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.

Located directly on the Chicago River in the heart of downtown, our Chicago campus is just steps away from Lake Michigan, the theatre district, the famed Magnificent Mile, dozens of museums, and some of the world's top restaurants and clubs. Sometimes described as a colorful "patchwork quilt" of diverse neighborhoods—including Greek, Chinese, Indian, Irish, Jewish, Mexican, Native American, African American, Polish, Swedish, Tibetan, Ukrainian, and more—Chicago provides a true multicultural environment for your educational training.

EdS in School Psychology

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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.

MA in Clinical Psychology - Applied Behavior Analysis

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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 - Counseling

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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 offered:

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

MA in Forensic Psychology

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Forensic Psychologists apply the art and science of psychology within the legal system and related fields. Many in the field of forensic psychology work with individuals residing in correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, or community-based agencies, where they conduct diagnostic and risk assessments to determine whether their patients are at risk of re-offending, and provide psychotherapy and other services to help minimize or eliminate the psychiatric symptoms that led to their patients' criminal acts.

Other Forensic Psychologists work in the court system as jury consultants (advising attorneys on jury selection and trial strategy) or as forensic psychology expert witnesses (testifying about defendants' mental states at the time they committed their crimes, as well as their competency to stand trial).

Still other Forensic Psychologists work primarily with victimized or at-risk populations such as inner-city youth, victims of sexual / domestic abuse, trauma survivors, substance abusers, the chronically mentally ill, and others. They provide assessments, counseling, case management, advocacy, and other services to help their clients cope with the mental and emotional effects of traumatic experiences, overcome addictions, make more positive life choices, and more.

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.

The following concentrations are offered:

• Child Protection
• Corrections
• Sex Offenders

MA in Industrial & Organizational Psychology

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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.

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).

Post-Bachelor's Certificate in Latino Mental Health

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Latinos represent our nation's largest and fastest growing ethnic group—yet there exists a troubling shortage of culturally competent mental health professionals prepared to meet those needs. Latino mental health professionals seek to understand the cultural factors that influence Latino/as' mental health and the most culturally appropriate approaches for addressing Latino mental health challenges. They work in a wide range of settings, providing individual, family, or group psychotherapy, leading grassroots education and outreach programs, serving as program managers or senior administrators at community-based agencies, and more.

The Post-Bachelor's Certificate in Latino Mental Health is intended for social service and mental health professionals (case managers, social workers, graduate students, etc.) with undergraduate degrees. Provides formalized training and specific education in the provision of cultural responsive care to Latino/a clients and their families. The certificate equips students with relevant knowledge about cultural factors of Latinos/as' mental health and the integration of that knowledge into their work. The certificate consists of 12 credits of course work.

Post-Master's Certificate in Latino Mental Health

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Latinos represent our nation's largest and fastest growing ethnic group—yet there exists a troubling shortage of culturally competent mental health professionals prepared to meet those needs. Latino mental health professionals seek to understand the cultural factors that influence Latino/as' mental health and the most culturally appropriate approaches for addressing Latino mental health challenges. They work in a wide range of settings, providing individual, family, or group psychotherapy, leading grassroots education and outreach programs, serving as program managers or senior administrators at community-based agencies, and more.

The Post-Master's Certificate in Latino Mental Health is appropriate for mental health professionals (case managers, counselors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, etc.) who already have graduate degrees but wish to enhance their knowledge and competence working with the Latino population. The certificate consists of 12 credits of course work.

PhD in International Psychology

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The PhD in International Psychology--the first of its kind in the world--prepares graduates to assume leadership positions in multinational organizations or organizations with international missions, where they can effectively use psychology to address a variety of international challenges.

Every year, more than 450 million people around the globe suffer from a mental health condition, but in many places less than 10% have access to mental health services. International psychology professionals seek to bridge that gap through understanding, education, and outreach.

They may work in a variety of organizational environments and cultural settings, conducting research to better understand socio-cultural differences; developing and applying culturally competent organizational practices; supporting mental health services to underserved populations or to those suffering from the results of cultural crisis or natural disasters; launching grassroots initiatives to improve access to services; advocating and raising awareness about international mental health needs; and working with immigrant and refugee populations at home and abroad.

PhD in Organizational Leadership

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The PhD in Organizational Leadership is offered in a unique and convenient format in which students take a combination of online courses and intensive weekend classes. Online students take one or two online courses at a time and progress through the program in a "cohort" fashion (i.e., with the same group of fellow students in each of their classes for the duration of the program). Online students also engage in two brief residencies (roughly three and a half days each) at our Chicago campus—providing an opportunity for face-to-face interaction and networking with fellow students from around the globe who bring a wealth of diverse leadership experiences and perspectives. At the first residency, which occurs during year one of the program, students meet with their personal faculty mentor and engage in focused seminars aimed at helping them formulate their dissertation topics and prepare for the research process. At the second residency which takes place in year three, students focus on completing their dissertations and associated processes.

The program focuses on "21st century leadership," preparing graduates for the rapid pace of change in today's organizations. Students gain a rich understanding of traditional theories of leadership and organizational effectiveness, as well as forward-looking perspectives related to globalization; ethics; diversity and multi-generational workforces; the impact of technology on work and workers; organizational design, including teams and teamwork; retaining and developing workforces; and managing organizational change.

PsyD in Applied Behavior Analysis

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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

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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.

PsyD in Clinical Forensic Psychology

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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

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The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) 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
• Health Psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Organizational Psychology
• School Psychology

PsyD in Clinical Psychology - Child and Adolescent Track

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Childhood and adolescent psychology specialists assist young people who are struggling with mental health issues and other challenges such as peer pressure, body image, experimenting with drugs or alcohol, relationships, sexuality, or coping with difficult life changes like parental divorce or death. Child and adolescent psychology professionals work in a wide variety of settings, from nonprofit agencies and community centers to public and private schools to private practice. They conduct formal diagnostic tests, provide counseling and other therapeutic services, develop community-based youth programs, lead prevention initiatives, serve as mentors, and more.

The PsyD in Clinical Psychology - Child and Adolescent Track program equips students with essential diagnostic, assessment, therapeutic, and consultative skills needed to become child and adolescent psychologists—including specialized training in child development; child and adolescent psychopathology; physical and neurological health; and child, adolescent, and family interventions.

PsyD in Clinical Psychology - International Psychology

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Every year, more than 450 million people around the globe suffer from a mental health condition, but in many places fewer than 10% of them have access to mental health services. International psychology professionals seek to bridge that gap through understanding, education, and outreach.

They may work in a variety of organizational environments and cultural settings, conducting research to better understand socio-cultural differences; developing and applying culturally competent organizational practices; supporting mental health services to underserved populations or those suffering due to cultural crisis or natural disasters; launching grassroots initiatives to improve access to services; advocating and raising awareness about international mental health needs; and working with immigrant and refugee populations at home and abroad

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