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    The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
   
 
  Mar 29, 2024
 
2022-2023 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Spring Addendum 
    
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2022-2023 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Spring Addendum [Archived Catalog]

BA Criminology, Forensic Psychology Specialization


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Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Forensic Psychology Specialization degree prepares students for a wide range of criminal justice related careers in the private sector, as well as with federal, state, and local government agencies. The majority of graduates use the degree to begin their career in law enforcement, criminal law, victim services, corrections, or social work. The curriculum in criminology provides students with a psychology-oriented multidisciplinary approach to crime and criminal behavior, specifically familiarizing students with the primary ways professionals use to explain, predict and prevent crime and victimization. Graduate level coursework taken as part of the BA Criminology, Forensic Psychology Specialization may also be counted in the MA Forensic Psychology program should a student wish to continue their education at The Chicago School in that program.

The curriculum of the BA in Criminology, Forensic Psychology Specialization degree is based on the content areas outlined by the Academic of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS).  The ACJS content areas are Administration of Justice, Corrections, Criminological Theory, Law Adjudication, Law Enforcement, Research and Analytic Methods, and Diversity in Criminal Justice.

Program Philosophy

The BA Criminology, Forensic Psychology Specialization is designed to provide students with a multi-disciplinary psychological approach to crime and prepares students for a wide range of criminal justice related careers in the private sector, as well with government based agencies.  Students will be able to apply learned criminological theories, concepts, and best practices.The program is designed to accommodate those who seek to complete their degree while effectively maintaining both their professional and personal commitments. This program provides a gateway to graduate programs in the field of psychology thereby preparing students to move into an MA program in Forensic Psychology.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the criminology major coursework, students will be able to:

Professional Practice

  • Acquire knowledge about the correlates to crime are and how to exhibit those in statistics and data methodology.
  • Demonstrate knowledge in the field of criminology and the process of adult and juvenile offenders.

Diversity

  • Students will be able to apply the knowledge on diversity factors that are related to race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, age, religious belief, and ability, to recognize injustices within the criminal justice system.

Professional Behavior

  • Students will be able to employ ethical perspectives and judgements in applying ethical standards related to the application of criminal justice science.
  • Incorporate and demonstrate strategies/solutions regarding the criminal justice system learned in the program through oral presentations and written work.

Scholarship

  • Apply the principles of criminology research to the field of criminal justice and forensic psychology.  Students will critically evaluate issues that arise in the criminal and juvenile justice system and discuss possible solutions.

Licensure

The BA Criminology, Forensic Psychology Specialization program does not meet all of the requirements to be a licensed peace officer in the state of Minnesota.

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/

Applicants will be judged on their overall ability to successfully complete an undergraduate degree program. Generally, a high school cumulative GPA of a 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission.

  • Completed application and $50 application fee
  • Applicants must provide proof of the qualifying conferral - high school graduation (or the equivalent) or proof of an earned Associate degree. Information about acceptable proof of qualifying conferral can be found here.  

Applicants with a cumulative high school or undergraduate GPA below 2.3 and applicants seeking admission with high school equivalency documentation that does not show a GPA (such as GED, homeschool, or testing) are required to submit additional documentation.

  • Curriculum Vita/ Resume
  • One Letter of recommendation (optional)
  • Essay of intent

SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission. However, applicants who have taken the SAT/ACT may submit their scores to enhance their application.

Applicants to the BA Criminology, Forensic Psychology Specialization program who have earned an Associate of Arts Degree from a regionally accredited college or university in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or related social or behavioral discipline will receive “block transfer” of all credits in that degree toward the BA. The evaluation of transfer credit for this purpose is subject to TCSPP’s Transfer Credit Policy. Students may need to take additional General Education courses based on the regulatory requirements of their state of residence. 

Students will be required to take all the courses in the major unless they receive transfer credit for a specific course (e.g., Social Problems); total credits must be at least 120 for graduation.

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, in order to secure a place in the incoming class, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $100 will be required by the deposit deadline indicated in the offer of admission. The non-refundable deposit will be applied in full toward the student’s tuition upon enrollment.

Policies

The following policies are located under Academic Policies and Procedures :Academic Calendar, Admissions Requirements, Attendance, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Service Learning, and Transfer Credit/Course Waiver. 

Criminology Major Capstone

The CR 500 Capstone Project  is designed to allow students the opportunity to integrate and apply learning from their undergraduate courses into a comprehensive presentation. The Capstone Course is an independent study project that consists of a formal research project, intended to demonstrate skill in research and critical thinking. The project is composed of a detailed research question and a literature review component. Students are encouraged to design projects that addresses a gap in the criminology literature as an important issue within the field of criminal justice, whether academic or professional. While no actual data is generated or data analyzed, the project is intended to incorporate and expand upon the depth of knowledge gained from previous years of study, and the student’s personal educational and professional interest as it pertains to the areas of Criminology.

Ethical Guidelines

Students are expected to learn and to follow the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association, APA’s current Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct for Psychologists during and after their work at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, as well as the professional norms, standards, and guidelines relevant to the profession. A class in ethics is required, and student adherence to ethical codes is evaluated both formally and informally.

General Education for Baccalaureate Programs


Overview

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s bachelor’s programs share a common core of 44 credit hours of general education requirements, including a capstone experience. The coursework is designed to meet general education requirements in all 50 states and the District of Columbia while providing the groundwork for success in the following years of study of the Bachelor’s Degree. 

General Education Courses are all delivered in online format.

General Education Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the general education coursework, students will be able to:

Professional Practice

  • Interact and collaborate with others effectively

Diversity

  • Demonstrate knowledge of individual and cultural difference with consideration for domestic and transnational diversity in a manner that promotes inclusion and understanding.

Professional Behavior

  • Assess their own ethical values and the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, applying differing ethical perspectives to dilemmas, and consider the ramifications of alternative actions.

Scholarship

  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of the fundamental theories and principles of their major (and chosen minor, if applicable) area of study.
  • Deliver well organized oral and written presentations that include a central message with logical themes, using language and terminology appropriate to the topic and audience.
  • Craft logical evidence-based arguments leading to solutions of practical problems.
  • Acquire and utilize information through library research with the use of computer search engines and information databases, evaluate the reliability of the source, and identify peer-reviewed and scholarly sources.
  • Apply quantitative (mathematical) reasoning to solving practical problems.

General Education Capstone

The CAP 200 Introduction to Research Methods  course serves as an introduction to various research methodologies and techniques. This course helps set a foundation for students to apply learned knowledge of research approaches in future program of study courses, the workforce, and their communities at large. During the course, students will demonstrate their knowledge by completing a research proposal signature assignment. All undergraduate students will complete this course except for those who transfer into the institution with an earned associate degree from an accredited institution.

General Education Required Core (44 Credit Hours)

Students residing in Louisiana are required to complete 9 credit hours of Life and Physical Science to meet graduation requirements.

Writing and Communication (9 Credit Hours)


Mathematics (6 Credit Hours)


MATH 107 is required for BS Business Psychology and BS Healthcare Management students.

Physical and Life Sciences (8 Credit Hours)


Students are required to take at least one Life Science and one Physical Science course. 

If a student resides in Louisiana, they are required to complete 9 credit hours of Life and Physical Science coursework to meet general education requirements.

PLS 100  is required for BS Business Psychology students.

Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 Credit Hours)


 If a student resides in Arkansas, one of the three courses is required to be completed in US History or US Government. 

BS Business Psychology students must take  SBS100 Introduction to Psychology  

Capstone (3 Credit Hours)


The Curriculum


Criminology Major Required Core (60 credit hours)
General Education
  • General Education: 44 credit hours
  • Students entring with an A.A.S. degree may have this requirement waived
  • Total number of general education credits to be completed at TCSPP depends on transfer credit as evaluated per TCSPP transfer credit policy
General Electives
  • 16 credit hours 

  • Total number of elected credits to be completed at TCSPP depends on transfer credit as evaluated per TCSPP transfer credit policy
  • General electives may be filled with courses from any undergraduate program where a student has met the necessary pre-requisites. Course lists can be found on each program’s Program of Study page in the academic catalog. A list of programs TCSPP offers can be found here.  
Program Total:

120 Credit Hours

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