Academic Policies and Procedures

Academic Calendar

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Academic Calendar is built on a semester framework.

An on-ground student attends courses for three (3) semesters per academic year: fall, spring, and summer. Courses in the fall and spring semesters are 15 weeks in duration. Courses in the summer semester may be 8 weeks, 12 weeks, or 15 weeks in duration as determined by the degree program. Details on the duration of the summer courses are available on the campus-specific Academic Calendar documents posted to the Office of the Registrar website.

An online student attends courses for six (6) 8-week terms per academic year: Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, Spring II, Summer I, and Summer II. Details on term dates appear on the campus-specific Academic Calendar documents posted to the Office of the Registrar website.

A student is held to the administrative dates and deadlines for the enrolled program of study for all courses taken at TCSPP. An on-ground student who takes an online course is held to the administrative dates and deadlines of the on-ground campus per the Academic Calendar. An online student who takes an on-ground course is held to the administrative dates and deadlines of the online campus per the Academic Calendar.

Academic Honors

Undergraduate Programs

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology encourages students to challenge themselves intellectually, professionally, academically and personally. Academic honors acknowledge outstanding undergraduate students for academic excellence and scholastic achievement.

Term Honors

Dean’s Honor List

An undergraduate student will be named to the Dean’s Honor List if all of the following conditions are met:

• Enrolled at least half time
• Earns a term/semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 to 3.79
• Maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Does not earn any of the following grades: W, WF, IP, F, I
• Has all grades posted at the time term/semester evaluation is conducted

The Dean’s Honor List will be noted on the student’s transcript for the term/semester in which the honor is received. The Dean of Academic Affairs will notify the student of this award and will publish a Dean’s Honor List each term/semester.

President’s Honor List

An undergraduate student will be named to the President’s Honor List if all of the following conditions are met:

• Enrolled at least half time
• Earns a term/semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.80 to 4.00
• Maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Does not earn any of the following grades: W, WF, IP, F, I
• Has all grades posted at the time term/semester evaluation is conducted

The President’s Honor List will be noted to the student’s transcript for the term/semester in which the honor is received. The Dean of Academic Affairs will notify the student of this award, and a President’s Honor List will be published each term/semester.

Degree Honors

An undergraduate student who earns a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher will be recognized with degree honors. The honors will be awarded upon degree conferral and will be noted on the transcript and the diploma.

• Cum Laude: Student must earn Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) between 3.50 and 3.69
• Magna Cum Laude: Student must earn Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) between 3.70 and 3.85
• Summa Cum Laude: Student must earn Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) between 3.86 and 4.00

To be eligible for degree honors, an undergraduate student must meet the ethical, legal, and professional standards defined in the TCSPP Academic Catalog and Student Handbook.

Graduate Programs

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology encourages students to challenge themselves intellectually, professionally, academically, and personally. Academic honors acknowledge outstanding academic excellence and scholastic achievement.

Honors are awarded upon degree conferral only to a degree-seeking graduate student who:

• Earns a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.00.
• Meets the ethical, legal, and professional standards defined in the TCSPP Academic Catalog and Student Handbook.
• Has been in compliance with institutional policies and procedures.

Degree Honors will be noted on the student transcript.

Academic Success Programs

To ensure academic preparedness, a key to success in graduate school, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology provides support through Academic Success Programs (ASP), which includes the Writing Assessment Process (WAP), Academic Writing Seminar (AWS), Graduate Student Success Program (GSSP), and a Writing Center. These programs, managed by NCADE, reinforce the skills a student needs in order to achieve academic goals.

The completion of WAP and AWS is an institutional requirement for all new graduate students, regardless of GPA or completion of other advanced degree programs. Based on the WAP result, a student may place out of the AWS and automatically earn a passing grade. A student incurs a one-time fee for participation in the WAP. (See TCSPP’s website for information regarding this fee.) A student who transfers from one TCSPP program to another or an alumnus who returns to TCSPP to continue studies is exempt from this requirement, provided that WAP and AWS requirements were fulfilled in the original degree program.

Writing Assessment Process (WAP): To complete the WAP, a student writes a 500-word essay in response to a specific prompt and submits it to NCADE for assessment by two writing specialists. The instructions for writing this essay are sent to all admitted graduate students upon deposit. The essay is due within 10 days of receipt of the notification. A student has the right to request a one-time extension. Failure to complete the WAP in a timely manner results in an account hold, and the student may not be able to continue in the degree program until successful completion is demonstrated. Based on the WAP score, a student may place out of the AWS. Note:  Departments participating in the pilot Writing Assessment and Development Process (WADP) will conduct a subsequent writing assessment of a regular course assignment.  For questions, contact academicsuccess@thechicagoschool.edu.

Academic Writing Seminar (AWS): AWS is an online writing workshop taught by experienced writing instructors. While the AWS is available to all students, successful completion of the AWS is an institutional requirement for a student placed into it based on the WAP result. Failure to complete the AWS successfully may result in an Academic Development Plan or referral to the Student Affairs Committee. It is the sole responsibility of the student to make the necessary adjustments in the school, work, and personal schedule to ensure full participation in the AWS.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Admission

An applicant to an undergraduate program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is required to submit a completed application, application fee, proof of high school graduation (or the equivalent) or an earned Associate degree, and official transcripts from all schools listed in the application.

Qualifying Conferral

The qualifying conferral must occur on a date prior to the Add/Drop deadline of the term/semester of entry. A student must provide proof of the qualifying conferral - high school graduation (or the equivalent) or proof of an earned Associate degree - by day 9 of the term/semester of entry. A student who fails to meet this requirement will be removed from all courses and placed in a No Show status.

Proof of qualifying degree conferral must be provided in one of the following ways:

• Official high school transcript showing an earned high school diploma and date of graduation. A copy of a high school diploma, if transcripts are not immediately available, can be submitted with a contingency that original transcripts will be on file prior to day 9 of the term/semester of entry.  Financial aid will not be dispersed until the compliant documentation is received.
• Official Associate degree transcript from a regionally-accredited institution showing degree earned and date conferred
• Official college transcript from a regionally-accredited institution that contains the high school name and date of graduation
• Official National Association of Credential Evaluations Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE)-evaluation of an international diploma that contains the high school name and date of graduation
• High school equivalency completed through home schooling as defined by state law
• Official General Educational Development (GED) document. A copy of the student’s GED Certificate, or unofficial GED score issued by the state, can be submitted with a contingency that the Official GED document will be on file prior to close of census. Financial aid will not be disbursed until the compliant documentation is received.
• Official Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) document
• Official High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) document
• Official documentation showing a passing score on a state-authorized exam that the state recognizes as equivalent to high school graduation
• Letter showing the date of graduation written on high school letterhead and signed by a high school administrator with an academic title
• Form DD214 showing the high school name and date of graduation, if listed

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts for all schools listed in the application must be on file by the end of the first semester of enrollment (on-ground students) or second term of enrollment (online students). Failure to meet this requirement will result in removal from all courses and withdrawal from the institution.

Once admission has been offered, an applicant must pay the tuition deposit to reserve a spot in their program. The tuition deposit is nonrefundable.

Graduate Admission

An applicant to a graduate program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is required to submit a completed application, application fee, proof of qualifying degree conferral, and all official transcripts from institutions listed on the application. Admission is open to an individual who has earned a qualifying degree from a regionally-accredited institution and who meets other admission requirements as required by the desired degree program. Information on admission requirements by degree program is available in the Programs of Study descriptions found in this Catalog.

Qualifying Degree

The qualifying degree must be conferred on a date prior to the Add/Drop deadline of the term/semester of entry. A student must provide proof of qualifying degree conferral by day 9 of the term/semester of entry. A student who fails to meet this requirement will be removed from all courses and placed in a No Show status.

Proof must be provided in one of the following ways:

1. Official transcript showing qualifying degree conferral. An official transcript is printed on official transcript paper and bears the embossed or raised college seal, date, and the Registrar’s signature. An official transcript is delivered in a sealed envelope with the Registrar’s signature stamped across the seal. An official transcript can also be sent electronically directly from a transcript vendor. For international transcripts, National Association of Credential Evaluations Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) evaluation is required. See the International Transcript Evaluation policy.
2. Unofficial transcript showing qualifying degree conferral. An unofficial transcript is printed on plain paper and does not bear a college seal or registrar’s signature or is an opened transcript submitted by a student, marked as a student copy or stamped unofficial. An unofficial transcript must document: student name, institution name, courses completed with grades earned, specific degree conferred, and the conferral date.
3. An official letter on school letterhead from the qualifying degree granting institution’s Office of the Registrar that includes the specific conferral date, degree level, and name of degree conferred.
4. An official or unofficial transcript evaluation of an international transcript from a NACES or AICE-approved evaluation service that includes the specific conferral date, degree level, and name of degree conferred, along with U.S. equivalency

If an applicant has earned a graduate degree from a regionally-accredited institution, an exception to the qualifying degree requirement may be considered. An exception must be approved by the Department Chair and documented in the student’s record.

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts from all institutions listed in the application must be on file by the end of the first semester of enrollment (on-ground students) or second term of enrollment (online students). Failure to meet this requirement will result in removal from all courses and withdrawal from the institution.

Once admission has been offered, an applicant must pay the tuition deposit to reserve a spot in their program. The tuition deposit is nonrefundable.

International Transcript Evaluation

An applicant holding an international transcript must have it evaluated as part of the admissions process. A course-by-course evaluation of the official transcript from the international institution where the qualifying degree was earned is required for all applicants. The evaluation must include a general evaluation showing U.S. degree equivalency and grade point average (GPA).

International official transcripts may be evaluated either by a NACES-approved agency, AICE-approved agency or, in some circumstances, by a TCSPP staff member trained in transcript evaluation. If the international degree is a three-year degree from the United Kingdom, Bologna Signatory countries, or India, the transcript may be evaluated by TCSPP. If the international degree does not meet the aforementioned conditions, it must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE-approved agency. Transcript evaluations are not required from U.S. universities operating internationally, provided the institution is recognized by a U.S. regional accrediting body and with grades reported on a U.S. 4-point scale.

International Admission

An international student must be enrolled fulltime to be eligible for on-ground study in the U.S. under a student (F-1) visa. A student in a non-immigrant status is not eligible for federal financial aid.

Upon gaining acceptance to an on-ground program, an applicant who is requesting sponsorship for a student visa (F-1) must submit a New Student Information Form and supporting documentation before a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Students (I-20) can be issued. For current information on minimum financial requirements and obtaining the I-20, please visit the international admissions page under section Admitted International Students.

Language Requirement

An international applicant who indicates on their application that English is not their primary language must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or from a TCSPP partner who offers language evaluation services. This requirement does not apply to applicants who hold an earned associate degree or bachelor’s degree, or who have earned 60 credit hours from a university in which the language of instruction is English. A minimum score of 79 TOEFL or 6.5 IELTS is required for admission. Scores must be less than 2 years old.

Qualifying Degree

The qualifying degree must be conferred on a date prior to the Add/Drop deadline of the term/semester of entry. An international student must provide proof of qualifying degree conferral by the Add/Drop deadline of the second semester of enrollment. Failing to meet this requirement will result in removal from all courses and withdrawal from the institution. Proof must be provided in one of the following ways: 

1. Official transcript showing qualifying degree conferral. An official transcript is printed on official transcript paper and bears the embossed or raised college seal, date, and the Registrar’s signature. An official transcript is delivered in a sealed envelope with the Registrar’s signature stamped across the seal. An official transcript can also be sent electronically directly from a transcript vendor.
2. Unofficial transcript showing qualifying degree conferral. An unofficial transcript is printed on plain paper and does not bear a college seal or registrar’s signature or is an opened transcript submitted by a student, marked as a student copy or stamped unofficial. An unofficial transcript must document: student name, institution name, courses completed with grades earned, specific degree conferred and the conferral date.
3. An official letter on school letterhead from the qualifying degree granting institution’s Office of the Registrar that includes the specific conferral date, degree level, and name of degree conferred.
4. An official or unofficial transcript evaluation of an international transcript from a NACES or AICE-approved evaluation service that includes the specific conferral date, degree level, and name of degree conferred, along with U.S. equivalency.

While a student may submit documentation listed in 1 through 4 above to prove qualifying degree conferral, submission of the official transcript evaluation is required for all students who attended an institution outside of the U.S.

Evaluation of Other Degree Types

A degree type that differs from a standard U.S. bachelor or master’s degree will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The following conditions will be considered:

1. The degree is recognized by a country’s Ministry of Education
2. The NACES or AICE-evaluation shows the degree as equivalent to the U.S. qualifying degree required by the program

Final decisions regarding exceptions to this policy will be made by the Chief Academic Officer.

Admission Contingencies

For admission contingencies other than proof of the qualifying degree, all documents must be submitted prior to the start of the course registration period for the following semester for an on-ground student and by the Add/Drop deadline of the third term for an online student. Such items may be but are not limited to letters of recommendation or GRE scores.

If documents are missing after an on-ground student begins classes, the student’s record will be placed on hold, prohibiting future course registration. If unresolved, the on-ground student will be withdrawn on the Add/Drop deadline of the second semester of enrollment.

If documents are missing after an online student begins classes, the student record will be placed on hold. If unresolved by the start of the third term, the online student will be withdrawn on the Add/Drop deadline of the third term of enrollment.

Preparatory Coursework

Preparatory coursework refers to course(s) an applicant is required to take in order to enroll in an eligible graduate degree program. Preparatory courses are required for admission to the intended graduate program and do not count toward the requirements for the intended degree program.

An otherwise eligible applicant who must successfully complete preparatory coursework required for admission to a specific graduate program can attend TCSPP in a Preparatory Student classification.

An applicant who needs to take preparatory coursework for admission into a graduate program may apply to receive federal Direct Loans for one 12-consecutive month period.  The student must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for loans.  The student must complete the standard financial aid application process and meet all federal eligibility requirements. Only the courses listed in the applicable Programs of Study Admission Requirements section may be used for calculation of loan eligibility. Preparatory coursework that exceeds the 12-consecutive month period will not be eligible for financial aid.

An applicant may review the individual Programs of Study Admission Requirements to view the specific courses required for admission to the intended graduate program. Once all preparatory coursework is successfully completed, the student may be admitted to the intended degree program.

Progression Requirements

Progression Requirements refer to an academic requirement that a student must successfully complete to remain enrolled in the degree program at TCSPP. An applicant may review the individual Programs of Study to view the specific courses required. Failure to successfully complete a progression requirement will result in administrative withdrawal from the degree program.

All students are expected to attend and participate in their courses. All students in all delivery modalities (on-ground, online, and blended such as executive style or weekend programs) are recorded as either present or absent for each course during the first week of the term/semester based on participation in an online assigned academic activity. Assigned academic activities include posting an introduction, posting in a discussion forum, or submitting a quiz or assignment. A student cannot post attendance in any course prior to the start of any term/semester.

In addition to completing the online assigned academic activity, an on-ground student must attend face-to-face class meetings. Failure to attend face-to-face class meetings will have academic consequences as defined in the course syllabus.

A student who does not submit the assigned academic activity in an individual course during the first week of the term/semester will be administratively withdrawn from the course. A student who does not submit assigned academic activities during the first week of the term/semester in all courses will be administratively withdrawn from the institution.

Excused Absence

Should a student experience extenuating circumstances that necessitate absence from class, the student must notify the faculty member in advance. It is within the faculty member’s discretion to determine whether an absence is excused or unexcused. Reasons for granting an excused absence may include but are not limited to:

            a) Student illness or injury;

            b) Death, injury, or serious illness of an immediate family member;

            c) Religious observance;

            d) Jury duty or other government obligation.

The faculty member must notify the Student Support Counselor in writing when granting an excused absence. Attendance must be posted for the student upon return to the course. A student is required to provide written documentation substantiating an excused absence. Acceptable forms of documentation include medical documentation, copy of a jury summons, or a copy of a memorial service program. Documentation must be submitted to the Student Support Counselor.

Also, a student must inform the faculty member(s) in writing of the intent to stay enrolled in the course. The student is responsible for making arrangements to complete coursework missed due to an excused absence. An excused absence does not meet attendance requirements. However, a student’s request for an excused absence indicates the intent to remain enrolled in the course and at the institution. 

Failure to attend 60% of the term/semester may result in a prorated refund of financial aid. Any refund of tuition due to the student will be based on the applicable Refund Policies . 

Questions about disability accommodations for short-term impairments that limit a student’s ability to attend class must be directed to the Student Support Counseling manager.

Class Cancellation

In cases of extreme weather, emergencies, or special events, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology may temporarily close a campus and/or cancel classes. Campus closure is at the discretion of the Campus Dean. Information on campus closures will be sent in the following ways:  

• Rave, TCSPP’s emergency text messaging notification system. Register for Rave at this link: http://www.getrave.com/login/tcsedsystem 
• The TCSPP email address
• An alert message on the myChicagoSchool student website

Information on class make-up will be available from the academic department.

Commencement

Commencement is a ceremony. Participation in the commencement ceremony is voluntary, and neither confers a degree nor releases a student from the obligation to satisfactorily complete curricular or other degree program requirements. Degree conferral will occur upon completion of all program requirements, and diploma issuance is contingent upon meeting all other obligations to the institution. See the Degree Completion policy for more information.

All bachelor, master, education specialist, and doctoral-level students are invited to participate in a commencement ceremony. A student may participate in only one commencement ceremony per degree earned. A student completing a certificate program may not participate in commencement.

To be considered for participation, a student must submit the Intent to Participate in Commencement form by the deadline published on myChicagoSchool.

Participation Requirements by Degree Level

Undergraduate Students (Bachelor)

An undergraduate student may be eligible to participate in a commencement ceremony if one of the following conditions are met:

1. All degree requirements are completed.
2. Degree requirements will be completed during the term/semester in which the ceremony occurs.

Graduate Students (Master, Education Specialist, Doctoral)

A graduate student may be eligible to participate in a commencement ceremony if one of the following conditions are met:

1. All degree requirements are completed.
2. Degree requirements will be completed during the term/semester in which the ceremony occurs.
3. Degree requirements will be completed in the term/semester immediately following the ceremony (approval of the academic department required).

Participation Requirements by Campus

TCSPP holds three commencement ceremonies per calendar year, one in Chicago, one in Southern California, and one in Washington, D.C. The ceremonies occur in these general time frames:

• Chicago/TCSPP@XULA - Summer
• Southern California - Summer
• Washington, D.C. - Fall

An on-ground student may participate only in the home campus commencement ceremony.

An online student may participate in the commencement ceremony of their choosing. The online student must select a ceremony when completing the Intent to Participate in Commencement form. Once a ceremony has been selected, the student may not switch to another ceremony.

All courses offered at TCSPP, irrespective of varying credits, durations, and modalities, define one credit hour as:

• One hour of in-class instructional time and a minimum of out-of-class student preparation time for fifteen (15) weeks for one semester, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time.  Out-of-class student preparation time increases with each degree level: Two (2) hours for undergraduate level courses, three (3) hours for master level courses, and three (3) hours plus additional dissertation preparation time for doctoral level courses. 
• The amount of learning required to progress toward completion of learning outcomes as defined by the rigor, complexity, and content of the degree level and the expectations of the profession. Student learning is verified by evidence in student achievement.
• For courses offered in alternative timeframes or modalities, credit hour assignment shall be the equivalent of in-class instructional time per week combined with the appropriate out-of-class student preparation time.

A credit hour is a minimum of a 53-minute period.  For courses offered in alternative timeframes or modalities, credit hour assignment shall be the equivalent of the in-class instructional time per week combined with the appropriate out-of-class student preparation time. Information on expected student work is included in the course syllabus. The course syllabus indicates course credit hours and the amount of work required to earn those credit hours.

Degree Completion

Degree Credit Hours

 Each degree program defines the number of credit hours required for degree completion. Where a student needs time beyond the coursework required to complete the degree program, they may be required to enroll in an extension course as defined in their Program of Study . An extension course is counted as part of a student’s degree program and may be eligible for financial aid. Tuition and fees may apply. A student who successfully completes their degree program requirements within the published program of study is not required to enroll in extension courses. 

Concentration, Area of Focus/Study, or Minor

Some graduate degree programs require a student to complete a concentration or area of study/focus to meet degree requirements. The undergraduate degree program offers optional minors. A concentration is a specific area of emphasis within the student’s chosen degree program, and an area of study/focus is the emphasis on a conceptual area within the degree program. A minor is a secondary area of study comprised of a set of specialized courses.

To change a concentration, area of study/focus, or minor, a student must submit the Program Change Request form to their department chair or designee. See the Program Change policy for details.

Residency

Residency is defined as the portion of a degree program that must be completed at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in order to earn a degree from the institution. It is required that a matriculated student will fulfill all degree requirements through courses offered at the institution. Degree programs with external approving or accrediting agencies must align residency requirements with the guidelines of those bodies.

A student who enters a degree program via an articulation agreement will be held to the requirements stated in the agreement.

• Undergraduate Programs

  A student entering an undergraduate degree program is permitted to transfer a maximum of 65% of the semester credit hours of transfer credit.  A student is required to complete a minimum of 35% of semester credit hours with the institution. Refer to the Undergraduate Transfer Credit policy for details.

• Graduate Programs

  A student entering a graduate program is required to complete all degree requirements at TCSPP except transfer credits, course waiver, or credit by examination where applicable.  Requests for transfer credit and course waiver must be submitted prior to the end of the first semester of enrollment for an on-ground student or second term of enrollment for an online student. The residency requirement for a graduate student is the total credit hours required for degree completion minus the maximum combined credit hours granted via Transfer Credit/Course Waiver. Refer to the Graduate Transfer Credit and Course Waiver policy for specific degree program transfer/waiver limits.

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and Psy.D. in Clinical Forensic Psychology

A student enrolled in the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program or the Psy.D. in Clinical Forensic Psychology program must meet the following requirements in pursuit of the doctoral degree:

• Successful completion of 3 fulltime academic years of graduate study, at least 2 of which must be at the student’s TCSPP home campus and at least 1 of which must be in fulltime residency, and
• Completion of an internship.

Rigor

To qualify for degree conferral, a student must:

• Be in Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing (Active)
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher for undergraduate students or 3.0 or higher for graduate students
• Complete all training requirements as defined by the degree program
• Complete all competency exams required by the degree program, and
• Complete the capstone project, thesis, or dissertation required by the degree program

Additional Requirements

Once a degree is conferred, a student must meet the below requirements to be eligible to receive a diploma or official transcript:

• Resolve all financial debts to the institution
• Return all library books, test kits, or other school-owned materials, and
• Complete financial aid exit counseling

Degree Conferral

Upon successful completion of degree program requirements, a degree-seeking student declares the intent to graduate by submitting the online Petition for Degree Conferral within the deadlines published on the Office of the Registrar website.  A fee is assessed at the time of petition.

A degree is considered earned once the degree conferral date is posted on a student’s transcript. TCSPP confers degrees on the following days (see the Academic Calendar for specific dates):

• Official end of term/semester
• Last working day of the month, unless the month contains the end of the term/semester
• Grade due date of the 8-week and 12-week summer semesters (on-ground only)
• September 15

A student engaged in manuscript preparation of their thesis or dissertation while enrolled in a corresponding extension course will have their degree conferred when manuscript preparation is completed, even if during an active term/semester. Once manuscript preparation is completed, NCADE will notify the Office of the Registrar, the corresponding course grade will be posted, and the degree will be conferred per the schedule above. Institutional fees apply regardless of the duration of a student’s enrollment in the corresponding extension course. A student enrolled in any thesis or dissertation course who does not make timely progress as defined by the thesis or dissertation chair will be referred to the Student Affairs Committee for disciplinary action.

Information on accumulating postdoctoral hours is available from local, state, or regional licensing agencies.

Diplomas and Certificate Awards

Diplomas and certificates will be available six (6) to eight (8) weeks after all degree requirements have been verified by the Office of the Registrar. Expedited requests cannot be honored.

All diplomas and certificates are issued in the student’s name of record with TCSPP, and all diplomas and certificates are mailed to a student’s address of record with the institution. The student is responsible for the diploma or certificate replacement cost if it carries an incorrect name or if mailed to the incorrect address. To change the name of record with TCSPP, the student must submit a Student Personal Information Change Request form.

Diploma and Certificate Replacement

A lost or damaged diploma or certificate may be replaced for a fee. The replacement diploma or certificate will bear the signatures of current school officials but carry the original degree awarded date and degree title. The diploma or certificate will indicate that the document has been reissued. To order, a graduate must complete the Duplicate Diploma Request form. A fee is assessed at the time of order.

A current student who wishes to enroll in a degree program at a different degree level must complete the standard admission process as requirements may be different (i.e. Master to Doctoral, Certificate to Master, or Doctoral to Master). A student must be in Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing, Programmatic Good Standing, and must be meet all financial obligations to the institution at the time of application and at the time of enrollment, if accepted.

Transcripts from prior schools remain on file and need not be resubmitted, but the student must release a TCSPP transcript and submit other admission documents as required in the application process.  This policy does not apply to a student enrolled under an internal articulation agreement.

A current student must complete all degree requirements and have the degree conferred to be eligible to start a new degree program. Degree conferral must occur either on or prior to the Add/Drop deadline. Concurrent enrollment is not permitted.   

A student who wishes to transfer to a different degree program at the same degree level must contact their Student Support Counselor. Refer to the Program Change policy.

Once awarded, transfer credit and waived courses remain on a student’s permanent record and cannot be removed from the academic transcript. Credit hours may not be double-counted toward the residency requirement for more than one degree unless the program has an articulation agreement.

Good Standing

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology defines Good Standing along two dimensions - ‘Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing’ and ‘Programmatic Good Standing.’

Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing (Active)

Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing is the minimum and necessary level of academic performance required of all students at TCSPP.

1. A graduate student is considered in good academic and financial aid standing if the student has earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.  An undergraduate student is considered in good academic and financial aid standing if the student has earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.
   1. The student must maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average to remain in this status.
   2. The cumulative GPA is reviewed at the end of every term/semester.
2. Graduate and undergraduate students are meeting the ROP requirement for their admitted program.
   1. Students must progress to ensure degree program completion within the maximum timeframe.
   2. ROP is measured at the end of every term/semester.
   3. ROP is calculated as a period of time during which a student attempts 1.5 times the number of credit hours required to complete the program.
   4. For instance, if the published length of a program is 60 credit hours, then the student must complete their program by the time the student reaches 90 attempted credit hours (60 credit hours X 150% = 90 credit hours). Therefore, in order for a student to complete their program within the maximum timeframe, a student must complete a minimum of 66.67% of all credit hours attempted (60 credit hours ÷ 90 credit hours = 66.67%).
   5. All credit hours attempted or transferred in from another college are considered, even for periods in which the student did not receive financial aid.
3. Graduate and undergraduate students are not on Academic and Financial Aid Warning or Academic and Financial Aid Probation.

Programmatic Good Standing (Active)

Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing is recognized as the minimum requirement of all students at TCSPP. In addition, a degree program may have further academic, ethical, and performance requirements due to licensure and accreditation requirements and professional responsibility identified by individual disciplines. These programs may create a standard of performance which will be referred to as Programmatic Good Standing.

1. Programmatic Good Standing must include the above standard for Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing as the minimum for academic performance but may exceed this standard. Programmatic Good Standing may also include other metrics of performance.
2. Programmatic Good Standing must be published in the program guidebook and must be clearly explained to the students in a timely and appropriate manner. All standards must be fully accessible by students, faculty, and staff.
3. In the absence of a formal and published policy of Programmatic Good Standing, Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing shall serve as the default definition of standing for all TCSPP students.

Grading Policies

Academic Grades

All academic grades are assigned by the faculty and noted on the student’s permanent record. 

Definitions

Full Course Credits Earned: This indication means that the course credits will count toward both the Earned Credits and Attempted Credits Rate of Progress Calculation. At the course level, this will equate to a 100% completion rate. See SAP Policy for more information.

0 Credits Earned: This indication means that 0 credits will be counted toward the Earned Credits in the Rate of Progress Calculation, while the course credits will count toward the Attempted Credits in the Rate of Progress Calculation. At the course level, this will equate to a 0% completion rate. See SAP Policy for more information.

Audit (AU): The AU grade is assigned to a student who audits a course. This grade is not calculated into the GPA or rate of progress.

Credit (CR): The CR grade is assigned to a student who performs at a level that is marginally satisfactory (equivalent to a B- or higher grade) or has successfully completed a 0 credit course (e.g. Competency Exam, Dissertation Extension). This grade is not calculated into the GPA. It is included in the rate of progress calculation.

In Progress (IP): The IP grade is a temporary grade assigned in a course that extends beyond the end of a term/semester. See the In Progress Policy for more information.

Incomplete (I): The I grade is a temporary grade assigned when a student has an authorized incomplete. See the Incomplete Grade policy for more information. This grade is assigned by the faculty member and recorded by the Registrar.

No Credit (NC): The NC is assigned to a student who performs at a level below marginally satisfactory (equivalent to C and below). This grade is not calculated into the GPA. It is included in the rate of progress calculation.

Administrative Grades

Administrative grades are issued by the Office of the Registrar. Administrative grades cannot be issued by faculty.

* Deadlines may vary by instructional delivery modalities. See the Academic Calendar for details.

Definitions

Credit by Examination (CE): At the discretion of the department faculty and the approval of the Department Chair, credit by examination may be awarded for designated courses within a master’s program under certain circumstances. Credits earned by examination will be recorded as CE on the student’s permanent record and will be counted toward the total number of credits required for the degree program. The CE grade will not impact GPA or a student’s enrollment status but it will count as credit earned and positively impact rate of progress.

Transfer Credit (TR): The TR grade is issued to a student who receives transfer credit from an external institution. This grade is not calculated into the GPA. It is included in the rate of progress calculation.

Withdrawal (W): The W grade is issued when a student drops or is administratively withdrawn from a course before the deadline as listed in the Drop/Withdrawal Schedule, based on the student’s last date of attendance. This grade is not calculated into the GPA. It is included in the rate of progress calculation as credits attempted, but not earned.

Waiver (WA): The WA grade is issued to a student who received course waiver to fulfill a program requirement. Course waiver does not meet the unit requirement for any course; A student must take other courses to earn the number of credit hours required for the degree.

Withdrawal Fail (WF): The WF grade is issued when a student drops or is administratively withdrawn from a course after the deadline as listed in the Drop/Withdrawal Schedule, based on the student’s last date of attendance. This grade is calculated into the GPA and rate of progress.

Withdrawal No Credit (WNC): The WNC grade is issued when a student drops or is administratively withdrawal from a Credit/No Credit course after the deadline as listed in the Drop/Withdrawal Schedule, based on the student’s last date of attendance. This grade is not calculated into the GPA. It is included in the rate of progress calculation.

Drop/Withdrawal Schedule

15-week Semester

12-week Semester

8-week Semester (On-Ground)

8-week Semester (Online)

 See the Academic Calendar for specific dates.

Temporary Grades

TCSPP has two temporary grades - In Progress (IP) and Incomplete (I). The IP grade is a temporary grade assigned in a specific type of course that extends beyond the end of a term/semester. The I grade is a temporary grade assigned to allow an individual student more time to complete final course requirements in any course if the student is facing an unforeseeable and unexpected circumstance that prohibits them from being able to complete course requirements. Additional restrictions are detailed in the policy below.

If either the IP grade or the I grade are not resolved by the stated deadlines, a failing grade will be assigned.

In Progress (IP) Grade

A course is not considered complete until all course requirements have been met and the final course grade has been assigned. A student who is assigned an IP grade must complete course requirements. If the student successfully completes the course requirements, the faculty member must submit a grade change to the Office of the Registrar. If the student does not successfully complete the course requirements, a failing grade will be assigned.  

The IP grade may be used only for practicum, internship, advanced research project, field experience, and study abroad courses and for the Writing Assessment and Development Program (WADP). For advanced research project, study abroad, and field experience courses, the IP grade will automatically change to “F/NC” four (4) weeks after the end of the term/semester in which the grade is assigned if the student does not submit the required deliverables. For the WADP and practicum and internship courses, the IP grade may be extended as indicated below.

Writing Assessment and Development Program

A student may carry the IP grade in the WADP for up to one academic year from the term/semester of entry. If the WADP is not successfully completed one year, the IP will automatically change to a NC grade.

Practicum and Internship Courses

A student is required to complete the following steps in order to receive a grade for practicum and internship:

1. Turn in signed and completed Training Agreement on the Office of Placement and Training (OPT) database by the second week of the semester.
2. Complete hour log by end of each semester.
3. Complete site evaluation by end of semester.

In order to receive a passing grade for the seminar class, the student must have a passing site supervisor evaluation, passing seminar leader evaluation, completed hour log, and evaluation of site. If a student does not receive a passing evaluation in the seminar and from the site, the student may not pass the seminar course.

If any of the above steps are not met, the student’s registration will be placed on hold. The hold will be removed after the steps are completed. If a student does not submit required documentation including an hour log and training agreement by the end of the semester, then the hold will remain on the student’s record and the student will receive a grade IP. The IP grade will be changed to an Incomplete (I) after six (6) weeks of student noncompliance. Following the six weeks of the I grade, the grade will revert to “No Credit” (NC), and the student will be required to repeat the practicum placement and seminar class. Note that the IP grade may be used for an extended period of time at the discretion of OPT.

Online Students Taking On-Ground Courses

An online student taking on-ground courses will be graded according to this policy. The online student may be assigned an IP grade in the on-ground course at the end of the term. Once the on-ground semester concludes, the IP grade will be replaced with a final grade.

Incomplete Grade

It is expected that a student will complete all coursework by the end of the term/semester in which a course is taken. In cases where a student faces an unforeseeable and unexpected circumstance that prohibits them from being able to complete final course requirements, they may request an Incomplete grade. An Incomplete grade cannot be granted as a means of extending the standard amount of time given to complete a course.

An Incomplete grade request may be initiated by a student, faculty member, faculty advisor, or Department Chair. In all cases, the student must be passing the course at the time of request, and the request must be made prior to the Grades Due date for the term/semester as published on the Academic Calendar. Where initiated by the faculty member, faculty advisor, or Department Chair, the student must agree to the Incomplete grade in writing prior to the grade being awarded.

A faculty member is not required to grant a request for an Incomplete grade. In considering the request, a faculty member determines what work will be required to resolve the Incomplete grade. Alternative assignments may be required in lieu of final group projects or peer-dependent activities. 

If awarded, a finalized Incomplete Grade Request form must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the Grades Due date as published on the Academic Calendar. Note that this date occurs before the Official End of Term/Semester. The Incomplete grade is recorded by the Registrar

The student will receive written instructions for completing final course requirements via the Incomplete Grade Request form. The completion timeframe should be brief to allow time to evaluate final coursework and submit a Grade Change Request form. For on-ground courses, the deadline for completion of all outstanding coursework must be seven (7) or more calendar days before the Add/Drop deadline of the subsequent semester. For online courses, the deadline for completion of all outstanding coursework may not extend beyond the Wednesday of Week 1 of the subsequent term.

Once final coursework is evaluated, the faculty member must submit a Grade Change Request to the Office of the Registrar by the Add/Drop deadline of the subsequent term/semester. A failing grade will be assigned in the course if either the student fails to complete all final course requirements or the faculty member fails to submit the Grade Change Request by the deadline.

A student carrying an Incomplete grade into a subsequent term/semester may proceed with taking courses. However, if the course for which the Incomplete grade was issued is a prerequisite for a subsequent course(s), the requisite course cannot be taken until the Incomplete grade is resolved.  

All grades of Incomplete must be resolved prior to the start of a training experience, where relevant. Incomplete grades are also issued when an IP training grade is not resolved by the IP grade deadline. 

A student that is called into active duty by the U.S. Military or National Guard or who is experiencing economic hardship as a result of war, military operation, state or national emergency should consult the Military Leave of Absence Policy for guidance on coursework.

SAP Implications

Under the SAP policy, an Incomplete grade is calculated as credits attempted, but not earned during a given term/semester. This means that until the course is resolved, it will count against a student’s rate of progress for the purpose of determining financial aid eligibility.

Grade Appeal

A final course grade may be appealed only when the grading criteria stated in the course syllabus and/or the Academic Catalog have not been followed. A student must be able to present clear evidence of the misapplication of published grading criteria to have a course final grade appeal considered.

A change to a course final grade may be approved only by the faculty member who assigned the course final grade, a Department Chair or designee, or a committee of faculty selected by a Department Chair.

To appeal a course final grade, the following procedure must be used:

1. The student must speak with the faculty member who assigned the course final grade to attempt a resolution. If a resolution is not achieved, the student must move to step 2.
2. The student must complete the Grade Appeal Request form and submit it to their home Department Chair by the Add/Drop deadline of the term/semester immediately following the one in which the grade in question was earned. A student who wishes to appeal a course final grade assigned after resolution of an Incomplete (I) or In Progress (IP) grade must do so by the end of the term/semester immediately following the one in which the course was taken. The home Department Chair or designee will attempt to resolve the appeal within the department. This process typically includes a consultation with the faculty member who assigned the course final grade and a consultation with the appealing student. It may also include a review of the appeal by another Department Chair or committee of faculty. If a decision on the appeal cannot be determined, the home Department Chair or designee must move to step 3
3. The home Department Chair or designee will consult with the Dean of Academic Affairs to formally review the concern and make a decision on the course final grade appeal.

Once a decision is made, the home Department Chair or designee will inform the faculty member and the student the appeal outcome and return the completed Grade Appeal Request form to the Office of the Registrar. The decision of the Department Chair or designee is final and cannot be appealed.

Grade Change

A change to a posted grade assigned by a faculty member may be approved by an instructor, Department Chair, or faculty committee appointed by a Department Chair. Grade changes can have registration and financial aid implications. For these reasons, it is important that grade changes are submitted to the Office of the Registrar in a timely fashion.

A grade change form may be submitted until the Add/Drop deadline one full semester or two (2) terms for online courses after the original grade was submitted. For example, if a grade is awarded at the end of the fall semester, a grade change form will be accepted until the Add/Drop deadline of the subsequent summer semester or summer I term for online programs. 

This deadline may be excepted in cases where a student fails a required prerequisite course twice and then subsequently passes the prerequisite’s extension course as listed in the Programs of Study . In this case, the grade change documents that the student has met the prerequisite course requirements and, therefore, is eligible to take the subsequent course. The grade change applies only to the most recent failed attempt of the prerequisite course. Department Chair approval is required.

A student may appeal a posted grade. Please see Grade Appeal for details.

Grade Point Average

The GPA is determined by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. All quality points earned are counted equally on a 4.0 scale.

Calculating the GPA

1. Multiply the point value of the letter grade by the number of credit hours. The result is the quality points earned.
2. Total the credit hours for the term/semester. Total the quality points for the term/semester.
3. Divide the total quality points by the total credit hours.

Repeating a Course

A student must make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward a degree by maintaining a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 for undergraduate programs or 3.0 for graduate programs. An undergraduate student who receives a course grade of “F” or a graduate student who receives a course grade of “C” and below is required to repeat or replace the course, as courses with such grades do not count toward degree requirements.

The repeated course must be successfully completed within one academic year in order for the student to receive course credit and to have the course counted toward degree requirements. When the course is successfully completed, the new course grade will be computed in the CGPA; the quality points for the original grade will no longer be computed in the CGPA but will count toward credits attempted thereby affecting SAP. All final grades remain in the student’s record and appear on the official transcript.

A repeated course counts toward fulltime or half-time enrollment status only once. A course repeated more than once neither qualifies for financial aid nor is counted in a student’s enrollment status when calculating credit hours to determine financial aid eligibility during that payment period. 

Leave of Absence

TCSPP requires all degree-seeking students to remain continuously enrolled through the fall, spring, and summer terms/semesters. A student who experiences an unforeseeable and unexpected circumstance that necessitates a break in enrollment may consider either a leave of absence (LOA) or withdrawal from the institution.

Should study be interrupted between terms/semesters or before the Add/Drop deadline of a term/semester, a LOA may be considered. A LOA allows a student to return to the same degree program under the requirements in effect when the LOA began. A LOA is granted only between terms/semesters or before the Add/Drop deadline of any term/semester. A LOA will not be granted after the Add/Drop deadline of an active term/semester.

An unforeseeable and unexpected circumstance is defined as a significant change in the student’s health (severe illness or injury), financial situation, employment, or urgent personal matter. Course unavailability does not constitute an unforeseeable and unexpected circumstance so does not qualify a student for a LOA. See the Withdrawal policy for information on a temporary withdrawal related to course unavailability.

The duration of a LOA may not exceed 180 calendar days in any 12-month period. For this reason, students are limited to taking two online terms/one on-ground semester of LOA in any 12-month period. An online student who desires an additional term of LOA must contact the Student Support Counselor for eligibility. A student is eligible for a maximum of six online terms/three on-ground semesters of LOA over the duration of a degree program assuming all conditions set forth in this policy are met. 

Failure to return to active status at the conclusion of a LOA will result in administrative withdrawal from TCSPP. Upon withdrawal, the grace period for a federal student loan recipient will begin with the last date of attendance recorded at the school prior to the LOA.

Should study be interrupted during an active term/semester after the Add/Drop deadline, withdrawal from the institution may be requested. A withdrawn student may return to the institution following the guidelines in the Returning Students policy. See the Military Leave of Absence policy for information on service-related leave.

Eligibility for LOA

To be eligible for LOA, a student must:

• Experience an unforeseeable and unexpected circumstance that leads to a significant change as described above;
• Expect to return from LOA for a subsequent term/semester that falls within the timeframe outlined above;
• Be in Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing per the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.  A student who is not meeting SAP is not eligible for a LOA;
• Be in Programmatic Good Standing per the Good Standing policy, if applicable;
• Meet with the Office of Financial Aid regarding financial impact;
• Clear any financial account hold, if applicable. A student with a financial account hold is not eligible for a LOA;
• Be cleared of any disciplinary action, if applicable. A student with a pending Student Affairs Committee (SAC) hearing is not eligible for LOA;
• Have earned credit hours toward a degree requirement in at least two online terms or one on-ground semester.

Requesting a LOA

Before petitioning, a student considering LOA is strongly encouraged to consult with their Department Chair or faculty advisor to understand any programmatic impact. An international student in F-1 or J-1 status must consult with the Designated School Official (DSO) to understand the impact of a LOA on immigration status. A student engaged in practicum or internship is strongly advised to confer with the practicum or internship coordinator to understand any training implications.

To request a LOA, a student must:

• Complete the Leave of Absence Request in full, including obtaining all required signatures;
• Clearly state the unforeseeable and unexpected circumstance(s) for the LOA and provide documentation that substantiates circumstance(s). The school may request additional information prior to evaluating a student’s request;
• Specify the expected term/semester of return;
• Submit the completed document to the Office of the Registrar prior to the Add/Drop deadline of the requested term/semester.

A LOA is noted on a student’s transcript for each approved term/semester. A retroactive LOA is not permitted.

A student on a LOA is bound by TCSPP’s Code of Conduct and must adhere to the same professional standards as an active student. A LOA does not extend the seven academic year degree completion timeframe for a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology student.

The Military Leave of Absence (MLOA) provides a no-penalty, time-unrestricted leave of absence for affected individuals, their spouses and dependents. The MLOA provides relief of student charges based upon deployment notification and financial aid sources.

Affected individuals include the following, as well as their spouses and dependents:

• Active duty military personnel serving during a war, military operation, state or national emergency.

• Members of the National Guard performing a qualifying duty (e.g. called to active service by the Governor, President, Secretary of Defense for a period of more than 30 consecutive days) during a war, military operation, state or national emergency.

• Service Members who suffer economic hardship as a result of a war, military operation, state or national emergency.

A student who is called to active military duty should promptly notify the Office of the Registrar in writing via the Leave of Absence request form, including submitting the military orders with departure date. If military orders are classified and cannot be shared, a letter from the commanding officer regarding the date of deployment and confidentiality status will be accepted. MLOA does not count against program time to completion; however, repayment of Federal Financial Aid may be required after 180 days have expired. MLOA is available to a student who is deployed regardless of the student’s SAP status.

If the student withdraws from current courses on or before week 5 of an 8-week term or on or before week 10 for a 15-week semester, the student will receive a full refund of tuition and fees, and be removed from all courses in progress, thereby removing them from the student’s record. If the student withdraws from current courses on or after week 6 of an 8-week term or on or after week 11 of a 15-week semester, the student will receive full credit with grades earned at the time of MLOA. If a course relies on a final project and/or examination to determine satisfactory performance, no credit will be granted until all required work is completed. A student taking online courses may continue to be enrolled in those courses, if possible. A student wanting to complete their courses via independent study may do so with the consent of the faculty member(s).

Manuscript Preparation

Completion and approval of a dissertation by dissertation committee members is a requirement for graduation and receipt of the doctoral degree. Completion and approval of a thesis is a requirement for receipt of some master’s degrees. All doctoral students and master’s students with a thesis requirement must complete Manuscript Preparation (formerly copyediting) through The National Center for Academic & Dissertation Excellence (NCADE).

Before transitioning to Manuscript Preparation, students must ensure the manuscript fulfills all committee required components and revisions. To initiate the Manuscript Preparation process, an academic department representative submits the Dissertation Processing Tracking Form to NCADE. Once the tracking form is received, students will be given permission to submit their document for Manuscript Preparation. Students are solely responsible for submitting their thesis or dissertation to NCADE.

Documents are reviewed for APA style and grammar issues only. Thesis and dissertation content is not reviewed. The duration of Manuscript Preparation varies and is dependent largely on timely student response to feedback. The entire Manuscript Preparation process, including revisions, takes an average of 60 days after the student submits their document for Initial Review.

Along with the hard copy thesis or dissertation, students must submit a completed Signature Page in Canvas signed by committee members. Students must remain continuously enrolled in their degree program to complete manuscript preparation.

Posthumous Degree

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology may grant a degree posthumously to recognize the achievement of a deceased student. A request for a posthumously-awarded degree must originate with the deceased’s Department Chair and be submitted in writing to the Dean of Academic Affairs.

The request should describe the deceased’s academic standing and progress in the program at the time of passing. To be considered for a posthumous degree, the deceased student must have been:

• In the final stage of the degree program (e.g. completing the thesis or dissertation, practicum or internship, a final program capstone, or in the final term/semester of study as determined by the academic department);
• Expected to successfully complete all degree requirements;
• In good academic, disciplinary, and programmatic standing; and
• Enrolled at time of passing or on an approved leave of absence.

The Dean of Academic Affairs will be responsible for evaluating the request against the criteria above in consultation with the Office of the Registrar. If the Dean of Academic Affairs grants the request, the Campus Dean and the Office of the Registrar will be notified. The Campus Dean and the Dean of Academic Affairs will contact the deceased’s family to make arrangements for presenting the diploma. 

Releasing the Education Record

TCSPP will release a deceased’s record within one year of passing to the following individuals:

• The individual(s) named on a signed FERPA - Student Authorization Release Form, if on file with the institution.
• The deceased’s next of kin. The request must be accompanied by official documentation.
• The individual designated as the representative of the deceased’s estate. The request must be accompanied by official documentation.
• In response to a subpoena or court order.
• To any other individual, if determined by the institution to be in the best interest of the deceased or the institution.

After one year has elapsed following the death of a student or alumni, TCSPP may release the education records of the deceased at its discretion. ​

Program Change

A student who desires to change their degree program or campus may do so using the process outlined in this policy. Program Change includes the following:

• Program Transfer: A student who wishes to transfer to a different degree program at the same degree level on the same campus, including Dual Enrollment Programs.
• Dual Degree Program Transfer: A student who wishes to move between a Dual Degree Program and a non-Dual Degree program at the same degree level.
• Area of Focus/Study or Concentration Change: A student who wishes to change their Area of Focus/Study or Concentration while remaining in the same degree program.
• Campus Transfer: A student who wishes to transfer to another TCSPP campus location while remaining in the same degree program.
• Campus and Program Transfer: A student who wishes to both transfer to a different degree program at the same degree level AND transfer to another TCSPP campus location.

To qualify for Program Change, a student must meet the following requirements both at the time of the request and upon enrollment into the new degree program and/or campus:

• Student must be in good Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing. A student is considered to be in good standing if they are meeting all of the SAP requirements.
• Student must be in good financial standing. A student is considered to be in good financial standing if they do not have outstanding financial obligations to TCSPP. A student should contact the Office of Financial Aid prior to requesting a program change to determine their eligibility.
• Students must meet the admission requirements of the new degree program and any affiliated campus requirements, if transferring to a different campus.

To initiate Program Change, a student must:

• Discuss their intent to transfer with their current Department Chair and the Department Chair of the desired degree program, if applicable.
• Contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine their eligibility.
• Submit a Program Change Request form to their Student Support Counselor.

International students must notify the campus Designated School Official (DSO) of their intent to change degree program or campus to determine implications on immigration status.

Degree programs may have different degree completion requirements, depending on location. A student may be required to take additional courses to satisfy the new degree program requirements. Coursework from the original degree program that applies to the new degree program will be associated, where possible. Associated coursework will be calculated into SAP. All transfer credit accepted during a student’s enrollment cannot be removed from the student’s permanent record, even where the transfer credit does not meet degree program requirements.  

A student seeking entry into a degree program that has or is seeking programmatic accreditation or specialized approval must apply to the degree program through the Office of Admissions.  

Registration

TCSPP requires all students to maintain continuous enrollment during the full academic year (fall, spring, and summer terms/semesters) either on their home campus or a host campus. The home campus is the campus in which the student is actively enrolled. A host campus may be any other TCSPP campus or an institution with which TCSPP has an approved Dual Degree Program. A student who is enrolled in a Dual Degree program must maintain continuous enrollment in at least one of the programs. A student taking courses in at least one of the Dual Degree programs is considered to be in Active status in both programs. 

Any student who does not register in any courses will be administratively withdrawn from TCSPP by the Add/Drop deadline as published on the Academic Calendar. This includes students with any registration holds. A registration hold may be caused by an outstanding financial account balance, overdue library materials, writing assessment, admission contingency, or other related items, and all holds must be cleared prior to course registration. A student must be registered to attend classes.

A student whose final degree program requirement is completion of a practicum and/or internship must be enrolled in a corresponding course unless the practicum or internship concludes prior to the end of the term/semester. A student whose final degree program requirement is a thesis or dissertation must be enrolled in a corresponding course unless the project, including manuscript preparation, where applicable, will be completed prior to the end of the term/semester.

On-Ground

An on-ground student must register for courses each semester during the designated registration period as published on the Academic Calendar to avoid a late registration fee or administrative withdrawal. Courses are available on a first-come, first-served basis. TCSPP does not maintain wait lists for closed courses.

An on-ground student will be notified of the designated registration date(s) and times available via myChicagoSchool. A student’s registration time is based on the total credit hours earned as of the prior semester. During the Open Registration period, students may register for courses or modify their course schedule. Once Open Registration ends, online registration closes, and the Add/Drop period begins. See below for details on Add/Drop.

Information on first semester registration for a new on-ground student is contained in the degree program Welcome Letter posted to myChicagoSchool. The new student must register for courses by logging into the Academic Portal. A new student who is admitted during the Add/Drop period must work with Admissions to obtain the approval of the Department Chair to register for courses.

Online

All online programs have a pre-determined course sequence, and an online student is registered by the institution following that sequence. A student is registered multiple terms in advance, and the course schedule is available through myChicagoSchool. A new student who is admitted during the Add/Drop period must work with their Student Support Counselor to obtain the approval of the Department Chair to be registered for courses.

Add/Drop

The Add/Drop period begins on the first day of the term/semester and ends on the first Sunday of the term/semester. For new students, the Add/Drop period is the cancellation period.

During Add/Drop, a student may register for additional courses or remove courses from the course schedule. Department Chair approval is required for adding or dropping courses during the Add/Drop period. A student may request to add or drop a course by completing and submitting the Add/Drop Form prior to the Add/Drop deadline. An Add/Drop fee is charged per form submitted. After the Add/Drop deadline, courses may not be added to the course schedule.

After the Add/Drop deadline, a student who wishes to drop a course must complete and submit an Add/Drop Form to the Office of the Registrar. A student who drops a course after the Add/Drop deadline will receive a grade per the Administrative Grade policy. Dropping a course after the Add/Drop deadline may result in a prorated refund of tuition per the Refund Policies  and may have financial aid implications.

While every effort is made to ensure courses are offered frequently, course availability varies. A deviation from the standard progression of a program such as dropping a course, repeating a course, taking a leave of absence, or reducing enrollment credit hours may, therefore, result in a session or term/semester when a course that is needed is not available. In such cases, a student will be required to follow the temporary withdrawal policy in this Catalog. This may delay a student’s graduation and impact their financial aid eligibility.

A student who drops all courses will be administratively withdrawn from the institution. If the student is a financial aid recipient, being withdrawn from the institution before 60% of the term/semester has expired will result in a Return of Title IV calculation. This calculation will determine the percentage of the financial aid award earned and may result in returning funds to the lender. Such action may cause the student to owe a balance to the institution.

Course Auditing

To audit a course, a student registers for the course as if taken for credit. After registering, the student must request to audit using the Add/Drop Form, being certain to identify the course(s) to be taken as an auditor. The student must obtain the approval of the Department Chair and submit the form by the Add/Drop deadline. Failure to follow this procedure will result in earning a grade in the course.

The faculty determines participation requirements for a course auditor. Any course that a student has previously identified as an audit course may not be changed to a credit-bearing course after the Add/Drop deadline. Any course identified as a credit-bearing course may not be changed as an audit course after the Add/Drop deadline.

No credit hours are earned from an audited course, and audited courses are not computed in the grade point average. Students who successfully complete an audited course are assigned the “AU” grade notation. An audited course does not count toward continuous enrollment and is not be eligible for financial aid. A student enrolled in a certificate program may not audit courses. Study abroad courses are not eligible for auditing. Information on audit fees is available here.

Cross Registration

Cross Campus

A student may take a course on a different campus on a space available basis. A student is subject to the academic calendar of the home campus including course registration and Add/Drop deadlines.

To request approval for cross-campus registration, the student must consult with the Department Chair of the home degree program. If the request is supported, the home degree program Department Chair will work with the host degree program Department Chair to arrange for cross-campus registration. To facilitate course registration, a completed Course Substitution Petition must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the Add/Drop deadline.

If the course meets a home degree program requirement, it will be eligible for financial aid. If it does not meet a home degree program requirement, it will not be eligible for financial aid.

Cross Program

A student may take a course in a different degree program on a space available basis. To request approval for cross-program registration, the student must consult with the Department Chair of the home degree program. If the request is supported, the home degree program Department Chair will work with the host degree program Department Chair to arrange for cross-program registration. To facilitate registration for the course, a completed Course Substitution Petition must be submitted to the Student Support Counselor by the Add/Drop deadline.

If the course meets a home degree program requirement, it will be eligible for financial aid. If it does not meet a home degree program requirement, it will not be eligible for financial aid.

Cross Instructional Delivery Modality

An on-ground student taking an online course to meet a degree requirement must follow the home campus registration process. The student must register for all courses - on-ground and online terms I and II - prior to the on-ground Add/Drop deadline. An on-ground student who drops an online term II course will be held to the on-ground grade assignment (W/WF/NC/NP) and refund schedule. 

Study Abroad

A study abroad course may be used to meet a degree requirement if it is listed in the enrolled degree program, fulfills an elective requirement, or is approved as a substitution for a required course in the enrolled degree program. If it is determined that the study abroad course meets a degree requirement, it may be eligible for financial aid. If the study abroad course does not meet a degree requirement, it will not be eligible for financial aid.

To register for a study abroad course, the student must complete the Course Substitution Petition, obtain the Department Chair’s approval, and submit the form to the Student Support Counselor. Upon approval, the student will be registered in the Study Abroad course, the student’s record will reflect the approved substitution. 

Approval of a course substitution does not confirm a student’s eligibility or enrollment in the course. A student must apply through International Programs and Services to be considered for and enrolled in a study abroad course. Click on this link for detailed information.

Late Registration Fee for Continuing Students

A late registration fee will be charged to a student whose initial registration activity occurs during the Add/Drop Period.

A Student-at-Large (SAL) is a visiting student enrolled in courses outside of a certificate or degree program enrollment. A SAL may be eligible to enroll in courses on a space available basis. Information on SAL enrollment is available from the Office of Admission at 800.721.8072.

A SAL must meet all prerequisite requirements for the courses in which enrollment is desired. Typically, a SAL may complete a maximum of six (6) credit hours of study with TCSPP (maximum 3 credit hours per term/6 credit hours per semester). A SAL who wishes to enroll in more than 3 credit hours per term/6 credit hours per semester must have written approval from the Department Chair.

A SAL enrollment does not qualify for fulltime or half-time enrollment status. A SAL is not eligible for financial aid.

Returning Students

Readmission

A former student who wishes to return to TCSPP 365 or more days after the date of withdrawal must reapply to the university. The former student must indicate a past academic history on the admission application. If readmitted, the student will return in the same Satisfactory Academic Progress status that was in effect on the date of withdrawal. Readmission is not guaranteed.

A former student must meet all admission, Academic Catalog, and degree requirements in effect at the time of re-application. The former student must reapply through the Office of Admission. This policy applies to all degree programs in all instructional delivery modalities. All holds must be resolved prior to registering for courses. All holds must be resolved prior to registering for courses. See the Registration policy for more information.

A former student who wishes to return to TCSPP 364 or fewer days after the date of withdrawal should refer to the Reentry policy.

Readmission of Dismissed Students

A former student in dismissal status may not return to TCSPP until 365 or more days after the date of dismissal have passed. This applies to a former student dismissed due to not meeting all Satisfactory Academic Progress standards or due to a disciplinary action. The former student must indicate a past academic history on the admission application. Readmission is not guaranteed.

As part of the re-application process, a former student in dismissal status must submit supporting documentation that includes:

1. An explanation for previous unsatisfactory academic performance including any mitigating circumstances;
2. Evidence of the ability to succeed academically including new professional experience(s) or changed personal circumstances, and
3. Official documentation of any coursework completed while in dismissal status.

This documentation and the past academic history will be reviewed in considering the application for readmission. The passage of time alone does not substantiate eligibility for readmission or appeal for readmission. A former student in dismissal status is not eligible for auto admission.

If the former student is accepted by the admission committee of the desired department, the Department Chair will have the opportunity to review the admission file and render an independent decision. An offer of admission may be rescinded should it be discovered that a former student provided fraudulent information on the admission application.

Upon approval for readmission to TCSPP, the student must work with the Department Chair and the Office of the Registrar to create a SAP Development Plan that will ensure the timely return to Good Standing, if followed. A former student who returns from a Student Affairs Committee (SAC) dismissal must work with the Department Chair to create an Academic Development Plan (ADP) to ensure academic success in the program.

A former student who was previously in Academic and Financial Aid Dismissal or Academic and Financial Aid Probation status who is re-admitted to TCSPP will be placed on Academic and Financial Aid Probation and must follow the SAP Development Plan. If the student fails to meet the SAP Development Plan or SAP standards at the end of the Academic and Financial Aid Probation period, the student will be dismissed.

A former student dismissed from TCSPP due to exceeding the Maximum Timeframe (MTF) for the enrolled program may not return to the same degree program.

Readmission of Military Service Members

In compliance with criteria established by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, a student whose absence from TCSPP is necessitated by reason of service in the uniformed services shall be entitled to readmission at the same academic status attained prior to such service provided the student (or an appropriate officer of the Armed Forces) gives advance notice of such service to the Office of the Registrar and the cumulative length of the absence and of all previous absences by reason of service in the uniformed services does not exceed five (5) years.

However, no advance notice is required if the giving of such notice is precluded by military necessity such as a mission, operation, exercise, or requirement that is classified; or a pending or ongoing mission, operation, exercise, or requirement that may be compromised or otherwise adversely affected by public knowledge.

These readmission requirements apply to a student who performs service in the uniformed services, whether voluntary or involuntary, in the Armed Forces, including service as a member of the National Guard or Reserve, on active duty, active duty for training, or fulltime National Guard duty under Federal authority (but not State authority), for a period of more than 30 consecutive days under a call or order to active duty of more than 30 consecutive days.

In order for a service member to qualify for these benefits by reason of service, a student must submit appropriate documentation to TCSPP. Documents that might establish service member eligibility include but are not limited to:

• DD214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
• Copy of duty orders prepared by the facility where the orders were fulfilled carrying an endorsement indicating completion of the described service.
• Letter from the commanding officer of a Personnel Support Activity or someone of comparable authority.
• Certificate of completion from military training school.
• Discharge certificate showing character of service.
• Copy of extracts from payroll documents showing periods of service.
• Letter from National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Team Leader or Administrative Officer verifying dates and times of NDMS training or Federal activation.

If the student is readmitted to the same degree program, the student will be assessed for the first academic year only the same tuition and fee charges that the student was or would have been assessed for the academic year during which the student left the institution.

If the student is admitted to a different degree program and for subsequent academic years for a student admitted to the same program, the student will be assessed no more than the tuition and fee charges that other students in the program are assessed for that academic year.

Reentry

A reentry student is an individual who wishes to return to their original TCSPP degree program 364 or fewer days after the date of withdrawal. Reentry is not guaranteed.

A reentry student must meet admission requirements that were in effect for the degree program in the Academic Catalog under which they were originally admitted. The reentry student will be required to complete all degree program requirements in effect at the time of withdrawal. A former student may request reentry through the Student Support Counselor.

A former student who wishes to return to TCSPP 365 or more days after the date of withdrawal or who wishes to return but in a different degree program should refer to the Readmission policy.

A reentry student must submit the Reentry Petition,including the Reentry Letter of Intent. The Department Chair will review the Reentry Petition and Reentry Letter of Intent and consider previous performance in the degree program to make a decision on the request.

A student in temporary withdrawal status due to course unavailability will be reentered automatically. A student in temporary withdrawal status due to a significant change in their life should contact their Student Support Counselor regarding return.

If approved, the student will return to the same Satisfactory Academic Progress status in effect on the date of withdrawal. This policy applies to all degree programs in all instructional delivery modalities. All holds must be resolved prior to registering for courses. See the Registration policy for more information.

California Graduate Institute of The Chicago School

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology acquired the assets of the California Graduate Institute in 2008 and acts as the custodian of all CGI Westwood and CGI Irvine student records for any student who received a degree or became inactive prior to October 7, 2008.

Effective June 1, 2011, a former student of CGI who has not been actively enrolled at TCSPP is eligible to apply only to programs being offered to new students. Details on current program offerings are available through the Office of Admission.

Should a currently active CGI of TCS student be withdrawn from TCSPP for any reason, the student may apply to reenter the enrolled degree program at the time of withdrawal once following the procedure outlined under Reentry above. If approved for reentry, stipulations will be placed upon the resumed enrollment which may include but are not limited to assignment of an Academic Development Plan, a mandatory completion timeframe, and the requirement of maintaining continuous enrollment through degree completion while remaining in academic and programmatic good standing.

Failure to meet any stipulation determined at the point of reentry will result in dismissal from the institution. This policy may not be excepted.

International Students

Per U.S. immigration regulations, a former F-1 or J-1 international student has five (5) months from the SEVIS termination date to reenter a degree program and, thereby, reactivate their original immigration record. A former international student who wishes to return to TCSPP after 5 months must reapply through the Office of Global Enrollment.

A former international student who wishes to return to TCSPP after 5 months must meet all admission and Academic Catalog requirements in effect at the time of reapplication. If accepted, the international student must complete all degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission. All holds must be resolved prior to registering for courses. See the Registration policy for more information.

Note that returning to study in a new enrollment may delay an international student’s eligibility for work authorization (CPT or OPT).

Satisfactory Academic Progress

A student is required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward the completion of a degree, certificate, or credential program while attending TCSPP. SAP is measured to ensure that a student is making satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion. A student who meets SAP is considered to be in Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing.

A student enrolled in a Dual Degree program will be subject to the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements in all terms/semesters where they are registered and attending TCSPP.

This SAP policy meets federal and accrediting agency regulations governing student eligibility for financial aid. This requirement applies to all students regardless of method of payment or enrollment status. Failure to meet these standards may result in the loss of financial aid eligibility.

SAP is measured qualitatively (grade-based) and quantitatively (time-based). The qualitative measure is cumulative grade point average (CGPA).  The quantitative measure is the percentage of attempted credit hours that are successfully completed which is rate of progress (ROP).  A student must complete the required credit hours for the program of study within the maximum allowable credit hours attempted (150% of the required credit hours), referred to as the maximum time frame (MTF).

SAP Standards

Qualitative Standards

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)

The CGPA, the qualitative standard, includes all undergraduate and graduate level coursework attempted at TCSPP except grades of Audit (AU), Credit (CR), Credit by Exam (CE), Course Waiver (WA), In Progress (IP), Incomplete (I), No Credit (NC), Transfer Credit (TR), Withdrawal (W), and Withdrawal No Credit (WNC), where applicable per the Grading Policies. Only the latter grade is counted in the CGPA for any repeated course.

• An undergraduate student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above.
• A graduate student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above.

Quantitative Standards

Rate of Progress (ROP)

ROP is the minimum percentage of attempted credit hours a student must successfully complete to remain in Academic & Financial Aid Good Standing. A student successfully completes a course and earns the credit hours attempted when the student’s performance merits a passing grade. ROP is calculated by dividing the number of credit hours earned by the number of credit hours attempted.

Rate of Progress =  Cumulative number of credit hours successfully completed / Cumulative number of credit hours attempted

Attempted credit hours is defined as all courses attempted at TCSPP and recorded in the student’s record including course repeats, withdrawals, and incompletes. Credits accepted and applied in transfer count as both credit hours attempted and credit hours completed in the ROP calculation. Grades that negatively impact ROP are Fail (F), Incomplete (I), No Credit (NC), Withdrawal (W), Withdrawal Fail (WF), and Withdrawal No Credit (WNC). Repeated courses negatively impact ROP since the original and repeated credit hours are counted as attempted credit hours. Grades included in the ROP calculation appear in the Grading Policies.

All undergraduate, graduate, and certificate students must maintain a minimum of 66.67% ROP for all attempted credit hours.

Maximum Timeframe (MTF)

MTF requires the successful completion of all program requirements within 150% of the published program length as measured in credit hours attempted for the program of study. Credit hours accepted and applied in transfer toward a current enrollment are included as attempted and earned credit hours in determining the MTF. A student’s progress must ensure degree completion within the MTF. The number of credit hours required for degree completion appear in the programs of study descriptions.

• Program length is measured based on required credit hours; therefore, a student may not attempt more than 150% of the number of required credit hours in the degree program. 
  • For example, a degree program that requires 60 credit hours for completion may not extend beyond 90 attempted credit hours (60 credit hours X 150% = 90 credit hours). In order for the degree program to be completed within the MTF, the student must complete a minimum of 66.67% of all credit hours attempted (60 credit hours ÷ 90 credit hours = 66.67%).

SAP Evaluation Period

SAP is evaluated at the end of the payment period after all final grades are posted.  A payment period is defined as one semester for on-ground students and two consecutive terms for online students.  After evaluation, a student who does not meet SAP standards will be notified in writing by the Office of the Registrar.  It is important for a student to check the school email frequently to respond to any communication regarding SAP status.

A student who wishes to transfer to a new campus or program must be in Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing. A degree program change may impact the SAP evaluation period. The SAP review will include only TCSPP coursework that is applicable to the new degree program.

Veteran Affairs (VA) benefit recipients are responsible for complying with the SAP requirements established by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs for benefit eligibility. When a recipient is placed on Academic and Financial Aid Probation, TCSPP will report this status to the VA.

A student must meet SAP in order to be eligible for degree conferral.

Academic and Financial Aid Warning: SAP Not Met

A student who does not meet SAP will be placed in Academic and Financial Aid Warning. A student in this status has two online terms or one on-ground semester to meet SAP. A student is eligible for financial aid while in Academic and Financial Aid Warning.

A student in Academic and Financial Aid Warning must:

1. Meet with their faculty advisor and/or Department Chair to discuss academic implications.
2. Repeat as soon as possible the course(s) in which a grade of “C” and below for graduate students or “F” for undergraduate students was earned.

At the conclusion of the Academic and Financial Aid Warning period, a student who meets SAP will be returned to Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing. A student who does not meet SAP will lose their financial aid eligibility and must petition to have it reinstated and to remain enrolled on Academic and Financial Aid Probation.

Academic and Financial Aid Probation: SAP Not Met 2

In order to be placed on Academic and Financial Aid Probation, a student must have their reinstatement appeal approved by their academic department. To appeal, a student must submit a Reinstatement Petition including supporting documentation indicating the circumstances that led to the student’s academic difficulty to the Office of the Registrar immediately following email notification. A student who fails to submit the Reinstatement Petition will be dismissed from TCSPP by the Add/Drop deadline. 

Once received, the Reinstatement Petition will be reviewed by the student’s Department Chair or designee within 3 business days. The petition will either be approved or denied by the reviewer. The Office of the Registrar will notify the student of the Department Chair or designee’s decision.

Petition Approval

A student whose Reinstatement Petition is approved will be placed on Academic and Financial Aid Probation for the following two online terms or one on-ground semester, depending on delivery modality. Should extenuating circumstances that necessitate additional time to meet SAP be required, it is possible to grant a student a maximum of four online terms or two on-ground semesters on Academic and Financial Aid Probation. This exception must be approved by the student’s Department Chair or designee and be outlined in the SAP Development Plan.

If the petition is approved, the student will be placed on Academic and Financial Aid Probation and will be required to:

1. Adhere strictly to requirements set forth in their SAP Development Plan. The academic department may also institute additional Academic Development Plan requirements that the student must meet.
2. Meet regularly with their faculty advisor regarding their SAP status.
3. Repeat as soon as possible the course(s) in which a grade of “C” and below for graduate students or “F” for undergraduate students was earned.

At the conclusion of the Academic and Financial Aid Probation period, a student who meets SAP will be returned to Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing. A student who does not meet SAP will be dismissed from the institution as detailed in the Academic and Financial Aid Dismissal section below.

Petition Denial

A student whose Reinstatement Petition is denied will be dismissed from TCSPP.

Academic and Financial Aid Dismissal: Dismissal

A student is academically dismissed if the student fails to meet the conditions of the SAP Development Plan or SAP standards at the end of an Academic and Financial Aid Probation period. The dismissal will be noted permanently on the student’s official transcript.

A student who has been awarded financial aid or Veterans’ education benefits for the subsequent term/semester is advised that academic dismissal carries with it the cancellation of any financial aid or benefits. In-school loan deferment status ends as of the dismissal date. Financial aid previously received by a dismissed student may be returned to the lender by the institution depending on the date of dismissal. In such cases, the student may owe the institution for aid returned or outstanding charges.

A student who is re-admitted may be reconsidered for financial aid at that time. However, reinstatement does not necessarily mean that financial aid will be available for that term/semester or any future term/semester. A student who loses financial aid eligibility may be readmitted by improving their academic standing to meet the minimum standards of the SAP policy. Refer to the Re-admission Policy and Financial Aid and Student Account Policies   for more information.

Maximum Timeframe Dismissal

A student who exceeds the 150% MTF for a program of study or who cannot mathematically complete the degree program within the MTF will be deemed ineligible for financial aid and dismissed from the institution.

Service Learning

Service learning is a teaching methodology which promotes learning outside of the classroom and in the community Local non-profit organizations and schools serve as co-educators and provide real world learning situations for students that, in turn, meet a community need. Service learning activities inform, clarify, illustrate, and stimulate additional thought about academic topics covered in the classroom, as well as encourage students to develop or strengthen a habit of service and social responsibility to the community. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology will code service learning courses with “-SL” applied to the section letter(s) to designate those courses with the service learning component.

Student Classification

A student enrolled in a doctoral (Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D.), master or specialist (M.A., M.S., Ed.S.) or graduate certificate programs is classified as a graduate-level student. A student enrolled in a bachelor (B.A., B.S.) degree program is considered an undergraduate-level student.

Dual Degree and Dual Enrollment

When a student enrolls in Dual Degree Programs, they are admitted to two separate degree programs at two collaborating academic institutions. The Dual Degree Programs at the collaborating institutions will share some coursework, through previously agreed upon transfer credit, so that a student may pursue both degrees simultaneously and in an expeditious manner. Upon successful completion of each program, a student will be awarded separate degrees from the participating institutions. See the Programs of Study pages for active Dual Degree Programs.

When a student enrolls in Dual Enrollment Programs, they are admitted to two separate degree programs in two different TCSPP academic departments. Similar to the Dual Degree Programs, Dual Enrollment Programs will share some coursework, so that a student may pursue both degrees simultaneously and in an expeditious manner. Upon successful completion of each program, a student will be awarded two distinct degrees through TCSPP. See the Programs of Study pages for active Dual Enrollment Programs.

Undergraduate Grade Level

An undergraduate student is classified based on the number of semester credit hours earned, as follows:

Enrollment Status

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has established minimum credit hour thresholds for determining fulltime and half-time enrollment status.

These enrollment standards are used for the following purposes:

• To determine eligibility for financial aid
• To provide enrollment verification
• To qualify for other student benefits

One semester is equivalent to two online terms. An online student must be enrolled for two (2) consecutive terms to be eligible for financial aid in the first of the two terms. An online student must be enrolled for the specified credit hours listed in the table above when terms I and II are combined.                    

The financial aid cost of attendance is determined based on actual enrolled credit hours. For example, a one credit hour course that is classified at auto fulltime qualifies a student for fulltime enrollment status. In this example, the financial aid cost of attendance budget will include funding for one credit hour plus living and personal expenses. Taking two auto half-time courses does not qualify for fulltime enrollment status.

Auto fulltime courses qualify a student for immediate fulltime status for the purpose of determining financial aid and loan deferment eligibility. See the Auto Full Time Course List  for designated courses. Auto half-time courses qualify a student for immediate half-time status for the purpose of determining financial aid and loan deferment eligibility. See the Auto Half Time Course List  for designated courses.

The minimum credit hour threshold does not supersede degree program requirements regarding the pace at which a student must move through a degree program. A degree program may require a student to take more credit hours per term/semester in order to maintain adequate progress toward degree completion.

International students in F-1 or J-1 status must be enrolled fulltime each semester per immigration requirements, unless otherwise authorized.

An undergraduate student taking a 0 credit hour course that does not carry the auto fulltime or auto half-time designation (e.g. GEN010) must be enrolled in at least one other credit-bearing course to remain in active status.

A graduate student who is taking a 0 credit hour course that does not carry the auto fulltime or auto half-time designation (e.g. AS1, AS2) must be enrolled in at least one other credit-bearing course to remain in active status.

Reporting Enrollment Status

TCSPP has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide enrollment and degree verification for students and alumni. A current student may obtain enrollment verification through Student Self Service​. A third party may obtain verification at www.degreeverify.org or by writing:

National Student Clearinghouse
2300 Dulles Station Boulevard, Suite 300
Herndon, VA 20171

The services provided by the National Student Clearinghouse are in full compliance with all applicable privacy laws including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). A student who is enrolled in a Dual Degree program will be reported to the National Student Clearinghouse based on their enrollment in both programs and institutions, where applicable.

TCSPP does not provide degree or enrollment verifications by email, telephone, or fax.

TCS courses (TCS380, TCS385, TCS390) are non-credit bearing, non-transferrable, and not eligible for financial aid.

Synchronous Videoconferencing for On-Ground Course Delivery

A student may have selected on-ground courses delivered via synchronous videoconference. On-ground courses offered via synchronous videoconference are taught live to both on-site students and remote students, and all students participate in the course from their home campus. Courses eligible to be delivered using synchronous videoconferencing carry a notation in the course description listed in the Program of Study. A student enrolled in an on-ground synchronous videoconference course is required to attend all class sessions in person on their home campus.

Transfer Credit and Course Waiver

Articulation Agreements         

An internal articulation agreement allows a qualified student to begin study at a level above the enrolled degree program such as taking courses toward a master’s degree while completing the bachelor degree. An external articulation agreement identifies specific coursework completed at a collaborating institution that may be recognized as equivalent to TCSPP coursework. 

All transfer credit will be based on an individual evaluation of a student’s official transcripts and syllabi. Courses may vary depending upon the degree programs and how credits are applied toward degree completion. A student who enters a degree program via an articulation agreement will be held to the requirements stated in the agreement. A student who transfers under the terms and conditions of any articulation agreement is subject to the requirements outlined by the articulation agreement and policies in the Academic Catalog & Student Handbook.

For an internal articulation agreement, a student must consult with the home Department Chair four terms/two semesters prior to the completion of the enrolled degree program.

Undergraduate Programs

Transfer Credit

The transfer credit process provides the opportunity for a student in a bachelor degree program to have credit hours earned at another regionally accredited institution applied to the TCSPP degree program. Credit may be awarded for college-level course work either in progress or completed prior to matriculation into the TCSPP program. Transfer credit will be calculated into rate of progress as both credit hours attempted and earned but will not be calculated into the TCSPP cumulative grade point average. All requests for transfer credit must be submitted prior to the start of the first term/semester of enrollment.

The bachelor degree program requires successful completion of 120 semester credit hours. An undergraduate student is required to complete a minimum of 42 semester credit hours at TCSPP, or 35% of the total credit hours required for the degree. An undergraduate student is permitted to transfer in a maximum of 78 semester credit hours, or 65% of the total credit hours required for the degree. Within the 78 semester credit hours, a maximum of 30 nontraditional semester credit hours may be applied toward degree requirements, or 25% of the total credit hours for the degree. These 30 nontraditional semester credit hours may combine various types of nontraditional credit including credit earned through national testing programs, military training, and other sources. See Nontraditional Credits below for more information.

The student is responsible for ensuring that all transfer credit documentation from all higher education institutions attended is submitted for evaluation prior to the Add/Drop deadline of their first term/semester of enrollment. The decision to accept transfer credit rests solely with TCSPP. Approved transfer credit will be posted to the student’s transcript after the student remains enrolled past the Add/Drop deadline.

Approved transfer credit will not be factored into a new student’s registration time. All new students register during the same designated period regardless of transfer credit. Transfer credit may affect registration eligibility in subsequent terms.

Transfer credit is subject to the following conditions:

1. Course is at the undergraduate level, degree applicable and not designated as developmental or remedial. Graduate-level credit hours cannot be applied to an undergraduate degree, and remedial or developmental credit hours are not transferable.
2. Credit hours earned at an international institution that is fully accredited by a country’s Ministry of Education or by the United States Department of Education must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE-approved transcript evaluation agency or, in some circumstances, by a TCSPP staff member trained in transcript evaluation. See the International Transcript Evaluation policy.
3. No duplication of credit hours. A student may not earn credit hours that duplicate an equivalent course/exam or a similar course. Credit hours will not be accepted if they duplicate credit hours completed at TCSPP. The student is fully responsible for any charges incurred for duplicate coursework taken at TCSPP.
4. No regression. A student may not earn transfer credit for a course that represents a regression from previously completed coursework. In other words, a student may not transfer in or take TCSPP courses in an area in which they have already completed a course that is more advanced in content.
5. Upper-division courses will not be considered equivalent or duplicative of lower-division courses.
6. TCSPP requires an official transcript from the institution where the credit hours were earned as third party evaluations are not permissible for these purposes.
7. Course content is substantially equivalent to requested course. This is generally defined as equal or greater than 80% percent equivalent as determined by TCSPP.
8. Course grade is “C” or higher. Pass/Fail courses are eligible only if the pass grade is equivalent to a “C” or higher. Credit/No Credit grades are not eligible.
9. Number of semester credit hours earned matches or exceeds the number of semester credit hours for the requested course. Two or more courses may be combined to meet the TCSPP credit hour requirement if the combined course content is substantially equivalent to the requested course.

A student may apply for transfer credit to meet an elective course requirement if the course supports the competencies and learning outcomes of the program and meets the following conditions:

1. The course must meet all other requirements for transfer credit.
2. The course must be at or above the equivalent degree level.
3. The course cannot duplicate other successfully completed requirements.

An unofficial transcript may be used for review of transfer credit prior to matriculation at TCSPP. However, in order for transfer credit to be processed, an official transcript must be received. An official transcript is delivered in a sealed envelope with the Registrar’s signature stamped across the seal. An official transcript can also be sent electronically directly from a transcript vendor.

Note: A BA Psychology student minoring in either health science or business may earn only a maximum of 6 semester credit hours of transfer credit toward the minor.

Nontraditional Credits

TCSPP recognizes that learning can take place outside the traditional classroom. The institution accepts undergraduate credit hours earned through the successful completion of national testing programs, military training, examination administered internally by TCSPP, and national credit recommendation programs

National Testing Programs

Transfer credit hours may be awarded for successful completion of national testing programs. An official score report must be submitted to TCSPP for evaluation. A score lower than the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendation will not be considered for transfer credit National testing program scores are not factored into the TCSPP cumulative grade point average.

• AP Exams: A student who earned a score of 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam may have that score considered for college-level credit.
• CLEP Exams: A student who successfully passed a College‐Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam may have that score considered for college-level credit.
• DSST/DANTES Credit: A student who has successfully passed the DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) exam may have that score considered for college-level credit.
• IB Exams: A student who earned a score of 5 or higher on the International Baccalaureate (IB) exams may have that score considered for college-level credit.

Military

A student who has completed military credits may request to have their military transcript reviewed for transfer at TCSPP. Official military transcripts can be obtained via the Joint Service Transcript (JST) website and must be submitted to the Office of Admissions for evaluation. Coursework recommended for undergraduate academic credit at the lower or upper division level by ACE will be considered for transfer if the coursework is applicable to the student’s program of study at TCSPP. 

Other Sources of Acceptable Nontraditional Transfer Credits

Propero, SOPHIA, or Straighterline Courses: For general education or lower division elective credit hours, a student may complete an ACE-recommended course and then submit an official transcript to TCSPP. A student who wishes to pursue this option should contact Admissions. 

Portfolio Based Assessment: A student may earn up to 12 semester credit hours per portfolio completed and submitted. The student will incur all fees associated with the course up to and including submission of the portfolio. Portfolio Based Assessment is completed in conjunction with the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and LearningCounts.org. A student may work with Admissions and visit http://www.learningcounts.org/ for more information.

Graduate Programs

Transfer Credit

The transfer credit process provides an opportunity for a student in a master or doctoral program to have credit hours earned at another institution applied to their TCSPP degree program. To be eligible for transfer, credit hours must have been earned from a recognized, regionally accredited degree-granting institution and prior to matriculation into the TCSPP degree program. A Graduate Transfer Credit/Course Waiver Petition per institution must be submitted by the end of the first semester of enrollment (on-ground students) or second term of enrollment (online students). This petition must include the course details along with a course syllabus and official transcript documenting the grade earned in the course. The student is responsible for ensuring that all required documentation noted on the petition is submitted. Credit hours earned at TCSPP may be considered for course association as detailed below.

The decision to accept transfer credit rests solely with TCSPP. The institution reserves the right to require satisfactory performance on an examination before granting transfer credit. Credit hours accepted in transfer will be calculated into rate of progress as both credit hours attempted and earned but will not be calculated into the TCSPP Cumulative Grade Point Average.

A student enrolled in Dual Degree Programs may transfer in coursework from the collaborating institution after they have matriculated, but only up to the credit limit articulated in the agreement between TCSPP and the collaborating institution. A student enrolled in Dual Degree Programs need not submit a Graduate Transfer Credit/Course Waiver Petition as transfer credit is pre-determined by the articulation agreement between TCSPP and the collaborating institution. Certificate programs and the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program at Xavier University of New Orleans do not permit transfer credit.

Approved transfer credit will be posted to the student’s transcript after the student remains enrolled past the Add/Drop deadline. A student who is granted transfer credit after the Add/Drop deadline due to late submittal that results in a schedule modification will be held to TCSPP’s refund schedule. The student will be charged a fee for each transfer credit hour awarded. The transfer credit fee is not charged for the articulated courses in Dual Degree Programs. Please refer to the schedule of tuition and fees for information.

Approved transfer credit will not be factored into a new student’s registration time. All new students register during the same designated period regardless of transfer credit. Transfer credit may affect registration eligibility in subsequent terms.

Transfer credit is subject to the following conditions:

1. Course is at or above the equivalent degree level. For doctoral programs that offer a nested master’s degree, master-level courses as published in the Program of Study may be considered for transfer credit.
2. Credit hours earned at an international institution that is fully accredited by a country’s Ministry of Education or by the United States Department of Education must be evaluated by a NACES- or AICE-approved transcript evaluation agency or, in some circumstances, by a TCSPP staff member trained in transcript evaluation. See the International Transcript Evaluation policy
3. No duplication of credit hours. A student may not earn credit hours that duplicate an equivalent course/exam or a similar course. Credit hours will not be accepted if they duplicate credit hours completed at TCSPP. The student is fully responsible for any charges incurred for duplicate coursework taken at TCSPP.
4. No regression. A student may not earn transfer credit for a course that represents a regression from previously completed coursework. In other words, a student may not transfer in or take TCSPP courses in an area in which they have already completed a course that is more advanced in content.
5. Course content is substantially equivalent to requested course. This is generally defined as greater than 80 percent equivalent. To be considered for transfer into programs that hold programmatic accreditation or recognition, the course must meet the accreditation guidelines as determined by the academic department.
6. Course grade is a “B” or higher. Courses which carry Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit grades are not eligible.
7. Credit not granted for practicum, internship, thesis, or dissertation courses.
8. Number of semester credit hours earned matches or exceeds the number of semester credit hours for the requested course. Two or more courses may be combined to meet the TCSPP credit hour requirement if the combined course content is substantially equivalent to the requested course.
9. No credit hours will be transferred for coursework that is more than 7 calendar years old. The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology programs at Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D. C. do not permit transfer credit for coursework that is more than 5 calendar years old.

A student may apply for transfer credit to meet an elective course requirement if the course supports the competencies and learning outcomes of the program and meets the following conditions:

1. The course must meet all other requirements for transfer credit.
2. The course must be at or above the equivalent degree level.
3. The course cannot duplicate other successfully completed requirements.

A TCSPP study abroad course may be used to satisfy a degree requirement if listed in the published program of study OR if approved for inclusion by the Department Chair. To ensure that a study abroad course will satisfy a degree requirement, a student must obtain written approval from the Department Chair prior to registration in the course. The student must submit the approved Course Substitution Petition to the Student Support Counselor.

Nontraditional Credits

TCSPP recognizes that learning can take place outside the traditional classroom. The institution accepts credit earned by examinations administered internally by TCSPP for the master’s degree programs only. The examination must be comprehensive and include measurement of all course learning outcomes. In cases where credit by examination is not compatible with the standards of accreditation for any program holding or seeking programmatic accreditation (e.g., APA, CACREP) the standards of the accrediting agency prevail.

Credit by Examination (Master’s Degree Programs only): At the discretion of the department faculty and the approval of the department chair, credit by examination may be awarded for designated master’s degree courses within program’s curriculum under certain circumstances. To be eligible for master’s-degree level credit by examination, a student must:

1. be accepted into a master’s degree program;
2. complete a credit by examination request form;
3. provide evidence of knowledge of the learning outcomes of the course, e.g., relevant work experience, to support the request;
4. pay associated fees; and
5. pass the examination with a minimum score of 80%.

Credit by examination is not available to a student if the same course has been attempted at TCSPP.  Credits earned by examination will be recorded as examination credit (CE) on the student’s permanent record and will be counted toward the total number of credits required for the degree. The CE grade will not impact GPA or a student’s enrollment status but it will count as credit earned and positively impact rate of progress. A fee may apply.

The total number of credit hours awarded when combining the credit by examination and the Transfer of Credit from a recognized, regionally accredited graduate degree granting institution may not exceed the department’s policy on the maximum number of credit hours that may be transferred or waived, or 25% of the total credits of the program, whichever is less.

Course Waiver

The course waiver process provides an opportunity for a student in a master or doctoral program to have course content completed at another institution applied to the TCSPP degree program. Certificate programs, Dual Degree Programs, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs, Psy.D. in School Psychology, and the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology programs at Chicago, Los Angeles, Xavier University of New Orleans, and Washington, D. C. prohibit course waiver.

It is expected that a matriculated student will fulfill all degree requirements through courses offered at TCSPP. To be eligible for waiver, credit hours must have been earned from a recognized, regionally accredited degree-granting institution and prior to matriculation into the TCSPP degree program. A Graduate Transfer Credit/ Course Waiver Petition must include the course details along with a course syllabus and official transcript documenting the grade earned in the course. The student is responsible for ensuring that all required documentation noted on the petition is submitted. 

The decision to grant waiver rests solely with TCSPP. The institution reserves the right to require satisfactory performance on an examination before awarding a course waiver. A waived course will be posted to the student’s transcript after the student remains enrolled past the Add/Drop deadline. Should an approved course waiver result in a schedule change after the Add/Drop deadline, the student will be held to the refund schedule.

Course waiver does not reduce the overall number of credit hours required for degree completion. A student who waives a course must replace the credit hours with other TCSPP courses either within or outside of the enrolled program of study. A student may request to take courses in another TCSPP degree program via the Course Substitution Petition. 

An approved course waiver will not be factored into a new student’s registration time. All new students register during the same designated period regardless of course waiver.

Course waiver is subject to the following conditions:

1. Course is at or above the equivalent degree level.
2. Credit hours earned at an international institution that is fully accredited by a country’s Ministry of Education or by the United States Department of Education must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE-approved transcript evaluation agency or, in some circumstances, by a TCSPP staff member trained in transcript evaluation. See the International Transcript Evaluation policy
3. Course content is substantially equivalent to requested course. This is generally defined as greater than 80 percent equivalent. To be considered for waiver in programs that hold programmatic accreditation or recognition, the course must meet the accreditation guidelines as determined by the academic department.
4. Waiver is not granted for practicum, internship, thesis, or dissertation courses.
5. Course grade is a “B” or higher. Courses which carry Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit grades are not eligible.
6. No credit hours will be waived for coursework that is more than 7 calendar years old.

Course Association

A student who desires to change degree programs may be eligible to have credit hours earned at TCSPP applied to their new TCSPP degree program via course association. Course association occurs when courses completed in a degree program are applied to a new degree program where course content is substantially equivalent. Earned credit hours are associated with the new degree program and, therefore, are not considered transfer credit. For doctoral programs that offer a nested master’s degree (see the Program of Study for curriculum details), master-level courses completed at TCSPP may be considered for course association.

The Department Chair of the new program determines courses to be associated. The number of earned credit hours applied to the new degree program may not exceed the Maximum Associated Credit Hours listed in the Credit Hour Limits table below. Courses associated to fulfill the requirements of the new degree program will count both toward rate of progress as credits attempted and earned and will be calculated into the student’s Cumulative Grade Point Average when calculating SAP. Associating a course with an earned grade of B- may negatively impact SAP. The Department Chair will consult with the Office of the Registrar to determine impact on the student’s academic standing.  

Credit Hour Limits

A student may not exceed the Maximum Combined Credit number listed below. Combined Credit Hours are the combination of credit hours accepted in transfer credit or course waiver. A TCSPP student who is changing degree programs will have credit hours associated up to the Maximum Associated Credit Hours listed below.

Withdrawal

A student is required to adhere to the Registration policy and remain continuously enrolled in the degree program throughout the fall, spring, and summer terms/semesters. Withdrawal from TCSPP during any period of enrollment has financial consequences and may necessitate the return of financial aid. All withdrawals are subject to the Refund Policies . 

A student should refer to the Grading policies to understand the impact a withdrawal will have on their grades. Prior to submitting an official request, a student is strongly encouraged to take the following steps:

• Consult with the Department Chair or Faculty Advisor
• Consult with the practicum or internship site, if applicable
• Consult with the Office of Financial Aid and complete the exit interview
• Consult with Student Accounts regarding any financial obligations

An international student must consult with the Designated School Official (DSO) prior to making a withdrawal request as a change in enrollment status will impact immigration status. A student who wishes to return to TCSPP after withdrawal should refer to the Returning Students policy.

Official Withdrawal

A student who wishes officially withdraw from TCSPP must submit a Withdrawal Request to their Student Support Counselor. A student’s withdrawal date will be:

1. The date on which the Withdrawal Request form is submitted; or
2. Any earlier or later date that the institution documents as the last date of academic-related activity.

Unofficial Withdrawal

A student will be unofficially withdrawn from TCSPP if the following conditions are not met by the Add/Drop deadline:

• A student does not resolve a registration hold;
• A student does not register for courses and/or attend classes; or
• A student does not return from an approved Leave of Absence as scheduled.

A student’s withdrawal date will be:

1. The last day of the last term/semester attended; or
2. Any earlier or later date that the institution documents as the last date of academic-related activity.

Temporary Withdrawal

A temporary withdrawal may be considered if one of the following conditions is met:

• A student faces an unforeseeable and unexpected circumstance (significant change in their health, financial situation, employment, or an urgent personal matter) after the Add/Drop deadline; or
• A student does not have a course to take as determined by the institution.

In addition to meeting one of the above conditions, the student must have an expected date of return to TCSPP. A student is limited to two online terms/one on-ground semester of temporary withdrawal in any 12-month period. An online student who desires an additional term of temporary withdrawal must contact the Student Support Counselor for eligibility. A student in temporary withdrawal status who is subsequently placed on Pending Probation must submit a reinstatement petition to their Student Support Counselor prior to returning to TCSPP.

A student granted temporary withdrawal will be reentered through a no-hassle procedure. Failure to return to active status at the conclusion of the temporary withdrawal period will result in administrative withdrawal from TCSPP. See the Returning Students policy for details. A student who faces an unforeseeable and unexpected circumstance that leads to a significant change in their life and subsequent withdrawal from TCSPP after the Add/Drop deadline may appeal for financial relief using the institutional policy exception process. See Policy Exception  for details.