The Chicago School now offers its M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Specialization in a weekend and online format at the University Center of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois.

Program Highlights

• 60-credit-hour, three-year program in an accessible format tailored for working adults*.

• Students select from one of three concentrations: child and adolescent treatment, addiction disorders, or generalist.

• A “cohort” program in which all entering students follow the same course progression plan together.

• Most courses consist of weekly online instruction and two on-campus weekends (Saturdays and Sundays 9am-4pm). Several courses are fully online.

• Students take no more than nine credit hours per semester:

  • Three classes in the fall

  • Three classes in the spring

  • Two classes in each of two summers

• All faculty are practitioners in the field

• Program bridges the field of clinical psychology with the counseling profession

• Emphasis on practitioner-focused learning in real-world settings

• Program prepares students for licensure

Clinical Training:

• Each student spends 700 clock hours (minimum) in practicum/internship*

  • Takes place during the third year of the program, consisting of 16-24 hours per week for nine to 12 months.

  • Advisement and planning for practicum/internship placement takes place during students’ first and second years in the program.

  • Each student is required to complete the Counseling Competency Examination (a written paper and oral presentation regarding the evaluation and treatment of an individual client the student is seeing as part of his/her internship).

* Because most practicum/internship sites require students to work weekdays, students may need to modify their work/career schedules for the nine to 12 month period of their clinical training experience (during year three of the program).

Program Objectives

• Students will learn the theoretical frameworks and scientific bases of clinical psychology at the master’s level.

• Students will develop the essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and consultative skills necessary to work with different clinical populations and a variety of emotional and psychological conditions.

• Students will learn research methodologies and be able to critically evaluate research as it relates to clinical psychology.

• Students will learn the ethical and professional guidelines of the counseling profession and clinical psychology.

• Students will understand and appreciate the impact of diversity and cultural issues in the field of clinical psychology.

Program Requirements/Expectations

The Counseling Specialization is a full-time or part-time program requiring 50 credit hours, including 44 credits of classroom-based course work and six credits of practicum. The specialization requires six credits (600 clock hours) of field-based clinical training held at participating sites. The program must be completed within five years.

Qualifications to Apply

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required

• Completion of one course in statistics or research methods, and at least one course in psychology

Additional Application Requirements for International Students

If English is not your primary language, you must submit official scores from TOEFL (www.toefl.org) (School Code: 7161) or from IELTS (www.ielts.org) with your application. If you attend or have attended a university that is not in the United States, you must submit a “course-by-course” evaluation of your transcripts. You can arrange for an evaluation through several organizations: World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators Inc. Students must have a U.S. equivalent bachelor's degree. You also must submit to The Chicago School all official undergraduate and graduate transcripts in addition to the agency evaluation. Visit the Office of International Student Services website for more information about additional requirements once you have been admitted.

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. Upon acceptance, international students must supply documentation of financial support showing the ability to finance their education. An I-20 visa will not be issued without this documentation.

Certification

The Counseling Specialization incorporates the eight content areas outlined by the National Board of Certified Counselors. It also provides the academic requirements to prepare students seeking Professional Counselor Licensure in Illinois (LPC and LCPC). Visit the Licensure Information page for further details.

For more information about our Clinical Psychology M.A. Counseling Specialization contact:

Office of Admission
Phone: 312.329.6666
Toll Free: 800.721.8072, ext. 6666
Email: admissions@thechicagoschool.edu

Additional Program Information

Applied Behavior Analysis
Clinical Psychology
Counseling Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Industrial Organizational and Business Psychology
School Psychology
Continuing Professional Development