California Institute of Integral Studies

Step into the unique world of the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), a private university renowned for its pioneering approach to education that seamlessly blends Eastern philosophies with Western psychological traditions. With a current student body of 1,510, CIIS offers a distinctive learning environment for those seeking a holistic and transformative academic journey.

The institute's roots stretch back to the influential American Academy of Asian Studies (AAAS), founded in 1951. This early iteration became a vibrant hub for the San Francisco Renaissance, thanks in part to early participant Alan Watts, who taught Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu philosophy. It was also here that Indian philosophy professor Haridas Chaudhuri developed the groundbreaking field of integral counseling psychology, integrating profound Indian wisdom with Western therapeutic practices.

This rich historical context created an immersive intellectual and social environment, attracting some of the most innovative minds of its time. Graduate students at the AAAS included Michael Murphy and Dick Price, who would later co-found the famed Esalen Institute, and leading figures of the Beat Generation, such as poet Gary Snyder and frequent visitor Jack Kerouac. These connections solidified its legacy as a place where counterculture, deep spirituality, and rigorous academic inquiry converged.

Today, CIIS carries forward this tradition of interdisciplinary exploration and personal growth. It continues to inspire prospective students and families who are drawn to an institution that not only educates the mind but also nurtures the spirit, offering a profound and uniquely integrated educational experience.