Chicago School Of Professional Psychology, The

Program Information

Degree Offered

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Child and Adolescent Track

Format: Campus

Program Description:

The Child and Adolescent Concentration, within the Clinical Psy.D. program, prepares students to address the mental health needs of children and adolescents. Throughout the coursework and related practicum experiences, emphasis is placed on developing a conceptual and experiential background in working with individuals in a wide range of family and cultural lifestyles. The concentration provides students with opportunities to study child and adolescent psychopathology, diagnostic evaluation, and therapeutic interventions. Students are trained in various theories, tools, and intervention techniques, and often work with clients who have experienced severe trauma or serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or phobias. They conduct clinical interviews and psychological testing, create treatment plans, consult, and collaborate with physicians and other professionals, and provide multiple forms of therapy to alleviate mental illness, behavioral problems, and emotional distress.

In addition to working with diverse economic, social, and ethnic/racial populations, students have opportunities to explore a full range of professional experiences through practicum, including hospital inpatient and outpatient clinics, community and/or school-based centers, forensic settings, and private practice settings. Students are also able to work with children representing the full-age spectrum, from early childhood through adolescence.

The Chicago Campus' Clinical Psychology doctoral program is accredited by the American Psychological Association and qualifies graduates to sit for the national licensure exam. Basic coursework is completed in four intervention orientations (Cognitive/Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Humanistic Existential, and Systems) before students decide on one as a specialty, completing advanced coursework and their Clinical Competency Examination within that orientation.

Master's degrees are awarded midway through the program (after completing 48 semester hours of required coursework, including two semesters of practicum). Students may complete additional specific coursework to be eligible to sit for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) exam in Illinois.

Accreditation:

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: No

Classification: Other Specialized Institutions

Institution Sector: Private not-for-profit

Locale: Large City

Size & Settings: 1,000 - 4,999