If you have been considering a psychology degree in Chicago, you might look into the numerous programs offered at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
The school, founded in 1979, saw its first students in 1980. This is a not-for-profit educational facility envisioned by professional, practicing psychologists to “offer a high-quality psychology education in a not-for-profit setting." The school, with several campuses throughout the country, offers more than 20 degree programs in psychology and in health science.
The primarily graduate school partners with more than 500 organizations nationwide to afford students opportunities for engaging internships. Although its rating in the U.S. News and World Report is not published, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology has been consistently included on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The school offers classes in traditional, weekend, evening and online formats.
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
Chicago School of Professional Psychology Accreditation Details
The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission. The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology is the only program of its kind in Chicago that is accredited by the American Psychological Association. The Ed.S. degree is approved by the Chicago Board of Education
Chicago School of Professional Psychology Application Requirements
Applicants to the school should complete the online application form, which is the preferred method, or print and complete the document in hard copy.
For the graduate programs, you must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university. You should have the college or university that awarded your degree send the official transcript to the school. Your GPA and GRE scores are used in determining your ability to do graduate-level work.
There is a $50 application fee that can be paid through the application portal as well. Because the admission requisites vary by program, candidates for any degree should check that program’s webpage for requirements, In general, though, you may be required to submit letters of recommendation, a resume, a personal statement or essays. In addition, some of the programs may require that you take prerequisite classes before beginning the degree courses.
The school does offer some bachelor programs online, and the admission requirements for these are also available by checking the specific degree program on the school website. All students must undergo a background check.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology is calculated per credit. In general, the Psy.D.; Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs are $1,310 per credit hour. The M.S.; M.A. and M.PH degrees are $1,051 per credit hour. The Ed.S. degree is $1,087 per credit and certificates are $1,051 per credit. This is tuition only. In addition, you will have to budget for books and supplies and for any fees that apply to you. Fees at the school range from a one-time $5.50 charge to $286 per term.
If you need assistance paying for your education at the school, your first step is to complete the FAFSA. Once you receive your awards letter in the mail and sign it, the school will use the information contained in it to determine your eligibility for scholarships, grants and loans available through the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Your consideration for this assistance is automatic and you will not need to complete another financial aid application for these types of aid with the exception of the application for the Federal Stafford student loan, which you will need to complete and sign. The school offers merit scholarships based on academic achievements, financial needs-based awards, mission-based awards and scholarships and grants given for community service and involvement. There are also a number of paid employment opportunities on campus. In addition to these, there may be outside opportunities for student aid in the form of corporate or private scholarships and grants. You may research these online. Recently, a number of resources have emerged to assist you in consolidating or in repaying student loans. This information is available on the school financial aid webpage.
Variety in Degrees and Certificates Available
Because this school mainly offers psychology-centered degree programs, the diversity in the degrees allows students to explore many career avenues.
There are a few bachelor’s programs that you might earn online. These are: The B.A. in Psychology, generalist, which can be completed in four years full time. If you choose this degree, you will have courses like Fundamentals of Psychology, Abnormal Psychology and Neuropsychology. There is also a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with concentrations in and Children and Adolescents or in Business Psychology. All of these are online degree programs that can be completed in four years of full-time study.
In Applied Behavioral Analysis, you may earn a certificate, a master’s or a doctoral degree. The certificate program takes one year to complete online. Sample courses include Concepts and Principles of Behavioral Analysis; Assessment and Intervention and Group Supervision. The program contains sufficient coursework to enable you to become board certified in behavioral analysis. You can also earn a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavioral Analysis in an online format. The Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis is available on the Chicago campus and can be earned in two years of full-time study. Sample courses are: Science and Human Behavior and Organizational Behavior Management. The M.S. degree is also offered online and is completed in 28 months of part-time study. You can earn a Ph.D. in Applied Behavioral Analysis on-campus or online as well. The program takes three years of post-graduate study or five years of post-baccalaureate study to complete. The online path is the same as the traditional in content and in completion time.
Online Master of Psychology degrees are available as generalist programs or with a Child and Adolescent specialization. There are Master’s in Public Health degrees offered online as generalist degrees or with concentrations in Mental Health and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health; Public Health Policy and Advocacy; Health Informatics or Senior services. The school offers an online master’s program in Behavioral Economics, which is an advanced psychology degree with an emphasis on business, and several Master’s and doctoral degrees in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at the Chicago campus.
There is a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling both at the Chicago campus and online that is completed in two years of full-time study. The 60-hour program meets the coursework requisites for licensure in most states. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology also offers an M.A. in Counseling Psychology that can be warned as a generalist degree or with concentrations in Child and Adolescent Therapy; Health Psychology; Trauma and Crisis or marital and Family Therapy.
In addition to the above degrees, the school offers a Ph.D. program in Counselor Education and Supervision and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology awards an Ed.D. and an Ed.S. in School Psychology as well as an online Ed.D. in Educational Psychology and Technology, master’s of arts and doctoral degrees in Forensic Psychology and in International Psychology.
A degree in psychology can be the foundation for many careers. With the number of degree programs offered and the diversity within the programs, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology can prepare you to be a competent practitioner, teacher or research scientist in psychology.