The Chicago School of Professional Psychology encourages all students to stay engaged in the psychology and related behavioral science communities. The below list of professional organizations aims to provide resources and opportunities for students to utilize during and after completion of their academic program. Please note: the below list is not exhaustive, and all students are encouraged to explore additional organizations to best support their professional success​.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA):

• Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)
• Chicago:          Illinois Association for Behavior Analysis (ILABA)
• DC:                  Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis (MABA)
                          Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis (VABA)
• Southern CA:   California Association for Behavior Analysis (CalABA)
• Association for Professional Behavior Analysts
• Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
• Standard Celeration Society

Business Psychology; Industrial/Organizational Psychology:

• Society for Human Resource Managements (SHRM)
• Chicago:          Chicago Society for Human Resource Management (ChicagoSHRM)
• DC:                  Human Resources Association of the National Capital Area (HRA-NCA)
• Southern CA:   Professionals In Human Resources Association (PIHRA)
• Society of Consulting Psychology (SCP)
• DC & Southern CA:      http://www.apa.org/about/division/div13.aspx​
• Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP)​​​​
  ​​​​​- http://www.apa.org/about/division/div14.aspx ​

Business Psychology; Organizational Leadership:

 

• Academy of Management
• International Leadership Association​
• ​Organizational Development Network​

Clinical Psychology:

• American Psychological Association (APA)
• Chicago:          Chicago Association for Psychoanalytic Psychology (CAAP)
                          Illinois Psychological Association (IPA)
                          Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA)
• DC:                  District of Columbia Psychological Association (DCPA)​
                          Maryland Psychological Association (MPA)
                          Virginia Psychological Association (VPA)
• Southern CA:   California Psychological Association of Graduate Students (CPAGS)                                                             California Psychological Association (CPA)

Counseling Psychology:

• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• Chicago:          Midwest Region
• DC:                  North Atlantic Region
• Southern CA:   Western Region​
• District of Columbia Counseling Association (DCCA)​
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• Chicago:          NASW – Illinois Chapter
• DC:                  NASW – DC Metro Chapter
• Southern CA:   NASW – California Chapter

Forensic Psychology:

• Forensic Mental Health Association of California (FMHAC) (Southern CA)
• International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (IACFP)

International Psychology:

• American Psychological Association (APA)
• APA Division 52 – International Psychology

Marriage and Family Therapy:

• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
• Chicago:          AAMFT-Illinois Division​
• DC:                  AAMFT-Middle Atlantic
• Southern CA:   AAMFT-CA

• California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) (Southern CA)
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• Chicago:          NASW – Illinois Chapter
• DC:                  NASW – DC Metro Chapter
• Southern CA:   NASW – California Chapter

Public Health:

• American Public Health Association (APHA)
• Chicago:          Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA)
• DC:                  Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association (MWPHA)
• Southern CA:   Southern California Public Health Association (SCPHA)

School Psychology:

• National Association of School Psychologist (NASP)
• Chicago:          Illinois School Psychologists Association (ISPA)
• DC:                  District of Columbia Association of School Psychologists (DCASP)
• Southern CA:   California Association of School Psychologist (CASP)​

Business cards

Business cards are a useful tool to help market yourself and set yo​urself apart in a professional networking situation. Providing potential employers with a business card shows initiative and a sense of professionalism, and it is more practical than handing out copies of your résumé. A business card can help build your brand as a professional psychology practitioner, whether you are employed or seeking employment. 

 

When networking, the general etiquette is to offer your business card when concluding a conversation:

 

“It was nice speaking with you. Here’s my card, and let’s stay in contact!”

 

Handing out the business card at the beginning of a conversation is recommended when you are in an interview or meeting setting:

 

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. Here is my card to hold onto.”

 

 -----> Click here to download the TCSPP Student Business card template <-----

​

Guidelines

The TCSPP Student Business Card provides you with a branded school template that will allow you to input your personal information:

• Name
• Degree Level, Program of Study, and Campus
• Phone Number
• School E-mail
• Social Media Link/Website

Recommended font is Arial Narrow.​

Poster Presentation 

Creating a professional poster is a great tool for promoting yourself and your work, and for educating others on your research findings. A poster has potential to reach a larger audience than a typical oral presentation. It allows you to interact with interested parties one-on-one, and it provides an opportunity to receive peer feedback before submitting a manuscript for publication. Presenting your research with a professional poster also creates valuable networking opportunities with fellow scholars who share your field interests. ​

 ​-----> Click here to download the TCSPP poster template <-----​​

General Poster Presentatio​n Tips

General Tips

• Use large text for the title
• Do not use all capital letters in the title 
• Include the author(s) and a description of the research that highlights the major elements 
• Minimize detail in descriptions 
• Use pictures, tables, and figures to illustrate concepts and add interest to the poster 
• Avoid excessive amounts of information 
• Design a poster that clearly portrays the subject, purpose, and results (if applicable)
• Use large font that can be read from a distance (i.e., at least 20 point). Your references can be in smaller font.
• Make each section easy to identify and create a logical reading flow on the poster 
• Design the poster so it can be quickly read in a few minutes 
• Define difficult terminology or use jargon-free language for a general audience at the forum 

You can either choose to have your poster professionally printed or you can choose to print and assemble the poster presentation yourself. Please see below for tips for both options.

Tips for professional poster printing (based on the APA guidelines)

• The poster board surface area should be 4’ (122cm) high and 6’ (183 cm) wide *WE SUGGEST USING A TRIFOLD BOARD TO PRESENT YOUR POSTER - PROFESSIONAL PRINTING NOT REQUIRED
• Prepare a label indicating the title of your paper and the author(s) for the top of your poster space; The lettering for this section should not be less than 1” (2.54 cm or 72 point) high
• A copy of your abstract (300-words or less), in large typescript, should be posted in the upper left-hand corner of the poster board
• Keep in mind that your illustrations will be viewed from distances of 3’ (113 cm) or more.
• All lettering should be at least 3/8” (.95 cm or 27 point) high, preferably in a bold font
• Be sure to provide a clear label for each section of your presentation
• You can choose to print your poster at any store that provides printing services, such as FedEx or Staples

Tips for printing the poster the poster yourself

• We recommend that you use PowerPoint or a similar program to create the content for your poster presentation
• Most students choose to place the printed PowerPoint slides on a tri-fold board
• We would encourage you to follow the APA guidelines listed above when formatting your slides for your poster presentation

Tips for students presenting their posters online

• We would recommend that you create your virtual poster presentation in PowerPoint or a similar program
• We would encourage you to follow the APA poster presentation guidelines when applicable

In addition, please review the resources listed above for more examples and tips for creating a poster presentation

Presenting a Poster

Video: Giving an Effective Poster Presentation

​ IP Students at Middle East Psychological Association Conference in Kuwait IP MA and PhD students had the opportunity to present their SWOT analysis of the two-day MEPA Conference in Kuwait. Providing feedback, comments, and next steps for each of the two student groups presenting were Dr. Joanne Hands, President of MEPA.​	​   IP Students at Middle East Psychological Association Conference in Kuwait Master’s IP students at the 3rd Annual Middle East Psychological Association (MEPA) Conference in Kuwait and Dr. Hands of Kuwait University​     Stover
​   Clinical PsyD at IVAT​	​ IP Students at Middle East Psychological Association Conference in Kuwait MEPA President Dr. Joanne Hands, provides feedback on IP students SWOT analysis of the two-day Conference in Kuwait. Allowing students to apply leadership skills in a real-world context, meeting a need for an international professional organization.​​