Psychology - A Review of the Chicago Campus Program

Transcription

1 Program Guidebook Psychology, M.A. Chicago

2 Table of Contents Program Guidebook... 1 Department Educational Model and Goals... 3 TCSPP Individual and Cultural Differences... 3 Grading and Performance Feedback... 4 Professional Performance Evaluation (PPE) Requirements

3 Department Educational Model and Goals The Master of Arts in Psychology (Chicago campus program) is designed for individuals who choose to gain broad knowledge in all areas of psychology rather than specializing in one particular area such as school psychology, or forensic psychology. Rather, psychology generalists study many aspects of human behavior and mental processes such as emotion, cognition, decision making, consumer behavior, culture, personality development, social relationships, group dynamics, and normal vs. abnormal behavior. These generalists realize that the applications for psychology are seemingly limitless and may find work in many different arenas, including human resources, public relations, advertising, market research, sales, management, and direct care at nonprofit agencies. This non-licensure master s program is for the individual who is seeking an advanced degree in psychology. The Chicago School ensures that graduates have sufficient theory and research in psychology and in a specified field, but it is distinctive in that it applies learning directly to the workplace, using assessment, projects, and other measures to ensure application-based learning. Intensive course work, offered through a blend of on-ground and online meetings, balances theory and practice. The course work of 36 semester credit hours is completed in one year and is designed for working adults to attend on a weekend basis. Course work includes 18 semester credit hours in foundational psychology, six semester credit hours in the Applied Research Project, with the remaining 12 credit hours taken within the student s concentration area. Students attend on-ground sessions in person every other weekend through the entire semester, and complete course assignments online during the week. Concentration courses are taken online, concurrent with the on-ground classes. MAP currently offers six concentrations: Child and Adolescent Psychology; Gerontology; Sport and Exercise; Organizational Leadership; International Psychology; and Generalist. TCSPP Individual and Cultural Differences The Chicago School is committed to preparing professionals for work in a multicultural and diverse society. In keeping with this commitment, the content of all courses is informed, where appropriate, by knowledge of individual and cultural differences (e.g., age, ethnicity, gender, physical and mental disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status), so that students develop the skills that enable them to provide professional services to individuals of diverse backgrounds and needs. Faculty convey attitudes respectful of these individual and cultural differences. Program Competencies The Master of Arts, Psychology program requires the successful graduate to demonstrate the following eight program competencies, corresponding to American Psychological Associations (APA) Competency Benchmarks and The Chicago School s institutional goals of Scholarship, Diversity, Professional Behavior and Ethics, and Professional Practice. Scholarship: 1. Scientific Methods Students will demonstrate an understanding of research, research methodology, techniques of data collection and analysis, as well as respect for scientifically derived knowledge. 2. Scientific Knowledge Students will be exposed to and demonstrate acquired knowledge of the biological bases of behavior, cognitive-affective bases of behavior, and development across the lifespan. 3

4 Diversity: 3. Individual and Cultural Diversity- Students will evidence awareness, sensitivity and skills in relating professionally with diverse individuals, groups and communities who represent various cultural and personal backgrounds and characteristics. Professional Behavior and Ethics: 4. Professionalism: Students will give evidence of professional values and ethics through behavior and comportment reflecting the values and ethics of psychology, integrity, and responsibility. 5. Relationships Students will relate effectively and meaningfully with individuals, groups, and/or communities. 6. Ethical and Legal Standards Students will appropriately apply ethical concepts and awareness of legal issues regarding professional activities with individuals, groups, and organizations. Professional Practice: 7. Assessment Students will demonstrate the ability to broaden self-awareness, self-monitoring, reflectivity regarding professional practice, and will use available resources to enhance reflectivity and professional comportment. 8. Intervention Students will appropriately negotiate differences and handle conflict satisfactory; provide effective feedback to others, and receive feedback non-defensively. Grading and Performance Feedback Grading and Performance Feedback Grades are assigned in all courses and students can review course grades online through ecollege. Course grades assist the school, the student, and the student s academic advisor to monitor each student s progress and mastery of material deemed necessary by the department faculty. Professional Performance Evaluation (PPE) Requirements Through the Student Performance Evaluation (SPE) and Student Review Process, department faculty meet to review student progress. During the student review meetings, each student s academic advisor summarizes the student s progress in the program to date. Student grades, Student Performance Evaluations (SPE), and Academic Development Plans (if applicable) are included in these reviews. Feedback from other department faculty is sought regarding contact with the student, identification of student strengths and weaknesses, and any concerns noted. The student review also involves determination of a student s readiness to proceed in the program and any conditions that are necessary to support the student s learning and advancement towards completion. The student s advisor shares a copy of the Student Review Process Plan with the student within two weeks of the meeting, in order to provide each student with information about the status of their performance in the program. Academic Advisor Assignment The Program Chair will be the advisor for all students in the Chicago campus on-ground MAP program. 4

5 Transferred and Waived Coursework: Students may Transfer or Waive (TR/WV) credit for some course requirements if they have previously taken the same course or a similar course previously. For a course to be eligible for transfer or waived credit, it must contain the same up-to-date, graduate-level content as one of the department's courses. Undergraduate courses do not meet these criteria. Further, you must have received a grade of "B" or better in an equivalent grading system. Because of the advising experience that is part of the Applied Research Project courses, students are not allowed to transfer or waive credit for these courses. Students accepted to the MAP program may petition by submitting a Petition for Transfer/Waiver of Credit (see and all required documentation to the Registrar for each course they wish to transfer and/or waive. For consideration for transfer of any first semester, first year courses, the department must receive petitions prior to registration for the fall semester. For consideration of all other courses for transfer or waiver credit, second semester and beyond, the deadline for receipt of petitions is the Add/Drop deadline of the first semester. Please note that the department will not be able to consider petitions for transfer of credit for courses after these deadlines. This allows the School and Department sufficient time to review the petition and attached materials, determine and document the outcome of the petition, notify students, and advise students regarding their new registration choices if the petition is approved. If you have a course you believe should be considered for TR/WV, please immediately submit to the registrar: TR/WV Request form Copy of the TR/WV course syllabus The Registrar will confirm that the class is eligible for TR/WV and forward the materials to the Department Chair via the Department Manager to determine whether the class is approved for TR/WV. Please allow 2-3 weeks for review and a decision. After a student receives T/W credit, s/he must arrange a consultation with the Department Chair to plan their fall schedule before fall registration begins. This consultation will be very important to ensure that you are able to maintain the student status and financial aid you desire. Auditing courses - Upon approval by the Department Chair, a student who wishes to audit a course must register for the course in the same manner as courses taken for credit (by the add/drop deadline of a semester). Students must contact the registrar in writing an d identify the course(s) for which they have registered and wish to take as an auditor. The course instructor determines the participation requirements for audit students. Failure to follow these steps will result in a course grade and regular tuition charges. After the Add/Drop Period, any course that a student has previously identified as an audit course may not be changed to a credit course. 5