Our History | The Chicago School
Pioneers in Integrated Health
The Chicago School was founded in 1979 by a group of innovative psychologists and educators committed to providing hands-on training to students in urban, real-world settings. Through our practical approach to education, graduates were equipped with the skills to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds in clinics, nonprofits, government agencies, and in private practice.
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Early on, our innovative approach focused on preparing students for careers in clinical psychology. As we grew, however, we began developing programs that spanned several areas of study—including psychology, business, behavioral sciences, counseling, and medicine. Today, we offer more than 40 graduate, undergraduate, and certificate programs to address the current and emerging integrated health needs of our society.
Expanding Our Reach
As our reputation continued to grow, so did our intention to empower resilience in communities across the U.S. In 2006, we continued to expand the accessibility of our programming by offering online and certificate programs. We focused on maintaining a presence in urban locations, immersing students in the diverse communities that they would ultimately serve. In the years since, we have expanded our locations to include Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Washington, D.C.
Today, more than 6,100 students are studying online or in-person at one of our six metropolitan campus locations.
The Path to Accreditation
Since its founding, The Chicago School has been dedicated to excellence in education. This includes maintaining the highest academic standards. This level of excellence is reflected in our accreditation milestones.
- 1979: The Chicago School becomes an affiliate member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP).
- 1980: The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools awards candidate-for-accreditation-status.
- 1984: The Chicago School receives full accreditation from The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
- 1985: The Chicago School becomes a full member of NCSPP.
- 1992: The Clinical Psy.D. Department in Chicago is awarded full accreditation by the American Psychological Association, a status maintained to this day.
- 2011: The Chicago School earns accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
For a detailed list of accreditation milestones for each of our programs, click on the button below.
The Community Solution Education System
In 2009, The Chicago School became the founding institution of The Community Solution Education System, an integrated nonprofit system of colleges working to advance student success and community impact. Since its founding, The Community Solution has grown to include six colleges and universities across the United States. Through a centralized infrastructure and distinct model of governance, universities within the System work together to achieve remarkable success in an ever-changing higher education landscape. This culture of collaboration leads to real, positive outcomes for our universities, our students, and our communities.