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Aug 20, 2025
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2025-2026 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook
BA Psychology
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Return to: Programs of Study
Chicago - Distance Learning*
*The Reduced Credit Track is only available in Distance Learning format.
Program Overview
The goal of The Chicago School’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program is to provide strong preparation in the development of skills related to an understanding of human behavior in order to work within a variety of professional roles and professional settings, as well as to prepare students for graduate study in psychology. The BA Psychology program is offered in two tracks. The Standard Track is a 120 credit hour program consisting of a 45 credit hour psychology major built on a foundation of a 44 credit hour General Education curriculum. The Standard Track includes optional minors in health science, addiction studies, and applied behavior analysis, and a variety of electives (31 credit hours) that are pre-requisites for The Chicago School graduate programs. The Focused Path (Reduced Credit Track) is a 90 credit hour program consisting of a 40 credit psychology major that includes ten psychology related electives, including the option of up to six credits in selected graduate programs to qualifying students, six general elective credits, and the 44 credit hour General Education curriculum. All courses are taught by practitioner faculty in clinical psychology, counseling, behavior analysis, or business psychology.
Program Philosophy
The BA Psychology program is designed to provide students a basic foundation in psychology and research while deepening their ability to apply knowledge regarding principles of psychology to various settings. Students will be able to apply learned theories, concepts, and best practices from various fields of psychology. 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 further enhancing the student’s psychological knowledge.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the psychology major coursework, students will be able to:
Professional Practice
- Participate in their diverse communities through their knowledge of individual and group behaviors as well as their civic understanding.
- Apply psychological principles to individual, social and organizational issues.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal communication skills that include effective speaking and listening skills.
- Interact and collaborate with others effectively.
Diversity
- Recognize, understand and respect sociocultural, international and cognitive diversity, especially in regard to its impact on psychology.
Professional Behavior
- Analyze personal issues and questions by applying psychological and ethical principles.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical issues that frame the practice of psychology.
Scholarship
- Demonstrate an understanding of the major theories, empirical findings, and historical and current trends within the field of psychology.
- Read analytically, write clearly, using the APA Style Manual, and speak articulately about the study of psychology.
- Critically and creatively evaluate psychological concepts and research.
- Acquire information through library research with the use of computer search engines and information databases.
- Design research projects using quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods.
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/. The Reduced Credit Focused Path Track is not available in all states.
Admission to the BA Psychology program is open to any person who meets entrance requirements as outlined below. 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. However, applicants with a cumulative high school GPA below 2.3 or applicants seeking admission with a GED will be considered for admission with the submission of additional required documents. It is recommended that transcripts are submitted from all undergraduate schools where credit was received (and no degree was earned) to support their application and request for transfer credit. (See Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policy). The Chicago School does not accept transfer credit for BA300 Foundations of Psychology, BA340 Research Methods, BA380 Statistics, BA400 Research Project Capstone, and BA401 Service Learning Capstone Project.
Factors and materials to be considered for admission will include:
- 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, home school, or testing) are required to submit additional documentation.
- Curriculum Vitae/ Resume
- One Letter of recommendation (optional)
- Essay of intent
- Please compose a written essay to answer the questions below. Your essay should be typed, double-spaced, and three pages (approximately 500-750 words) while clearly addressing the program for which you are applying.
- Psychology is a vast discipline with many career options:
- Why are you interested in this particular program to earn your undergraduate degree in psychology? Cite specific experiences and examples.
- What are your professional career goals as they relate to this degree? Why do you believe this program will assist you in reaching these goals?
- Why is it important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness, competence, and understanding of diversity (see our Commitment to Diversity Statement)?
- If you are a first generation undergraduate degree student, please integrate this into your essay.
- SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission, however applicants who have taken the SAT/ACT may submit their scores to enhance their application.
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, 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.
Articulation Agreements
The Chicago School has established agreements between the BA Psychology program (Standard Track) and the programs listed below to allow qualified students to enroll in master’s level courses while completing their bachelor’s degree that will then count toward the master’s degree. Click on the link of the program that interests you for details.
The Chicago School has established agreements between the BA Psychology program (Reduced Credit Track) and the programs listed below to allow qualified students to enroll in master’s level courses while completing their bachelor’s degree that will then count toward the master’s degree. Click this link to review the details.
- MS Applied Behavior Analysis
- MA Applied Psychology
- MA Behavioral Economics
- MA Clinical Mental Health Counselling
- MA Forensic Psychology, Professional Counselor LIcensure
- MA Applied Forensic Psychology
- MA Industrial and Organizaitonal Psychology
- MA International Psychology
- MA Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy
- MA Organizational Leadership
- Master of Public Health
Degree Completion Requirements - Standard Track
Completion of 120 credit hours to include:
- Successful completion of General Education requirements as listed
- Successful completion of Core Curriculum as listed
- Successful completion of the Psychology Major Research Capstone Project
Degree Completion Requirements - Focused Path (Reduced Credit Track)
Completion of 90 credit hours to include:
- Successful completion of General Education requirements as listed
- Successful completion of Core Curriculum as listed
- Successful completion of the Psychology Major Research Capstone Project and the Psychology Major Service Learning Capstone 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.
Psychology Major Capstone Projects
The BA 400 Research 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 prepare them to achieve their next goal, 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. This project is required for both the Standard and Reduced Credit Tracks.
The BA 401 Service Learning Capstone Project provides students with the opportunity to apply psychology research to the solution of real-world problems. The service-learning project will include a proposal, including the rationale for the chosen organization, the need for the project, a detailed outline of how the plan will be implemented, and documentation of 10 hours of in person volunteer work within an organization. The project is required for the Focused Path (Reduced Credit Track).
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, 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.
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The Standard Track Curriculum (120 Credit Hours)
BA Psychology - Standard Track
Psychology Major: 45 credit hours
- Psychology Major Required Core: 33 credit hours
- Psychology Major Upper Division Required Electives: minimum 12 credit hours
General Electives: 31 credit hours
Upper Division General Electives: 15 credit hours students may fill general electives 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 The Chicago School offers can be found here.
Lower Division General Electives: 16 credit hours (students having completed 48 credit hours of lower division courses may substitute upper division general electives for lower division general electives with advisor approval).
General Education: 44 credit hours
Optional Minors (replaces 15 credit hours of General Elective requirements, including at least 6 Upper Division)
- Health Science Minor (15 credit hours, 6 credit hours must be Upper Division)
- Addiction Studies Minor (15 credit hours, must take BA350AS and BA417AS)
- Applied Behavior Analysis Minor (24 credit hours, replaces 3 additional credit hours of required major upper division electives, must take BA427 or BA455)
Standard Track Required Core (33 Credit Hours)
Standard Track Optional Minors
Optional Health Science Minor (15 credit hours)*
*this minor is only available in Distance Learning format
Optional Addiction Studies Minor (21 credit hours)
Students registered in this program incur a one-time $195 Experiential Learning Technology Fee.
Students completing coursework for licensure may have state specific coursework requirements.
All Addiction Studies Minor students must complete BA360AS as a part of the Core Psychology courses and BA417AS as a part of the Psychology Electives. Addiction Studies Minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher, which includes any course with the “AS” prefix or suffix and BA 350 Abnormal Psychology. Students earning a grade below C will be required to retake the course.
The 6 credit hour practicum sequence replaces 6 credits of Upper Division General Electives to meet degree completion requirements
- AS 405 - Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse: Education, Prevention, Intervention, Treatment and Recovery (3 credit hours)
- AS 410 - Case Management, Crisis Intervention, and Referrals in Addiction Counseling (3 credit hours)
- AS 415 - Group & Family Dynamics in Addiction Counseling (3 credit hours)
- AS 420 - Basic Counseling Skills in Addiction Studies and Treatment (3 credit hours)
- AS 449 - Co-Occurring Disorders in Addiction Counseling (3 credit hours)
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*this course is required for Addiction Studies Minor students in: AZ, CA, FL, IL, IN, KS, MD, MT, NY, OK, OR, SD, WY, and DC
Practicum Sequence - AS 450 - Addiction Studies Practicum I: Field Instruction and Seminar A (1.5 credit hours)
- AS 451 - Addiction Studies Practicum I: Field Instruction and Seminar B (1.5 credit hours)
- AS 452 - Addiction Studies Practicum II: Field Instruction and Seminar A (1.5 credit hours)
- AS 453 - Addiction Studies Practicum II: Field Instruction and Seminar B (1.5 credit hours)
Optional Course for Distance Learning Students - AS 490 - Special Topics in Addiction Studies, Independent Study Option (1.5 credit hours)
Optional Applied Behavior Analysis Minor (24 credit hours)
Standard Track Electives (12 credit hours)
- AS 400 - Alcohol and Other Drugs in Our Society: Introduction to Chemical Dependency (3 credit hours)
- BA 405 - Transformational Leadership (3 credit hours)
- BA 406 - The Psychology of Business Management (3 credit hours)
- BA 407 - Cross-Cultural Leadership (3 credit hours)
- BA 408 - Team Process Facilitation (3 credit hours)
- BA 409 - Psychology in an International Context (3 credit hours)
- BA 415 - Social Work and Social Problems (3 credit hours)
- BA 416 - Social Welfare Policy and Provisions (3 credit hours)
- BA 417 - Social Work Practice, Ethics, and Issues (3 credit hours)
- BA 417AS - Social Work Practice, Ethics, and Issues for Addiction Studies (3 credit hours)
*this course is required for Addiction Studies Minors - BA 418 - Social Work and a Global Perspective (3 credit hours)
- BA 425 - Theories of Personality (3 credit hours)
*the elective is required for Addiction Studies Minor students who reside in Indiana - BA 426 - Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology (3 credit hours)
- BA 427 - Learning and Cognition in Children and Adolescents (3 credit hours)
*this course OR BA455 is required for Applied Behavior Analysis Students - BA 428 - Training and Development with Exceptional Children (3 credit hours)
- BA 435 - Organizational Development (3 credit hours)
- BA 436 - Workplace Motivation and Satisfaction (3 credit hours)
- BA 437 - Models of Leadership and Leadership Development (3 credit hours)
- BA 438 - Human Resource Development and Management (3 credit hours)
- BA 445 - International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (3 credit hours)
- BA 446 - Social Psychology and Culture (3 credit hours)
*this course is required for Addiction Studies Minor students in: AZ, CA, CT, FL, MT, NE, NY, ND, OR, SD, WA, and DC - BA 447 - Cultural Impact of Assimilation and Acculturation (3 credit hours)
- BA 448 - Managing a Globally Diverse Organization (3 credit hours)
- BA 450 - Special Topics in Psychology (1 credit hour)
- BA 451 - Special Topics in Psychology (2 credit hours)
- BA 452 - Special Topics in Psychology (3 credit hours)
- BA 455 - Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credit hours)
*this course OR BA427 is required for Applied Behavior Analysis Students - BA 460 - Cultural Behavior Change (3 credit hours)
Lower Division General Electives
The Focused Path Curriculum (90 Credit Hours, Reduced Credit Track)
BA Psychology - Focused Path
Psychology Major: 40 credit hours
- Psychology Major required core: 30 credit hours
- Psychology Major electives: 10 credit hours
General Electives: 6 credit hours
Upper Division General Electives: 3 credit hours students may fill general electives 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 The Chicago School offers can be found here.
Lower Division General Electives: 3 credit hours
General Education: 44 credit hours
Focused Path Required Core (30 Credit Hours)
Focused Path Electives (10 credit hours)
Students choose 10 credit hours from the list below. Those students electing to enroll in graduate level courses (500 or 600 series courses) must meet these requirements:
- Completion of at least 70 credits
- Cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher
- Completion of IDS 499 Preparing for Graduate Education (0 credit hours)
- Department approval
- Limit of six credit hours
Courses with MP prefix are graduate level courses and may be also applied toward the MA Applied Psychology degree providing the student meets the admission requirements for that program.
General Education for Baccalaureate Programs
The General Studies courses for bachelor’s programs at The Chicago School consist of three (3) categories: 1) General Education requirements, 2) Interdisciplinary Studies courses, and 3) General Electives.
The Chicago School’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.
Students residing in Florida must complete a total of 45 credit hours of general education requirements, which may be fulfilled by taking an additional course from the general education course offerings.
General Education Courses are all delivered in an online format.
Student Success Seminar (3 Credit Hours Required)
All undergraduate students, as a part of the general education requirements will complete the SEM 100 Pathways to Success course (or the BA305 or CR305 course equivalent) except for those who transfer into the institution with an earned associate degree from an accredited institution.
Interdisciplinary Studies Courses
Interdisciplinary studies courses are designed to be taken by students from various academic disciplines. These courses may be required or otherwise serve as elective course options within a program of study or within the general studies curriculum. Review the academic catalog for the specific requirements within an academic program of study.
General Education Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the general education coursework, students will be able to:
Professional Practice
- Technology and Innovation: Apply technology to enhance learning, collaboration, and application of knowledge in academic and professional settings.
Diversity
- Valuing and Understanding Difference: Analyze historical and social contexts that shape cultural values and belief systems to enrich discourse and promote ethical, inclusive, and respectful environments.
Professional Behavior
- Contemporary Issues and Social Responsibility: Analyze complex global challenges to understand their implications, assess and propose solutions, and collaborate with diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences.
Scholarship
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Effective Communication: Demonstrate skills to communicate effectively in written and oral format, within and across academic, professional, and social contexts.
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Written: Students will be able to effectively communicate ideas in writing, tailoring their message to the specific audience and purpose.
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Oral: Students will be able to effectively communicate ideas orally, tailoring their message to the specific audience and purpose.
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Reading: Students will be able to critically read and comprehend texts through the analysis of information and synthesis of ideas to inform judgments.
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Information Literacy: Evaluate the credibility and purpose of information in the application of research and communication.
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Critical Thinking: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of evidence presented to identify underlying assumptions, biases, and logical fallacies in the pursuit of creative problem-solving in diverse academic and real-world contexts.
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Quantitative Literacy: Apply mathematical concepts to effectively interpret data, solve problems, and draw evidence-based conclusions in various real-world contexts.
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)
Writing and Communication (9 Credit Hours)
English courses develop a student’s communication skills by enhancing their understanding of how language works. Students will refine their written and oral communication through the lens of rhetoric, focusing on practical reasoning and organization. These courses also strengthen a student’s ability to discover, critically evaluate, and report information, while improving their reading, writing, and listening skills. For students transferring credits, accepted courses must be in English composition and public speaking or communication.
Students must complete nine (9) credit hours of Writing and Communication coursework to fulfill general education requirements.
Humanities and Fine Arts (9 Credit Hours)
The humanities and fine arts courses provide a broader perspective on human experience, culture, and history. These courses help students develop critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills, which are highly transferable across diverse majors and professions. The humanities also help students analyze complex social issues, understand their historical context, and contribute to meaningful solutions. For students transferring courses, accepted courses for humanities and fine arts include literature, philosophy and ethics, history, religious studies, foreign languages, mythology, art history, music, theater, dance, race studies, and cultural anthropology or sociology.
Students must complete nine (9) credit hours of Humanities and Fine Arts coursework to fulfill general education requirements.
Mathematics (3 Credit Hours)
Mathematics courses provide a foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students learn analytical reasoning, data interpretation, and the application of mathematical concepts to real-world situations. These abilities are valuable in any field, from scientific research and criminal investigations to business and management. For students transferring credits, accepted courses must be in the allowable categories, including college algebra, pre-calculus, statistics, discrete mathematics, and other courses focused on mathematical theory, application, or logical reasoning. Transfer credits will not apply to developmental or remedial math courses.
Students must complete three (3) credit hours of Mathematics coursework to fulfill general education requirements.
MATH 107 is required for BS Business Psychology and BS Healthcare Management students.
MATH 107 or higher is required for students residing in Arkansas.
Physical and Life Sciences (8 Credit Hours)
Life and physical science courses explore the natural world through scientific inquiry, investigating the fundamental principles governing living organisms, matter, and energy. These courses develop essential scientific literacy, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning skills, enabling students to understand complex natural phenomena and apply scientific methods to real-world challenges. For students transferring credit, accepted courses include:
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Life Sciences: Biology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, zoology, botany, and other disciplines focused on living organisms and their processes.
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Physical Sciences: Chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, meteorology, and other disciplines focused on non-living systems, matter, and energy.
Students are required to take at least one (1) Life Science with a corresponding Lab and one Physical Science course with a corresponding Lab for a total of eight (8) credit hours of Physical and Life Science coursework to fulfill general education requirements.
Students residing in Louisiana are required to complete nine (9) credit hours of Life and Physical Science coursework to fulfill general education requirements. Six (6) credit hours shall be earned in a single life or physical science; the remaining three (3) credit hours must be earned in a natural science area other than that previously selected.
BIO 100 is required for BS Business Psychology students.
Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 Credit Hours)
Social and behavioral science courses systematically investigate human behavior, societal structures, and institutions to understand how social, political, and economic systems interact and influence one another. These courses enable students to explore contemporary and historical issues across diverse cultural contexts, examining the principles and methodologies of social scientific inquiry to address real-world challenges. For students transferring credits, accepted courses include categories in sociology, psychology, economics, political science, geography, criminal justice, and interdisciplinary studies that analyze social phenomena and human behavior.
Students are required to complete nine (9) credit hours of Social and Behavioral Sciences coursework to fulfill general education requirements.
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)
Interdisciplinary Studies Courses (Elective)
Prior Learning Assessment - Portfolio (Electives)
A student may develop a portfolio that documents acquired college-level learning from non-college experiences-those that did not occur in a classroom setting. The portfolio is a collection of essays, documents, or other materials that provide evidence of that learning, such as professional training, life experiences, civil or military service, job related activities, or volunteer work. To participate in Portfolio Review, students are required to enroll in a sequence of two .5 credit hour online courses (PLA101 and PLA102) that provide step-by-step guidance on the development of an electronic portfolio. Once enrolled, the portfolio development course facilitator will help students determine what documentation is necessary to demonstrate mastery of the learning outcomes for the targeted course(s). Department approval is required for enrollment in these courses.
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