Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Vision

The Chicago School strives to be the school of choice in professional psychology and to realize its mission through innovation and quality.

Mission

Integrating theory, professional practice, and innovation, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology provides an excellent education for careers in psychology and related behavioral and health sciences. The school is committed to service and embraces the diverse communities of our society.

Values

Reflecting the systemic integration of our mission, our logo symbolizes our four core values: Education, Innovation, Service, and Community.

Philosophy

The Chicago School educates professionals whose practices exemplify a commitment to understand and respect individual and cultural differences. The application of humane professional judgment is achieved through the integration of psychological theory, scientific research, and professional practice. The curriculum and training opportunities prepare graduates to deliver outstanding professional services, emphasizing the need to understand diversity and the importance of working with underserved populations. From this statement of purpose, we derive our institutional goals, which are attained through individual programs of study. Our consistent focus on student learning ensures that the institution provides excellent career education. Each program regularly identifies the learning expectations, determines the outcomes of these student-learning expectations across academic programs, and uses assessment results to improve student learning. Our institutional learning goals for students completing our degree programs are:

Scholarship

Graduates will be able to use scientific research and theory to inform their practices and be able to prepare scholarly work broadly defined.

Diversity

Graduates will be able to apply theoretical and practical knowledge about ethnic, racial, gender, sexual, cultural and religious, age, and disability difference in their professional work.

Professional Behavior

Graduates will be able to function in a professional and ethical manner.

Professional Practice

Graduates will be able to conduct assessments, develop appropriate interventions, and implement interventions in their specialty area of professional psychology.

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Student Focused Learning

To insure an effective and high quality education experience, The Chicago School faculty systematically monitors student learning to inform future planning and to generate creative, responsive initiatives to improve the programs. Data are gathered, analyzed, and presented to the learning community for review. Based on these results, the program revises the student learning assessment plan, the curriculum, and the approach to learning in the classroom. Student learning assessments offer the school a critical opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of its programs and to develop innovative, student-focused learning environments.

To optimize the learning environment offered by the programs, students are strongly encouraged to be active learners. Active student learners reflect on the conditions and activities that engage their learning style and work independently, with peers and with faculty, to enhance their learning in the classroom.

Commitment to Diversity

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to being the school of choice by building an environment of mutual respect and inclusion where all individuals will be valued for who they are and what they can contribute. In turn, all individuals are expected to be participatory members of an active learning community that promotes cultural awareness, competence, and understanding of diversity.

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Applied Forensic Psychology Certificate

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Applied Forensic Psychology Certificate is a viable option for those looking to further their professional credentials through distance learning. Knowledge of forensic psychology is used in various forms, such as in treating mentally ill offenders, consulting with attorneys (e.g., on selecting a jury), and analyzing a criminal's mind and intent. For more than 25 years, The Chicago School's expertise in human behavior and psychology has provided students with a comprehensive understanding of human behavior, including criminal behavior, setting us apart in the criminal justice fields.

Our Applied Forensic Psychology Certificate program is specifically tailored to working professionals who are seeking to acquire skills in an area directly related to their current professional challenges. This unique certificate program allows working professionals to gain the additional skills needed to improve professionally through distance learning. In Forensic Psychology, students at The Chicago School come away with a greater understanding of human psychology and criminal behavior. This greater understanding sets Forensic Psychology students at The Chicago School apart in their field.

Student Profile

The Applied Forensic Psychology Certificate program is open to anyone holding a bachelor's degree in any discipline. Typically, the course is taken by working professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of forensic psychology and strengthen their ability to apply this knowledge. Such professionals include:

  • Corrections professionals
  • Probation officers
  • Court professionals
  • Law enforcement professionals
  • Victim assistance professionals

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Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers master’s degrees in Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology, which prepare students for successful careers in one of the fastest growing fields of professional psychology. Through its unique distance-learning format, The Chicago School equips students with the skills needed to help them perform more effectively, solve problems, and grow professionally.

Our Industrial/Organizational Psychology degree program is designed to help the working professional to advance their career, improve individual performance, and positively influence organizational effectiveness.

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Master of Arts in I/O Psychology, Workplace Diversity Specialization

Workplace diversity and success in the competitive global marketplace often go hand in hand. The Chicago School understands this concept and is uniquely positioned to help working professionals drive their individual and organizational performance through the promotion of diversity and multicultural awareness.

The Chicago School places an emphasis on Workplace Diversity that addresses the challenges of managing generational differences, understanding global leadership, and promoting diversity in today’s global marketplaces. An outstanding professional faculty, coupled with our innovative distance-learning format, ensures the greatest possible education and accessibility for working professionals.

Student Outcomes

The Chicago School offers courses in Workplace Diversity as a specialization of our Master of Arts in Industrial & Organizational.

The course work for this program focuses attention on three important areas: meeting the challenges of global human resources management, building ethical organizations, and promoting diversity within these organizations. This program prepares students to:

  • Manage the challenge of balancing conflicting values across cultures
  • Identify important considerations in international staffing
  • Develop a decision making strategy based on fundamental definitions of right and wrong that can be applied across cultures

Time Commitment

We understand the full-time commitments of working professionals, and have designed and scheduled courses with this in mind. Our innovative distance-learning format makes earning a master’s degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology with a specialization in Workplace Diversity more convenient than ever before. ExCEL (Executive Career Enhancement and Leadership) programs are accelerated, flexible options for obtaining your advanced degree while balancing your career demands and other obligations.

  • An M.A. can be earned in as little as 20 months
  • Students will take approximately 10 hours per week to complete their studies

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Master of Arts in I/O Psychology, Organizational Effectiveness Specialization

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology can help you take your career to the next level with a master’s degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology with a specialization in Organizational Effectiveness. Organizational Effectiveness is one of today’s fastest growing areas of professional psychology.

Our unique and innovative master’s degree program can aid working professionals in advancing their careers and improving individual performance. The professional faculty at The Chicago School teach strategies that enable students to positively affect human behavior in the workplace. Our classes have been developed to offer tangible results.

Student Outcomes

The master’s degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology, Organizational Effectiveness specialization program allows professionals to enhance their potential value to any organization. It will help you to identify limitations in current work processes, management approaches and team building practices, allowing you to help create a more effective workplace. Our master’s degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology, Organizational Effectiveness specialization program prepares the student to:

  • Structure a compensation policy
  • Design internally fair salary structures
  • Leverage survey data to increase organizational effectiveness
  • Navigating fair employment and other important labor laws

This degree program focuses on three very important areas: creating a strategic compensation policy that helps you attract and retain top talent, develop employee surveys to help measure the effectiveness of organizational improvement initiatives, and understand the role of collective bargaining in building strong, effective organizations.

Time Commitment

We understand the full-time commitments of working professionals, and have designed and scheduled courses with this in mind. Our innovative distance learning format makes earning a master’s degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology with a specialization in Organizational Effectiveness more convenient than ever before. Our ExCEL (Executive Career Enhancement and Leadership) programs are accelerated, flexible options for obtaining your advanced degree while balancing career demands and other obligations.

  • An M.A. can be earned in as little as 20 months
  • Students will take approximately 10 hours per week to complete their studies

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Master of Arts in I/O Psychology, Leadership for Healthcare Professionals Specialization

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers the perfect opportunity for those seeking a master’s in I/O psychology with a healthcare emphasis. Through the Leadership for Healthcare Professionals specialization, students prepare for a career in one of the fastest growing areas in the application of professional psychology. The Chicago School’s unique graduate program equips students with the skills needed to perform more effectively and grow professionally in today’s diverse and multicultural organizations.

The Chicago School has developed unique and innovative programs designed to aid working healthcare professionals who wish to earn their master’s degree and advance their careers. Scheduled with the busy lives and full-time commitments of our students in mind, our innovative distance learning format ensures the greatest possible convenience and accessibility for working healthcare professionals seeking an advanced degree.

Student Profiles

The Chicago School’s M.A. in I/O Psychology, Leadership for Healthcare Professionals specialization is open to those with a bachelor's degree in any discipline. Typically, those seeking this type of degree are healthcare professionals seeking to broaden their opportunities and add value and depth to their skills. Such professionals include:

  • Registered nurses
  • Nursing administrators
  • Medical records and health information officers
  • Health services managers
  • Pharmaceutical administrators

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Master of Arts in I/O Psychology, Consumer Psychology Specialization

A master’s degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology with a specialization in Consumer Psychology from The Chicago School offers working professionals the opportunity for career advancement in one of the fastest growing areas of psychology. This advanced degree enables students to perform more effectively, solve problems, and grow professionally in today's diverse global work environment.

The Chicago School’s extensive expertise in human behavior and consumer psychology can aid sales managers and advertisers in the creative development of marketing strategies that will draw more attention to their brand. The dedicated instructors are not only scholars, but also practicing psychologists with years of hands-on experience in the field of consumer psychology.

Student Outcomes

The Chicago School's Master of Arts in I/O Psychology, Consumer Psychology specialization program prepares professionals to build effective marketing, advertising, and merchandising strategies based upon the mastery and advantage of the psychology of consumer motivation. The knowledge gleaned from this program enables you to understand the psychology of the consumer decision-making process. It will help you answer many important questions: What attracts customers? What motivates them? What keeps them coming back?

The curriculum of the Consumer Psychology specialization is ideal for professionals who are seeking to perfect the skills needed to:

  • Develop a memorable brand image that builds trust and loyalty
  • Promote spending by optimizing the store experience for the consumers
  • Spark impulse buying through the design of unique point-of-sale (POS) collateral
  • Create a total customer experience that builds sales volume

The M.A. in I/O Psychology, Consumer Psychology specialization program is open to those who hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Professionals working in the marketing and advertising fields, including marketing managers, visual merchandising professionals, product development strategists, and buyers are well suited for this degree.

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Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology's M.A. programs are designed for the working professionals who are ready to take the next step in their careers by earning a degree in Forensic Psychology. Master’s degree programs created by The Chicago School are built on the deep understanding of human behavior and the practical application of that knowledge. The successful use of psychology applied across a wide range of contexts—from local police precincts to child welfare agencies—has resulted in tremendous growth in the field of Forensic Psychology. Master’s degree programming at The Chicago School is designed to teach strategies that positively affect human behavior. Courses are taught by respected practitioners with extensive experience in the field. The Chicago School’s unique and innovative distance learning courses afford the greatest amount of convenience and accessibility for working professionals.

Student Outcomes

The field of forensic psychology focuses on the application of the knowledge of psychology as it relates to law and the legal system. The Chicago School's Forensic Psychology M.A. program has the distinction of being the only one of its kind in the Midwest. Its curriculum is designed to advance the careers of professionals already working in the law enforcement, corrections, victim’s assistance, treatment facilities, or the many other criminal justice or social services agencies. Graduates of The Chicago School’s Forensic Psychology master’s degree program are equipped with the knowledge and skills allowing them to develop the mastery to:

  • Effectively respond to questions about the law and the legal system through the knowledge of psychology and mental health
  • Perform risk assessment, intervention, and treatment planning for various problems and populations
  • Master the necessary interpersonal, behavioral, academic, and technical skills for application in a variety of forensic settings

Time Commitment

We understand the full-time commitments of working professionals and have created unique and innovative programs with this in mind. Our ExCEL (Executive Career Enhancement and Leadership) programs are accelerated, flexible options for obtaining your advanced degree while balancing career demands and other obligations.

  • An M.A. can be earned in as little as 20 months
  • Students will take approximately 10 hours per week to complete their studies

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