2022-2023 Student Handbook and Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]
MA Psychology
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Online
Program Overview
Multicultural Insight, Global Experience, Practical Scholarship
The MA Psychology program is a non-licensure program designed to extend students’ knowledge by providing a thorough understanding of the principles, theories, and applications of psychology. The program boasts an accomplished and highly supportive faculty, who bring their clinical, applied research, and community-based expertise to each course. The program provides a multicultural curriculum and the opportunity to apply concepts of psychology in a practical, real-world context. MA Psychology students also have opportunities to study abroad at destinations specifically chosen by faculty to ground a deeper understanding of psychological principles in a global context.
The Applied Research Project, the capstone of the MA Psychology curriculum, emphasizes the application of learning directly to the workplace or other life-context, using assessments, projects, and other measures to ensure application-based research and learning.
The MA Psychology program prepares students to apply psychology principles and multicultural understanding across sectors, roles, and organizations. Students utilize the general master’s degree to access promotional and leadership opportunities in fields such as human services, government, business, education, nonprofits, criminal justice, and healthcare. The program can also be a strong stepping-stone to doctoral study.
The curriculum is 30 semester credit hours, and includes fifteen semester credit hours in general psychology, six semester hours in the Applied Research Project, and nine credit hours taken within a concentration. The MA Psychology program currently offers ten concentrations: Applied Behavior Analysis; Child and Adolescent Psychology; Forensic Psychology; Generalist; International Psychology; Online Teaching and Learning; Organizational Leadership; Public Health; Social and Community Psychology; and Suicide and Cyberbullying Prevention. The Social and Community Psychology concentration is offered in Spanish.
Program Mission
Through integration of theory and practice, students in the MA Psychology non-licensure program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology will gain broad knowledge that will enhance their professional behavior and practice across cultures in the social and behavioral sciences. The students will set themselves apart through the creation of an Applied Research Project that will highlight their area of concentration in a real-life application of scholarly theory and practice.
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program students will be able to:
Professional Practice
- Integrate knowledge of psychological theory, research, and professional literature to choose professional activities that promote optimal health and well-being in individuals, groups, and systems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of psychological theory and assessment techniques to evaluate various dimensions of human experience across a range of contexts.
- Compose grammatically correct papers, reports, and discussion posts of a professional quality, using style and formatting consistent with the most recent APA Style publication manual.
Diversity
- Respond ethically and effectively to individual and group differences across racial, ethnic, gender, age, social class, disability, sexual orientation, and religious boundaries.
Professional Behavior
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and practices of ethical decision-making and behavior.
Scholarship
- Demonstrate understanding of research, research methodology, techniques of data collection and analysis, as well as ability to apply scientifically derived knowledge.
- Demonstrate acquired understanding of and respect for scientifically derived knowledge of the psychological bases of behavior and developmental issues across the lifespan.
Admission Requirements
For information on where The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is currently authorized, licensed, registered, exempt or not subject to approval, please visit https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/why-us/state-authorization/
Application to the MA Psychology program is open to any person who has earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and who meets other entrance requirements. Applicants will be judged on their overall ability to do graduate work. Factors that are considered in admission are GPA from undergraduate and any graduate schools, successful work history after completion of the baccalaureate degree, and the admission essay. Generally, an undergraduate GPA of a 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned. It is recommended that transcripts are submitted from all schools where credit was received to enhance their applications.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required; however, students who have taken the exam may submit their scores to enhance their application. Scores should be sent directly to the school (GRE School Code: 1119) for consideration. Please see the application for detailed instructions and information regarding application requirements, deadlines.
Applicant Notification
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology reviews applications on a rolling basis. Once review begins, complete applications will be considered by the Admission Committee and applicants will be notified regarding the admission decision. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology does not share information or provide any feedback regarding admission decisions.
If a student is offered admission and in order to secure a place in the incoming class, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $250 will be required by the deposit deadline indicated in the offer of admission. The non-refundable deposit will be applied in full toward the student’s tuition upon enrollment.
Articulation Agreements
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has also established agreements between the MA Psychology program and the programs listed below to allow qualified students to enroll in doctoral level courses while completing their master’s degree that will count toward the doctoral degree. Click on the link of the program that interests you for details.
Early Acceptance into PhD International Psychology
Early Acceptance into PhD Organizational Leadership
Early Acceptance into EdD Educational Psychology and Technology
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has also established agreements between the MA Psychology program and the programs listed below to allow qualified students to enroll in courses in other TCSPP programs while completing their MA Psychology that can be counted toward both programs. Click on the link of the program that interests you for details.
MA Psychology and Post-Master’s Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
MA Psychology and MA Forensic Psychology
MA Psychology and Instructional Design Certificate
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has agreements between MA Psychology programs and the programs listed below to allow students to affiliate credits from the listed program to MA Psychology.
MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling to MA Psychology
MA Counseling Psychology to MA Psychology
MA Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy to MA Psychology
Degree Completion Requirements
- Successful completion of 30 credit hours of coursework
- Successful completion of Applied Research Project
Policies
The following policies are located under Academic Policies and Procedures : Academic Calendar, Admissions Requirements, Attendance, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Service Learning, and Transfer Credit/Course Waiver. Click the link above for detailed information.
Ethical Guidelines
Students are expected to develop a working knowledge of the ethical and legal issues pertaining to, but not limited to, APA’s current Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct for Psychologists; relevant federal, state, and local laws, statutes, regulations, and legal precedents (e.g., the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures, 1978) as well as the professional norms, standards, and guidelines relevant to the profession.
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