Immersive and practical training to prepare the next generation of child and adolescent psychology professionals.
The Chicago School's Child and Adolescent Psychology Certificate program is geared toward established and emerging professionals who want to enhance their skills and practical experience working with children and adolescents. As a graduate, you will be equipped with the knowledge to help young people navigate issues such as peer pressure, body image, drugs and alcohol, relationships, sexuality, trauma, parental divorce, and death.
Additionally, you can apply completed coursework to a master's degree from The Chicago School.
Graduates of the Child and Adolescent Psychology Certificate program can apply their credits to a number of programs at The Chicago School, including:
- Transferring all 9 credits to the M.A. Applied Psychology program
- Transferring 6 credits to the M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program
- Transferring 9 credits to the M.A. Counseling Psychology program
- Transferring 9 credits to the M.A. Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy program
For additional information on where The Chicago School meets, does not meet, or has not determined if the program meets licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit: licensures & disclosures.
Michele Nealon, Psy.D.
Admissions Requirements
- Application
- Application fee ($50)
- The general guideline for admission is a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- Official transcripts
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 2.8 are required to submit additional documentation
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Personal statement/essay
Each applicant is reviewed holistically, taking factors such as personal and professional experience and accomplishments into consideration. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions to discuss their unique qualifications.
Licensure
The Child and Adolescent Psychology is a non-licensure program. For 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.
Sample Courses
The courses in the Child and Adolescent Psychology Certificate program are listed below.
To view a complete list of courses offered, visit our Catalog.
Psychology of the Life Span
This developmental psychology course examines normal childhood development from infancy through advanced age, focusing on the development of perceptual and cognitive processes, psychosocial roles, and familial interpersonal processes. Current clinical approaches are examined from diverse theoretical viewpoints and in view of recent research findings. Cultural diversity and individual differences are integral to this course.
Trauma and Crisis Intervention
This course will examine the comprehensive impact of trauma on individuals, support networks, and communities. Particular consideration will be paid to the multiple forms of trauma and crisis commonly presented for the child and adolescent population, and a survey of the most current research, evidence-based practices, and national organizations will expand student’s understanding of this field.
Family Systems and Family Therapy
This course introduces students to the major models of family systems. Basic assumptions, major issues, primary theorists, and techniques of each model will be considered including working with diverse families. This course recognizes the primary role of the family unit for its impact on the development of child and adolescent.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates find success working in positions in a variety of clinical, educational, governmental, and nonprofit settings.
Upon successful completion of the Certificate program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate acquired knowledge and respect for the psychological bases of behavior and developmental issues across the lifespan
- Demonstrate knowledge of psychological theory and assessment techniques to evaluate various dimensions of human experience across a range of contexts
- Integrate knowledge of psychological theory, research, and professional literature to choose activities that promote optimal health and well-being in individuals, groups, and systems
Financing Your Education
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.
