Develop effective global practices of psychology across diverse cultures.
The M.A. International Psychology online program prepares you to use the theory and practice of psychology to provide services to individuals and groups working in international settings. Practitioner-scholar faculty with relevant, real-world experience prepare you to excel as a leader sensitive to cultural differences and prepared to promote social justice in an increasingly globalized world.
This online program has been designed for working adults embarking on a career in international psychology or those working in the international arena who want to make a difference in the fields of mental health, human capacity building, organizational development or environmental advocacy.
If you are pursuing a doctorate to further your goals, you can earn a number of credits that count toward our Ph.D. International Psychology online program as well.
This program will bring a unique perspective of age-old global challenges in order to encourage the promotion of new solutions offering students the ability to apply a continuum of theoretical psychological concepts from Western to non-Western dimensions to further understand global practices and explore behaviors across cultures and diverse groups. Throughout the online international psychology program students will learn and develop a personal paradigm to understand globalization, the principles of humanitarianism including the universality of human rights, and will be encouraged to develop a fundamental sense of belonging and interconnectedness, with the global community to advocate for social justice, social responsibility and the respect and dignity of all living-organisms and peoples adopting actions shaped by universal ethical principles.
The Chicago School also has a Memorandum of Agreement with the Peace Corps to offer the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program to returned Peace Corps volunteers applying to The Chicago School’s M.A. in International Psychology. For information about the Coverdell Fellows Program, including program eligibility and student benefits, please visit the program webpage.
The Chicago School has an articulation agreement between the online M.A. International Psychology and the Ph.D. International Psychology programs, allowing qualified students to enroll in doctoral-level courses while completing the master’s degree. Those credits then count toward the doctoral degree, shortening your time to completion.
Viviane Pecanha, Ph.D.
Admissions Requirements
- Application
- Apply online
- The general guideline for admission is a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Application fee: $50
- Official college/university transcripts
- Work experience recommended
- Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit additional documentation:
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Essay
Licensure
The M.A International Psychology online program 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.
Fieldwork Opportunities
Capstone Project and Field Experience
This International Psychology online MA program culminates in a capstone project and field experience that is a collaborative participatory action project with an identified local community service agency who engages in delivery of services supporting social justice/human rights on an international or global scale. Agencies will specifically address underserved, marginalized and vulnerable populations. Preparation for the capstone project and field experience on-ground work will begin in the following courses: Introduction to International Psychology, Universal Ethics and Professional Development (IN500), International Psychology and Diversity (IN528), and Culture Centered Interventions - Program Design and Evaluations (IN535). The capstone project will require the integration and synthesis of knowledge and abilities gained in previous coursework to develop a culturally sensitive project. Students will develop the project based on the needs expressed by the community agencies or organizations. The participatory action projects will be grounded in an existing theoretical or conceptual framework in the field of international psychology. Supporting literature and recommendations for best practices and evidence-based strategies will be identified in international peer reviewed journals.
You will participate in an approximately nine-day field experience at an international destination to develop a more complex understanding of the socio-cultural, historical, political and economic practices and structures affecting the dynamics of people, organizations, and environments. The goal is to facilitate the development of interculturally competent skills for interaction, and an understanding of how to engage in respectful and ethical relations with global populations. You will consider the impact of their own culture on global cultures. They will also analyze cross-cultural theories and research in order to design appropriate interventions.
The capstone project and field experience form the summative assessment component of this program, and they are designed as a culminating experience to satisfy the requirements of the competencies of the M.A. International Psychology.
Sample Courses
Introduction to International Psychology, Universal Ethics and Professional Development
This course will introduce students to the historical and theoretical foundations of international psychology and the non-Western frameworks that contributed to the development of the international psychology field. Students will evaluate ethical conduct endorsed by international psychology ethical principles recognized by the Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologists and the American Psychological Association to ultimately adopt ethical actions informed by universal ethics and promote practices based on respect, and care for the rights of all life in the world. In addition, students will be oriented to The Chicago School’s policies, procedures, and career expectations.
Global Perspectives of Psychopathology
This course will review the development, applicability and utility of both current versions of the DSM and the ICD systems of diagnosis that govern domestic and global assessment and intervention of health and mental health definitions. It will include the theories of etiology, epidemiology, and how these are framed in the context of culture across Western, non-Western, and indigenous psychologies. A review of the potential universality of treatment application including psychopharmacology and homeopathic options related to children, adolescents and adults will be explored in depth.
An International Analysis of Life Span Development
This course explores human development from birth to death in the context of social and culturally specific practices, which promote or challenge traditional western concepts of physical and cognitive healthy growth. A variety of global theoretical perspectives will be presented to examine the role of health disparities across cultures supported by current research and scholarship. The role of individual and collective diversity practices will be of significance in understanding the life span continuum inclusive of similarities and divergence from current Western specific norms.
Online Student Experience
Through the convenience of The Chicago School’s online programs, your life remains intact. Our online Global Student Dashboard is where you will find all of the components to successfully complete your program. There, you’ll find your coursework and assignments, interact with fellow students, and ask questions from your instructor.
Career Pathways
The Chicago School’s M.A. International Psychology online program equips graduates with the skills necessary to succeed in a variety of settings.
- Non-governmental organizations
- The United Nations (UN) programs
- The World Health Organization (WHO)
- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
- Multinational organizations
- Humanitarian aid
- Peace Corporation
- Red Cross
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.
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