Javascript is currently not supported, or is disabled by this browser. Please enable Javascript for full functionality.

Skip to Main Content
    The Chicago School
   
 
  Nov 21, 2024
 
2024-2025 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
Catalog Navigation
2024-2025 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook

MA Counseling Psychology


Return to Programs of Study Return to: Programs of Study

Chicago

Program Overview

The MA Counseling Psychology program is a counselor training program that equips students with essential diagnostic, therapeutic and consultative skills in preparation to work with a variety of clinical populations ranging from children to the elderly with a variety of emotional, intellectual, and psychological symptoms and conditions.

Graduates will be trained to work in a variety of clinical settings that serve various populations. The program adopts the practitioner-scholar model predicated on the belief that a competent mental health practitioner must have both a broad knowledge of the scientific and theoretical principles in the clinical practice of counseling psychology and the ability to apply that knowledge to specific clinical situations. The program also incorporates the 8 content areas outlined by the National Board of Certified Counselors to prepare students seeking professional counselor licensure and desiring to begin professional practice at the master’s level. Please see further information about professional licensure below. 

The MA Counseling Psychology program at the Chicago Campus is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for the period of December, 2018 through December, 2028.

We acknowledge the significance of promoting an academic environment that is sensitive to difference and to the preparation of clinicians who actively develop multicultural sensitivity, responsivity, and competence. As such, the program seeks to engage faculty and students in the preparation of mental health clinicians who meet the needs of diverse and underserved communities “from the broader view of innovators, transformers, and problem solvers; and use their discipline to make positive and lasting impacts on the World” (Aspirations Report, 2011, p.5).

Program Philosophy

The mission of the MA Counseling Psychology program is to prepare mental health professionals for the counseling psychology profession through professional competence, personal integrity and academic excellence with an emphasis on promoting culturally-sensitive, responsive, and conscious clinical practice. This is realized through a curriculum that integrates the theoretical foundations of counseling psychology, essential diagnostic, clinical and consultative skills, and field placement experience in a variety of settings and with diverse populations. Recognizing that our students are intrinsically motivated to help others, we acknowledge the significance of promoting an environment that is sensitive to difference and preparing future clinicians to develop self-awareness and the necessary skills to continue to strive toward attaining multicultural competence. Thus, the program seeks to engage faculty and students in the preparation of clinicians who meet the needs of diverse communities.

Program Learning Outcomes 

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

Professional Practice

  • Assessment. Conduct evidence-based, clinical assessments to ascertain psychological concerns and functional behaviors with consideration to social and cultural contexts and diagnostic classification systems. 

  • Relationship. Effectively establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients and demonstrate self-reflection of personal and professional functioning. 

  • Intervention. Identify and apply theoretical orientations, interventions, and best practices to clinical treatment and develop evidence-based treatment plans specific to service delivery goals. 

  • Discipline Specific Knowledge. Describe basic knowledge of psychological aspects of behavior including cognitive, affective, biological, developmental, and social bases of behavior. 

Diversity

  • Individual and Cultural Diversity and Oppression/Equity. Demonstrate awareness of self and others regarding racial, ethnic, gender, and other social identities and how these interact and impact professional work. Demonstrate the attitudes and skills to effectively and ethically serve and advocate for diverse individuals and social groups historically harmed by inequities and institutional oppression. 

Professional Behavior

  • Ethical and Professional Behavior. Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior consistent with professional standards and code of ethics and apply self-awareness of morals and values that impact ethical decision-making. 

  • Consultation, Education, and Supervision. Collaborate with other health professionals from diverse backgrounds and produce oral and written communication that is professional, respectful, accessible, and informative. Demonstrate knowledge of supervision roles and requirements for supervision in practice. 

Scholarship

  • Research and Evaluation. Identify, examine, and critique research methods, basic statistics, and psychometrics, and consider ethical and legal components of the research process and its impact on clinical practice.

Licensure 

For information on where The Chicago School meets or does not meet program licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit: https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/admissions/licensure-disclosures/.

Admission Requirements

For information on where The Chicago School is currently authorized, licensed, registered, exempt or not subject to approval, please visit https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/why-us/state-authorization/

Application to The Chicago School’s MA Counseling Psychology program is open to any person who has earned a bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited institution and who meets other entrance requirements. Applicants will be evaluated on their overall ability to complete graduate work. Factors considered prior to admission include: GPA from undergraduate and any graduate schools, successful work history after completion of the baccalaureate degree, relevant experience, the required admission essay, and letters of recommendation from academic professors or professional or volunteer experience supervisors. An undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is expected 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. 

Please answer the following within three double-spaced, typed pages (approximately 500 to 750 words). Psychology is a vast discipline with many career options. In essay format, please describe why you chose this program/specialization*. Cite specific experiences and examples to illustrate: 

• Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness, competence, and understanding of diversity? 

• Your professional career goals as they relate to this specialization.  

• Why you believe this program will assist you in reaching your goals. 

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, application deadlines, and letters of recommendation. Applications must be submitted with a $50.00 (USD) application fee in order to be evaluated.

The program also requires applicants to have successfully completed at least one (1) undergraduate course in psychology and one (1) undergraduate course in research methods with an earned grade of ‘C’ or better.  Applicants without these psychology courses must be complete them in accordance with the policies outlined in the Progression Requirements section below. 

MA Counseling Psychology Progression Requirements

This program requires applicants to have successfully completed at least one (1) undergraduate course in psychology and one (1) undergraduate course in research methods with an earned grade of ‘C’ or better by the end of their first semester (second online term) of study.  Students must successfully meet this progression requirement through one of the following options:

  • A grade of “C” or higher in TCS 380 Introduction to Psychology and TCS 385 Introduction to Research Methods;
  • A grade of “C” or higher in a comparable course at the Chicago School; or
  • A grade of “C” or higher in a comparable course at another institutionally accredited institution

Applicants accepted who have not successfully completed one (1) undergraduate course in psychology and one (1) undergraduate course in research methods will be required to register for applicable TCS courses in their first ground semester or online term. All students must meet this progression requirement by the end of their first semester of study. Students who do not successfully fulfill this requirement will not be allowed to register for any future coursework in the program of study until this requirement is met. Extensions can be granted by the Program Chair or designee when extenuating circumstances prevent completion of the requirement in the specified timeframe.  Requests for an extension must be submitted in writing to the Program Chair for consideration.

Applicant Notification

The Chicago School 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 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 has also established agreements between the MA Counseling program and the programs listed below to allow qualified students to receive transfer credit for courses taken in other The Chicago School programs that can be counted toward degree completion requirements for both programs. Click on the link of the program that interests you for details.

MA Counseling and Post Master’s Certificate Applied Behavior Analysis    

MA Counseling and MA Applied Psychology   

MA Counseling Psychology to PsyD Clinical Psychology Chicago  

Degree Completion Requirements

  • Successful completion of 60 credit hours
  • Successful completion of a minimum of a 9-month placement experience and complete at least 700 hours with 280 direct service hours 
  • Successful completion of Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE)
  • Successful completion of Counseling Competency Examination (CCE)

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.

Student Professional Evaluation and Student Review Process:

The course content and experiential activities offered by the MA Counseling Psychology program are designed to afford students the opportunity to advance their intellectual and professional development. Throughout the program of study, students are given feedback concerning their personal, academic, and professional strengths, developmental needs, and overall progress. This feedback will come from a variety of sources including faculty, training staff, supervisors, peers, and clients. Students are expected to respond and incorporate this feedback in a mature and professional manner. Throughout their matriculation in the program students are expected to explore and recognize the effects their personal beliefs, issues, emotions, and behaviors have on others and on their ability to function as a mental health practitioner. Students are formally evaluated with regard to their professional comportment throughout their program of study as well as in specifically designated courses within the curriculum using the Student Professional Evaluation form. Additionally, all students are reviewed, at minimum, twice annually by program faculty, staff, and administration with respect to their overall program performance during the Student Review Process.

Ethical Guidelines

The Chicago School expects that all counseling students will be knowledgeable of and adhere to the “ACA Code of Ethics ” of the American Counseling Association, in addition to the “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct ,” as published by the American Psychological Association. Furthermore, no student shall obtain part- or full-time employment that is beyond the scope of their cumulative training in the field of counseling psychology and shall not use titles governed by licensure statutes, unless so licensed by the state. A student who fails to adhere to this policy or otherwise fails to demonstrate the appropriate ethics required for practice in the field of counseling psychology is subject to discipline and possible dismissal.

Practicum and Internship

The practicum and internship placement experiences serve to integrate the theoretical and practical aspects of the education of a professional counselor.  Students have the opportunity during the practicum and internship experiences to synthesize their knowledge, techniques and skills learned in the classroom. These supervised field placements allow students to provide direct services to clients and demonstrate their understanding of key concepts in professional counseling in a clinical setting. Students are able to apply to a wide variety of training sites that include community mental health centers, child welfare and family service agencies, substance abuse programs, college counseling centers, as well as private group practices. The sites available for the training experience are chosen based on their ability to serve diverse populations that will offer the best possible experience to equip students for working in the counseling field. Students are required to complete a minimum of a 9-month placement experience and complete at least 700 hours with 280 direct service hours during the placement. Students registered in this program incur a one-time $195 Experiential Learning Technology Fee.

Comprehensive Examination

All students are required to successfully complete the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE). The information tested by the exam covers the eight competencies outlined by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) as defined by their Standards for Preparation.  The CPCE is administered at least twice a year and is typically taken during the final year of study. Students must be in good academic standing to be eligible to take the CPCE.  Students who have not successfully passed the CPCE are not eligible for degree conferral and must retake the exam during the next scheduled administration. 

Counseling Competency Examination (CCE)

The Counseling Competency Examination (CCE) is a program capstone and is comprised of three (3) distinct components with the purpose of demonstrating proficiency in the core competencies of the academic program. This examination illustrates that a student has acquired the clinical skills necessary to graduate from the program. The final CCE is completed during the Spring semester within the Internship and Seminar course (CC598). The student must successfully pass the CCE in order to fulfill the requirements of the course as well as the internship placement experience. Students must pass the Fall semester practice CCE in order to pass the course CC597 Practicum and Seminar. Students must pass CC597 and CC598 to be eligible for degree conferral.

The Curriculum


Required Core: 48 credit hours

Elective or Concentration: 12 credit hours

Program Total

M.A. Counseling Psychology: 60 credit hours

Concentration Options


Child and Adolescent Treatment Concentration


The Child & Adolescent Treatment concentration is designed to provide specific education in the area of the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents. The emphasis is on developing a conceptual and experiential background in working with the mental health needs of these vulnerable populations within a wide range of familial and cultural life styles. The goal of this concentration is to prepare entry-level practitioners to work with children representing the full age spectrum, from early childhood through adolescence.  All students in this concentration must take CC 640, and choose two from the remaining three courses below.

All students in this concentration must take:


Health Psychology Concentration


Health psychology focuses on the application of psychological and counseling principles and techniques to problems related to health and illness. The concentration prepares students to gain knowledge on the psychological and counseling techniques aimed at helping clients prevent, adjust, recover, and/or manage difficulties related to health problems across the lifespan to promote functioning. The concentration also addresses issues related to health disparities with members from historically disenfranchised groups (e.g., ethnic minorities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) and ways to improve systems that promote and maintain health.

Latinx Mental Health Concentration


The Latinx Mental Health Concentration is designed to provide formalized training and specific education in the areas of assessment and treatment of Latinx clients and their families. A strong emphasis is placed on the socio-historical factors that impact the mental health of Latinxs in the United States. Students develop competencies essential for the understanding and provision of culturally congruent care to Latinx clients.

Marriage and Family Concentration


Students in the Marriage and Family concentration learn knowledge, skills, and in depth issues that will prepare them to work with families and couples. Key areas of family and couples work - domestic violence, divorce, sexual relations - are presented and explored in the classroom setting with the use of didactic material and real case vignettes. Assessment of family dynamics is covered through a systems perspective.

Marriage and Family Concentration with Optional Coursework for LMFT (IL) Licensure Preparation


Students in this concentration learn in-depth skills and knowledge that will prepare them to work more effectively with families and couples. Specific and key areas of family and couples work - domestic violence, divorce, sexual relations - are presented and explored in the classroom setting with the use of didactic material and real case vignettes. Assessment of family dynamics is covered through a systems perspective.

 

Trauma and Crisis Intervention Concentration


Students in this concentration have an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills for the assessment and treatment of trauma, both for its acute and longer-term effects. Disaster response, psychological first aid, and evidence-based treatment models will be examined and applied. Students will explore perspectives on the etiology and prevention of trauma as it applies to the individual, family, local, national and international community. The role of power and oppression in the experience of trauma within family, socio-political and ethno-cultural systems is integral. This concentration will prepare students with requisite skills to work with trauma related populations.

Treatment of Addiction Disorders Concentration


The Treatment of Addiction Disorders concentration is designed to provide specific education in the area of assessment, intervention/prevention, and treatment of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) and behavioral addictions. This concentration strives to prepare individuals to provide effective services for a wide range of addictions in community-based environments. 

For Chicago Campus ONLY:  In addition to completing the degree and coursework requirements to be eligible for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Illinois, students who complete the treatment of addictions disorder concentration and complete their internship experience at an approved Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA) site complete the degree, coursework, and supervised experience requirements for certification as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). All candidates are required to complete the Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse examination, along with the certification application process. For further information about alcohol and drug counselor certification in Illinois, please visit the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association.

Generalist Concentration/Electives (All students)


 Students choose any four of the courses below:

Extension Courses


Return to Programs of Study Return to: Programs of Study