The Chicago School of Professional Psychology was established by practicing
psychologists committed to providing high-quality
professional psychology training in a not-for-profit
setting. Initial plans for the school were made
in 1977 and realized in January 1979 by the nonprofit
Midwestern Psychology Development Foundation.
The Chicago School of Psychology began its first classes at
temporary quarters located at 30 West Chicago Avenue
before moving to the Fine Arts Building on Michigan
Avenue in 1980. In 1986, following an extensive
search, The Chicago School moved to its next location,
the historic Dearborn Station in Chicago’s South
Loop. In 2004, the school found a new downtown
home at 325 N. Wells St. to accommodate the growth
that resulted from becoming a psychology graduate
school that offers multiple programs focusing on
Business Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Forensic
Psychology, Industrial/Organization Psychology,
Applied Behavior Analysis, and School and Counseling
Psychology programs.
In 1980 the Illinois Board of Higher Education
(IBHE) authorized the school degree-granting authority.
Also in 1980, the Higher Learning Commission of
the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
(NCA) awarded Candidate for Accreditation Status
to The Chicago School, with accreditation status
first awarded in 1984.
The Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program was awarded
Provisional Accreditation by American Psychological
Association (APA) in 1988 and Full Accreditation
in 1992, a status that it retains.
During the summer of 1979, the school became
an Affiliate Member of the National Council of
Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology
(NCSPP). The school’s NCSPP status was raised to
Associate Membership in 1980 and Full Member in
1985.
Several master's degree programs have been implemented
since 2001: Clinical Psychology with Counseling
and Applied Behavior Analysis specializations,
Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Forensic
Psychology. Programmatic offerings expanded in
2006 to include a specialist degree program in
School Psychology and Executive and Professional
Education.
In 2007, The Chicago School began offering its
most innovative initiative yet: master’s degrees
and certificates online.
Online Psychology Program Information
