Applying for Admission
Adler University takes pride in its diverse student body, representing a wide range of professional interests, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and academic and work histories. The University admits individuals with a record of outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to social responsibility. Ideal candidates for admission are those who will make a difference in their communities and the lives of the individuals and families they serve upon graduation.
All applicants should fulfill the minimum admission requirements for the program they choose and must demonstrate acceptable proficiency in spoken and written English.
Applicants must submit the following:
- Application for admission
- Statement of intent
- Resume
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.*
*Unofficial transcripts can be used for application review. Official valid transcripts must be received before the end of the first course. Provisional admission will be granted until receipt of official transcripts. Transcripts from non-degree-granting institutions may be eligible to be waived.
Applicants are required to have:
- 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**
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.
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.
**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.
Applicants to this program are required to have:
- A master’s degree, by the date of matriculation, in industrial and organizational psychology, psychology, business, or a related discipline. Applicants who did not graduate from Adler University’s Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology or an equivalent program may be required to complete the equivalency requirements in addition to the doctoral curriculum. (See Program Requisites below.)
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) in their master’s degree. Successful applicants typically have a grade point average of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale for graduate-level coursework.
- Two letters of recommendation from an individual who can speak to the applicant’s likelihood of success in a doctoral program.*
- A writing sample (e.g., a publication, report, or an essay or paper previously submitted as an assignment).
- An admissions interview.
*Applicants who are graduates or current students, in good standing, from Adler University master’s degree programs may have one letter of recommendation, the writing sample, and/or interview waived.
Applicants are expected to have adequate coursework in the areas listed below. Applicants who did not graduate from Adler University’s Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology or an equivalent program will be assessed to determine whether they have adequate coursework in the following master’s-level course areas, with a letter grade of B or better. Students who need to complete additional master’s-level courses, will need to do so within the first five course periods of the doctoral program.
