Childhood and adolescent psychology specialists assist young people who are struggling with mental health issues and other challenges such as peer pressure, body image, drugs or alcohol, relationships, sexuality, or coping with difficult life changes like parental divorce or death. Child and adolescent psychology professionals work in a wide variety of settings, from nonprofit agencies and community centers to public and private schools to private practice. They conduct formal diagnostic tests, provide counseling and other therapeutic services, develop community-based youth programs, lead prevention initiatives, serve as mentors, and more.
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology (Child & Adolescent Track)
- Offered in Chicago.
- Five years full time.
- A highly selective and specialized track available by application and/or invitation only.
- Equips students with essential diagnostic, assessment, therapeutic, and consultative skills needed to become child and adolescent psychologists—including specialized training in child development; child and adolescent psychopathology; physical and neurological health; and child, adolescent, and family interventions.
- Students learn from expert practitioner faculty, visiting guest lecturers recognized as national and regional leaders in child and adolescent psychology, and tailored practicum and internship experiences working with child and adolescent populations.
- Students are awarded a masters degrees mid-way through the program, after completing 48 semester hours of required coursework, including two semesters of practicum.
- Students become informed, critical consumers of scholarship who contribute to the field of child and adolescent psychology in a scholarly manner through a Research Clerkship that consists of two core components: (1) a two-year course sequence that provides a comprehensive analysis of statistics and research design, as well as teaching tools related to all aspects of research, scholarly writing, and program design and (2) four years collaborating with a research mentor on ongoing research.
- Students hone critical thinking and presentation skills through formal presentations and poster presentations at Research Clerkship Day and Dissertation Day.
- Curriculum integrates the eight core competencies informed by the educational model of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP), and qualifies students to sit for the national licensure exam. Students may complete additional specific coursework to be eligible to sit for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) exam in Illinois and/or to obtain a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Specialization (Child and Adolescent Concentration)
- Offered in Chicago and Grayslake, Illinois.
- Two years full time (six semesters) or three years part time (Grayslake program offered in a flexible format convenient for working professionals).
- On average, 100% of actively participating students secure practicum/internship placements by September and at sites that meet LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) standards.
- Curriculum incorporates the eight content areas outlined by the National Board of Certified Counselors, preparing students to sit for Professional Counselor licensure in Illinois (LPC and LCPC).
- Program is unique in that students receive a solid foundation in the principles of clinical psychology, in addition to gaining the essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and consultative skills they need to be outstanding clinical counselors working with a range of clinical populations and a variety of emotional and psychological conditions.
- Students learn the theoretical frameworks and scientific bases of clinical psychology, the ethical and professional guidelines of clinical psychology and the counseling profession, and the impact of diversity and cultural issues in the mental health field.
- Students may choose a concentration that requires additional field-based clinical training held at participating sites. Concentrations include:Child and Adolescent Treatment, Health Psychology, Latino Mental Health, Supervision and Leadership in Community Mental Health, Treatment of Addiction Disorders, and Generalist.
M.A. in Psychology (Child and Adolescent Concentration)
- Offered in an online-blended format.
- Completed in less than two years part time or 11 months accelerated
- Equips graduates with a broad, foundational knowledge of psychology as well as a specific specialization to support each student’s career focus
- Course work consists of 18 credit hours in foundational psychology, six credit hours in an applied research project, and the remaining 21 credit hours taken within one of the following concentrations:
- Program is distinctive in that it applies learning directly to the workplace, using assessment, projects, and other measures to ensure practical, application-based learning.
- Students complete an applied research project, applying program learning to an authentic workplace situation.
- Program includes a synchronous "virtual residency" component—a one or two-hour session (each term) in which all students are expected to be online simultaneously.
