Program Highlights

• Clinical Psychology school features a practitioner/scholar model of training, the belief that a competent practitioner must have a broad knowledge of the scientific and theoretical principles in the clinical practice of psychology and the ability to apply that knowledge to specific clinical situations.
• Experienced practitioner-faculty teach students the essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and consultative skills needed to treat a variety of emotional, intellectual, and psychological conditions in clinical populations ranging from children to the elderly.
• High value placed on the ability to work with and understand diverse and often underserved populations; successful students demonstrate an appreciation for and competency in diversity and multicultural psychology.
• Practicum training at more than 300 agencies and organizations ranging from the Erie Neighborhood House to Children's Memorial Hospital and the Metropolitan Correctional Center to the Marjorie Kovler Center for Survivors of Torture.
• Internship Match Day placement rate consistently ranks among the best in the country with students securing positions in a variety of settings, from major academic medical centers to community-based agencies throughout the U.S. and Canada.
• The Chicago School has been recognized for its distinguished service and outstanding contributions to cultural diversity by the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology.
• Draws students from around the world.

Clinical Psychology Doctorate Program Objectives

• To produce graduates who possess the scientific and theoretical knowledge base necessary for successful entry into the practice of professional psychology.
• To produce graduates with strong clinical skills through increasingly complex exposure to clients and clinical issues.
• To produce graduates who are informed, critical consumers of scholarship who contribute to the profession in a scholarly manner.

Program Requirements/Expectations

• Clinical Psychology Psy.D. students complete basic course work in four intervention tracks:
  • Cognitive/Behavioral
  • Psychodynamic
  • Humanistic/Existential
  • Systems
• After basic course work, students select one intervention track specialty, completing advanced course work and their Clinical Competency Examination within that track.
• Students must choose from one of seven concentration areas:
  • Child/Adolescent
  • Forensic
  • Generalist
  • Health
  • Multicultural/Community
  • Organizational Psychology
  • School Psychology
    
• The Child and Adolescent Track is an extension of the program’s Child and Adolescent Concentration.  Applicants who list Child and Adolescent as their concentration of interest will be considered for this track.
• Students may also complete the additional required coursework to obtain a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) .
• The Clinical Psychology Psy.D. doctorate is a five year full-time program—students must complete all requirements within seven years.
• A Clinical Psychology Masters Degree is awarded following the successful completion of 48 semester hours of required coursework including two semesters of practicum.
• Students may complete additional specific electives to be eligible to sit for the Licensed Practical Counselor (LPC) exam in Illinois.
• See the Clinical Psy.D. Academic Catalog for more details.

Qualifications to Apply

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale is generally required.
• Minimum 18 semester hours of psychology credit, including three specific courses (statistics, abnormal psychology, and child/human development) that must be completed prior to enrollment with a grade earned of ‘C’ or better.
• Clinical program students may waive the required course work by attaining a score in the 70th percentile or higher on the Psychology Subject Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
• GRE General Test is required—scores should be sent directly to The Chicago School (School GRE Code: 1119).
• All applicants are considered for admission into the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program and based area of interest, experience, and GPA may be invited to participate in the Child and Adolescent Track. 
• See the Psy.D. Application Requirements page for more details.

TOEFL and International Credential

If English is not your primary language, you must submit TOEFL scores (School Code: 7161) 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 International Students Services page for more information.

Psychotherapy and Disclosure of Personal Information

Self-reflection, introspection, and an ability to examine personal reactions to clinical material are considered critical skills in student development. Students in the Clinical Psy.D. program will be required to examine their personal reactions and the impact of their personal histories on the clinical service they are training to provide. Students will not be required to disclose personal information related to sexual history, history of abuse or neglect, personal psychotherapy, or in-depth information regarding intimate relationships in course or program related activities.

The program believes that personal psychotherapy can be an extremely valuable and effective tool through which to better understand ourselves and our clinical work with others. Students in the Clinical Psy.D. program are strongly encouraged to seek out personal psychotherapy during their training; however, it is not required to complete the program.

For more information about the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program contact:
Office of Admission
800.721.8072
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