M.A. Forensic Psychology: Professional Counselor Licensure

Students applying to the M.A. Forensic Psychology program must submit the following:

• Application
• Application fee ($50)
• GPA of 3.0 or higher required
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Essay
• Official college/university transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• At least one (1) undergraduate course in either statistics or research methods

The M.A. Forensic Psychology: Professional Counselor Licensure program at the Chicago, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Online Campuses are designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification as required for employment as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

For additional information on whether a program at The Chicago School meets or does not meet licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit our licensure disclosures page.

The M.A. in Forensic Psychology: Professional Counselor Licensure program is committed to training highly competent and ethical clinicians who will ultimately contribute to the mental health field. Toward that end, students are required to complete relevant coursework in combination with clinical training for the successful completion of their master’s degree. Full‐time students traditionally complete their practicum and internship experience during the second year of the academic program. Part‐time students work closely with their academic advisor to determine the most appropriate year to complete training requirements.

Forensic practicum/internships are closely supervised educational and training experiences in which the knowledge, skills, and attitudes developed in the classroom can be directly applied to forensic and/or clinical populations. All sites are approved by the Office of Placement and Training (OPT) and allow students the opportunity to work with high‐risk populations in an array of settings, such as prisons, jails, detention centers, police departments, special treatment units, state psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse facilities, and community‐based programs for victims and offenders. These formative experiences integrate the science and practice of forensic psychology and counseling in real-world situations. Through intensive supervision and mentorship, students begin to develop their professional identities, clarify their professional strengths and weaknesses, and understand their roles as clinicians and/or providers of forensic services to a broad and diverse range of populations within a variety of settings.

Students must accrue a minimum of 700 hours of clinical training over the course of a 9 –to 12-month practicum and internship under the supervision of a master’s level licensed clinician or psychologist (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LCPC, LPCC, LMFT, licensed psychologist or psychiatrist). Students are expected to attend practicum between 16 to 24 hours per week and must participate in at least one hour of weekly individual supervision. In addition, students will complete at least 280 hours of direct client contact, which may include a variety of clinical activities such as diagnostic and/or intake interviewing; individual, group, or family therapy; crisis intervention; and milieu therapy. Students are also responsible for administrative and case management tasks, including, but not limited to victim advocacy, consultation, applied research, and/or court attendance. Some states require additional hours for licensure. The Director of Clinical Training will work with students to understand their individual state licensure requirements.

Faculty review each student’s progress in the program to inform decisions regarding the student’s readiness to apply to practicum/internship.

Students registered in this program incur a one-time $195 Experiential Learning Technology Fee.

Introduction to Forensic Psychology

This course introduces students to the field of forensic psychology, its history, and its impact on today’s world. The focus is on the relationship between law and psychology, the mental health system, mental illness and criminal conduct. A brief introduction to the legal system is also included.

Ethics and Professional Issues

This course examines ethical codes, standards and legal issues applicable to the practice of professional counseling. Ethical dilemmas and legal conflicts relevant to the role of the professional counselor are explored, as are methods to resolve such issues utilizing ethical decision-making models. The role of regulatory agencies and professional associations is reviewed. The American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and the American Psychological Association (APA) Code of Ethics are studied. Additionally, students will explore state and federal regulations and best practices that shape clinical practice within the counseling profession.

Human Growth and Development

This master’s in Forensic Psychology course examines the developmental process across the lifespan from infancy through advanced age, focusing on the perceptual, cognitive, and social-emotional factors. Through the examination of theoretical frameworks and empirical research, students become familiar with the developmental literature. The exploration of individual and cultural differences also receives considerable emphasis as these variations create diversity in humankind across the lifespan. In addition, the course explores the applicability of developmental literature to individuals within various settings.

Pursuing the in-person and online M.A. Forensic Psychology: Professional Counselor Licensure program allows you to tailor your coursework to meet particular educational and professional needs to find employment in areas such as:

• Child welfare agencies
• State mental health facilities
• Jails or prisons
• Community mental health centers
• Juvenile correctional facilities
• Government agencies
• Family courts
• Private practice

The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our professional degree programs accessible to anyone regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid Department will provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.

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