The UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) is proud to have incubated this outstanding, first-of-its-kind program from 2021-2025, in partnership with the University of California, Berkeley School of Education (BSE). The information on this page preserves the history and offerings of the program and is no longer actively updated, effective July 1, 2025.
Future Programming
The team has paused enrollment in the Certificate Program for the 2025-2026 academic year. Following the separation from the BCSP (July 1st, 2025), the team will be building a new site that is updated with future program offerings. This site will not be updated after July 1st, 2025. To stay updated on future programming, please join the mailing list.
2025 – 2026 Instructional Pause
In response to multiple factors, including changing policies and regulatory requirements at the campus, state, and federal levels; decreased demand for facilitation training; and decreased philanthropic support for University-based psychedelic education, enrollment is paused for 2025-2026. While our instructional programming is paused, we will focus on analyzing and publishing data from the first four years of our program design and implementation. As a laboratory school, it is our goal to systematically collect data and seed the field of psychedelic facilitation with lessons from learner feedback and staff reflections. This self-study model represents a significant resource for reflective practitioners and educators in this field.
In September, 2025, the staff will host the first in-person alumni gathering for the three cohorts. They hope to continue these opportunities and will also consider formats for continuing education, both for the program’s alumni and for the public.
Those who hold a Certificate of Completion from 2023-2025 are eligible to pursue licensure in Oregon as well as Colorado (the latter requires supplemental training and practicum hours.)
The Berkeley Psychedelic Facilitation Certificate Program will migrate to the BSE on July 1st, 2025. The Certificate Program staff will continue to share their program analyses as the field evolves and will work to ensure its values and merits continue to be shared with the public via its website, publications, lectures, and presentations.
Past Eligibility and Admissions Criteria
The Certificate Program was designed for advanced religious, spiritual care, and healthcare professionals working in areas such as chaplaincy, ministry, medicine, nursing, midwifery, mental health counseling, psychiatry, and social work. The staff sought to enroll training cohorts composed of diverse backgrounds and welcomed certified practitioners in relevant fields. Those trained in traditional plant medicine lineages, and who carried the support of their community, were also welcome to apply.
The Certificate Program welcomed applicants from historically underrepresented groups and, when available, offered financial assistance to help promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the emerging field of psychedelic facilitation.
Religious professionals held board chaplaincy certification (BCCI), completed one or more units of CPE, or demonstrated considerable experience providing spiritual care in their faith community.
Healthcare professionals held a professional degree and an active license or registration in their respective fields of clinical care. Healthcare professionals with a bachelor’s degree and at least ten years of clinical experience, and licensed midwives with significant experience were also considered.
In general, trainees were certified or licensed in their fields and demonstrated a minimum of five years of direct spiritual, mental, or behavioral healthcare experience.
Program Fees
Standard enrollment fees for the training program were $14,000, which included all costs associated with the 160 instructional hours. It did not include travel costs, accommodations, books, or practicum fees that were associated with the required 40 hours. Applicants who could not afford to pay the full enrollment fee, or who could not afford additional practicum fees applied to be considered for financial aid. We offered Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Scholarships and need-based assistance, subject to donor support. Applying for aid was not a guarantee of an award.
Application Fees
The application included a $175 submission fee. A waiver option was available for those who could not afford the application fee.