Pacifica Graduate Institute

There is just no way to feel comfortable writing a positive review of this school. I use to believe that at least the myth department was worth a shot at being a good school. However my belief in this school just crumbles the more I understand their underlying hypocritical actions. This is a place run by people who will lie, mislead and scam anyone who wants to learn about psychoanalysis or mythology. They present themselves as scholars and as caring educators who will guide and lead students to find their way into fulfilling satisfying career. This is a huge lie for 99% of their students. This place is a sham.

Pacifica has some great workshops, public programs and retreats. It’s a beautiful campus as well.

I just graduated with my MA in Counseling Psychology with Emphasis in Depth Psychology. It was a profoundly transformative experience. It isn’t just about classes and writing papers. To do the work you have to look deeply inside yourself. With their emphasis on Depth Psychology, you are taught to look beyond surface symptoms, and to treat the whole person. The cohort system leads to deep friendships and creates a network of colleagues when you are done.
Best of all, however, is how well I was prepared to work with clients. Pre-​graduation you must complete a practicum, working in a non profit clinic as a therapist. The skills I learned at PGI gave the ability to do very good work with clients, as evidenced by the progress they made, and feedback from supervisors and colleagues. As a graduate, I have already been offered a number of internships.
Pacifica is expensive, and if you’re looking for run of the mill CBT training, this is not the place for you. Pacifica is based on the work of people like Carl Jung, Heinz Kohut, Donald Winnicott, and Marion Woodman. If you are willing to do a lot of work on yourself in order to become a healer, and want to become a therapist who can help clients find the root of their suffering instead of just trying to change surface behavior, then you should consider Pacifica. It changed my life and prepared me to be the kind of therapist I want to be.

I received an MA in Engaged Humanities from Pacifica in May 2014.
The two years I spent in the Engaged Humanities program have enriched my creative practices and provided an interdisciplinary lens, through depth psychology, in which to foster my life’s work. I believe this MA is ideal for someone who wants a creative/​humanities degree that is more alive and current than most, and especially for those who have considered an MFA program, but are not keen on the usual competitive (and often soul punishing) atmosphere. Instead, Pacifica offers a robust educational experience that is also supportive, fostering an atmosphere of personal as well as professional growth. Theirs is not a cookie-​cutter approach to education. It is about each individual’s unique journey, and paradoxically, how this leads to a deeper connection to community and the world at large. They take their motto of «Tending the Soul of the World» seriously!
Towards the end of my MA program, I knew that I wanted to pursue a PhD. However when I looked around, I could not find another school that offered such a rich and creative approach to psychology. Therefore, I am now pursuing a PhD in the Depth Psychology Jungian/​Archetypal Studies program (1^st year). So, I cannot speak more highly than that!
As others have noted, the campuses are lovely, and the environment is one of relaxed contemplation. The professors are amazingly accessible, and I’ve not met one yet who does not care about each student’s educational experience. I have also been amazed at the breadth and depth of each professor’s background. In the Humanities program, most are PhD’s with a long list of published work, or if not a PhD they have an accomplished professional/​creative career. In the doctoral program, they are all PhDs.
Pacifica has something unique and potentially life changing to offer. Maybe it is not for everyone, but perhaps it is for you.
Cheers!

I have recently completed my MA in Engaged Humanities and the Creative Life with an Emphasis in Depth Psychology. This program and Pacifica Graduate Institute completely changed my life personally as well as academically. The coursework was rigorous and thoughtful and the accompanying creative work which was used to enhance the depth psychological teachings were unlike anything I could have experienced at any other college. The limited residency offering in this program was perfect for someone like myself and I was able to complete the program within two years while also working full-​time and living in two different states. The faculty at Pacifica were amazing! And when the students had issues (which was hardly ever) it was taken care of by our Program Chair, Susan Rowland, immediately. If there is one main reason to come to Pacifica for the Humanities program, it would be to learn from Susan. She is a well respected Jungian Scholar and her knowledge of research through creative practice is unparalleled. Never would I have imaged that I could write a research paper and submit it for conferences-​but with the help and guidance of Susan, it was an actual possibility. I am forever grateful to have come to Pacifica when I did to experience learning with my cohort both online and at residential.
Prior to coming to Pacifica I received an undergraduate degree in organizational communication which focused on marketing and PR. I am currently working in nonprofit arts administration and the time spent on my MA has greatly influenced my professional work. Attending Pacifica helped me to grow as a person and in turn I have advanced in my work, and I am happy to share my knowledge of depth psychology with my fellow nonprofit workers.
Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to Pacifica for recognizing students that have done national service and service abroad. Pacifica offers scholarships to alumni of both the AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps.

My life has been enhanced since coming to Pacifica Graduate Institute and becoming a part of the Mythological Studies Program.
The campuses (both Lambert and Ladera) are incredibly beautiful and there are plenty of places for reflection. During a break from class on the Lambert Campus, you can stoll the lush gardens and walk along the Organic Orchard. On the Ladera Campus, you can sit on the grass or on a bench and take in 360 degree views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Coastline.
The Lambert Campus is very close to the beach and the weather is pretty nice year round.
The classes are never larger than 30 students. The average is currenlty about 15 – 20 per class. I much prefer this than being one of a hundred plus students packed into in a lecture hall where interaction and class participation is minimal at best. You also build strong long-​lasting friendships with those in your track and co-​hort during the course of time (and after!) while at Pacifica
The faculty are personable and offer more one-​on-​one time than I have experienced at other schools. They are also highly knowledgeable in their respective fields of expertise. If you need some guidance, they listen and support you and help you find your path.
I highly recommend a visit to the campus! In addition, while you are on campus, don’t forget to visit the Bookstore. What a hidden find! I’ve gotten a few shawls and pieces of jewlery there. The prices are reasonable and there are always new treasures each time I visit.

I just read a review of Pacifica by an unhappy student in the clinical program and would like to offer my experience: I am currently in my 2^nd year of the Jungian/​Archetypal studies program – a program focused on scholarly research of a wide range of subjects using a Jungian and Hillmanian lens. My instructors are, every single one, internationally recognized scholars, writers, lecturers, and thinkers in their respective fields. I still get a thrill when I go on Amazon for a book and one of my professors’ work is in the suggested list! The guest lecturers I have had at Residentials have been people whose books have graced my shelves for years – Christine Downing, and James Hollis for example.
Before I come to Pacifica I «auditioned» the school; a PhD program is a very expensive proposition at any private institution so I spent the money and took the time to attend a 6 month public program – and met amazing people from all over the US and Canada! I met with instructors, students from beginning to those finishing their coursework, ate the food, walked the grounds, talked to the secretaries (if you want to know about a place, get in good with the administrative support staff), and even the security guards. I got online and looked a bios, read what has been published by various teachers in the different programs I was interested in, and downloaded journal articles and bought books. I was unwilling to spend the money and the time on an education that was not deeply grounded in Jung and Hillman or was all hype.
Even though I am just beginning my second year of study, I have already had a proposal picked up for presentation at a national conference and one of my instructors has agreed to support me through the writing process. Every paper I write for class, every submission to the online conversation (I am in a hybrid program – primarily online with 4 very intense days on campus each quarter) is expected to be grounded in the scholarly work of previous writers, cited, and my own thoughts supported and backed up by previous research – I am being groomed to be my instructors’ peer.
If you want a MA/​PhD that will stand up to the rigors of a passionate international community of scholars then come to Pacifica; but do your own homework. If you want a degree that is respectable but that prepares you for basic research and/​or an academic career go somewhere else. If you want the letters after your name, you can buy a degree from any number of diploma mills. Pacifica will turn you inside out as any good institution of higher learning should – you will cry with frustration, you will watch your friends drop off, you will fight with yourself about the money it costs, you will be proud that you’ve made it one more quarter. If you want to be a part of something that matters and you want to bring something to the table, come to Pacifica – if you want to be fed but could care less about contributing to your classmates education and experience and to the school, go somewhere else.

I’m supposed to be writing my fieldwork paper right now, but I what I was really doing was looking for a job and happened upon the Unilocal Reviews of my school (that I was entering into a job application), and felt the need to defend the depth (pun intended) and intentionality of this great institution.
But, before I get into that, I think it’s important to understand that a school is going to get this wild ranging reviews of personal experience and affiliation. I hated my classes and style of learning at The University of Akron, but during those undergraduate years I developed great friendships that will last a lifetime. I still represent the school at every chance, though the learning was crap. Prescott College is a low-​residency program that was transformative for me, but, if you need to be in a classroom and are not an independent learner, then it would be a terrible situation for you. Such is life. Not all things are for all people.
The education at Pacifica is rigorous. I’m in the MA/​PhD Depth Psychology Program with emphasis in Community Psychology, Liberation Psychology and Ecopsychology. I’m in the second year and I can honestly admit to learning more in this last year than I did in both my Master’s and B.A. This is because the education forces you not only to learn subject matter, but to learn about yourself. Doing both can be overwhelming but this is what education is supposed to do. Many people just want to fill their heads with information then go out into the world with a piece of paper that says they can do such and such profession. You are nudged into going deeper into who you are as an individual and what you are here to do with your time on earth. This type of education is priceless. It’s a win-​win for someone like myself.
I haven’t had a teacher that doesn’t have a PhD or is not an «expert» in their field. I have been humbled by the immense knowledge base and personal depth that all of my professors have brought to the classroom. They ask a lot of you, but that’s what they’re supposed to do. It’s not easy. It’s a lot of hard work, but the payoff, in understanding and personal efficacy is outstanding. You will be made better for it.
The school has been very transparent with us. We got a letter in the mail about the lawsuit and the President happened upon my cohort at lunch and entered into a conversation with us about it. They continually ask for feedback and student participation in the programming, and have implemented student suggestions in the changes they have made.
I’m sorry that some folks have had negative experiences with Pacifica. It happens. Not all things are for all people. This is they way life is. Pacifica may not be for you, then, it may just be what sets you on your life path — as is the case for me and many others that I’m in a learning community with.
Go visit, talk to the staff, walk the land … you’ll know if it’s for you or not.
I’ll let you know if anything changes.
Peace.

I am a graduate of the clinical doctoral program (PhD) in 2005. My experience at the time was a fairly good one: I had a great cohort (very important, can make or break your experience); I felt that 70% of the classes were fabulous and taught by passionate instructors; and I felt at the time that PGI would have my back as far as internship placement. Well, as it turns out, PGI could have done much more to prepare me clinically (it was a clinical degree after all), and there was virtually no help in securing internships (many internships had never heard of PGI).
Also, there was, and still is, the overarching cloud of no APA accreditation that was promised («Not if, but when») way back in 2004 and still has not occurred. The fact of no APA accreditation did not impress me at the time I was a student, and that was my fault. Had I known what it meant for my future career choices, I would have opted for an APA accredited graduate school. Not having APA accreditation has meant that I cannot apply for many paid internships, cannot work at the VA, Kaiser, and at CAPS, a university-​based counseling agency, just to name a few. Looking back, I see that PGI faculty were completely misleading (perhaps they were misled themselves?) in representing the eventuality of APA accreditation at PGI.
As for the «clinical» classes, they were heavily theoretical, not as practical in a clinical sense. I had come from a Depth Psychology MA program and was very well versed in archetypal and Jungian concepts and I really needed to learn more about applying them in a clinical setting. PGI faculty at the time were mostly dedicated and generous with their time and extremely knowledgeable in their topic areas. The PGI administration staff were generally helpful, but a few in key positions proved very difficult to work with and at times downright rude. Also PGI has rigid regulations about its residential program and if you live a certain distance from PGI, you are required to stay at the Best Western in Carpinteria, even if you would prefer to make other arrangements.
As for preparation for licensing, there is virtually none. I am currently studying for the EPPP and am amazed at the many content areas where my knowledge base is minimal, and many concepts I never heard of in my graduate program. I am taking many months to study, months that I could already be licensed and making a decent income.
It is not surprising to hear in other comments here that academic rigor PGI has decreased since my time there. As I said, only 70% of my instructors were worth the tuition, and I can only imagine the remaining 30% has but increased. I have long thought the most cushy job in the universe would be faculty member at PGI. All you really need is to publish a book (having the word «soul» in the title will seal your tenure), and then sit back, bloviate, and let the checks roll in.
My advice to current and prospective PGI students is to consider if not having APA accreditation is okay with you when you will have about $ 200k in student loans to pay back. PGI is a beautiful place and there are dedicated people still there, but perhaps it is a place to visit for a workshop instead of putting a huge investment into with your future at stake.

Looking back at my previous review in 2013, I want to add my impression of Pacifica’s effort to prepare students for licensing. Overall, Pacifica does an awful job of preparing students for the licensing exam. Because this large hurdle is way in the future for potential students it may not be considered when thinking about graduate school But know this, you cannot practice unless you are licensed and failing the exam can cost you time and money. The licensing exam touches on areas that are either ignored or barely mentioned at PGI. Sure there are test prep companies but they cost quite a bit of money. Just something else to consider.
One last add, just a personal beef separate from the education. Their alumni relationship is terrible. The only contact I receive is in the form of asking me for donations! Their marketing is slick and attractive, but when I see brochures for seminars, etc. they are insanely overpriced especially considering the puny discounts given to active students and alumni. Sorry, I still feel like «product» as far as PGI is concerned.

My experience at Pacifica has been great… I graduated with a master’s from a traditional setting and am already licensed and work in private practice. I chose to attend Pacifica’s clinical Ph. D program because I wanted something different from my Master’s program. I honestly am not sure why the previous Unilocalers were so harsh on the school. My experience has been nothing but positive. The instructors are well published and the best in the field. One thing I did notice though is that this school does sometimes attract people who want something a little different, with that being said, some students (not the school) in my opinion need to work on some issues before attending. I feel like some students have a lot of unresolved issues, and if you are looking at studying depth psychology without having had your own stuff resolved, you will show emotionally unstable and externalize your issues. I recommend this school, however, make sure you deal with your own stuff before applying…

I got a wonderful, rigorous education here. Highly recommended to anyone.

Currently in my 3^rd quarter of my first year at Pacifica Graduate Institute. I’m am in the M.A. Counseling Psychology program. So far after adjusting to going to school again, I have to say going to Pacifica is a very special experience and I feel blessed to have this opportunity. They specialize in depth psychology focusing on archetypes and myths. Though we do go into depth about myths and archetypes, this quarter seems to really focus on the clinical aspect. I feel like its a great balance. Will post update upon graduation.