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    The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
   
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2014-2015 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Addendum 
    
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2014-2015 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Addendum [Archived Catalog]

Ed.D. School Psychology


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Chicago

Program Overview

The Ed.D. School Psychology program is a neuropsychology focused program with classes being offered in on-ground and online blended formats and is intended for entry by certified school psychologists. The Ed.D. School Psychology is a 48 credit hour and non-licensure program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program students will be able to:

  1. Research and Program Evaluation: develop the ability to apply research to practice and contribute to psychological and educational knowledge through research.
  2. Diversity in Development and Learning: develop competence in conceptualizing, assessing, and intervening in child and adolescent concerns using a range of developmentally and culturally sensitive methods.
  3. School -Wide Practices to Promote Learning: demonstrate skills to develop and implement practices and strategies to create and maintain effective supportive learning environments for children and others.
  4. Interventions and Instructional Support to Develop Academic Skills: skills to use assessment and data collection methods and to implement and evaluate services that support cognitive and academic skills.
  5. Family School Collaboration Services: demonstrate skills to provide professional services that promote effective functioning for individuals, families, and schools with diverse characteristics.
  6. Consultation and Collaboration: demonstrate the ability to consult, collaborate, and communicate with others during the design, implementation, and evaluation of services and programs.
  7. Interventions and Mental Health Services to Develop Social and Life Skills: demonstrate skills to assess and implement services that support socialization, learning, and mental health.
  8. Preventive and Responsive Services:  promote services that enhance learning and mental health in schools and communities to support prevention and crisis response.
  9. Data-Based Decision Making and Accountability: demonstrate ability to use assessment and data collection strategies to design, implement and evaluate response to services and programs.
  10. Ethical and Professional Practice: demonstrate skills to provide services consistent with ethical, legal, and professional standards.

Admission Requirements

Application to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Ed.D. School Psychology program is open to any person who has completed a specialist level school psychology program from a regionally accredited institution and who meets other entrance requirements.

Applicants to the program are required to have an Ed.S. specialist or equivalent degree or equivalent in school psychology, as well as certification as a school psychologist. This program requires at least 48 credits beyond the specialist level, with coursework in research, professional ethics, neuropsychological assessment and intervention, professional supervision, and electives. All students will complete two semesters of practica and a dissertation.

Applicants will be assessed on their overall ability to successfully complete the doctoral program. Factors and materials considered for admission include:

  • Complete application with $50 application fee
  • Official transcript indicating graduation from a state accredited school psychology program and must have a graduate school cumulative GPA of 3.5 out of a 4.0 scale.
  • Official transcripts of all postsecondary schools attended
  • Resume highlighting relevant work and volunteer experience
  • 3 Letters of recommendation
  • Optional: GRE (used to enhance application)
  • Answer the following short answer essay questions (200 or fewer words per essay)

              1.  What are the most difficult challenges facing schools today?

              2. What are the skills you are most hoping to develop in this doctoral program?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required, however it strongly encouraged that students who have taken the exam submit their scores to enhance their application. Scores should be sent directly to the school (GRE School Code: 1119) for consideration. Please see the application for detailed instructions and information regarding application requirements, application deadlines, and letters of recommendation. Applications must be submitted with the $50.00 (USD) application fee in order to be evaluated.

All admitted students will be subject to a competency exam to determine competence in the areas of Brain and Behavior, and Statistics. If a student demonstrates a lack of competence in these required competency areas, then additional prerequisite courses (up to 6 credit hours) must be taken in the term prior to their matriculation, although these courses will not count toward the total number of credits required for graduation.

TOEFL or IELTS, International Credentials, and International Students

TOEFL or IELTS: If English is not your primary language, you must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores with your application (TOEFL School Code: 7161). International students who received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited United States institution are exempt from this requirement. The minimum scores are: TOEFL - 550 paper based, 213 computer based, 79 internet based; IELTS - 6.5.

ELS Educational Services, Inc.: The Chicago School is a cooperative member of ELS Educational Services, Inc. which provides intensive English language programs. Students who have successfully completed ELS course 112 may be considered for admission in lieu of the TOEFL or IELTS.

International credentials: Applicants with international credentials must obtain and submit an official “course-by-course” evaluation through an evaluation agency such as World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators Inc. (www.ece.org). In addition to the agency evaluation, all official graduate and undergraduate transcripts must be submitted.

International students: International students must have a completed application by the general consideration deadline. This will allow sufficient time to obtain the additional documentation required to study in the United States. In addition, once accepted, international students must submit the International Student Information form, A copy of their passport, and financial documentation showing sufficient funding for at least one year of study and all living expenses. This documentation must be submitted at least two months prior to the start of the semester in order to allow sufficient time for the school to issue an I-20 for the student to obtain an F-1 visa, if needed. An I-20 visa will not be issued without this documentation.

Applicant Notification

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology reviews applications on a rolling basis. Once review begins, complete applications will be considered by the Admission Committee and the student is quickly notified of the admission decision. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology does not share information or provide any feedback regarding admission decisions.

If a student is offered admission, in order to secure a place in the incoming class, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $500 will be required by the deposit deadline indicated in the offer of admission. The non-refundable deposit will be applied in full toward the student’s tuition upon enrollment.

Policies

The following policies are located under Academic Policies and Procedures : Transfer of Credit, Waiver of Courses, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Grading Scale, Grade Change Requests, Degree Completion, Degree Conferral, Minimum and Maximum Timeframe requirements, and Credit Hours per semester for Financial Aid.  Information on the Academic Success Program is located under Student Life .

Academic Development Plans

An Academic Development Plan (ADP) is initiated and created by the program in which the student is enrolled. When a student demonstrates deficiencies in competencies that interfere with academic performance, training competence, and/or professional behavior, the ADP is initiated. The completion of an ADP does not constitute disciplinary action, but failure to complete the plan may lead to disciplinary action.

Student Learning Assessment

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is committed to offering the highest quality undergraduate completion program and graduate programs in applied professional disciplines. To meet TCSPP’s standard for academic quality, program learning outcomes are aligned with course learning outcomes and guide assessment.   Data collected from the results of student assessment and the aggregation of these data will inform how students are progressing towards achieving program outcomes.  

All academic programs report annual assessments of student learning and other indicators of program effectiveness as part of the Academic Program Review process.

Mission

The mission of the program is to provide students with a broad-based education that promotes best practices, cultural sensitivity, and innovation to support the needs of children and families.  We are committed to preparing graduates who transform our profession, schools, and communities.

Ethics

Graduates will demonstrate commitment to the ethical guidelines adopted by the National Association of School Psychologists’ Professional Conduct Manual, which contains “Principles for Professional Ethics” and the “Standards for the Provision of School Psychological Services” and those adopted by the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists. For example, students shall not engage in employment beyond the scope of their training and may not use titles governed by certification and licensure statutes. Students that fail to adhere to ethical and legal guidelines appropriate for the practice of School Psychology are subject to discipline.

Practicum and Internship

All graduates will be required to complete two semester long practica. Minimum required hours are 1,200 hours for the two combined semesters. Students who wish to pursue a clinical license will have the option of completing a year long internship, with a minimum of 1,800 hours.

More specific information is located in the Program Guidebook.

Dissertation

A dissertation is required for graduation. Successful completion of the dissertation defense, submission of a bindable copy, and completion of all paperwork is required.

More specific information is located in the Program Guidebook.

Comprehensive Exam

Students will complete a competency examination upon admission to the program to determine competence in the areas of Brain and Behavior and Statistics.  Students who do not pass the exam will be required to complete a three credit course in these content areas by the fall semester in the first year of the program.

More specific information is located in the Program Guidebook.

The Curriculum


Required Core Courses: 48 credits*

*Students may take optional electives in addition to the required coursework.  A total of 4 additional credit hours worth of coursework exisit

Total Program

Ed.D. School Psychology: 48 credits

Pre-Requisite Competency Courses


  • SPD 650 - Brain and Behavior (3 credits)
  • SPD 651 - Statistics (3 credits) (Pass/Fail)
  • * These courses are required as a prerequisite for this program of study; however, they will not count toward the number of credits required for graduation. Students who pass a competency exam at the time of their admission to the program are not required to complete these courses. Students who do not pass the competency exam will enroll in the prerequisite course(s) as a student-at-large in the term prior to matriculation. 

Electives (optional addition to required core)


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