Email Accounts
Each Chicago School student is provided a school-sponsored email account. Students are responsible for all information communicated through email in the same way and to the same extent as if published in hard copy and distributed through other means. Students must check their TCSPP email account every day for information transmitted by various departments of the school. The school will not direct electronic correspondence from official school email accounts to personal email addresses; students are expected to utilize the institutional email addresses for all electronic communication about school matters. Accounts of students who withdraw or who are dismissed from the institution are suspended in accordance with internal policies and procedures. Students are encouraged and reminded to utilize appropriate professional judgment when using the school’s email account or when otherwise transmitting information over the school’s network.
Student Identification Cards
Chicago, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Irvine, and Westwood Campuses: Identification cards are issued to each enrolled student. This card permits student access to the campus buildings and allows for the use of materials and services in the library. This card must be carried at all times. Identification cards of students who withdraw or who are dismissed from the institution will be deactivated.
Students must report immediately all lost, stolen, damaged or misplaced cards to facilities immediately. A replacement fee applies to all reissued cards.
Grayslake and students in the Online-Blended program also have the option of obtaining an identification card. Special arrangements will have to be made to provide the school’s facilities department with a headshot (JPG format). Grayslake and Online-Blended students should email facilities@thechicagoschool.edu for information on obtaining an identification card.
Address Change
Students are responsible for ensuring that the school has current contact information on file at all times. This will ensure appropriate delivery of school correspondence and the school’s ability to contact the student regarding school matters. Address changes must be initiated by the student online through the Student ePortal. In order to protect the privacy of student records information, changes will not be accepted by telephone or fax.
Name Change
Students are responsible for keeping the school updated at all times as to their correct legal name. Students must submit official proof of legal name changes in the form of a driver’s license or state ID, marriage license, or court document. A photocopy of the documentation submitted as proof of the name change must be attached to the Name Change Request Form and submitted to the Office of Student Services. Please note: the student’s school email address will not be changed. However; the address description will reflect the new name.
Course Evaluations
The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) administers online course evaluations to Chicago School students each term. These evaluations are intended to assist instructors in improving student learning. Evaluations are conducted online through an external vendor, Online Course Evaluations, to process the data and summarize results. All student responses are anonymous.
The purpose of this guide is to provide a basic overview of the course evaluation process, the types of courses that are evaluated, and the policies adhered to by the Office of Institutional Research.
Course Evaluation Eligibility
The following types of courses qualify as atypical student experiences and are NOT administered evaluations through the Online Course Evaluation system:
- Courses enrolling 4 or fewer students (to maintain anonymity)
- Dissertation
- Thesis
- Independent study
- Competency examination
- Clerkship courses
Basic Evaluation Information
Students are notified through TCSPP’s email system at the beginning of each evaluation period to login to Online Course Evaluations. Students use their TCSPP email and eCollege password to login. Any questions about login information should be sent to IT Help Desk: Helpdesk@tcsedsystem.edu.
Midterm Course Evaluations:
Midterm course evaluations are administered to eligible classes during the fifth week of fall and spring terms (not during summer term, due to its shortened length). Classes that are seven (7) weeks or less in length do not receive midterm course evaluations. The midterm course evaluation period lasts one week, beginning the Sunday of the evaluation period at 11:01 PM and ending at 10:59 PM the following Sunday.
Final Course Evaluations:
Final course evaluations are administered during the final two and one-half weeks of each term for eligible courses, beginning on Sunday at 11:01 PM and ending at 10:59 PM the Wednesday two and one-half weeks later. Online-Blended programs final course evaluations are administered during the final two weeks of each session, beginning on Sunday at 11:01 PM and ending Sunday at 10:59 PM two weeks later.
Online Advisor Evaluations (Online-Blended Programs only):
Certain Online-Blended courses (601B, 602B, 603B, 604B, 605A) are evaluated using a distinct advisor evaluation form. These evaluations are administered at the same time and using the same procedure as the Online-Blended final course evaluations.
If an evaluation form is filled out incorrectly and if the evaluation period is still open, students may email OIR@tcsedsystem.org to have their form reset. Course code, course number, and course section must be included in the email message when making this request. Students should also contact OIR in the event of an incorrect course name or instructor listing so that appropriate changes can be made. Online course evaluations may not be completed once the evaluation period has ended.
Questions regarding the use of course evaluation results should be directed to program managers or Department Chairs/Lead Faculty.
Student Association
Student associations exist regionally to meet the needs and serve the interests of all students at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. The associations strive to provide meaningful opportunities for involvement that promote personal growth, professional development, and community engagement.
The shared mission statement of the TCSPP student associations is:
“The Student Association exists to meet the needs and serve the interests of all students at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Recognizing that students’ needs and interests go beyond the academic environment, the Student Association is committed to addressing various aspects of the student experience including personal and professional development, information resources, and social outlets. The Student Association advocates mutual respect and inclusion in support of students’ educational goals, occupational development, and community engagement.”
Structure and Purposes
The association structure provides for the election of a student-staffed cabinet each year. The term of office is one year in duration. Representatives’ formal roles and responsibilities are to:
- Disseminate information to students concerning the status of the school and the student association
- Provide a forum through which students may establish policies concerning the student association at the school
- Establish policies and methods of disbursing student activity fees in a just and equitable manner
- Supervise the election and appointment of student representatives
- Recommend student representatives to appropriate academic and administrative committees of the school and to the Board of Trustees
- Facilitate a dialogue between the faculty, administration, and students and act as advocates for student concerns to faculty and administration.
- Oversee the recognition and chartering of student organizations
Representation on Committees of the Faculty
Where required, the student association works with faculty to appoint students to serve on committees.
Other Student Organizations
As organizations devoted to specific interests and activities are developed, they are required to become officially recognized by the regional student association. Groups should contact a student association executive officer to receive materials to complete this process. Recognized student groups can request funding through this process as well.
International Programs & Services
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Office of International Programs and Services fosters a global, scholastic environment by coordinating international activities for students, faculty, and alumni. Through its two key functions, the office serves both incoming international students and students participating in overseas opportunities.
International Programs and Services advises international students on immigration matters, specifically focusing on F-1 status, and provides support to students pertaining to cross-cultural adjustment. Any questions regarding status, travel, or employment (on-campus or off-campus), should be directed in advance to the Designated School Official (DSO) on the student’s home campus.
International Programs and Services manages quality international learning opportunities through the administration of study abroad and field experience programs. Please refer to The Chicago School’s Study Abroad and Field Experience policies for specific information on eligibility, registration, in-country requirements and other matters.
Center for International Studies
The Chicago School’s Centers for International Studies support and advance international learning opportunities for the school community. The Centers contribute to international research, training, practice, and public policy through the development of events and colloquia focused on those topics of internationalization that are relevant to each campus’ interests.
Career Services is committed to complying with the ethical standards of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and expects students and employers to be honest and professional in the job search process. All students who choose to participate in Career Services events and resources must abide by the following agreement. By logging into the Career Services online systems, students are indicating that they will adhere to the following standards:
- Provide accurate and honest information on the profile, CV/resume, and job search documents and in my interactions with employers. Examples include but are not limited to GPA, major and student status. Any information provided and all usage of the account will accurately reflect a student’s identity.
- Be responsible for selecting an appropriate position. Although Career Services reviews postings, the posting of a job on this site does not mean that Career Services is making any recommendations, representations or guarantees regarding the job, nor is there a guarantee that employment opportunities will be available in every geographical or functional area. Requesting additional information from a potential employer is necessary to make an employment decision.
- Keep ALL interview appointments with employers or notify employer and Career Services in advance of any emergency requiring cancellation. Late cancellations require an apology email or phone call to the employer and Career Services must be copied or notified.
Career Services at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology encourages students to notify Career Services at careerservices@thechicagoschool.edu if students perceive any violations of ethical conduct on the part of employers.
Student Accident & Sickness Insurance Plan
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers a student accident and sickness insurance plan. The plan is voluntary for domestic students and mandatory for international students. Domestic students who are actively enrolled and designated by TCSPP as full-time or taking at least nine credit hours are eligible to enroll on a voluntary basis. This plan is not available currently to Online-Blended students.
All international students are required to have some form of accident and sickness insurance coverage. All international students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the student accident and sickness insurance plan. International students who currently have health insurance that is equal to or greater than the TCSPP- sponsored plan may apply to waive enrollment. Additional information can be found here.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers Student Solutions, a free, confidential, around-the-clock counseling service. Student Solutions replaces the former Student Therapy Referral Network.
Counseling Providers
Student Solutions is available to students struggling with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, or legal and financial concerns. Should a student desire to access in-person care with a mental health provider in his/her area, Student Solutions will make a referral, and TCSPP will pay for the student’s first three counseling sessions. Should a student choose to engage in ongoing treatment with a provider, s/he will have the opportunity to establish a service rate which may be available on a sliding scale or include payment by a health insurance plan.
Legal and Financial Information
Through Student Solutions, student have an attorney “on call” whenever they have questions about legal matters including divorce, custody, adoption, real estate, debt and bankruptcy, landlord/tenant issues, civil and criminal actions, and more. Additionally, financial advisors are available for consultation on budgeting, debt management, tax issues, and other money concerns.
Student Solutions resources may be accessed by calling 1-855-460-6668 or visiting www.guidanceresources.com (web identifier is TCSPP). The Student Solutions toll-free line is answered by counseling professionals and is strictly confidential, as mandated by law.
Instructional Technology
Projectors, laptops, video recorders, cameras, and other equipment are available for use by students and faculty on-site. All loaner equipment is handled by the library at the Washington, DC campus. At the Chicago and California campuses, video and camera equipment are handled by the library while other equipment is available through the IT department. Contact the local IT department for those items. There are no guarantees that any particular equipment will be available when a request is made. Any requests are filled on a best-effort basis only. Students are responsible for any lost or damaged equipment.
Study Areas and Project Rooms
Chicago, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Irvine, and Westwood Campuses:
In addition to the library, students may study or meet in any classroom or project room that is not otherwise in use. Students are advised to reserve a room in advance for dissertation defense requirements; please see the local Facilities department for more information. Classroom schedules displaying regularly scheduled courses are posted outside all classrooms, and are subject to change without notice. Additionally, meetings and other events are scheduled in classrooms, conferences rooms, and project rooms and may not be listed outside of the door. Please respectfully acknowledge and relocate if someone claims to have a reservation for the space. In the event of any dispute over room reservations, please contact the Campus Facilities department.
Grayslake:
Study rooms located in the Library of the University Center of Lake County are available for student use. Please communicate with the librarian or contact Classroom Scheduling at 847.665.4006.
Phone Messages
The Office of Student Affairs will accept emergency phone messages for campus-based students. Every effort will be made to locate the student immediately. If this is not possible, a message will be sent to the student’s school email account. Students may make outgoing local emergency calls; please visit the Office of Student Affairs for an available phone.
Faculty and Staff Mailboxes
The Chicago School maintains mailboxes for faculty and staff at each ground location. In Chicago, Los Angeles, Irvine, and Westwood, mailboxes may be found in the copy/mail rooms. At the Washington, D.C. campus, materials may be left with the receptionist or placed in mailboxes outside individual offices. The Chicago mail room is located in the 325 N Wells building. Mail may be left at the reception desk on the fourth floor for distribution or placed in an individual’s mailbox. In Grayslake, Los Angeles, Westwood, and Irvine, students may leave items for faculty and staff at the front reception.
The National Center for Teaching and Learning (NCTL) supports and advances teaching and learning within the educational community of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. NCTL believes that academic coursework and scholarship provide the foundation for success in professional practice. NCTL offers new and continuing students academic support including one-on-one writing consultations, weekly tutorials, presentations, online resources, and in-class presentations.
Academic Success Program
To ensure academic preparedness, a key to success in graduate school, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology requires new students to complete the Academic Success Program. This program reinforces the skills new students need to achieve their academic goals. Academic Success is an integral part of the first term’s curriculum (first and second terms’ curriculum for the Online-Blended Programs) and all students are required to complete the program successfully and in a timely manner. Failure to complete the program can have academic consequences, including dismissal. All students incur a one-time fee for their participation in the Academic Success Program. See TCSPP’s website for information on this fee.
The Academic Success Program consists of three elements:
- Academic Focus: Orientation to Graduate Studies – Academic Focus: Orientation to Graduate Studies is an online, self-paced orientation to graduate academics that consists of tutorials and learning activities designed to help students prepare for their first year at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. The due date is four weeks after the start of a student’s first term, and a final grade of “pass” is considered successful completion of this element.
- Writing Assessment Process – In this component of the Academic Success Program, each student writes an essay in response to an assigned question and submits it to The National Center for Teaching and Learning for evaluation. Based on a student’s performance on the assessment essay, the school may waive the Academic Writing Course requirement (see #3, below). Essays are due within 10 days of receiving notification and essay submission by the given date is considered successful completion of this element of Academic Success.
- Academic Writing Seminar (AWS) – This online course is for students who did not achieve a passing score for the Writing Assessment. However, AWS is available to all students. For students who are required to complete AWS, a final grade of “pass” is considered to be successful completion of the Academic Success Program. If a student does not pass the AWS, then the student will receive a NP and will need to retake the course the following term. Failure to earn a final grade of “pass” may result in an Academic Development Plan or referral to the Student Affairs Committee.
It is solely the responsibility of the student to make the necessary adjustments to his/her school, work and personal schedules as required for full participation in this seminar. The Chicago School is not responsible for ensuring that these adjustments are made. Students failing AWS must retake the course in the subsequent term or semester. The successful completion of AWS is a graduation requirement and failure to complete AWS by the second attempt will result in a registration hold.
Academic Success Program Grading Policy
If any of the above steps are not met, the student’s record will indicate the lack of completion by an “In Progress” (IP) or “No Pass” (NP) designation. These designations will indicate that the student will still need to complete the requirement. The IP grade will be changed to a “Pass” (P) when the student fulfills the requirement. Students who do not receive a P on all three components of the Academic Success Program will not be cleared for graduation.
The Chicago School Libraries
TCSPP has dedicated library space at its Chicago, Irvine, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Westwood locations. In addition, all of these locations offer bibliographic instruction and access to online databases and other e-resources, with hours of operation varying according to the needs of the specific location.
Overview
The Chicago School Libraries provide access to information and materials that support the teaching, research, and public service programs of the school. The libraries support these programs by acquiring and managing scholarly information related to the theory, teaching, and practice of professional psychology, providing access to information only available elsewhere, providing reference and instruction, and exchanging information resources with other libraries around the world.
Electronic Resources
Students have access to over 20,000 full-text and abstract psychology-specific journals and APA-published books through the online reference databases. The databases include Academic Search Complete, Proquest ABI/Inform, PsycArticles, PsycBooks, PEP Archives, PsycInfo, Tests in Print and Mental Measurements Yearbook.
Dissertations by Chicago School graduate students and students from around the world can be accessed online through Proquest Database.
Print Resources
The Libraries have books and videos that can be checked out for a limited period of time. In order to check material out, students need to bring their student IDs and register with the library.
Psychological Test Materials
The libraries maintain an extensive range of psychological assessment materials in support of The Chicago School’s academic programs. Professional guidelines set forth by APA and assessment publishers limit the use of and access to materials to qualified individuals.
Services
Reserves/Electronic Reserves
All required readings are available at the circulation desk. Electronic reserves are available through the website.
Interlibrary Loan Services
Students can request books, dissertations, and journal articles that are not available locally through interlibrary loan. The library belongs to two major consortia that allows students to borrow material free of charge.
Reference
Bibliographic instruction is provided at TCSPP’s locations; in addition, the TCSPP librarians work with online and on-ground students by phone or GoToMeeting. 24/7 online reference services are provided to all students through the library’s participation in AskAway!. Students can ask questions through email or online chat 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Librarians are also available to answer your questions via email or phone. |
