M.A. Psychopharmacology
- Online
- 18 months
The M.A. in Psychopharmacology program is designed to provide general knowledge of psychopharmacology and medical conditions that are relevant to mental health care, specifically for practitioners and leaders who are not psychologists or doctoral psychology students. However, students should have undergraduate or graduate degrees in related fields, such as:
- Mental health counseling
- Marriage and family therapy
- Applied behavior analysis
- Related fields of psychology
Students may also be currently working in applicable professions, such as:
- Licensed clinical social workers
- Hospital staff
- Nurses
- Other applicable professions
Students will learn how to increase their current competencies in assessment, diagnosis, and intervention, and engage in case-based learning that will enhance their collaborative practice skills.
Graduates of the Online M.A. Psychopharmacology program can emerge with the skills needed to advance their career within a variety of professional settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Mental health practices
- Integrated care facilities
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation facilities
M.A. Psychopharmacology Online Program: Student Experience
Through the convenience of the online programs at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, your life is able to remain intact. Our online Global Student Dashboard is where you will find the coursework and assignments for your psychopharmacology courses, interact with fellow students, and engage with your instructor.
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Anatomy I: Medical Anatomy and Physiology
This course will emphasize functional concepts and structures of human anatomy. Learning will combine anatomical terminology with general concepts of the musculoskeletal system, the organ systems of the thoracic and abdominal cavities, the vascular system, the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. A description of the functional properties of each of these areas is also discussed. The course is designed to provide students with a medical anatomy perspective which they can integrate into their basic science studies of physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, neuroscience, and psychopharmacology.
Diagnostic Methods I: Advanced Physical Assessment
This course is the first of four courses in the Diagnostics Sequence. It focuses on teaching students the techniques and processes used in conducting a comprehensive physical examination. Students are introduced to the physical exam, with an emphasis on systematically looking for any signs and symptoms of physical illness that may present as a behavioral or mental disorder. Topics during the course include documenting a patient’s history, common laboratory tests used in conjunction with a physical exam, and identifying signs and symptoms that warrant referral to a medical specialist. Students will learn to take vital signs, perform a physical examination appropriate to the setting, and to identify signs of a problematic drug reaction (e.g., iatrogenic rashes, tardive dyskinesia, etc.), which may result as a side effect of psychopharmacologic medications.
Diagnostic Methods III: Laboratory Testing, Neuroimaging, and Electrophysiology
This course will provide students with an overview of diagnostic methods typically employed in the practice of prescribing psychology such as structural neuroimaging (CT, MRI, DTI), functional neuroimaging (fMRI, PET, SPECT), electrophysiology (EEG, EKG), routine laboratory studies (CBC, BMP, CMP, TSH, Liver Panel) and recent advances in gene therapy. The course helps to prepare students for “Clinical Medicine Across the Lifespan,” the final course in the four-course Diagnostics Sequence.
For information on where The Chicago School of Professional Psychology meets, does not meet, or has not determined if the program meets licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit: https://staging.thechicagoschool.edu/admissions/licensure-disclosures/.
Application to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Online M.A. in Psychopharmacology program is open to any person who has earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field (e.g., nursing) from a regionally-accredited institution, and, who meets The Chicago School entrance requirements.
- Completed application
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- $50 application fee
- An undergraduate (or graduate, if applicable) GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is expected for admission.
- Completion of the following two prerequisites in prior undergraduate or graduate coursework (3 semester credits or quarter credit equivalent for each course) with a grade of “B” or better:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Research Methods or Basic Statistics
- Applicants must submit official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned. It is recommended that transcripts are submitted from all schools where credit was received to enhance their applications.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is dedicated to keeping our academic programs accessible to students, regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid Department can help provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.
Fellowship
The Fellowship in Psychopharmacology was established for students accepted into the M.S. Clinical Psychopharmacology and M.A. Psychopharmacology programs to recognize their pursuit of new and innovative training in the fields of psychology and integrated health care. Fellowship eligibility is determined at the time of acceptance to the program. Click here to learn more.