thechicagoschool.

edu
800.721.8072
[email protected]

Essay Questions for Doctoral Program Applicants –

Ed.D., Ed.S., Ph.D., Psy.D.
Ed.D. Educational Psychology and Technology

Please answer the following questions (approximately two pages, double-spaced in length):
• Provide a brief description of your professional goals. How will the knowledge, skills, and expertise that you
gain from this program help you achieve these goals?
• EdD programs are often structured to prepare students to advocate for positive change in their professional
settings. How might this program assist you in making informed changes in your future professional settings?

Ed.S. School Psychology

Please answer the following question in a three-page, double-spaced, typed essay of approximately 500-750
words. The essay must specifically address the program/specialization for which you are applying. Psychology is a
vast discipline with many career options. In an essay format, please describe:
• Why you chose this program/specialization, making sure to cite specific experiences and examples.
• Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness,
competence, and understanding of diversity.
• Your professional career goals as they relate to this specialization.
• Why do you believe this program will assist you in reaching these goals.

Psy.D. School Psychology

• Essay one: Please answer the following question in a three-page, double-spaced, typed essay of
approximately 500-750 words. The essay must specifically address the program/specialization for which you
are applying. Psychology is a vast discipline with many career options. In an essay format, please describe:
o Why you chose this program/specialization, making sure to cite specific experiences and examples.
o Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness,
competence, and understanding of diversity.
o Your professional career goals as they relate to this specialization.
o Why do you believe this program will assist you in reaching these goals.

• Essay two: Please answer the following question (approximately 250 words): Most school psychologists
practice with the Ed.S. degree. Please indicate why you would like to pursue training at the doctoral level
rather than at the Educational Specialist level. Feel free to include any areas of research that you would be
interested in pursuing.
 thechicagoschool.edu
800.721.8072
[email protected]

Ph.D. Behavior Analysis

Please answer the following two questions on separate sheets of paper (approximately 700 words each):
• Describe the areas of behavior analysis that most interest you and explain how the completion of the
doctoral program in Behavior Analysis will facilitate achieving your professional goals.
• Doctoral students are paired with a faculty advisor in the research areas of interest as much as possible.
What area(s) of research are of interest to you and why?

Ph.D. Business Psychology Consulting Track & Ph.D. Business Psychology I/O Track

• Essay (between 500-750 words)

o Please write a personal statement of your desire to become a business psychology practitioner at
the doctoral level, what experiences or insights have led you to pursue a doctoral degree in this
program, and how this program will support your efforts in working with richly diverse colleagues and
clients.
• Statement of Research Interests (up to 500 words)
o Please share your research interests (regarding business psychology/organizational leadership),
and why you believe this is worth studying?

Ph.D. International Psychology

Please answer the following question in 500 words:

Describe your interest in a Ph.D. program with a primary focus in international psychology. Incorporate in
your response how you believe completing this program will enhance your professional career and how you
might use your training to work in diverse settings with people of many backgrounds.

Ph.D. Organizational Leadership

• Essay (between 500-750 words)

o Please write a personal statement of your desire to become an organizational leadership consultant
or practitioner at the doctoral level, what experiences or insights have led you to pursue a doctoral
degree in this program, and how this program will support your efforts in working with richly diverse
colleagues and clients.
• Statement of Research Interests (up to 500 words)
o Please share your research interests (regarding business psychology/organizational leadership),
and why you believe this is worth studying?
 thechicagoschool.edu
800.721.8072
[email protected]

Psy.D. Applied Clinical Psychology

In your role as a psychology student, you will likely assist individuals from diverse backgrounds in a variety of
contexts. Please tell us in 750 words (three-typed pages) why you want to earn a Psy.D. in Applied Clinical
Psychology. Include your career aspirations and describe some of the challenges you might encounter when
working with diverse individuals.

Psy.D. Forensic Psychology

The field of Forensic Psychology focuses on psychology as it relates to the emergence of psychology, the law,
and the legal system. In forensic settings you will likely assist individuals from diverse backgrounds in a
variety of different contexts. Please tell us in 750 words (three-typed pages) reasons why you want to become
a Forensic Psychologist. Describe your career aspirations and discuss some of the challenges you might
encounter when working with diverse individuals.

Psy.D. Clinical Psychology – Anaheim

Please answer the following question within 3-4, double spaced pages (approximately 1,000 words):
• Discuss your rationale for applying to graduate school to become a Clinical Psychologist. Please include the
following in your response:
o Your reason for selecting the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology training model,
o How your educational/training background and life experience prepared and lead you to select a
career in Clinical Psychology,
o How your professional goals align with The Chicago School’s mission to commit to service that
embraces diverse communities of our society, and
o Your career aspirations.
• Your personal statement should provide information that allows the program to determine your preparation
and aptitude (academic and personal) for graduate level study and a career in Clinical Psychology.

Psy.D. Clinical Psychology – Chicago, Dallas

Please answer the following two questions in two separate documents (approximately 500 words each):
• Many people choose clinical psychology as a career because they are interested in helping other people.
Beyond wanting to help others, please describe your reasons for pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist.
Specifically, indicate why you would like training at the doctoral level rather than at the master’s level.
• As a clinical psychology student, you are likely to work and study with people from many different
backgrounds. Tell us about some of the challenges you might face studying with people different from
yourself and what you would contribute to your interactions with them.
 thechicagoschool.edu
800.721.8072
[email protected]

Psy.D. Clinical Psychology - Los Angeles

Please answer the following questions in two separate documents within 2-4, double spaced pages (up to
approximately 1,000 words).

• Discuss your rationale for applying to graduate school to become a Clinical Psychologist. Please include the
following in your response:
• Your reason for selecting the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology training model,
• Your reason for selecting The Chicago School at Los Angeles program,
• How your educational/training background and life experience prepared and lead you to select a
career in Clinical Psychology,
• How your professional goals align with The Chicago School’s mission to commit to service that
embraces diverse communities of our society, and
• Your career aspirations.
Your personal statement should provide information that allows the program to determine your preparation and
aptitude (academic and personal) for graduate level study and a career in Clinical Psychology.

• In your role as a student, you are likely to work with and study with people from backgrounds, which have
created differences between them in terms of power, privilege, access to resources, etc., and who hold
differing beliefs about these dynamics. What academic and/or personal experiences do you think have
been/will be helpful in preparing you to work with clients, patients or colleagues who have such differences in
the above areas?

Psy.D. Clinical Psychology – Washington D.C.

Please answer the following two questions in two separate documents (approximately 500 words each):
• Please tell us about your goals in pursuing clinical psychology and how a doctoral degree from our program
can help you in achieving those goals.

• In clinical psychology you are likely to work with people with diverse social identities, backgrounds, and
intersectionalities. What will you contribute to these interactions and what potential challenges do you
foresee? What tools and resources will you use to overcome such challenges?

Psy D Marital and Family Therapy

• The field of marital and family therapy (MFT) focuses on psychology as it relates to an individual’s
relationships and the influences on them. In MFT settings, you will likely assist individuals from diverse
backgrounds in a variety of different contexts. Please tell us in 750 words (three typed pages) the reasons
why you want to receive your Psy.D. in Marital and Family Therapy. Include what your career aspirations are
and some of the challenges you might encounter when working with diverse individuals.
 thechicagoschool.edu
800.721.8072
[email protected]

Essay Questions for Master’s Program Applicants –

M.A. & M.S.
M.A. Applied Psychology

Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 2.8 are required to submit an essay:
• Please answer the following questions within three double spaced typed pages (approximately 500-750
words). The essay must specifically address the program/specialization for which the applicant is applying.
Psychology is a vast discipline with many career options. In an essay format, please describe:
o Why you chose this specific program
o Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness,
competence, and understanding of diversity
o Describe your professional career goals as they relate to this program, and why you believe this
program will assist you in reaching those goals

M.A. Behavioral Economics, M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, & M.A. Organizational Leadership

Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit an essay
• Please describe a challenge that you navigated successfully and how you will use what you have learned
from that experience to be successful in your program.
• How will the successful completion of this program support your professional career goals?

M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Chicago, Online, Washington D.C.

• Essay: The mission of the program is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, practices, and values of
the counseling profession: empowerment, resilience, optimal development, multicultural competence, and
holism, in order to promote the well-being of individuals, families, and the diverse systems that support them.
In a two-page essay address the following:
o How you would contribute to the fulfillment of the program’s mission given your personal and
professional characteristics and accomplishments, your academic background, and your
experience, and
o Upon successful completion of the program, how do you see yourself contributing to the profession
as a clinical mental health counselor?

M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Dallas

• Essay: The mission of the program is to prepare Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CMHC), representative
of the communities we serve, to work in diverse trauma-informed interdisciplinary team environments
applying core counseling skills in traditional and integrated care contexts utilizing both clinic based and
telehealth service delivery methods to positively impact community members’ mental health and wellness
needs across the lifespan, particularly those in mental health provider shortage areas. In a two-page essay
address the following:
o How you would contribute to the fulfillment of the program’s mission given your personal and
professional characteristics and accomplishments, your academic background, and your
experience, and
 thechicagoschool.edu
800.721.8072
[email protected]

o Upon successful completion of the program, how do you see yourself contributing to the profession
as a clinical mental health counselor?

M.A. Counseling Psychology

Please answer the following within three double-spaced, typed pages (approximately 500 to 750 words).
Psychology is a vast discipline with many career options. In essay format, please describe why you chose this
program/specialization*. Cite specific experiences and examples to illustrate:
• Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness,
competence, and understanding of diversity?
• Your professional career goals as they relate to this specialization.
• Why you believe this program will assist you in reaching your goals.

M.A. Forensic Psychology

Please answer the following within three double-spaced, typed pages (approximately 500 to 750 words).
Psychology is a vast discipline with many career options. In essay format, please describe why you chose this
particular program/specialization. Cite specific experiences and examples to illustrate:
• Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness,
competence, and understanding of diversity?
• Your professional career goals as they relate to this specialization.
• Why you believe this program will assist you in reaching your goals.

M.A. International Psychology

Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit an essay:
• How will the successful completion of this program support your professional career goals?
• Please identify and discuss the factors impacting your past academic performance.
• What strategies would you use to improve upon your past academic performance?

M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy

• Essay: Please answer the following within three double-spaced, typed pages (approximately 500 to 750
words). Marriage and Family Therapy is a vast discipline with many career options. In essay format, please
cite specific experiences and examples to respond to the prompts below:
o Please describe yourself and why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that
emphasizes cultural awareness, competence, and understanding of diversity.
o Detail your understanding of the profession of Marriage and Family Therapy and how your personal
and professional experiences prepare you for this profession.
o Your professional career goals as they relate to this discipline and how you anticipate this program
will assist you in reaching your goals.
 thechicagoschool.edu
800.721.8072
[email protected]

Master of Public Health

• Two-page personal statement/essay answering the following questions

o How will your personal and professional accomplishments, academic background, and experience
contribute to your success in the MPH Program?
o How will the successful completion of the MPH Program support your professional career goals?

M.S. ABA

Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit an essay:
• Why you chose this particular program/specialization Cite specific experiences and examples.
• Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness,
competence, and understanding of diversity.
• Your professional career goals as they relate to this specialization.
• Why you believe this program will assist you in reaching these goals.
 thechicagoschool.edu
800.721.8072
[email protected]

Essay Questions for Undergraduate Program Applicants –

B.A. & B.S.
B.A. Criminology

Applicants with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.3 or lower must submit an essay addressing the below:
• Please compose a written essay to answer the questions below. Your essay should be typed, double-spaced,
and three pages (approximately 500-750 words) while clearly addressing the program for which the applicant
is applying.
• Please identify your degree program of interest and share your career goals as they relate to entering and
completing your chosen program.
• Please briefly explain the reasons for your past academic performance (below a 2.3 GPA). How will you
improve and address these reasons if you are admitted to The Chicago School?
• What strengths will help you successfully complete your program at The Chicago School?
• Identify at least 2 weaknesses or areas of adversity and how you will work to improve them. Make sure to
address how you will overcome any obstacles.
• Please share additional information relevant to this application. Please discuss any relevant professional
experience that aligns with your chosen degree, if applicable.

B.A. Psychology

Applicants with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.3 or lower must submit an essay addressing the below:
• Please compose a written essay to answer the questions below. Your essay should be typed, double-spaced,
and three pages (approximately 500-750 words) while clearly addressing the program for which you are
applying.
• Psychology is a vast discipline with many career options:
o Why are you interested in this particular program to earn your undergraduate degree in
psychology? Cite specific experiences and examples.
o What are your professional career goals as they relate to this degree? Why do you believe this
program will assist you in reaching these goals?
o Why is it important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness,
competence, and understanding of diversity (see our Commitment to Diversity Statement)?
o If you are a first-generation undergraduate degree student, please integrate this into your essay.
 thechicagoschool.edu
800.721.8072
[email protected]

B.S. Business Psychology

Applicants with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.3 or lower must submit an essay addressing the below:
• Please compose a written essay to answer the questions below. Your essay should be typed, double-spaced,
and three pages (approximately 500-750 words) while clearly addressing the program for which the applicant
is applying.
• Psychology is a vast discipline with many career options: o Why are you interested in this particular program
to earn your undergraduate degree in psychology? Cite specific experiences and examples.
o Why are you interested in this particular program to earn your undergraduate degree in
psychology? Cite specific experiences and examples.
o What are your professional career goals as they relate to this degree? Why do you believe this
program will assist you in reaching these goals?
o Why is it important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness,
competence, and understanding of diversity (see our Commitment to Diversity Statement)?
o If you are a first-generation undergraduate degree student, please integrate this into your essay.

Essay Questions for Certificate Programs

Certificate in Behavioral Economics, Certificate in Organizational Leadership, & Industrial and Organizational
Psychology Generalist Certificate

Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit a personal statement (between 250 and 500
words for each question).
• Please describe a challenge that you navigated successfully and how you will use what you have learned
from that experience to be successful in your program.
• How will the successful completion of this program support your professional career goals?

Child and Adolescent Certificate & Suicide and Cyberbullying Prevention Certificate

Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 2.8 are required to submit an essay:
• Psychology is a vast discipline with many career options. In an essay format, please describe:
o Why you chose this particular program/specialization. Cite specific experiences and examples.
o Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness,
competence, and understanding of diversity (see our Commitment to Diversity statement).
o Your professional career goals as they relate to this specialization.
o Why you believe this program will assist you in reaching these goals.
 thechicagoschool.edu
800.721.8072
[email protected]

Crisis Informed Care for a Diverse, Globalized World Certificate

Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit an essay:
• How will the successful completion of this program support your professional career goals?
• Please identify and discuss the factors impacting your past academic performance.
• What strategies would you use to improve upon your past academic performance?

Post Bachelor’s Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis & Post Master’s Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis

Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit an essay answering the following questions
(approximately 500-700 words):
• Why you chose this particular program/specialization. Cite specific experiences and examples.
• Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes cultural awareness,
competence, and understanding of diversity.
• Your professional career goals as they relate to this specialization.
• Why you believe this program will assist you in reaching these goals.
thechicagoschool.edu
800.721.8072
[email protected]