Three men indoors; one in civilian clothes assists a man in military uniform with adjusting a tactical vest, while another man in uniform, possibly pursuing a Ph.D., holds body armor.

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Psychology: Specialization in Military Psychology

Online

The Adler University Master of Arts in Psychology: Specialization in Military Psychology program prepares students to support service members, veterans, and their families through focused training in trauma, resilience, ethics, leadership, and military culture.

36 credits
1-year program, full-time study
Part-time opportunities
Thesis + capstone options

Apply Now Request information All Programs

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

Military service members, veterans, and their families face distinct challenges that call for specialized, compassionate, and highly skilled care. Adler University’s master’s in military psychology goes beyond theory, combining rigorous academic study, applied research, and supervised practica that directly reflect the realities of military life.

Guided by Adlerian principles, students examine military psychology through biological, psychological, sociological, and cultural lenses, gaining a holistic understanding of service-related experiences. Graduates leave prepared to create meaningful impact across healthcare systems, veteran organizations, and government agencies, bringing advanced psychological training and cultural insight to both military and civilian contexts.

Why choose Adler’s military psychology program?

Specialized curriculum: The program weaves together trauma, resilience, leadership, ethics, and military culture with evidence-based practices.
Faculty with lived experience: Courses are led by psychologists and military professionals who bring real-world insight from their ongoing research and practice. Their combined expertise ensures students learn from instructors who understand both the science of psychology and the unique realities of military life.
Fully online format: Delivered 100% online, the program combines live sessions with self-paced coursework to maximize flexibility for working professionals across locations and time zones.
Choice of pathway: Students can pursue a traditional thesis to advance original research or a capstone project that develops applied solutions for military settings. Both options provide rigorous training while allowing graduates to tailor their academic experience to career goals.

*This product or service has not been approved or endorsed by any governmental agency,
and this offer is not being made by an agency of the government.

Expand Your Credentials

Military psychology master’s students can pursue a concentration focused on the psychology of terrorism through additional courses that support their passions and career goals.

The Psychology of Terrorism concentration explores the bio-psycho-social-spiritual and political dimensions of terrorism. Students study contributing factors such as oppression, social injustice, and inequity, along with psychological consequence management and disaster response. The curriculum also addresses biodefense and security, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear events, whether premeditated, accidental, or natural.

Careers That Strengthen military + veteran care

Today, mental health professionals equipped with specialized knowledge of military psychology are in high demand for working with the unique needs and trauma experienced by military personnel, retirees, veterans, and their families.

research, educational + medical facilities

Contribute in research, educational, and medical settings by designing and evaluating programs for military and veteran well-being, training staff on trauma and resilience, collaborating on interdisciplinary care, and supporting reintegration and crisis response with ethical documentation.

military schools + bases

Strengthen readiness and family well-being on bases and in schools through counselling, psychoeducation, resilience training, and transition support; coordinate with leaders and educators; respond to crises; and document services with care and confidentiality.

Two people sit facing each other in conversation; one woman with a Ph.D. in Art Therapy smiles while holding a microphone and sitting on a light-colored chair.

government agencies

Design and evaluate programs for service members, veterans, and families; analyze data; write policy guidance; and support prevention, resilience, and crisis response while coordinating across departments and safeguarding confidentiality.

Admissions requirements

Apply Now

Eligibility

Applicants of the master’s in military psychology 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.

Application requirements

Applicants are required to submit the following items to be considered for admission:

Completed application submitted via the online portal.
Application fee.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended (U.S. and Canada). International transcripts must be evaluated by a transcript evaluation service.
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.

Approved applicants will be invited to complete an interview with faculty.

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.

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

This 36-credit program is offered entirely online and can be completed in as few as 12 months, making it an attractive option for students who may be currently employed. Our asynchronous learning model allows for convenience and flexibility. All components of this program can be accessed through an Internet browser running on an IBM PC (Windows or Linux) or Apple Macintosh (Apple OS). Students must have access to a broadband Internet connection and a personal computer manufactured within the last three years.

Completion of the program includes the courses below, along with additional requirements outlined in the Adler University Course Catalog.

ADLER UNIVERSITY COURSE CATALOG

CORE COURSES

Survey of Military Psychology

This course introduces the student to the specialty of Military Psychology which aims to improve the lives of service personnel and is applicable to a wide range of areas within the military community

Operational Psychology

This course provides students with the opportunity to integrate socially responsible strategies with operational psychology in military environments.

Mental Health Law and UCMJ

This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of mental health law, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the military justice system, and social justice as it relates to Adlerian principles

The Psychology of Conflict and 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, peacekeeping and enforcement).

Ethics, Morality, and Social Justice in the Military

This course is a comprehensive study of military ethics, morality, social justice, and is designed to benefit both the student seeking professional leadership development in the reserves or active duty and practitioners who seek to serve them.

War, Trauma, Grief, Death, and Loss

This course examines the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual impact of being in combat or experiencing a conflict.

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.

The Social Justice Practicum (SJP) at Adler University is a first-year, non-clinical, community-based experience that reflects Alfred Adler’s concept of social interest. The practicum places students with mission-driven organizations where they complete a minimum of 200 approved hours across two semesters, typically 8–10 hours per week. Alongside their placements, students participate in required workshops. Each practicum is evaluated through midterm and final supervisor reviews, student self-assessments, and feedback on the site and project, with grades of High Pass, Pass, Remediation, or Fail. The experience culminates in a campus-wide presentation of outcomes, assessed by multiple evaluators, offering students both applied training and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful community change.

PSYCHOLOGY OF TERRORISM

Psychology of Terrorism

This course will introduce the students to the concepts, goals, strategies, ideologies, and psychological theories associated with terrorist groups. Emphasis will be placed on terrorist motives and on how terrorist actions have affected the course of history and current foreign and domestic policies.

Psychological Consequence Management

The purpose of this course is to educate the behavioral health professional in the mental health disaster response crisis counseling program model

Biodefense Security

This course will provide an introduction to the ongoing efforts to implement U.S. biodefense preparedness.

Faculty

Meet the faculty leading Adler’s online master’s in military psychology program.

View All Faculty

Joseph E. Troiani, an older man with glasses, wearing a dark blazer over a light purple shirt, stands against a plain gray background.

Chicago, Online

Doctorate, Master's

Joseph E. Troiani, Ph.D.

Founding Director + Associate Professor

Military Psychology | Clinical Psychology

Learn More

Change Agent Nazanin Fasihi, in a white blazer, sits on the arm of a yellow sofa in a brightly lit living room with colorful cushions and framed art on the walls.

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.

Financial Aid + Scholarships

$67,644

$2,400

$70,044

$2,400

Clinical Psychology | Psy.D.

$6,606

Clinical Psychology | Psy.D.

$56,574

$2,140

$58,714

Fall

$20,205

$1,060

$21,265

Spring

$18,858

$540

$19,398

Summer

$17,511

$540

$18,051

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Clinical Psychology | Psy.D.

$56,574

$6,340

$62,914

Fall

$20,205

$2,460

$22,665

Spring

$18,858

$1,940

$20,798

Summer

$17,511

$1,940

$19,451

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Clinical Psychology | Psy.D.

$32,328

$2,140

$34,468

Fall

$10,776

$1,060

$11,836

Spring

$10,776

$540

$11,316

Summer

$10,776

$540

$11,316

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Clinical Psychology | Psy.D.

$32,328

$6,340

$38,668

Fall

$10,776

$2,460

$13,236

Spring

$10,776

$1,940

$12,716

Summer

$10,776

$1,940

$12,716

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Clinical Psychology | Psy.D.

$26,940

$4,834

$31,774

Fall

$10,776

$1,060

$11,836

Spring

$12,123

$540

$12,663

Summer

$4,041

$3,234

$7,275

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Clinical Psychology | Psy.D.

$26,940

$9,034

$35,974

Fall

$10,776

$2,460

$13,236

Spring

$12,123

$1,940

$14,063

Summer

$4,041

$4,634

$8,675

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Clinical Psychology | Psy.D.

$24,246

$2,140

$26,386

Fall

$9,429

$1,060

$10,489

Spring

$5,388

$540

$5,928

Summer

$9,429

$540

$9,969

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Clinical Psychology | Psy.D.

$24,246

$6,340

$30,586

Fall

$9,429

$2,460

$11,889

Spring

$5,388

$1,940

$7,328

Summer

$9,429

$1,940

$11,369

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Clinical Psychology | Psy.D.

$4,041

$2,140

$6,181

Fall

$1,347

$1,060

$2,407

Spring

$1,347

$540

$1,887

Summer

$1,347

$540

$1,887

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Clinical Psychology | Psy.D.

$4,041

$6,340

$10,381

Fall

$1,347

$2,460

$3,807

Spring

$1,347

$1,940

$3,287

Summer

$1,347

$16,954

$1,175

$18,129

Spring

$13,321

$655

$13,976

Summer

$12,110

$1,755

$13,865

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Counselling Psychology | M.A

$42,385

$7,785

$50,170

Fall

$16,954

$2,575

$19,529

Spring

$13,321

$2,055

$15,376

Summer

$12,110

$3,155

$15,265

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Counselling Psychology | M.A

$29,064

$3,696

$32,760

Fall

$12,110

$1,175

$13,285

Spring

$8,477

$655

$9,132

Summer

$8,477

$1,866

$10,343

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Counselling Psychology | M.A

$29,064

$7,896

$36,960

Fall

$12,110

$2,575

$14,685

Spring

$8,477

$2,055

$10,532

Summer

$8,477

$3,266

$11,743

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy | MCP:AT

$41,174

$3,516

$44,690

Fall

$13,321

$1,152

$14,473

Spring

$16,954

$632

$17,586

Summer

$10,899

$1,732

$12,631

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy | MCP:AT

$41,174

$7,716

$48,890

Fall

$13,321

$2,552

$15,873

Spring

$16,954

$2,032

$18,986

Summer

$10,899

$3,132

$14,031

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy | MCP:AT

$31,486

$3,627

$35,113

Fall

$14,532

$1,152

$15,684

Spring

$14,532

$632

$15,164

Summer

$2,422

$1,843

$4,265

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy | MCP:AT

$31,486

$7,827

$39,313

Fall

$14,532

$2,552

$17,084

Spring

$14,532

$2,032

$16,564

Summer

$2,422

$3,243

$5,665

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Counselling Psychology: School and Youth | M.A.

$49,651

$3,585

$53,236

Fall

$16,954

$1,175

$18,129

Spring

$16,954

$655

$17,609

Summer

$15,743

$1,755

$17,498

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Counselling Psychology: School and Youth | M.A.

$49,651

$7,785

$57,436

Fall

$16,954

$2,575

$19,529

Spring

$16,954

$2,055

$19,009

Summer

$15,743

$3,155

$18,898

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Counselling Psychology: School and Youth | M.A.

$21,798

$3,696

$25,494

Fall

$4,844

$1,175

$6,019

Spring

$4,844

$655

$5,499

Summer

$12,110

$1,866

$13,976

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Counselling Psychology: School and Youth | M.A.

$21,798

$7,896

$29,694

Fall

$4,844

$2,575

$7,419

Spring

$4,844

$58,212

$5,742

$63,954

Forensic Mental Health Leadership | M.A.

4.5

$7,277

$512

$7,789

Forensic Mental Health Leadership | M.A.

4.5

$7,277

$1,914

$9,191

Industrial + Organizational Psychology | M.A.

$21,021

$3,222

$24,243

Industrial + Organizational Psychology | M.A.

$21,021

$7,428

$28,449

Industrial + Organizational Psychology | M.A.

$15,015

$3,222

$18,237

Industrial + Organizational Psychology | M.A.

$15,015

$7,428

$22,443

Industrial + Organizational Psychology | MIOP

$32,697

$2,410

$35,107

Fall

$12,110

$1,150

$13,260

Spring

$12,110

$630

$12,740

Summer

$8,477

$630

$9,107

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Industrial + Organizational Psychology | MIOP

$32,697

$6,610

$39,307

Fall

$12,110

$2,550

$14,660

Spring

$12,110

$2,030

$14,140

Summer

$8,477

$2,030

$10,507

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Industrial + Organizational Psychology | MIOP

$13,321

$2,410

$15,731

Fall

$6,055

$1,150

$7,205

Spring

$6,055

$630

$6,685

Summer

$1,211

$630

$1,841

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Industrial + Organizational Psychology | MIOP

$13,321

$6,610

$19,931

Fall

$6,055

$2,550

$8,605

Spring

$6,055

$2,030

$8,085

Summer

$1,211

Industrial + Organizational Psychology | Ph.D.

19.5

$19,520

$7,428

$26,948

Industrial + Organizational Psychology | Ph.D.

4.5

$4,505

$3,222

$7,727

Industrial + Organizational Psychology | Ph.D.

4.5

$21,021

$3,222

$24,243

Psychology | M.A.

$21,021

$7,428

$28,449

Psychology | M.A.

$15,015

$3,222

$18,237

Psychology | M.A.

$15,015

$7,428

$22,443

Psychology: Health + Wellness | M.Psych

$25,431

$1,867

$27,298

Fall

$8,477

$969

$9,446

Spring

$8,477

$449

$8,926

Summer

$8,477

$449

$8,926

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Psychology: Health + Wellness | M.Psych

$25,431

$6,067

$31,498

Fall

$8,477

$2,369

$10,846

Spring

$8,477

$1,849

$10,326

Summer

$8,477

$1,849

$10,326

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Psychology: Health + Wellness | M.Psych

$18,165

$1,867

$20,032

Fall

$6,055

$969

$7,024

Spring

$4,844

$449

$5,293

Summer

$7,266

$449

$7,715

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Psychology: Health + Wellness | M.Psych

$18,165

$6,067

$24,232

Fall

$6,055

$2,369

$8,424

Spring

$4,844

$1,849

$6,693

Summer

$7,266

$1,849

$9,115

**Student Care is a student led health care plan and rates are likely to change each year; opt out with proof of other insurance is available

Sex Therapy | CERT

$10,300

$666

$10,966

Sex Therapy | CERT

$10,300

$4,872

$15,172

Sport + Human Performance | M.S.

$16,170

$208

$16,378

Sport + Human Performance | M.S.

$16,170

$1,610

$17,780

The latest from our
students, faculty, and alumni

ADLER NEWS

A bald man wearing glasses, a dark suit, a light blue shirt, and a patterned tie stands in an office setting, smiling at the camera—Joseph Troiani, author of A City at War: Chicago WWII.

‘A City at War’: Associate Professor Joseph Troiani, Ph.D., highlights Chicago’s WWII story

Removing the ICE: An answer to veteran suicide and successful reintegration into civilian life

In 2020, I figured out what I believe is a significant root cause of veteran suicide and the difficulty veterans have transitioning out of the military culture and thriving in the civilian culture.

A person in military uniform kneels and embraces a smiling child on a street, with a duffel bag placed nearby—a heartfelt moment often explored in military psychology research.

Virtual symposium offers latest in research, advances in military psychology

Adler is providing a free three-day virtual symposium Nov. 9-11 for mental health providers seeking to learn more about the latest in military psychology.

Still wondering?

Do you want to know more about Adler University before applying? Learn more about the University, explore programs, view admissions requirements, and review available scholarships.

Academic Programs

How to Apply

Financial Aid + Scholarships

Student Life at Adler

Adler University History

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Psychology: Specialization in Military Psychology

Admission Deadlines

Program overview

Expand Your Credentials

Careers That Strengthen military + veteran care

research, educational + medical facilities

military schools + bases

government agencies

Admissions requirements

Eligibility

Application requirements

Provisional Admission Status

How to Apply + Submit Transcripts

Curriculum | Internships | practicums

CORE COURSES

Survey of Military Psychology

Operational Psychology

Mental Health Law and UCMJ

The Psychology of Conflict and Operations Other than War

Ethics, Morality, and Social Justice in the Military

War, Trauma, Grief, Death, and Loss

THESIS OR CAPSTONE

Capstone

Thesis 1

Thesis 2

Thesis 3

SOCIAL JUSTICE PRACTICUM

PSYCHOLOGY OF TERRORISM

Psychology of Terrorism

Psychological Consequence Management

Biodefense Security

Faculty

Joseph E. Troiani, Ph.D.

Financing your degree

Art Therapy | Ph.D.

Year

Credits

Tuition

Fees

Total

Term

Credits

Tuition

Fees

Total

Term

Credits

Tuition

Fees

Total

Term

Credits

Tuition

Fees

Total

Art Therapy | Ph.D.

Year

Credits

Tuition

Fees

Total

Term

Credits

Tuition

Fees

Total

Term

Credits

Tuition

Fees

Total

Term

Credits

Tuition

Fees

Total

Art Therapy | Ph.D.

Year

Credits

Tuition