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CHICAGO ● GRAYSLAKE

Education Specialist, School Psychology

Program Overview

The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in School Psychology will educate well-rounded specialist-level graduates who will fill the increasingly varied roles of today’s school psychologist. The school psychologist is called upon to help students, teachers, administrators, and parents overcome obstacles to learning and personal development which include, but are not limited to, family disruptions, mental health problems and disabilities, inadequate exposure to instruction (i.e., medical illness, poor attendance, etc.), and academic difficulties.

Nationally, there is a great need for professionals trained in school psychology. Recent national projections indicate that nearly 50 percent of all school psychologists are projected to retire by 2015. A survey conducted by the National Association of School Psychologists indicates that the number of school psychology graduates will not be enough to provide replacements in the near future.

Recognizing that there will be a substantial shortfall in the number of available school psychologists in Illinois, The Chicago School created and gained approval to offer an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Psychology. The Ed.S. degree was chosen as the standard of training most congruent with the level of quality demanded by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The Chicago School has attained the highest level of approval and accreditation for its School Psychology program through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). The program also received conditional approved by the National Association of School Psychologists in 2010.  The School Psychology program is offered as a three-year full-time course of study that begins in the fall semester or as a four year part-time course of study that begins in the fall term, offered in Chicago and in Grayslake, IL.

Admission Requirements

Application to The Chicago School’s Ed.S. program in School Psychology 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, an admission essay, and three letters of recommendation from academic professors or professional or volunteer supervisors. Generally, an undergraduate GPA of a 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission.  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.

The School Psychology program requires two undergraduate courses (a course in psychology and a course in either statistics or research methods) that must be completed prior to enrollment, with a grade earned of “C” or better. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required, however it strongly encouraged that students who have taken the exam 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 the $50.00 (USD) application fee in order to be evaluated.

TOEFL or IELTS, International Credentials, and International Students

TOEFL or IELTS: If English is not your primary language, you must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores with your application (TOEFL School Code: 7161). International students who received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited United States institution are exempt from this requirement. The minimum scores are: TOEFL – 550 paper based, 213 computer based, 79 internet based; IELTS – 6.5.

ELS Educational Services, Inc.: The Chicago School is a cooperative member of ELS Educational Services, Inc. which provides intensive English language programs. Students who have successfully completed ELS course 112 may be considered for admission in lieu of the TOEFL or IELTS.

International credentials: Applicants with international credentials must obtain and submit an official “course-by-course” evaluation through an evaluation agency such as World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators Inc. (www.ece.org). In addition to the agency evaluation, all official graduate and undergraduate transcripts must be submitted.

International students: International students must have a completed application by the general consideration deadline. This will allow sufficient time to obtain the additional documentation required to study in the United States. In addition, once accepted, international students must submit the International Student Information form, A copy of their passport, and financial documentation showing sufficient funding for at least one year of study and all living expenses. This documentation must be submitted at least two months prior to the start of the semester in order to allow sufficient time for the school to issue an I-20 for the student to obtain an F-1 visa, if needed. An I-20 visa will not be issued without this documentation.

Applicant Notification

The Chicago School reviews applications on a rolling basis. Once review begins, complete applications will be considered by the Admission Committee and the student is quickly notified of 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 $500 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  : Transfer of Credit, Waiver of Courses, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Grading Scale, Grade Change Requests, Degree Completion, Degree Conferral, Minimum and Maximum Timeframe requirements, and Credit Hours per semester for Financial Aid.

Academic Development Plans

An Academic Development Plan (ADP) is initiated and created by the Department in which the student is enrolled when a student demonstrates deficiencies in competencies that interfere with academic performance, training competence, and/or professional behavior.  Academic Development Plans (ADPs) do not constitute disciplinary action, but failure to complete the plan may lead to disciplinary action.

Student Learning Assessment

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TSCPP) is committed to offering the highest quality graduate and undergraduate completion programs in applied professional disciplines. In order to meet the TCSPP standard for academic quality, all programs will develop overall program competencies, learning objectives, assessment instruments, course descriptions, and course learning objectives. Each of these curriculum components must align in order for students to understand how their program will prepare them for the profession and how they will learn what TCSPP intends. 

All academic programs at TCSPP are required to develop, conduct, and report annual assessments of student learning and program effectiveness in compliance with the processes and procedures established by TCSPP.  These assessments provide reliable and valid information to monitor, maintain, and advance the quality of academic programs. 

Foundations for Scholarship and Practice

To ensure academic preparedness, a key to success in graduate school, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology requires new students to complete the program Foundations for Scholarship and Practice (Foundations). This program reinforces the skills new students need to achieve their academic goals. Foundations is an integral part of the first term’s curriculum (first and second terms’ curriculum for the Online-Blended Programs) and all students are required to complete the program successfully and in a timely manner.  Failure to complete any element of the program can lead to academic consequences, including dismissal.

 Foundations for Scholarship and Practice consists of three elements: 

1.  Academic Focus Program – Academic Focus is an online, self-paced orientation to graduate academics. Completion of these tutorials is required by Friday of the fourth week of the first term. A final  grade of “pass” is considered successful completion of this element of Foundations.

2.  Writing Assessment Process – In this component of Foundations, each student writes an essay in response to an assigned question and submits it for evaluation. Based upon the results of this assessment, , the school may waive the Academic Writing Course requirement (#3, below). Essays are due by Friday of the third week of the first term and essay submission by the given date is considered successful completion of this element of Foundations.

3.  Academic Writing Course (AWC) – This online course is taken before or during the first or second term at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. A final grade of “pass” is considered successful completion of this element. Failure to earn a final grade of “pass” may result in an Academic Development Plan or referral to the Student Affairs Committee. All students are required to take the course, unless they place out through the Writing Assessment Process. Students who place out of the Academic Writing Course may elect to take the course. Based on academic performance concerns, instructors may require AWC completion by a student by creating an Academic Development Plan.

Failure to complete any element of Foundations by the required due date may result in Academic Development Plan or referral to the Student Affairs Committee. 

Preparing for the Academic Writing Course

It is solely the responsibility of the student to make the necessary adjustments to his/her school, work and personal schedules as required for full participation in this course. The Chicago School is not responsible for ensuring that these adjustments are made. Students failing AWC must retake the course in the subsequent semester. The successful completion of AWC is a graduation requirement.

Fees associated with Foundations for Scholarship and Practice

All students incur a one-time fee for their participation in Foundations for Scholarship and Practice. See Tuition & Fees schedule for a full list of applicable course fees.

The Program

Mission

The mission of the TCSPP School Psychology Department is to provide students with a broad-based education that promotes best practices, cultural sensitivity, and innovation to support the needs of children and families.  We are committed to preparing graduates who transform our profession, schools, and communities.

Philosophy

The department’s philosophy embraces the premise that the creation of humane and effective learning environments requires the application of professional judgment acquired through the integration of educational and psychological theory, scholarship, and professional practice. Further, the department endorses a deep commitment to understanding and respecting individual and cultural differences, while considering the systems in which the individual functions. The curriculum and training opportunities are based on the practitioner-scholar model which specifies a competency-based approach and is integrated with a standards-based approach to learning. The expected outcome of this method is consistent with the role of the “master” school psychologist who is able to treat and empower students, families, and communities to bring about positive change, plan preventive services, and enhance both educational and psychological problem-solving at all levels. The department’s philosophy and mission flows directly from the institutional mission and uses Bronfenbrenner’s ecological child development theory (1979) to create the integrative-systemic conceptual framework that guides the School Psychology Department and the Ed.S. program.

A competency-based education philosophy permeates every element of The Chicago School and the School Psychology Program. Graduates of the Ed.S. program will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions consistent with those recognized by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the knowledge and performance bases defined as the critical skills for school psychology professionals by the State of Illinois and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). These key competencies are articulated in the 2002 NASP Domains. This philosophical approach provides empirical evidence that instruction in the program addresses all of the IL/NASP Domains, and that graduates have demonstrated their success in meeting each of the domains. The program curriculum and assessment system ensures that students will know the field of School Psychology and have a thorough understanding of the principles and concepts in the IL/NASP Standards for the School Psychologist. The original framework for the IL/NASP standards was developed in 2000, revised in 2002, and reconfirmed at the NASP Futures Conference.

Program Outcomes

1. Students will use scientific research and theory to inform their practices and contribute to the theoretical and practical base of professional education and psychology.

2. Students will apply theoretical and practical knowledge about ethnic, racial, gender, sexual, cultural and religious,age, and disability differences with P-12 students, students’ families, school teachers and administrators, and community leaders.

3. Students will integrate educational and psychology theory into their professional practice. 

4. Students will appropriately administer, score, and interpret psychological instruments and integrate case information in light of contextual factors

5. Students will use a variety of prevention and intervention techniques to affect positive outcomes.

6. Students will develop an understanding and application of the major models of consultation.

7. Students will be able to function in a professional and ethical manner in classroom, off-site training, and work setting. School Psychology program goals: legal and ethical behavior, professional practice, and dispositions as they relate to P-12 education.

8. Students will have the NASP knowledge to function in the role of a school psychologist.

9. Students will increase knowledge of the creation, maintenance, and products of relationship and establish professional relationships with students, parents, and professional staff.

10. Students will develop roles with children, adolescents, students, families, and communities that reflect skill areas in the practice of school psychology.

11. Students will use technology to enhance educational and psychological programming.

Ethics

Graduates will demonstrate commitment to the ethical guidelines adopted by the National Association of School Psychologists’ Professional Conduct Manual, which contains “Principles for Professional Ethics” and the “Standards for the Provision of School Psychological Services” and those adopted by the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists. For example, students shall not engage in employment beyond the scope of their training and may not use titles governed by certification and licensure statutes. Students that fail to adhere to ethical and legal guidelines appropriate for the practice of School Psychology are subject to discipline.

Certification/Licensure

The School Psychology program will prepare one to take the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) examination and the Illinois School Psychologist content area examination.

Practicum and Internship

The Chicago School requirements for school placements exceed the NASP Standards for Training and Field Placement Programs in School Psychology.

Three field experiences are required and earn a total of 10 academic credits:

• First year service learning project: 120 hours (imbedded in professional development seminar)
• Second year practicum (3rd year for students in the part-time blended programs): 550 hours total (4 credits)
• Third year internship experience (4th year for students in the part-time blended programs): 1200 hours, full-time (6 credits)

More specific information is located in the Program Guidebook.

School Psychology Exit Criteria

Transitions points represent key assessments of knowledge, skills, and dispositions for each year of the school psychology training. Students may not proceed to the next level of training until proficiency is demonstrated in the knowledge, skills, and dispositions at each point. Only then is a student permitted to transition to the next level. Note that all years of training require students to demonstrate proficiency through capstone activities submitted in via an electronic portfolio. Capstone activities are summative assignments that require the student to demonstrate knowledge, comprehension, application, integration, and synthesis in the content areas studied.

Prior to beginning any field placement, each student’s progress is reviewed by a committee of program faculty through the Performance Appraisal System. First year review determines which students meet the requirements to qualify for a practicum. Following the completion of the majority of practicum hours, students attend an internship qualifying review, using a similar format and process. At the midway point and at completion of field placements, student performance is evaluated on all dimensions of the NASP and Illinois standards by a committee including the School Psychology faculty and the Office of Placement and Training. A remediation plan may be designed, if needed, to help any student reach the required standards of performance. Students who are unsuccessful with remediation plans may be discharged from the program. To complete the program of study, the student must “pass” practicum and achieve overall supervisor rating of “competency” on the Internship Accomplishment Form-Final.

Students are required to complete the Illinois Psychology Basic Skills Test within their first semester of the program and will have the opportunity to retake the test.  During the final year of the program, students will need to complete the Praxis Exam which measures the academic proficiency in School Psychology.  To obtain certification as a School Psychologist, students need to complete the Illinois Type 73 School Psychology Content Exam.