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.

Grayslake, Illinois

As a convenience to our students in the northern suburbs of Chicago, we offer several programs at the University Center of Lake County (UCLC). This contemporary, 91,000 square foot building with soaring ceilings, skylights, floating staircases and state-of-the-art classrooms, is anything but your traditional "satellite" facility. Students are able to attend their classes close to home while also participating in the countless opportunities our Chicago campus has to offer.

MA in Clinical Psychology - Counseling

Clinical counselors help individuals and families overcome mental health challenges and emotional issues that prevent them from living life to the fullest. They may work with a wide range of clinical populations, including those with severe or chronic mental illness, but typically see clients who are struggling with more common mental and emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, grief, relationship issues, personal crises, or other life challenges.

Clinical counselors conduct clinical interviews, develop treatment plans, provide psychotherapy, and collaborate with physicians and other specialists on medication and related interventions. They assist clients with identifying personal emotional issues and behavior patterns that may be hindering them and work through those challenges in a safe and supportive space.

Clinical counselors work in a wide range of settings including private practice, community agencies, public and private schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, and other mental health facilities.

The following concentrations are available within the Counseling specialization:

• Child and Adolescent Treatment
• Generalist
• Health Psychology
• Latino Mental Health
• Supervision and Leadership in Community Mental Health
• Treatment of Addiction Disorders

MA in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

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 and business psychologists apply the principles of both psychology and business to effectively guide organizations and individuals to success.

Sometimes described as part scientist, part consultant, and part teacher, I/O and business psychology professionals provide a range of services. They conduct technical job analyses to identify the specific knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics necessary for success in particular jobs. They administer psychometric tests to better understand employees' unique attributes and build optimal workforces. And they design performance appraisal and staff training models and provide coaching to managers and executive leadership, to ensure fairness, maximize motivation, and advance organizational priorities.

I/O and business psychology professionals work at organizations large and small, both nonprofit and for-profit. They work in human resources, organizational development, management, and consulting, creating more positive work climates and fostering individual and organizational success.

Chicago and Grayslake students may select a Human Resources Concentration, a specialized track aimed at preparing students to be successful and impactful HR professionals. This unique program is the nation's first and only master's level I/O program acknowledged by SHRM (the Society of Human Resources Management) for following its recommended minimum standards for HR degree programs. In addition to the core M.A. I/O coursework, students in this track take several specialized courses (such as Strategic Human Resource Management, Managing Organizational Diversity, and the SHRM PHR/SPHR Certification Preparation Course), preparing them to sit for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification exam offered through the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI).

MA in Psychology

Offered Online and in Grayslake, Illinois, the Grayslake program is offered in a unique format in which students take a combination of online courses and intensive weekend classes. The program can be completed in less than two years part time or 11 months accelerated. This degree equips graduates with a broad, foundational knowledge of psychology as well as a specific concentration to support each student's career focus.

Coursework consists of 18 credit hours in foundational psychology, six credit hours in an applied research project, and the remaining 12 credit hours taken within one of the following concentrations:

• Child and Adolescent Psychology
• International Psychology
• Gerontology
• Psychology Generalist
• Organizational Leadership
• Sport-Exercise

Program is distinctive in that it applies learning directly to the workplace, using assessment, projects, and other measures to ensure practical, application-based learning. Students complete an Applied Research Project, applying program learning to an authentic workplace situation. The Online program includes a synchronous "virtual residency" component—a one or two-hour session (each term) in which all students are expected to be online simultaneously.

MA in Psychology - Organizational Leadership

Businesses large and small increasingly recognize the critical distinction between a manager and a leader--between someone who merely assigns tasks, and someone who paints a vision and then inspires employees to work effectively toward achieving it. Organizational leadership professionals work in both for-profit and nonprofit settings, helping to clearly define and communicate organizational objectives and strategy, ensuring that business processes are as efficient as possible, building trust and bolstering morale, and helping each employee grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to advancing an organization's mission.

EdS in School Psychology

School psychologists are experts in both psychology and education. They apply that knowledge to help children and youth with disabilities, psychological concerns, and special talents achieve their full potentials academically, socially, and emotionally. School psychologists are an integral part of the educational team of a school yet they often work directly with students and their families, assessing academic skills and aptitudes, determining eligibility for special education services, evaluating social-emotional development and mental health status, training parents on approaches that will assist their children's learning, and providing individual or family counseling to resolve emotional or interpersonal issues that may interfere with school performance.

School psychologists also play a critical administrative and leadership role. For example, they lead efforts to make schools safer and improve learning outcomes, promote tolerance and appreciation of diversity, improve teacher effectiveness and classroom behavior management skills, address substance abuse issues, and prevent and manage crises.

The demand for trained, caring school psychologists is at an all-time high. Because of the high need, the majority of School Psychologists graduates will choose to work in public schools yet private settings also actively pursue School Psychologists.

Information

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