windows/Macintosh) or Internet Explorer 7.x, 8.x (Windows), only (links to download these browsers are provided on the Angel home page under Institutional Resources, Angel Resources)
Other System Elements
- ITP-provided student email account (user.name@myitp.itp.edu) or personal email account with at least 100 Mb of storage
- Printer
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download from www.adobe.com)
- Adobe Flash Player (free download from www.adobe.com)
- Anti-virus software and personal firewall (e.g. McAfee, Symantec, Kaspersky, etc.) - many of these solutions are free.
- CD/DVD burner or external hard drive for backups
Useful URLs
What is the application deadline?
ITP has a rolling admissions policy. You may submit your application any time during the year. However, to ensure that space is available, it is advisable to apply as early as possible.
If accepted, when can I enter the program?
Now accepting applications
for all Global Programs
Now accepting applications for Summer/Fall 2012
for all Residential and Low-Residency Programs Now accepting applications for Fall 2012
for all Residential and Low-Residency Programs
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What are the special requirements for International Student applications?
Credential Evaluations: Transcripts must be submitted to the World Education Services (WES): http://www.wes.org for a "document evaluation." If you have taken any psychology courses that you wish to either transfer in or use to satisfy the prerequisite requirements, you will need a "course-by-course evaluation." Canadian transcripts do not need a credential evaluation if they are from accredited schools.
TOEFL Exam: International applicants must prove sufficient English language proficiency by completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. For the old test, a score of 600 or above on the written exam or 250 on the computerized exam is required for admission. For the new test, a score of 20 is required in each of the four parts. Our institutional code is 9770.
For more information about employment, income requirements, and other considerations, view this page.
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Are GRE tests required for admissions?
No, the tests are not required, but if you've already taken them, please send your scores to ITP along with your applications materials.
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Is it possible to test out of prerequisites?
Yes. Applicants may receive credit for psychology course work by completing exams with the College Level Exam Program (CLEP) with a passing score of 60. Please visit CLEP at www.collegeboard.com for more information, or contact an ITP Admissions Counselor. ITP's CLEP code is 8657.
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Can I apply to the Ph.D. program with just a Bachelor's degree?
Yes, but you must have either a BA or a BS from an accredited institution of higher learning.
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Do I need to submit a complete application, or can I start an application file now?
You may open an application file by sending the application form and fee to the Admissions office. A file will be opened in your name and all subsequently received materials will be added to your file. You may download an application form off the web site or call the Admissions office (650-493-4430, ext. 216) to have one mailed to you. You can pay the fee online here.
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If accepted, when can I enter the program?
Residential programs and Low-Residency programs start once a year, in September, while the Global programs start twice a year, in Summer and Winter. Please contact Admissions for exact dates.
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Does ITP have Advanced Standing options?
Yes. Students may be granted advanced standing in our Global Ph.D. program with a qualifying Master's degree in psychology or a related field. Students granted advanced standing will start in Year 3. The Residential Ph.D. program is three years, total, and requires a qualifying MA to enter the program. The Psy.D. does not grant advanced standing, but will allow students to transfer and/or waive out of comparable coursework.
Please contact the Admissions office at 650.493.4430 ext. 216 or email admissions@itp.edu for more details.
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Can I transfer units into an ITP program?
Yes, the number of units transferable depends upon the program. The Residential and Low-Residency M.A. programs allow up to 9 quarter units to be transferred; the Residential Ph.D. program allows up to 12 quarter units; the Global Master of Transpersonal Psychology allows up to 6 quarter units; the Global Ph.D. program allows up to 6 quarter units; and the Global Certificate program does allow units to be transferred in.
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