M.A. Psychology

CHICAGO  • ONLINE-BLENDED

Master of Arts, Psychology

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Psychology is a program that roots the master’s-seeking individual with the basics of psychology and a concentration which will support his or her career focus. This non-licensure master’s program is for the practitioner, seeking an advanced degree in psychology. The Chicago School ensures that graduates have sufficient theory and research in psychology and in a specified field, but it is distinctive in that it applies learning directly to the workplace, using assessment, projects, and other measures to ensure application-based learning.

The M.A. in Psychology course work is 36 semester credit hours. Coursework includes eighteen semester credit hours in foundational psychology, six semester credit hours in the Applied Research Project with the remaining 12 credit hours taken within the concentration track. Students must complete an Applied Research Project, which puts psychology in action, integrating program learning and applying this learning to an authentic workplace situation. The Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) currently offers six concentrations: Child and Adolescent Psychology; Gerontology; Sport and Exercise; Organizational Leadership; International Psychology; and Generalist.  

The Online-Blended program is designed for working adults to attend on a part-time basis.

The Chicago campus program is designed for working adults to attend on a weekend basis.  The Chicago campus program meets every other weekend (Friday evening, Saturday morning and afternoon) and students are required to complete additional course assignments online.  Students in the Chicago campus program will take their concentration courses online, concurrent with the on-ground courses.

More specific information is located the Program Guidebook.

Admission Requirements

Application to the M.A. in Psychology graduate program 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, and the admission essay. Generally, an undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 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. Those applicants with a strong work record but with low GPAs will be asked for letters of recommendation and an additional admission essay. Those interested in the MAP must apply directly at www.thechicagoschool.edu.

Students should ensure their resume properly highlights three or more years of post-baccalaureate work experience. In additional to the admission criteria, it is recommended that students have access to a computer that is less than three years old, a broadband or Internet connection, and the Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and Outlook and, at minimum, the following computing skills:

• A comfort with basic Internet technology
• The ability to open and attach files from and to email
• The ability to send and receive email
• The ability to save documents

Standardized Testing:

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, deadlines, and letters of recommendation.

Application Fees:

Degree applications must be submitted with a $50 (USD) application fee to be considered. Certificate applications must be submitted with a $25 (USD) application fee to be considered.

TOEFL, International Credentials, and International Students 

TOEFL: If English is not a student’s primary language, the student must submit official TOEFL scores with your application (TOEFL School Code: 7161). International students who received a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited United States institution are exempt from this requirement.

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: Since this is an online program an I-20 visa will not be issued for study in the United States.

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.

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

Philosophy

The M.A. in Psychology (MAP) Program provides working adults with a basic foundation in psychology and research while enriching their career choice through a concentration focus. MAP students apply learned theories, concepts, and best practices to their work.

Program Outcomes

1. Students will consume, critique, and produce applied graduate-level research work.

2. Students will work effectively with individuals and groups across racial, ethnic, gender, age, disability, social class, sexual orientation, and religious boundaries.

3. Students will outline the professional, ethical, and legal issues associated with the various fields of psychology.

4. Students will apply current professional research and best practices to effectively deliver professional services in work settings.

5. Students will consume, critique, and produce applied graduate-level research work.

Ethical and Professional Behavior

MAP program 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.