The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

The Chicago School is the nation's oldest and largest graduate school focused exclusively on psychology and related behavioral sciences. As a professional school, our focus is not strictly on research and theory, but on preparing students to become outstanding practitioners, providing direct service to help individuals and organizations thrive.

We prepare our students with superior theoretical and classroom preparation—coupled with an unrivaled range of real-world training experiences; opportunities to build their multicultural and global sophistication; and ongoing personal and professional mentorship from faculty who are active leaders in their fields. Chicago School students graduate with the knowledge and practical skills they need to make an impact in the world and achieve their goals.

The Chicago School is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and an active member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology, which has recognized The Chicago School for its distinguished service and outstanding contributions to cultural diversity and advocacy. In addition, The Chicago School recently became the only professional psychology school named to President Obama's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service.

In keeping with our mission to embrace diverse and underserved populations, our Los Angeles campus is located in the heart of the most diverse city in the most diverse state in our nation. Perhaps best known for Hollywood celebrities, Universal Studios, world-class shopping, and incredible nightlife, Los Angeles also boasts unmatched ethnic, cultural, political and social diversity–providing an unsurpassed range of opportunities for personal enrichment and professional training. This urban campus is located in the city's downtown business district, in the historic "617 building," with its incredible barrel ceilings and gleaming brass elevators—that open into our ultra-contemporary campus with exposed duct work, concrete floors, dramatic lighting, and state-of-the-art technology. The campus is just steps from the metro train station and public parking, and a short drive from the 110, 101, 5, and 10 freeways.

MA in Clinical Psychology - Applied Behavior Analysis

  Back to top

Applied Behavior Analysts systematically measure specific client behaviors, and then analyze how changes in the environment (such as specific arrangements of stimuli and consequences) can alter and positively influence those behaviors.

Graduates of our Applied Behavior Analysis graduate programs are prepared to determine experimentally the cause(s) of problem behavior, develop humane and effective interventions, validate their approach to each client, and assess outcomes.

MA in Clinical Psychology - Marital and Family Therapy

  Back to top

Like many mental health practitioners, marital and family therapists (MFTs) provide therapeutic services to help their clients overcome a wide range of mental, emotional, and behavioral issues. MFTs view their clients in the context of relationships—assuming that every individual influences and is influenced by people in his/her life in a systemic fashion.

Marital and family therapy is one of the fastest growing disciplines in the mental health field and MFTs apply their skills in many different work settings, including private practice, social service agencies, inpatient psychiatric facilities, hospitals, community mental health centers, schools, and even courts and prisons.

MA in Industrial & Organizational Psychology

  Back to top

Business is one of the fastest-growing areas for the application of professional psychology as organizations increasingly recognize the impact that human factors can have on overall organizational effectiveness. Industrial and organizational (I/O) psychologists apply the principles of both psychology and business to effectively guide organizations and individuals to success.

Students gain a foundation in research and statistical methods, enabling them to approach problems critically in an applied setting, develop and implement surveys, design interventions, and create selection and performance management systems.

PsyD in Applied Behavior Analysis

  Back to top

Applied Behavior Analysts systematically measure specific client behaviors, and then analyze how changes in the environment (such as specific arrangements of stimuli and consequences) can alter and positively influence those behaviors.

Based on the work of B. F. Skinner, this therapeutic system has become known as the only effective treatment for helping children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities improve their social, motor, verbal, and reasoning skills. In addition, Applied Behavior Analysis is increasingly being used in business and industrial settings (to teach precise job skills, enhance performance, and improve safety) and in educational environments (to teach basic academic skills, verbal reasoning, physical movement, social skills, and more).

Over several decades of research, the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has developed a wide range of ethical and empirically validated techniques for teaching new behaviors and skills, while eliminating those that may get in the way of learning and overall quality of life.

Applied Behavior Analysts work in group homes, schools, mental health agencies, hospitals, businesses, and as independent consultants.

The following concentrations are offered:

• Developmental Disabilities
• Instructional Design
• Supervision & Consulting

PsyD in Business Psychology

  Back to top

The Chicago School offers the nation's first and only Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) graduate program in Business Psychology. The business world is one of today's most exciting and rapidly growing arenas for the application of professional psychology. Business leaders are increasingly turning to psychologists to help organizations and individuals perform more effectively, solve problems, and grow professionally in today's global, multicultural work environment.

This pioneering Doctor of Psychology degree — focused on training consultants — is particularly relevant for today's business challenges and provides a dynamic alternative to the Doctor of Philosophy degree focused on research.

Graduates of The Chicago School's Business Psy.D. program work in human resources, consulting, organizational development, and management positions. Graduates also are qualified to provide individual assessment and professional coaching.

The I/O Track provides students with a broad foundation in the discipline of I/O psychology, equipping graduates with essential assessment, intervention, and consultative skills to help leaders and organizations solve problems, enhance performance, and manage the complexities of today's work environment.

The Consulting Track prepares students to apply the principles of business psychology in consulting environments, helping to improve individual, group, and organizational functioning in both for-profit and not-for-profit settings.

PsyD in Clinical Forensic Psychology

  Back to top

Graduates of the forensic psychology graduate programs offered at The Chicago School are equipped with the requisite academic foundation to become head practitioners and senior administrators in both educational and forensic settings, and to conduct criminal competency evaluations, criminal responsibility evaluations, forensic child interviews, fitness for duty evaluations, risk assessments, and clinical interventions for a broad range of disorders and populations.

Forensic psychology is one of the fastest growing areas of psychology and practitioners find work in an ever-expanding range of settings—including child welfare agencies, forensic units in state mental health facilities, jails and prisons, community mental health centers, juvenile correctional facilities, government agencies, family courts, and private practice.

PsyD in Clinical Psychology

  Back to top

The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) is the highest-level degree for those who wish to apply their knowledge as practicing clinicians. Clinical psychologists are highly trained in various theories, tools, and intervention techniques, and often work with clients who have experienced severe trauma or serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or phobias. They conduct clinical interviews and psychological testing, create treatment plans, consult and collaborate with physicians and other professionals, and provide multiple forms of therapy to alleviate mental illness, behavioral problems, and emotional distress.

Many clinical psychologists choose to work in private practice, while others work in hospitals, school counseling centers, substance abuse treatment facilities, mental health clinics, or residential facilities. Some join comprehensive treatment teams, collaborating with a range of physicians and other specialists—such as those working in rehabilitation settings providing care to patients coping with spinal cord injuries, chronic pain, or various neurological conditions.

Some clinical psychologists focus strictly on providing clinical services, while others extend their professional work to become higher education professors and administrators, supervisors and administrators in clinical settings, as well as advocates for mental health and social change.

The following concentrations are offered:

• Child and Adolescent Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Geropsychology
• Sports Psychology

Information

If you are interested in this school and would like to find out more, please Request Information from Chicago School of Professional Psychology - LA.