Program Overview
Adler University’s Master of Applied Psychology (MOAP) program is a specialized, nonclinical degree designed to prepare socially responsible professionals and leaders in health psychology. The curriculum emphasizes core competencies in applied research, health promotion, and community health initiatives. Students will develop crucial skills in health, gender, sexuality, evaluation, and cross-cultural communication, enabling them to apply psychological principles to improve health outcomes across diverse populations.
MOAP students will learn to utilize psychological principles to maximize, strengthen, and enhance community and individual well-being. The curriculum incorporates the biopsychosocial model of human growth and development to delve into topics such as health promotion and the creation of healthy communities. Illness management and recovery are approached from an evidence-based perspective, specifically focusing on integrating positive psychology theory into effective practice. This concentration equips students for various health and psychology-related careers in public service or professional environments, including college and high school sports organizations.
The MOAP program is offered in a flexible, blended format, including some courses online. It provides a comprehensive range of coursework and applied experiences that align with the standards of professional organizations related to health psychology, such as the American Psychological Association’s Division 38 (Health Psychology), the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), and the Canadian Psychological Association. The program is structured to be completed within two years of full-time study, including summer semesters.
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Concentrations
Health and Wellness
As part of the Master of Applied Psychology, students may select to have a health and wellness concentration. Students who choose this concentration will learn how to utilize psychological principles to maximize, strengthen, and enhance community and individual well-being. Further, students will use 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 while specifically attending to positive psychology theory and effective practice. 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.
Student Outcomes
Program Objectives
- Program Objective 1: Analyze principles and theories that impact individuals, systems, and groups within diverse cross-cultural communities.
- Program Objective 2: Evaluate ethical standards in a variety of environments and social systems as they relate to practical problem-solving within the practice of applied psychology.
- Program Objective 3: Devise evidence-based qualitative and quantitative research strategies that are responsive to diverse system needs within the field of applied psychology.
- Program Objective 4 Advance cultural competence by evaluating dynamic problems of human experience and proposing socially responsible solutions.
- Program Objective 5: Provide critical analysis of local and global systems within the professional practice of applied psychology.
- Program Objective 6: Develop skills to evaluate the efficacy and social impact of programs.
Careers
Graduates of the Master of Applied Psychology Program will apply their professional skill and knowledge base to various fields in entry level to middle management roles related to:
- Human Resources
- Government
- Business and Industry
- Healthcare
- Education
- Forensics
- Addictions
- Criminal Justice
- Family and Domestic Violence
- Child and Older Adult Services
- Public Safety and Emergency Management
- Nongovernmental Organizations and Nonprofits
Gain the knowledge and skills to create real change in the workplace with small, collaborative classes taught by leading practitioners and scholars.
Our program offers extensive individualized advising and mentorship to ensure students develop their leadership capacity, a collective act that requires personal mastery and the ability to cultivate high-quality relationships. Students learn to identify and build on others’ strengths and talents to create authentic, generative relationships in service of a purposeful vocational life.
The program also features a core professional practicum tailored to students’ career goals. Through our partnership network, students gain real-world experience and build their professional reputation among those who are redefining work in the 21st century.
Curriculum
The Master of Applied Psychology requires the following 39 credits of coursework.
Find course descriptions and more information in the Adler University course catalog here.
Core Coursework
Courses include a mix of both online and in-person classes.
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.
This course provides an overview of foundational psychological sciences and the related applications in the field. A broad review of scientific approaches to inquiry, methodological frameworks, professional skills, and application will be reviewed in fundamental areas of psychology.
This course provides an overview of foundational psychological sciences and the related applications in the field. A broad review of scientific approaches to inquiry, methodological frameworks, professional skills, and application will be reviewed in fundamental areas of 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.
This course discusses the assumptions and methods of a range of research designs used in Organizational and Applied Psychology research. A critical assessment is provided of the strengths and weaknesses of different research methods and their application to the study of individual, group and organizational behaviour.
In this course, students will examine the value and nature of diversity and individual differences within groups, communities, and global environments in contemporary society. This course will explore the meaning and dimensions of diversity from an individual and systems perspective and the various contexts of diversity at the individual, group, domestic, organizational, and global level.
This course explores biological bases of behaviour throughout the lifespan with an emphasis on practical applications of current neuroscience research. Students will critically analyze practical situations as they relate to the impact of biological structures and physiological systems on psychological functioning.
Community Psychology investigates a range of pervasive social justice issues that impact the well-being of individuals and communities. In this course students will study a wide variety of forces and structures in the community which affect the positive growth, development, and functioning of its members.
This seminar will provide students with an opportunity to meet in a group format with peers and faculty as a part of the comprehensive specialty project advising process. With guidance from faculty members and peers, students will review an discuss their project topics and research methodologies.
Project
The Project course provides students with a unique opportunity to complete a project that will reflect their learning and training experiences throughout the program.
The Project course provides students with a unique opportunity to complete a project that will reflect their learning and training experiences throughout the program.
**If needed. The Project course provides students with a unique opportunity to complete a project that will reflect their learning and training experiences throughout the program.
Concentration in Health & Wellness
This course will explore 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.
This course provides an introduction to mindfulness and other meditative and mind-body approaches to counseling. The course focuses on theory, technique, and practice. No prior experience with meditation is required, though students must be willing to practice selected techniques daily throughout the semester, as meditative and mind-body techniques cannot be learned through description alone.
This course will provide an overview of biological, physiological, and pharmacological foundations for optimal human development and psychological wellbeing. Students will be exposed to different explanatory models of human functioning from a naturalistic and holistic organism perspective.
Concentration in Gender Studies
This course provides an overview of theories related to both gender and sexuality, touching upon foundational frameworks before moving on to more current perspectives. Course materials introduce students to social constructionist and biological notions of gender and use an interdisciplinary lens to explore the ways in which gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientations can be regarded.
This course examines key terms and debates in the study of gender and sexuality through an intersectional and interdisciplinary lens that uses a global perspective.
This course provides a social justice-oriented introduction to the relationship between the law and gender and sexuality. Students will learn how to critique legal texts and the law itself, particularly in relation to both gender and sexuality.
Concentration in Human Resources
This course provides students with an introduction to human resource management and the role of psychological theory and methodology in promoting strategic utilization and development of human resources in organizations.
This course focused on how to conduct practical and professional psychological assessments for the purpose of personnel selection and development in organizational settings.
This course will prepare students to work within a workforce planning framework to assess and advise on internal candidates’ career aspirations and options. Students will also learn the principles of identifying and developing leadership competencies.
This course will introduce students to core concepts and theories of adult learning and development. In addition, students will be introduced to the principles and practices of training and development.
This course is designed to help the student develop “core” management consulting skills. These include relationship skills with internal and external consulting clients and stakeholders, contracting, managing and delivering responses to requests for proposals (RFPs), designing and delivering a training intervention, and the role and expectations of a consultant.
Social Justice Practicum
The SJP is a non-clinical and non-discipline specific experience to help students learn how to work alongside communities as agents of social change. It serves as the catalyst for students to realize and understand their own strengths and responsibility to contribute to social equity.
The SJP is a non-clinical and non-discipline specific experience to help students learn how to work alongside communities as agents of social change. It serves as the catalyst for students to realize and understand their own strengths and responsibility to contribute to social equity.
Social Justice Practicum
200-hour internship to give students real world experience
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.
Faculty Spotlight
Jason Walker, Psy.D., Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, CPHR
Program Director, Applied Psychology
Program Director, Industrial and Organizational Psychology
My passion for psychology runs deep, and I’m especially thrilled to collaborate with colleagues and engage with students whose diverse perspectives enrich the academic environment.
Admissions Requirements
At Adler University, we take great pride in our diverse student body. Students represent a wide range of professional interests, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and academic and work histories. We admit individuals with a strong record of academic achievement and a commitment to social responsibility.
Applicants to the program must have the following:
- A baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution.
- Evidence of interest and experience in social change efforts
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher for all undergraduate or graduate coursework.
- Completion, with a grade of C or better, of a three-credit course in research methods.
International students must have a minimum score in one of the following English proficiency tests:
- 92 or better on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with no band lower than 22
- 7.0 IELTS overall with no bands below 6.5
- PTE must have a minimum score of 62
Applicants are required to submit the following items to be considered for admission:
- Application and application fee
- Statement of Intent answering the following questions:
- Why are you interested in your chosen field and program?
- Why is Adler University’s program a good fit for you?
- What are your career goals and interests?
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended (U.S and Canada)
- Please have official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions
- Unofficial transcripts are accepted for any schools in which a degree was not received
- Applicants with international (outside the U.S. or Canada) post-secondary education should send a scan of their official transcript to the admissions office as this program is exempt from the requirement to complete a transcript evaluation. Please speak to your Admissions Advisor if you require more details.
All applicants who meet the minimum requirements in (1) and (2) will be required to interview with a program representative. Applicants will be assessed on their academic background, work and/or volunteer experience, fit with university mission and the program of interest. Based on the interview, the decision will be (a) direct admission to the graduate program of interest (MOAP), or (b) admission to the Graduate Preparatory Program (GPP) + MOAP or (c) denied admission.
Students who are admitted to the GPP are required to successfully complete this 12-week, non-credit program.
*Applicants submitting admission documents (transcripts, bank documents, English proficiency scores, etc.) that are found to have been altered or fabricated will be denied admission. Denials based on fraudulent documents cannot be appealed.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition for Adler University’s programs is charged each term according to the number of registered academic credits. The number of credits a student will register for varies by academic program and by term. To estimate the amount of tuition and fees that would be charged in a given term, please use our Tuition Estimator tool below, or read about tuition and fees for all Vancouver programs.