A unique feature of The Chicago School is that all students receive support from the Office of Placement and Training (OPT). OPT is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Chicago School student practicum and internship training including orienting the members of the learning community to the training site search, application, interviewing, and acceptance processes. Once students begin their field placement, this office oversees the evaluation of student performance by site supervisors and Chicago School faculty. The professional staff is responsible for developing training sites in the Chicagoland area and regularly evaluating the quality of training that they provide

 

OPT Services

• Oversee student practicum and internship placement process
• Provide small group and personalized meetings for students requiring specialized assistance
• Provide general information meetings and resource materials about the training site search process
• Provide professional mentorship of students in training, which includes negotiating professional relationships, conflict resolution, ethical decision making, and professional comportment
• Site develop and maintain training sites
• Collect student and site performance data
• Provide consultation to program directors and faculty about the training process 
• Participate in academic program review of student progress to ensure continuity of training

Each year Chicago School students engage in more than 500,000 hours of community service at over 500 partner institutions.

Information about OPT sites can be found on the OPT Database, a password protected resource for current Chicago School students.  This database contains descriptions of available opportunities, ideal applicants, organization of the site, positions available, and populations treated.  It also includes a description of treatment modalities and other activities that one can expect to participate in at a particular site. The OPT database also offers information about supervision and application materials.

For assistance, please contact opt@thechicagoschool.edu or call 312.410.8958.

The Chicago School
Office of Placement and Training
325 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60654

Additional Links and Forms

Practicum and Internship Training Requirements by Program
M.A. Clinical Internship Training Agreement
Forensic Practicum/Internship Training Agreement (Non-Licensure)
Forensic Internship Training Agreement
Forensic Internship Practicum Agreement
Rater Guide, Clinical Counseling M.A.  
Rater Guide, Clinical Psy.D. 
Rater Guide, Forensic M.A.  
Rater Guide, Business Psy.D. and I/O M.A.