Public Policy

Curriculum

The Master of Public Policy: Community Health is a 36-credit hour program. Successful completion of this program includes the courses listed below.

Find course descriptions and more information in the Adler University Course Catalog here.

Concentrations

Students select from two specialized concentrations – Community Health or Human Rights Advocacy – for professional development in the program that fits their passion and career goals.

• The Community Health concentration prepares graduates to lead government policy and advocacy efforts that advance positive social change in communities. With cities around the world facing unprecedented population growth, this concentration trains students to work toward creating urban environments that promote mental health and well-being. Students focus on the role of participatory governance and community collaboration to counter urban environmental risk factors and improve overall well-being.
• In the Human Rights Advocacy concentration, students learn how to lead policy and advocacy efforts that foster human rights and social justice domestically and internationally. This concentration trains policy professionals to work in governmental, nonprofit, or private sectors applying established human rights standards, laws, and treaties. Students focus on broader social, economic, political, and environmental issues in a theoretical and historical context within our practice-based curriculum.

Social Justice Practicum

Doing is learning. 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.

Student Outcomes

With Adler University, students go beyond the skill-based necessities and technicalities of creating policy, and delve into the spirit of how policy can make a difference at the local, state and national level. Adler University is also a recognized pioneer in graduate education, preparing socially responsible practitioners to be change agents at the community level.

Admissions Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree earned from a college or university regionally accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or an equivalent degree from an international college or university.
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate coursework. Exceptions may be made for applicants who demonstrate outstanding academic performance or academic ability in other ways.
• For approved applicants, an invitation is extended for a personal interview with the department’s Program Director as the final step in the application process.

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

• Application and application fee
• Statement of Intent (2-3 pages, double-spaced) 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 may be accepted for any schools in which a degree was not received
  • International transcripts must be evaluated by a transcript evaluation service

Approved applicants will be invited to complete an interview with faculty. Please submit all application materials to the Office of Admissions prior to the application deadline.

Official transcripts should be sent to:

Adler University – Office of Admissions
17 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60602

Official electronic transcripts should be sent to [email protected].

For more information for International Applicants, click here.