Master of Arts (M.A.) in Applied Psychology
Online
The Adler University Master of Arts in Applied Psychology delivers the knowledge base and skills necessary to grow your career or branch into a terminal degree across a broad range of applications and industries. Students learn from expert faculty to apply data-driven analysis and ethical psychological principles in organizations, groups, and communities worldwide.
- 38 credits
- 1-year program, full-time study
- Fully online
- Part-time opportunities
- Thesis + capstone options
- Concentration options
Admission Deadlines
| Term | Final |
|---|---|
| Fall II 2025 | 10/6/2025 |
| Spring I 2026 | 12/1/2025 |
| Summer I 2026 | 4/1/2026 |
| Fall I 2026 | 8/1/2026 |
Program overview
Psychology remains one of the most versatile and impactful fields, with growing demand for professionals who can apply psychological science across health, education, business, and community settings. Adler’s master’s in psychology prepares graduates to meet these needs, building advanced skills that open pathways to professional advancement or doctoral study.
Why chose the the master’s psychology program at Adler?
- Online-first design: Delivered fully online, the program features small, faculty-led courses that create space for mentorship, discussion, and collaboration among peers.
- Applied learning: Students engage in projects and case studies that bridge psychological theory with practice, building skills that transfer directly into professional settings.
- Future-ready foundation: A curriculum that combines academic rigor with practical application, preparing graduates for advancement in the field or continued doctoral study.
- Concentration paths: Flexible concentration options allow students to focus their studies on areas of greatest personal and professional interest.
concentration options
How will you make your mark? Adler’s online M.A. in psychology lets you focus your education on what matters most to you.
Gender and Sexuality Studies
The Concentration in Gender and Sexuality Studies highlights the significant influence and impact of gender and sexuality within culture and society. Students explore how gender and sexuality shape power dynamics and critically examine issues specific to gender and sexual minorities. This concentration also analyzes the influence of media, law, and policy on gender and sexuality, and the evolution of these intertwined elements. Students will graduate prepared for a variety of careers in corporate gender and diversity, family support, and mental health settings.
Crisis Management
Students who choose the Concentration in Crisis Management train to respond to and manage the impact of natural, accidental, or premeditated disasters and their effect on communities. Further, there is a distinct focus on serving communities that are at risk and/or marginalized during times of crisis. Students will learn to identify and foster psychological resiliency and advocate for healthy and resilient communities, especially in the immediate aftermath of an acute or chronic crisis. Students will also develop and strengthen essential leadership skills that promote positive community growth and development.
Child and Adolescent Development
The Concentration in Child and Adolescent Development focuses on youth development and the importance of fostering social interest and community connections among children and adolescents, particularly within traditionally underserved populations. Students will be exposed to models of psychosocial development and learn how to apply these models to diverse social contexts. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the unique challenges presented throughout childhood and adolescence, and the impact of social, emotional, and educational support. This concentration prepares students for a range of careers in the education and mental health fields.
Health and Wellness
In the Concentration in Health and Wellness, students will learn how to utilize psychological principles to maximize, strengthen, and enhance community and individual well-being. Further, students will apply the biopsychosocial model of human growth and development to explore health promotion and healthy communities. Illness management and recovery will be conceptualized from an evidence-based perspective, specifically attending to positive psychology theory and effective practices. Students in this concentration will be prepared for many health and psychology-related careers in public service or professional, college, or high school sports organizations.
Psychology Careers That create change
Adler’s online master’s in psychology prepares students for a variety of impactful careers in both public and nonprofit organizations.
Mental Health Professional
Promote mental well-being through psychoeducation, screening support, and coordinated referrals. Mental health professionals design workshops, consult teams, assist with crisis response, and document services with care and confidentiality.
Mental Performance Coach
Enhance performance and well-being through mental skills training, goal setting, and focus routines. Mental performance coaches teach stress regulation, resilience, and recovery strategies, apply mindfulness and CBT-informed techniques, and consult with leaders to shape healthy, high-performing cultures.
Family Support Advocate
Strengthen family stability through counseling-informed support, case coordination, and resource navigation. Family support advocates coach caregivers on communication, routines, and stress management, advocate in meetings with schools, health care, and social services, and maintain precise documentation, consent, and confidentiality.
Health + Wellness Specialist
Advance holistic well-being through assessment, coaching, and behavior-change plans. Heath and wellness specialists design workshops on stress, sleep, and habits, use motivational interviewing and CBT-informed strategies, coordinate with health care and HR teams, track biometric and self-report outcome, and safeguard data privacy.
Admissions requirements
Eligibility
Applicants of the master’s in organizational leadership program must meet the following requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree, by the date of matriculation, earned from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent degree from an international college or university.
- A GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) in their baccalaureate degree.
- Applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 will be considered for conditional admission by submitting two letters of recommendation from a current professor, supervisor, and/or someone who can attest to the applicant’s ability to be successful in a graduate program. Exceptions may be made for applicants with a conferred graduate degree.
- Applicants with a GPA below a 2.5 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Two letters of recommendation**
*Letters of recommendation may be waived based on cumulative grade point average from your degree-granting institution. Letters of recommendation should be submitted by professional references on letterhead.
Conditional Admission Status
Applicants admitted on a conditional basis must achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA in their first two courses in order to achieve full admission status and continue in the program. Applicants not meeting this standard may be dismissed from the university. Applicants admitted on a conditional basis are not eligible to repeat coursework until they achieve a full admission status.
Provisional Admission Status
Applicants admitted on a provisional basis must submit all outstanding collateral, as defined in their acceptance letter, prior to the end of their first course to achieve full admission status and continue in the program. Applicants not meeting this standard may be dismissed from the University.
How to Apply + Submit Transcripts
- Visit Adler University’s online application portal, create an account, and submit your application, fee, Statement of Intent, resume/CV, and and references’ details.
- Have official transcripts sent directly from each issuing institution or approved service to the Office of Admissions prior to the application deadline. Do not upload official copies to the portal.A
Official electronic transcripts should be sent to admissions@adler.edu.
Physical transcripts should be sent to:
Adler University – Office of Admissions
17 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60602
Curriculum | Internships | practicums
The Master of Arts in Psychology requires 36 credit hours, including 22 in core courses, 9 in electives, 2 in the Social Justice Practicum, and 3 in a thesis or capstone project. The degree can be completed in as little as 12 months.
Completion of the program includes the courses below, along with additional requirements outlined in the Adler University catalog.
CORE COURSES
History and Systems for Applied Psychology
This course will focus on the conceptual origins and evolution of modern ideas in applied psychology with an emphasis on historical and contemporary viewpoints that have influenced and shaped accepted models and systems within the field.
Ethics and Socially Responsible Practice For Applied Psychology
This course focuses on establishing and promoting ethical and socially responsible practice within the field of applied psychology. Students will evaluate human rights, welfare, and public health and safety of groups and individuals as these constructs relate to the practice of applied psychology.
Diversity and Individual Differences
In this course, students will examine the value and nature of diversity and individual differences within groups, communities, and global environments in contemporary society.
Adlerian Psychology: Community Applications
Adlerian Psychology takes an ecological approach to human functioning, focusing on health and wellness in the interaction between individuals and larger social systems. Dysfunction results from not having a well-developed sense of social interest and connectedness which leads to a misguided notion of place and withdrawal from effective functioning in work, social relations, and intimacy
Cognitive, Affective, and Biological Bases of Behaviors
This course explores historical and contemporary research on cognitive, affective, and biological determinants of behavior throughout the lifespan. Students will explore practical applications of research on brain development, emotional experiences, reality, perception, language, behavioral responses, learning, memory, and behavioral health functioning
CONCENTRATION COURSES
Students in the Master of Arts in Psychology program will complete 9 credit hours of elective coursework.
CHILD + ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT
Students in the Concentration in Child and Adolescent Development must take the following courses for their concentration coursework requirements.
Life Span Development
In this course, students explore the stages and transitions of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development across the life span. The course includes a consideration of cross-cultural, gender, familial, and historical perspectives as they relate to life span development.
Multicultural Youth Development
This course provides an overview of theory and techniques in youth development. The course offers an overview of the various social systems that affect child and adolescent development and well-being.
Juvenile Justice
Young people are disproportionately impacted by criminal behavior whether they are victimized, acting as offenders, or witnessing violence or other criminal activities. The systemic responses to their experiences will shape not only their future interactions with the system, but the trajectory of their lives.
CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Students in the Concentration in Crisis Management must take the following courses for their concentration coursework requirements.
The Psychology of Conflict + Operations Other than War
This course introduces the students to the concepts, goals, strategies, ideologies, and psychological theories associated with terrorism and operations other than war (e.g. disaster relief, peace keeping and enforcement).
Supporting Functional Needs Populations in Disasters
This course provides an overview of vulnerable populations including the elderly, disabled, mentally ill and others who are dependent on assistive devices, medications or access to external support services.
Leading in Times of Crisis
This course exposes students to the foundational principles of psychology necessary for effective leadership in emergency management. Emphasis is placed on leadership, influence and decision-making in a multi-agency emergency response environment marked by limited time, ambiguous information, and high-stakes.
GENDER + SEXUALITY STUDIES
Students in the Concentration in Gender and Sexuality Studies must take the following courses for their concentration coursework requirements.
Theories of Gender + Sexuality
This course provides a survey of foundational, seminal, and emerging theories of gender and sexuality, along with a view of how these theories apply to identity development and societal interactions.
Social + Cultural Evolution of Gender + Sexuality
This course explores social movements, media representations, and the cultural acceptance and exclusion of gender and sexual minorities through a historical lens.
Social Justice, Gender, Sexuality + the Law
Recognizing the impact of law and policy on the experiences and lives of gender and sexual minorities, this course explores those effects both nationally and globally.
HEALTH + WELLNESS
Students in the Concentration in Health and Wellness must take the following courses for their concentration coursework requirements.
Positive Psychology for Health + Wellness
This course explores the history, theory, and research methods of positive psychology as it applies to professional settings and the public health sector. Students will be exposed to the methodology in assessment of positive emotions, character strengths, and meaning in life.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches to Health + Wellness
This course provides an introduction to mindfulness and other meditative and mind-body approaches to counseling. The course focuses on theory, technique, and practice.
Biological Bases for Health + Wellness
This course provides an overview of biological, physiological, and pharmacological foundations for optimal human development and psychological well-being.
THESIS OR CAPSTONE
Students select either the capstone course, or the three-course thesis series.
Capstone
The Capstone course provides students with a unique opportunity to complete a project that will reflect their learning and training experiences throughout the program.
Thesis 1
This course represents the first phase of the thesis. The MA Thesis is a student-directed study conducted in consultation with an assigned Chair in an area of applied psychology with relevance to the curriculum.
Thesis 2
This course represents the second phase of the thesis. The MA Thesis is a student-directed study conducted in consultation with an assigned Chair in an area of applied psychology with relevance to the curriculum.
Thesis 3
This course represents the third phase of the thesis. The MA Thesis is a student-directed study conducted in consultation with an assigned Chair in an area of applied psychology with relevance to the curriculum.
SOCIAL JUSTICE PRACTICUM
Your opportunity to create lasting change on local and global systems, almost from day 1.
A unique and proven program designed to give students real-world experience throughout their time at Adler University, the Social Justice Practicum is a required 200-hour internship that spans four courses (or terms for online programs). Every student is given a number of civic-minded categories to choose from. They submit their desired areas of interest. After which, they are assigned a specific and aligned community outreach site where they will work 8 to 10 hours per week.
Financing your degree
Use our tuition calculator to help you start to plan your budget. Financial aid from the government, scholarships, or part-time employment can help you more easily afford your degree.
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