ABOUT ADLER university
As the world changes, so do the demands on today’s leaders. We evolve our approach to reflect these new realities.
shaping the future of graduate education with purpose + clarity
At Adler, we cultivate breakaway thinkers into action-driven leaders who transform complex health systems through impact-focused co-creation. Adlerian values guide our direction and our people, grounding our commitment to social responsibility, community partnership, and preparing students to drive meaningful change.
vision | mission | values
At Adler University, we prepare students to lead with strategic courage. Across locations and communities, our students gain experience addressing systemic barriers and advancing public health. Guided by Adlerian values of community health and social interest, our graduates transform systems, creating a healthier, more unified world from day one.
VISION
The leading graduate institution advancing global health and well-being through community-rooted education and partnerships, courageous leadership, and systems-level transformation.
MISSION
Anchored in the scholarship of Alfred Adler and the enduring principle of Gemeinschaftsgefühl — a deep sense of social interest and mutual responsibility — Adler University prepares students to be global leaders who improve health outcomes through applied research, community co-creation, and immersive education.
This mission results in three core outcomes:
- LEADERSHIP: Through curiosity, courage, and collaboration, graduates emerge as global scholars and practitioners whose leadership transforms systems, advances well-being, and promotes social interest at every level of society.
- COLLABORATION: Students practice reciprocity and co-creation, fostering community connection and responsibility that leads to healthier systems and lasting impact.
- IMPACT: Students, faculty, and staff advance research, knowledge, and applied practices that create measurable and sustainable improvements in health and well-being — locally and globally.
VALUES
- TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP: We uphold the highest standards of quality, rigor, and integrity across our global education, scholarship, and outcomes.
- COURAGE + CURIOSITY: We challenge convention with intellect and ask fearless questions to strategically pursue new possibilities.
- EMPATHY + CO-CREATION: We create new knowledge and design solutions that reflect understanding, foster connection, and drive sustainable impact.
- SOCIAL INTEREST: We act with responsibility to others, advancing systems of care that support healthier communities at every level.
LATEST news
Adler Community Health Services awarded $1.35M federal grant for graduate psychology education, expanding mental health access
CreativeMornings at Adler welcomes The Dear Artist Project founder Sirimas Benz Amatayakul
FNHA, Adler University partner to advance mental health services in First Nations communities
The power of showing up: Adler alum transforms lives through mentorship
Our roots
Alfred Adler’s concept of social interest — that individual well-being is inseparable from community health — reshaped psychology around the principles of prevention and systems change.
Since 1952, Adler University has carried that vision forward, preparing breakaway thinkers to transform structures and improve outcomes through immersive, real-world education.
Our reach
Adler’s changemaking scholars are leading real-world impacts on campus and beyond.
*FY24 data.
OUR COMMUNITY in action
Adler Community Health Services awarded $1.35M federal grant for graduate psychology education, expanding mental health access
The grant supports doctoral psychology trainees for practice in high-need community-based primary care settings.
CreativeMornings at Adler welcomes The Dear Artist Project founder Sirimas Benz Amatayakul
The Oct. 31 event will explore how creativity, vulnerability, and art intersect to foster emotional healing
FNHA, Adler University partner to advance mental health services in First Nations communities
The outcomes of the partnership will include the co-development and delivery of customized training programs to address the mental health and wellness needs of First Nations communities.
President Lisa Coleman, Ph.D.
“At Adler, leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about transformation. We are building a university that equips breakaway thinkers to serve, disrupt, and reimagine the systems shaping our communities and our health.”
credentials you can count on
Adler University’s accreditations reflect a deep commitment to excellence, relevance, and real-world impact. Recognized across the U.S. and Canada, our graduate programs meet the highest academic and professional standards, ensuring graduates are ready to lead, serve, and drive meaningful change across sectors. With a reputation built on credibility and purpose, an Adler degree carries weight where it matters most.
Across Chicago, VANCOUVER + beyond
Adler University is an international university with campuses in two of North America’s most renowned cities: Chicago, Illinois, and Vancouver, British Columbia. While each location is unique, we are united as one university, building a healthier, more connected world. Together.
looking for something else?
Do you want to know more about Adler University before applying? Explore programs available at each location, admission requirements, financial aid and scholarships, and learn about our practicum program.