2024-2025 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook
MA Applied Psychology
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Distance Learning
Program Overview
Multicultural Insight, Global Experience, Practical Scholarship
The MA Applied 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 Applied 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 Applied 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 Applied Psychology program prepares students to apply psychological principles and multicultural understanding across sectors, roles, and organizations. Students utilize the MA Applied Psychology 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 applied psychology, six semester hours in the Applied Research Project, and nine credit hours taken within a concentration. The MA Applied 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 Applied Psychology non-licensure program at The Chicago School 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 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 Applied 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 judged on their overall ability to do graduate work.
Factors and materials to be considered for admission will include:
- Completed application and $50 application fee
- Generally, an undergraduate GPA 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Official Transcripts
- Students 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.
Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 2.8 are required to submit additional documentation:
- Work history
- Essay answering the following questions:
- Please answer the following questions within three double spaced typed pages (approximately 500-750 words). The essay must specifically address the program/specialization for which the applicant is applying. Psychology is a vast discipline with many career options. In an essay format, please describe:
- Why you chose this specific program
- Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness, competence, and understanding of diversity
- Describe your professional career goals as they relate to this program, and why you believe this program will assist you in reaching those goals
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 Applied 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
MA Applied Psychology to Educational Psychology and Technology
The Chicago School has also established agreements between the MA Applied Psychology program and the programs listed below to allow qualified students to enroll in courses in other The Chicago School programs while completing their MA Applied Psychology that can be counted toward both programs. Click on the link of the program that interests you for details.
MA Applied Psychology and Post-Master’s Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
MA Applied Psychology and MA Forensic Psychology LPC Track
MA Applied Psychology and Instructional Design Certificate
The Chicago School has agreements between the MA Applied Psychology program and the programs listed below to allow students to affiliate credits from the listed program to MA Applied Psychology.
MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MA Applied Psychology
MA Counseling Psychology to MA Applied Psychology
MA Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy to MA Applied 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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