U.S. Department Of Education Approves The Chicago School To Accept Federal Financial Aid For New Clinical Psy.D. Program At Xavier University Of Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS, June 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Prospective students applying for admission to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology's (TCSPP) new Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) Program at Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) for the fall 2014 semester, can now apply for federal financial aid. Applications are now being accepted through The Chicago School website.

The Clinical Psy.D. Program is the first one of its kind offered in the state of Louisiana and has been approved by the Louisiana Board of Regents and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, a regional accrediting agency.  While TCSPP's Clinical Psy.D. Program curriculum will be housed on the XULA campus with XULA providing all classrooms, program offices and other support services; TCSPP will provide, manage and maintain faculty, curriculum and all other academic matters.  Oversight will be provided by The Chicago School of Professional Psychology as well, and all faculty members, and some administrators, will be employed by the institution.

The program opens the door to well-qualified candidates from Xavier and other local universities, as well as professionals already in the field, who are seeking clinical psychology graduate studies. Graduates of the Clinical Psy.D. Program at XULA will be equipped with expert knowledge in theory, research, and practice in clinical psychology, so that they are well-prepared to serve as practitioners in clinical settings.

The Chicago School's Clinical Psy.D. Program offers 106 credit hours of rigorous training in culturally competent service provision while exposing students to a variety of professional training opportunities. Students will experience extensive clinical training with such community partners as clinics, hospitals, mental health centers, and governmental agencies. Students will also complete foundational coursework in four intervention orientations (Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Humanistic Existential, and Systems), and have the opportunity to tailor their coursework with focused study to meet particular educational and professional goals. Additionally, the program prepares graduates to sit for the psychologist licensing exam administered by the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, as well as for the Examination for the Professional Practice in Psychology, the national psychology licensing exam administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.

A unique feature of the program is the Research Clerkship model through which students are paired with core faculty to receive mentorship in research and scholarship, and obtain important support and preparation for their dissertation. All students complete three years of practicum experiences, allowing them to be well prepared for internship placement.

Academic support is available from TCSPP's National Center for Academic and Dissertation Excellence (NCADE), which offers virtual access to tutors and for dissertation preparation, research methodologists, and Dissertation Writing Experts. Students are also eligible to receive academic support services provided by XULA, including tutoring in academic writing, peer mentoring opportunities, and remediation in Algebra and pre-calculus.

Students enrolled in the program will have access to a wide array of support services originating from both The Chicago School and from XULA and also be provided with opportunities for professional skill development through TCSPP's Career Services Center; have options for international travel and study; have a chance to present original research at the TCSPP Graduate Research Forum; and will be exposed to engagement opportunities through student groups and societies. Additionally, they will be eligible to use free campus-wide internet service, purchase low-cost campus parking, and enjoy meals at XULA's dining facilities. Access to the on-campus student health service and counseling center will also be provided. Enrolling in the program will also give students access to all of TCSPP's virtual Library Services and full in-person and online library privileges at XULA's library and, by reciprocity, Tulane's and Loyola University's libraries as well.

"We are excited by the initial response from prospective students who are eager to continue their doctoral studies in the clinical psychology field," stated TCSPP's National President Dr. Nealon-Woods. "The Chicago School's groundbreaking approach to the training and practice of psychology through its Engaged-Profession Model will enable practitioners in the field to begin the work at hand of rebuilding the mental health programs of the City and its regional areas. We are excited to bring this much-needed Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology to New Orleans."

About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Founded in 1979 and celebrating 35 years, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is a nonprofit, private graduate school devoted exclusively to psychology and related behavioral and health sciences. It serves more than 4,300 students across campuses in Chicago; Los Angeles and branches in Irvine and Westwood; and Washington D.C., as well as online programs. The institution is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Clinical Psychology doctoral program offered at the Chicago Campus is accredited by the American Psychological Association. A member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology, TCSPP is recognized for its distinguished service and outstanding contributions to cultural diversity and advocacy. The community service initiatives on the Chicago Campus have also earned recognition on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for six consecutive years, and the Los Angeles Campus gained its first award in 2013. With more than 20 graduate degree programs, thousands of hours of real-world training, and a wealth of international opportunities, TCSPP is a leader in professional psychology education. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu.

About Xavier University of Louisiana

Xavier University of Louisiana is a private, liberal arts co-educational institution offering over 40 bachelor's and master's degree programs as well as a doctor of pharmacy degree. Xavier is the only historically Black, Catholic university in the United States and draws students from 39 states, Washington, D.C., Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and eight (8) foreign countries. The University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Its respective programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, the National Association of Schools of Music, the Louisiana State Department of Education, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Also, Xavier's chemistry program is approved by the American Chemical Society.  For more information, visit www.xula.edu.

Contact:
Elinor Gilbert
(213) 283-4255
[email protected]

Contact: Richard Tucker
(504) 520-5425 or (504) 261-7750
[email protected]

SOURCE The Chicago School of Professional Psychology