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Chicago School of Professional Psychology Degrees in Psychology/Counseling

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology appears in our ranking of the Top 10 Best Online Masters in Psychology Degree Programs.

As a school dedicated to the study of psychology, students have many varied programs from which to choose when they enroll at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Some of the locations where students can enroll in their counseling and psychology classes outside of the main campus include the cities of Irvine, Los Angeles, and San Diego in California, as well as Washington D.C., New Orleans, and Dallas. Students can also enroll in some programs online.

Degrees available include applied clinical psychology, business psychology, clinical forensic psychology, clinical mental health counseling, and clinical psychology. Students can also consider counselor education & supervision, educational psychology and technology, forensic psychology, or general psychology. Further degrees include those in industrial & organizational psychology, international psychology, and school psychology.

With the wide range of degrees in psychology and counseling, students may find it easiest to choose their major based on their future employment aspirations. For example, students who want to become a school psychologist will choose the school psychology program. Students interested in business psychology might select the industrial and organizational psychology program or the general psychology option.

Within many of the programs offered at the school, students can select specific concentrations, as well as dual enrollment or certificate options. For example, students who want to study forensic psychology can consider the dual degree program leading to a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology, which is a non-licensure program earned alongside a Master of Legal Studies. Another option is the Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology that leads to professional counselor licensure for students who attend classes at sites like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

In addition to different degree formats and locations, many programs also have several concentrations from which to choose. Students who choose general psychology programs can specialize in forensic psychology, international psychology, organizational leadership, public health, and many additional areas. The school even offers certificates and minors in some areas of study.

Psychology and counseling degrees from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology offer students the chance to work in many different environments upon graduation that includes juvenile correctional facilities, family courts, child welfare agencies, and private practice. Available careers include those as a therapist, data analyst, social services administrator, teacher, law enforcement officer, or counselor.

About the Chicago School of Professional Psychology

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology was founded in 1979 and has its main campus in Chicago. There are more than 5,000 students enrolled at the university, which also has several campuses around the United States. The school focuses on programs in nursing, education, health care, psychology, business, health services, and counseling and offers more than 30 programs.

The school was originally established by a group of practicing educators and psychologists who wanted to offer non-profit education to students interested in becoming mental health professionals. The first classes were held at a temporary office in Chicago before a permanent setting was found at the Fine Arts Building in 1980. The school would move to Dearborn Station in 2004. Over its existence, the school has gained a reputation for multicultural training and its focus on diversity.

Chicago School of Professional Psychology Accreditation Details

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission. The school first attained its regional accreditation in 2011. Several of the degrees from the school are further accredited by the American Psychological Association, and degrees offered at multiple campuses are accredited. For example, the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology is accredited in Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Another agency to have accredited programs at the university is the Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), which has accredited the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The Behavior Analysis Certification Board has verified the course sequence for the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, and the National Association of School Psychologists has approved the Ed.S. in School Psychology.

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Application Requirements

Students can enroll in programs at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology on a year-round basis and are encouraged to attend an information session or open house to learn more before applying. The school describes its admissions process as one that’s holistic and designed to ensure that applicants who are accepted will thrive in their chosen program and be prepared for graduate study or professional work.

Traditional factors are considered in the application process and include the student’s GPA, essays, and standardized test scores, but the school also considers other features, too. For example, the school will examine the student’s professional experience and time spent in community service activities, as well as the student’s personal interests and how they might align with the philosophies of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Students enrolled in programs at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology will pay a rate based on their program level and type. Students enrolled in the Psy.D., Ph.D., or Ed.D. program will pay $1,492 per credit hour if they attend sessions on campus and the same if they enroll online. The Master of Arts and Master of Science programs are $1,198 for on-campus and online sessions. The Bachelor of Arts programs are $458 per credit for online and on-campus study.

The school also charges some additional fees like a $30 fee for adding or dropping a class, a $45 fee for a criminal background check, and a $50 fee for participation in the deferred tuition payment plan. Students may also need to pay a $195 for the experiential learning technology fee or the $135 fee for graduate transfer credits. Students will pay a transfer fee on a per-credit basis.

Students can apply for and receive financial aid when they attend The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Aid types may include fellowships, scholarships, grants, student loans, and paid employment opportunities. Before enrolling at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, students may ask for a phone consultation with a financial aid counselor, as well as make an appointment to attend an informational workshop on one of the school’s campuses for information on budgeting, scholarships, and loan options.