August 9, 2010
Questions about Licensure:
Q: What is the difference between WASC regional accreditation and California Board of Behavior Sciences (BBS) approval?
A: Whereas WASC is regional accreditation of an entire school or campus, the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) recognizes individual programs. In the case of SBGI, our Clinical Psychology programs meet all of the BBS requirements for MFT licensure in the state of California. We encourage you to visit the California BBS website for more information www.bbs.ca.gov.
Q: Will my SBGI degree allow me to qualify for California Board of Behavior Sciences (BBS) MFT licensure?
A: Yes. BBS approval of a degree program is mandated by the state of California before they can sit for licensure as a marriage and family therapist. All SBGI clinical psychology programs meet the requirements for BBS approval for the MFT licensure.
Q: What options do SBGI graduates have for MFT licensure outside of California?
A: As mentioned, BBS oversight of MFT licensure only covers the state of California. For guidance on licensure outside of California, we encourage you to contact the licensing board of the state of your choice.
Q: What is the difference between BBS approval and APA approval?
A: Both are programmatic approval. Whereas the BBS oversees MFT licensure in California, the American Psychological Association (APA) accredits doctoral psychology programs. SBGI’s doctoral programs currently do not have APA accreditation.
Q: What is the difference between BBS (MFT) approval and BOP (Psychologist) approval?
A: Whereas the BBS provides oversight of the MFT credential, the Board of Psychology (BOP) provides oversight of licensure to become a clinical psychologist in the state of California. At present, SBGI graduates only qualify for the MFT credential. For more information about the BOP, visit www.psychboard.ca.gov.
Questions about Regional Accreditation:
Q: Now that SBGI is an affiliate of TCS ES does that mean SBGI is regionally accredited?
A: No. SBGI is in the process of pursuing regional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Q: What are the benefits of pursuing WASC accreditation for SBGI?
A: By working with WASC, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, SBGI is engaged in a step-by-step process to ensure that its degree programs, services, and governance meet the highest standards of a regionally accredited institution.
Q: What is the timeline for WASC accreditation?
A: We have a committed and seasoned team of experts in place, including regulatory affairs and compliance professionals, consultants, and educators experienced in the accreditation process, who will work with WASC to advance SBGI through the process. Of course, WASC will determine when SBGI is qualified to become regionally accredited.
Q: Will current and new SBGI students have access to Title IV financial aid opportunities?
A: Eligibility for Title IV, including Federal Stafford Student Loans and Federal Work Study, is dependent on achieving accreditation from WASC. SBGI will seek regional accreditation under WASC with the assistance and full commitment of TCS Education System leadership. We will move forward in the process as expeditiously as possible; however decisions affecting the pace of the process and ultimate approval lie with the accreditation agency. Thus, while we cannot provide you with any estimated timeframe for approval, we will of course update all of our students on a regular basis as that process continues.
Questions about TCS Education System:
Q: What is TCS Education System and what is its relationship with The Chicago School of Professional Psychology?
A: SBGI joins The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) as an affiliate of TCS Education System (TCS ES). TCS ES was founded in 2009 as a not-for-profit organization with a mission of preparing innovative, engaged, purposeful agents of change who serve our global community.
With a mission rooted in advancing the greater good, TCS ES features a network of specialized institutions that offer a fundamentally new approach to higher education, one that prepares socially responsible, culturally competent professionals in applied fields such as psychology and behavioral sciences , health and human services, and education and human development. The System also includes an early childhood and K-8 school devoted to delivering a progressive, evidence-based curriculum; an online education delivery and services division; and TCS Foundation, which cultivates charitable contributions to support social change endeavors throughout the system. Our ongoing business success coupled with a social change mission that unifies all of our entities distinguishes TCS Education System from any other educational system today.
Q: How and why did the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute (SBGI) and TCS ES come together?
A: The “why” is simple, the affiliation offers benefits to all parties: TCS ES and SBGI students, faculty, alumni, and staff. SBGI brings TCS ES a stake in the Santa Barbara community and unique programs and delivery model that were not previously offered by TCS ES through another of its divisions: The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. TCS ES, in turn, provides SBGI with more capacity and resources to better serve its campus community, including its academic and research infrastructure. After months of conversations in early 2009, the next step in the process was an exhaustive due diligence, which led to a definitive agreement signed on July 2, 2009, and finalized on July 15, 2009.
Q: At one time the website referenced SBGI as an affiliate of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Why the update?
A: The update was the result of recent changes that have occurred on the higher education landscape as it relates to accreditation. As mentioned above, TCSPP is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the same agency that was approached to explore possible accreditation for SBGI. In February 2010, however, the Department of Education issued a policy letter changing some of the practices long in place for recognizing campuses that operate across regional accreditation lines. This document resulted in a reevaluation of how SBGI approaches accreditation since HLC oversees a different region of the country. In an effort to proactively stay ahead of this change, a decision was made to transition our accreditation efforts for SBGI from HLC to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), which is the regional accreditation agency that oversees California, Hawaii, Guam and the Pacific Basin.
Other Questions:
Q: Who is the new leadership of SBGI?
A: Dr. Marti Glenn remains involved and committed to the school’s mission as the Campus Dean. After a national search, Dr. Allan Hoffman joined SBGI in June as its new president. Read the release.
Q: Is SBGI on a quarter or semester system for credit hours?
A: SBGI transitioned from a quarter system to semesters at the beginning of the 2010–2011 academic year. Under the new structure, 1 semester credit is equal to 1.5 quarter credits.
Q: What about tuition for current and incoming SBGI students?
The tuition and fees schedule for SBGI can be found by visiting: http://sbgi.edu/admission/tuition-and-fees/
Q: Will SBGI change its name?
A: We are proud and encouraged by the reputation that comes with the SBGI name. As a affiliate of TCS Education System, SBGI has experienced a greater focus on marketing and advertising to further build awareness of its programs and service to the community. A new website also was launched in late 2009.
Q: What if I still have questions after reading this FAQ?
A: We recognize that each individual may have unique concerns, thoughts, and questions—and we are eager to address them. We will be making a great effort to keep the SBGI and TCS ES communities apprised of the latest developments throughout this year of learning and integration. In addition, we have established a central email address, SBGI@tcsedsystem.org, through which you may submit questions and comments at any time, and receive a prompt response.
