Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH)

In 2014, Dr. Cummings along with his daughter, Janet L. Cummings, Psy.D, created the Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies to fill the educational gaps for innovative and entrepreneurial healthcare professionals wishing to disrupt healthcare from within or for those looking to launch new ventures. Drs. Cummings designed the DBH program at CGI to address three critical needs behavioral health providers would need to be successful in this aim: medical literacy, efficient and effective delivery of behavioral health interventions in medical settings, and entrepreneurship and innovation in the healthcare marketplace.
The Institute received its approval from the Arizona Board for Private Postsecondary Education in February 2015 and enrolled its first student in June 2015. Its inaugural Commencement was held in December 2015, and Cummings DBH students and graduates are already gaining recognition as leaders, entrepreneurs, and valued colleagues.

On July 19, 2019, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI) was granted accreditation by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is listed by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and licensed as a degree-granting institution by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. On September 9, 2019, CGI received AZ-SARA approval and was then granted membership to the National Council of State Authorization of Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) on Monday, September 23, 2019. Participation in SARA authorizes CGI to enroll students throughout the United States, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The course is organized in association with the Integrated Care Academy ©, the education and training arm of the International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC), a Dutch Foundation dedicated to advancing the science, knowledge and adoption of integrated care in policy and practice around the world.

Curriculum & Training
The DBH curriculum delivers training that will prepare providers to implement patient-centered care, achieve medical cost savings, and reduce the healthcare provider burnout that is often a result from practices that have adopted the Triple Aim as an operational framework. DBH students additionally learn to address the Fourth Aim keeping healthcare provider and staff morale and quality of life in mind as we seek to improve patient experience of care, population health outcomes, and reduce the cost of care.
Student will be trained as doctoral-level experts in integrated behavioral healthcare. Graduates will be prepared to work as behavioral health consultants, providers, and managers in primary healthcare settings, including hospitals, Primary Care Medical Homes, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and specialty medical settings. All students will complete a Culminating Project that demonstrates synthesis of the three pillars and prepares students to propose improvements, secure investors, and achieve the DBH Vision of improving the way the world experiences healthcare.
The DBH program reflects the training 21st century behavioral health providers need to be successful. Our course offerings fall under the DBH Program’s three pillars: Medical Literacy, Integrated Behavioral Health Interventions, and Entrepreneurship.
The DBH curriculum provides specific training in:
patient- and family-centered care
quality measurement and improvement
population health
disease management
cost savings and ROI analyses
innovative financing approaches
entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship
Affordability
At $350 per credit hour, the DBH program at Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies is the most affordable integrated behavioral health graduate degree and doctoral degree in the US.

Degree-Seeking Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B average) or better in the field of Behavioral Health or similar (Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy).* See Exception for Admissions policy.
Two (2) or more years of experience in the Behavioral Health Field.
Technology equipment and basic computer skills to be successful in the online Doctoral of Behavioral Health Program. To view Technology Requirements, visit: cgi.edu/technology.
Admissions Policy
To support and carry out our Mission, Vision, and Values, Cummings Graduate Institute has a thorough admission process to ensure we admit prospective students with the best potential to meet program objectives and to complete an online doctorate.
Nondiscrimination Policy
Cummings Graduate Institute does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
Equity and Inclusion
Everyone is welcome at Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies, whatever your heritage, whomever you choose to love, however your family is formed, whatever your politics, and however you arrived here. CGI promotes equity and inclusion across our entire organization, and in all work that we do in our communities.
As a people-first institution, we welcome the collective and individual talents, skills, and perspectives of our students, faculty, staff, and partners, and actively cultivate a culture of belonging, collaboration, innovation, and mutual respect.
As such, we hope that CGI will be a place where you are inspired, supported, and empowered to contribute to the critical mission, vision, values, and goals of our institution.
State Authorization
Cummings Graduate Institute is currently authorized, licensed, registered, exempt or not subject to approval in select states with the US. State Authorization does not apply to prospective or current students residing outside of the United States.