2015-2016 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Addendum [Archived Catalog]
B.A. Psychology
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Program Overview
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program is a 120 credit hour program consisting of a 44 credit hour General Education foundation, optional minors in business and health science, a variety of electives that are pre-requisites for TCSPP graduate programs, and a 42 credit hour psychology major. Taught by practitioner faculty, the goal of this 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, counseling, or health sciences.
Psychology Major Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the psychology major coursework, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate 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.
- Recognize, understand and respect sociocultural, international, interdisciplinary, and cognitive diversity, especially in regard to its impact on psychology.
- Participate in their diverse communities through their knowledge of individual and group behaviors as well as their civic understanding.
- Apply psychological principles and theory to individual, social and organizational issues.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal communication skills that include effective speaking and listening skills.
- Interact and collaborate with others effectively.
- Analyze personal issues and questions by applying psychological and ethical principles.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical issues that frame the practice of psychology.
General Education Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the general education coursework, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of the fundamental theories and principles of their major (and chosen minor, if applicable) area of study.
- Deliver well organized oral and written presentations that include a central message with logical themes, using language and terminology appropriate to the topic and audience.
- Craft logical evidence based arguments leading to solutions of practical problems.
- Acquire and utilize information through library research with the use of computer search engines and information databases, evaluate the reliability of the source, and identify peer-reviewed and scholarly sources.
- Apply quantitative (mathematical) reasoning to solving practical problems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of individual and cultural difference with consideration for domestic and transnational diversity in a manner that promotes inclusion and understanding.
- Interact and collaborate with others effectively.
- Interact and collaborate with others effectively.
- Assess their own ethical values and the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, applying differing ethical perspectives to dilemmas, and consider the ramifications of alternative actions.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the B.A. 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.
Factors and materials to be considered for admission will include:
- Completed application and $50 application fee
- Applicants must provide proof of high school graduation or GED documented by one of the following:
- Official High School transcript
- High School diploma
- State issued High School equivalency (home school)
- Official General Educational Development (GED) document
- Official Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) document
- Official High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) document
- Official college transcript from a regionally accredited institution
- Official transcripts from all institutions from which transfer credit is sought.
- International credentials: Applicants with international credentials must obtain and submit an official “course-by-course” evaluation through an evaluation agency. Applicants of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology are encouraged to have their international transcripts reviewed and evaluated by a service affiliated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES http://www.naces.org/members.htm/) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICES http://www.aice-eval.org/).
- International Applicants: Applicants for whom English is not the primary language, with the exception of applicants who have an associate’s degree or 48 transfer credits from an accredited US institution, must submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores with application. The minimum scores are: TOEFL - 550 paper based, 213 computer based, 79 internet based; IELTS - 6.5.
Applicant Notification
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology 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 of Professional Psychology 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 of Professional Psychology has established agreements between the B.A. Psychology program and the programs listed below to allow qualified students to enter early into the listed master’s program. These agreements allow qualified students to begin their masters while completing their bachelors. Click on the link of the program that interests you for details.
TCSPP has partnered with Waubonsee Community College (WCC) to accept active WCC students who fulfill the criteria listed here . WCC students are guaranteed general admission to The Chicago School. All transfer of credit will be based on an individual evaluation of the student transcripts, and may vary depending upon program of study and how credits are applied toward degree completion.
Policies
The following policies are located under Academic Policies and Procedures: Transfer Credit/Course Waiver, 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. Information on the Academic Success Program is located under Student Life.
Student Success Seminar
The Student Success Seminar is a six week workshop designed to prepare incoming students for success in completing their B.A. Psychology at TCSPP. During this workshop, students will work with the program academic advisor to complete two readiness assessments designed to provide feedback to the student about their skill level in both academic and non-academic areas related to student persistence and graduation. During this workshop, the student and the academic advisor will complete an individual Student Success Plan to maintain and leverage strengths and address areas where attention can support the student’s work toward the goal of graduation.
Academic Development Plans
An Academic Development Plan (ADP) is initiated and created by the program in which the student is enrolled. When a student demonstrates deficiencies in competencies that interfere with academic performance, training competence, and/or professional behavior, the ADP is initiated. The completion of an ADP does not constitute disciplinary action, but failure to complete the plan may lead to disciplinary action.
Student Learning Assessment
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is committed to offering the highest quality undergraduate program and graduate programs in applied professional disciplines. To meet TCSPP’s standard for academic quality, program learning outcomes are aligned with course learning outcomes and guide assessment. Data collected from the results of student assessment and the aggregation of these data will inform how students are progressing towards achieving program outcomes.
All academic programs report annual assessments of student learning and other indicators of program effectiveness as part of the Academic Program Review process.
Psychology Major Capstone
The BA 400 Capstone Course 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.
General Education Capstone
During the CAP 200 Fundamentals of Action Research course students will focus on the theoretical foundations and methodological issues of Action Research. This approach to research is conducted with members of a community or organization to solve problems they are experiencing, leading to more effective practices. During the course students will complete the General Education Capstone assignment. This course is required for all students except those who transfer in an earned associate degree.
Philosophy
The B.A. Psychology completion program is designed to provide those who are continuing their education post Associates degree, already possess a Bachelor’s degree in a different concentration, or seek to transfer from another program of study in order to gain 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 absorbed from the various concentrations within the program including Business Psychology and Child/Adolescent. The exclusively online 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.
Professional 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 of Professional Psychology, 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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