Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies
General Information
Overview
The Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI) is a nonprofit, distance‑education post‑graduate institution devoted to training professionals in integrated behavioral health. CGI was conceived in 2014 by Dr. Nicholas Cummings and Dr. Janet Cummings to fill gaps they perceived in behavioral health education, especially in bridging clinical competence, medical literacy, and entrepreneurial leadership. It welcomed its first students in mid‑2015, and its inaugural commencement took place later that year. CGI is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), a recognized accrediting body for online and distance education.
As a fully online institution, CGI focuses primarily on graduate-level offerings, with its flagship program being the Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH). CGI emphasizes affordability, flexibility, and mission-driven training with the goal of preparing clinician‑entrepreneurs who can function effectively across medical and behavioral health settings. The curriculum employs a model grounded in integration, equipping students to work in primary care, population health, or evolving models of team-based care. CGI positions itself as a disruptor in health education, seeking to produce practitioners who can lead change in the complex systems of modern healthcare. In recent years CGI has celebrated milestones, including its 10th anniversary, reflecting continued commitment to its vision and evolving educational offerings.
Contact Information
Address / Administrative Offices: (CGI is fully virtual; licensing is in Arizona)
Phone / Student Billing Contact: 480‑285‑1761
Email – Scholarships / Financial Inquiries: scholarships@cgi.edu
General Admissions Inquiries: (handled via CGI admissions administration)
State Authorization / Licensing Office Contact: CGI maintains state authorizations and works with licensing agencies per state requirements
School Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 2015 (first student enrollment) |
| Accreditation | DEAC (Distance Education Accrediting Commission) |
| Type | Nonprofit, online graduate institution |
| Mission / Vision | Disrupt healthcare through entrepreneurial, integrated care leadership |
| Flagship Program | Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) |
| Credit Hour Cost | $400 per credit |
| Total Credits for DBH | 60 credits required |
| Maximum Timeframe for DBH | 5 years (with exceptions up to 7 years) |
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Rankings
Because CGI is a highly specialized, online, and relatively young institution, it does not appear in many traditional national or global ranking systems. Its reputation is more niche than broad, assessed by peer recognition in integrated behavioral health, affordability, and innovation in distance education. The institution places greater emphasis on mission alignment, accreditation compliance, student outcomes, and market relevance than on formal ranking metrics.
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Academics
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Faculties / Departments
CGI does not operate as a multi‑faculty university; instead, its academic structure aligns with functional divisions relevant to its graduate and professional focus. Key functional areas include:
- Department of Behavioral Health Curriculum & Education
- Division of Integrated Health Systems & Medical Literacy
- Division of Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- Division of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Leadership
- Certificate Program Office (for stackable credentials)
- Student Support, Advising, and Academic Affairs
- Administrative and Accreditation Compliance Office
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Courses and Programs / Majors
CGI offers a focused array of programs and credentials, including:
- Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) — the core doctoral degree requiring 60 credits
- Integrated Behavioral Healthcare (IBH) Certificates: Adult Specialty, Gerontology Specialty, Leadership Specialty, Military Families and Veterans Specialty, Women’s Health Specialty
- Trauma Informed Care (TIC) Certificate
- Non‑degree and continuing education modules (for working professionals)
- Stackable credential pathways allowing certificate completion as part of the DBH progression
Online Learning
All CGI programs are delivered 100 % online, leveraging asynchronous coursework, live virtual sessions, cohort models, discussion boards, and practicum / project-based work. Because CGI is designed as a virtual institution, it does not maintain a physical campus for instruction, and all student engagement, advising, and assessment occur in its digital platform. The online format allows students from across states (where licensing permits) to enroll without relocating. The institution also offers zero‑interest payment plans, flexible billing cycles, and multiple start dates (e.g. Fall, Spring I, Spring II) to accommodate working professionals and varied schedules.
Average Test Scores
CGI does not publish standardized test score minima such as GRE, GMAT, or other admissions test requirements. Admission is focused on the applicant’s professional preparation, prior clinical master’s degree credentials, letters of recommendation, and interview evaluation rather than standardized entry exams.
Retention and Graduation Rates
According to consumer disclosure data, CGI reports a graduation rate of 60 % for cohorts measured within the maximum timeframe of completion. The methodology notes that early cohorts faced attrition and that the institution continues refining support structures to enhance retention. CGI also tracks alumni employment: 100 % of surveyed alumni report working in behavioral health or integrated care settings.
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Admissions
GPA Range and Prior Degree Expectations
Rather than GPA or standardized test thresholds, CGI requires candidates to hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant behavioral health or clinical field and to demonstrate professional competency. Applicants are evaluated holistically, taking into account prior education, clinical licensure background, experience, letters of recommendation, and alignment with CGI’s mission.
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Acceptance Rate
| Metric | Estimate / Reported Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | Not publicly disclosed | As a specialized graduate institution, acceptance depends on meeting criteria and cohort capacities |
| Interview to Admission Ratio | Internal selective process | Applicants meeting baseline criteria may be invited to interview; offers follow holistic review |
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a completed application packet including transcripts from prior degrees, documentation of licensure or certification (if applicable), curriculum vitae or resume, letters of recommendation (typically three), a statement of purpose or personal narrative, and professional experience evidence. Once application review deems the candidate qualifies, the applicant may be invited to a formal interview. Upon acceptance, a non‑refundable program enrollment agreement and a one‑time program fee (typically $150) are required to finalize admission. Following that, tuition billing occurs per term.
Application Process
- Prepare and submit complete online application materials (transcripts, CV, letters, narrative)
- Application committee initial review for eligibility
- Invitation extended for interview to selected candidates
- Interview (virtual) and further evaluation
- Admission decision, offer or waitlist
- Upon acceptance, sign Program Enrollment Agreement and pay program fee
- Registration for first term and billing of first term tuition
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Term Start | Typical Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall entry | Varies (see admissions calendar) | Application window closes before term begins |
| Spring I / Spring II entry | Prior term deadlines | CGI allows multiple start points annually |
CGI operates with rolling admissions for many terms, so deadlines shift depending on the cohort and planned start date. Applicants should consult admissions to confirm cycle dates.
Essay Prompt
Applicants are often asked to reflect on their journey in behavioral health, describing how their personal and professional experiences have prepared them for integrated care leadership, and how the DBH aligns with their goals. They may also be asked to address how they would contribute to innovation in health systems, equity in mental health, and entrepreneurship in practice settings.
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Scholarships
CGI offers institutional scholarships to both incoming and continuing DBH students based on merit and service orientation. Funding is limited and competitive. Because CGI is not eligible for Title IV federal aid, scholarships, payment plans, and alternatives (employer assistance, regional grants) become essential for students.
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Tuition Fee (Costs)
| Program / Credential | Total Tuition & Fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) | ~$24,150 | Based on $400 per credit × 60 credits, inclusive of fees |
| IBH / Certificate Programs | Varies by certificate (e.g. 12–16 credits) | Example: Women’s Health certificate between ~$4,470–$5,750 |
Tuition is billed per credit/course and not due in full at program start; CGI offers zero‑interest payment plans.
Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics (Gender, Age, Race/Ethnicity)
CGI reports diversity among its student body: in consumer disclosures, ethnicity breakdowns include approximately 36.9 % White, 45.6 % Black or African American, 10.7 % Hispanic, 3.8 % Asian, 2 % multiracial, and 1 % Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander. Gender and age breakdowns are not broadly published, but students tend to be working professionals, often mid‑career, with clinical or behavioral health backgrounds.
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
CGI emphasizes equitable access and mission-driven education. While detailed statistics are not publicly published, the institution offers scholarships, payment flexibility, and modest tuition, partly to reduce obstacles for low-income students. The fully online structure may also accommodate learners with disabilities, and CGI likely provides standard accessibility services in its virtual learning environment.
Student Body
| Measure | Number / Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Graduate Students | ~123 | As reported by Niche for the DBH program |
| Program Length | Typically 3 years | 60 credits |
| Program Completion / Graduation Rate | ~60 % | Based on consumer disclosures |
University Diversity
Diversity is central to CGI’s identity and mission. The institution actively recruits students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, as reflected in its published demographic data. Because their student population comes from a national, online pool, the diversity is geographic, cultural, and professional as well. CGI’s mission to equip clinicians to serve diverse communities aligns with recruiting learners from a variety of backgrounds who bring lived experience to integrated care settings. In this way, students engage with peers whose perspectives vary across race, background, clinical experience, and life situation, enriching cohort interactions and deepening readiness for work in diverse population health environments.
Average Earnings
Given the recency of many cohorts and the specialized nature of behavioral health, CGI does not publicly disclose standard salary data. However, alumni of the DBH typically enter roles as behavioral health consultants, integrated care providers, clinical managers, or program leaders in primary care, mental health, or population health settings. Because many already hold licensure or clinical credentials, adding doctoral expertise may enhance leadership roles, contract opportunities, and scope of practice, potentially increasing earnings versus pre‑doctoral trajectories. CGI notes 100 % alumni employment in behavioral health or integrated care settings, suggesting practical relevance of its training and alignment with job markets.
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
CGI maintains a faculty and support team that includes full-, part-time, and adjunct faculty from behavioral health, medical, informatics, and systems backgrounds. These faculty deliver curriculum, mentor students, supervise practicums, advise on research and culminating projects, and guide innovation or entrepreneurship components. Administrative staff manage accreditation, student services, enrollment, advising, academic support, technology systems, and compliance.
Faculty Profiles (Expertise, Achievements)
Faculty are selected for expertise in integrated care, behavioral health, primary care collaboration, systems change, evidence-based practice, health informatics, and entrepreneurial leadership. Some bring credentials in psychology, social work, medicine, or public health, with publication records, clinical leadership, and innovation experience. Faculty also contribute to curriculum design around the Biodyne Model, integrated behavioral interventions, and health systems innovation. As a growing institution, CGI continues to recruit practitioners and scholars who bridge clinical, academic, and organizational change domains.
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
CGI is fully virtual and does not maintain physical instructional or residential campuses. Students engage entirely through online platforms. There is no option for campus housing. Instead, students remain in their own locales and balance work, life, and study remotely. Student life is cultivated through virtual cohort experiences, discussion forums, collaborative projects, mentoring, virtual events, live webinars, and peer networking. Even without physical proximity, the institution fosters community and engagement in its digital space.
Transportation
Because CGI operates entirely online, transportation to campus is not applicable. Students access course content, advising, and assessments via web platforms. Any in-person obligations (if any) such as practicums or site visits depend on student arrangements at local clinical sites. On-campus mobility does not apply; mobility within the virtual campus is managed through user interface design, navigation of learning management systems, and digital support services.