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Chicago | Master’s | Doctorate | Certificate

Chicago Programs

Graduate degrees in psychology,
counseling, and public leadership

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Chicago Graduate Programs

Located in the heart of the city, the Chicago Campus was designed to provide and inspire the learning and living experience. To that end, we have created an environment that caters to your mental, emotional, and intellectual growth.

Every Adler program is created not only with specific milestones, relevant coursework, and expected outcomes, but also with the flexibility and creativity to help students think outside of the box to solve today’s major challenges faced by individuals and communities. With that in mind, graduates are prepared with real-world knowledge and experience necessary to pursue their goal of creating a more just society and driving change.

Adler University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Explore our program offerings by degree type:

Master’s Programs

The Master of Arts in Counseling: Specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares socially responsible clinicians to provide culturally sensitive therapeutic services in a wide range of clinical settings. Students train with faculty who are experienced counseling professionals and social justice activists. Our graduates are empowered and equipped to be agents of change for individuals, families, groups, communities, and society.
The online modality of the Master of Arts in Counseling: Specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares socially responsible clinicians to provide culturally sensitive therapeutic services in a wide range of clinical settings. Students train with faculty who are experienced counseling professionals and social justice activists. Our graduates are empowered and equipped to be agents of change for individuals, families, groups, communities, and society.
The CACREP-accredited Master's of Arts (M.A.) in Counselor Education and Supervision program prepares students to become expert clinicians, academics, or professional consultants in a unique program guided by themes of freedom and liberation. Our program develops empathetic, compassionate, and socially responsible leaders to promote humanistic scholarship and practice.
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling: Art Therapy program prepares socially responsible counselors to use the creative process to improve individuals’ physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing with a focus on treating some of society’s most marginalized populations. Students learn how to model, demonstrate, and teach coping skills through counseling and art therapy to people facing trauma, stress, behavioral, neurological and other concerns.
The Master of Arts in Couple and Family Therapy program prepares marriage and family therapists to serve families, couples, youth, and individuals through socially responsible practice. Our innovative program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), facilitating portability of licensure and expanding employment opportunities.
The Master of Arts in Forensic Mental Health Leadership program prepares individuals to become socially responsible leaders, consultants and agents for change in forensic mental health and related public safety fields. Students in this program will gain new skills and strategies to use research-driven data to address the social issues, shifting cultural landscapes, increased public scrutiny, and the growing demand for increased accountability and transparency from the communities and stakeholders they serve.
Become a leader and advocate for social justice at all levels of public service with Adler University’s Master of Public Policy and Administration degree. Channel your passion for improving your community by addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as income inequality, insecure housing, and environmental threats.
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Sport and Health Performance program combines coaching and counseling skills with evidence-based theories of human performance not only on the playing field, but in a socially responsible manner in the real world. Graduates are trained to work with individuals from a range of age and ability within sport and non-sport settings, and are eligible to pursue the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

Doctorate Programs

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Art Therapy program prepares researchers, educators, and scholars to train the next generation of clinical art therapists—and use human creative expression as a powerful catalyst for change. Offered fully online and taught by renowned experts, our curriculum emphasizes the potential of art therapy as a socially responsible practice to address some of today’s most pressing issues.
The Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) program trains clinical psychologists to become socially responsible clinicians who empower individuals and strengthen communities around the globe. Our nationally recognized program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), and prepares students to promote health among society’s most vulnerable and marginalized populations.
The CACREP-accredited Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counselor Education and Supervision program prepares students to become expert clinicians, academics, or professional consultants in a unique program guided by themes of freedom and liberation. Our program develops empathetic, compassionate, and socially responsible leaders to promote humanistic scholarship and practice.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Couple and Family Therapy is the only campus-based program in Illinois that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Our program prepares recent graduates of clinical master degree programs and experienced clinicians to be advanced socially responsible practitioners in couple, marriage, and family therapy as well as leaders in research, teaching, and advocacy.

Certificates Programs

The Certificate in Sex Therapy prepares socially responsible clinicians with core knowledge of human sexuality and sex therapy training that meets the highest standards in the field, including an ethical consciousness and cultural competence.

Adler’s Chicago Campus

At Adler University, there is more than enough room for students to share their thoughts and flex their intellect. Classrooms are bright and spacious with windows to the outside world and the latest technology. In our library, you will find every resource you need to research, form, and shape your journey.

Adler University Library

The Harold and Birdie Mosak Library, named specifically for our Chicago campus library location, offers an extensive range of print and digital resources to help students in their scholarly pursuits. Dedicated faculty librarians with extensive expertise are available to assist students with finding resources and conducting research.

Our library collection is vast—comprising more than 370,000 e-books, articles, journals, videos, and databases. Each year, we add to our library based on what faculty teach and what students need for their research. And if we don’t have a resource, we can help students get it via our interlibrary loan system that spans university and library systems around the world.

The University’s library has supported the learning and research experiences of students since its creation in 1952 by Harold Mosak, one of our founders and original faculty members. The library also offers one of the world’s finest archives of Adlerian psychology materials.

Our librarians are available to provide personalized guidance with research and utilizing resources, and our facilities offer lounge areas suitable for individual or collaborative group work.

 

Adler University Center for Learning and Teaching

All students have access to the Adler University Center for Learning and Teaching, which offers a variety of resources to assist in writing and research. Students can get individual assistance and tutoring on writing, theses, and dissertations, as well as personalized consultation for statistics and research design.

The Center for Learning and Teaching meets the co-curricular instruction needs of students on all campuses by providing support in:

  • Academic writing.
  • Statistics and research design.
  • APA citation.
  • Dissertation and thesis format.
  • Resume, CV, and cover letter preparation.

Services are provided in person and online by Adler University writing professionals, faculty members, and Brainfuse tutors.

Faculty Spotlight

Cadmona Hall, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Couple and Family Therapy Department

I believe teaching is a privilege and a great responsibility; therefore, I bring passion and energy to courses I teach. I believe that all students have the ability to achieve. My hope is for students to finish each course having done self-exploration that leads to a new or deeper understanding of themselves and the world.

Faculty Spotlight

Kristina S. Brown, Ph.D., LMFT

Chair and professor, Couple and Family Therapy Department

Dr. Brown specializes clinically in couples and families, LGBTQ+ couples and families, medical family therapy (specifically endometriosis and chronic illness in general), infidelity and divorce. Her research areas of interest include #metoo, women’s health (including endometriosis), suicide, infidelity, women/gender issues, body modification, and families with children with special needs.

Faculty Spotlight

Tsui-Yee Chow, Ed.D.

Chair, Department of Counseling and Integrated Programs

It is my pleasure to be part of Adler University’s community. With the support of the mission of the University, I am deeply pleased that I can further exercise my lifetime dedication in advocating for underrepresented groups and actualizing my vision in the training of socially responsible counselors. Given years of involvement in multicultural affairs, teaching, training, and research in cross-cultural relationships, I am a strong advocate in cultivating cultural competence in the counseling profession, both for mainstream and minority practitioners.

Tour the Chicago Campus

Interested in taking a firsthand look at Adler’s state-of-the-art campus in Chicago? Future Adlerians can view the facility virtually or in person, located at 17 N. Dearborn Street in downtown Chicago.

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SCHEDULE AN IN-PERSON VISIT

 

The Chicago Campus has been providing psychology and counseling training since the early 1950s when Rudolf Dreikurs (1897-1972), one of Alfred Adler’s advocates and followers, founded the Institute of Adlerian Psychology. In 1954, the Institute changed its name to the Alfred Adler Institute of Chicago (later the Adler School of Professional Psychology, in 1991, and Adler University today).

Institutes & Centers

The health and wellbeing of a community is one of the cornerstones of the University’s social justice mission. To that end, Adler employs a community-embedded service model of institutes and centers that provide students with the firsthand experience in the real world, serving communities in need.


Institute on Public Safety and Social Justice

The Institute on Public Safety and Social Justice (IPSSJ) was created to address public safety challenges with socially just solutions. IPSSJ works with trauma-focused community groups to reduce criminalization in communities of color.


Adler Community Health Services

In keeping with the vision of the first community psychologist Alfred Adler, the Adler Community Health Services (ACHS) is a community-embedded program for Chicago and Vancouver communities in need of healthcare.


Center for Adlerian Practice and Scholarship

As all academic degree programs are shaped by Adlerian concepts and principles, the Center serves as a valuable resource for faculty and staff to ensure that students know the relevance of Alfred Adler and how it applies to their work and today’s social challenges.


Center for Civic Learning & Community Action

The Adler Social Justice Practicum (SJP) teaches the critical need for civic minded change agents who take community action to lead change. First year students are placed with community partners to complete challenging on-site projects that provide real world learning about social responsible practices. Again, Adler students learn by doing.


Center for Diversity and Inclusion

Understanding the need for an emphasis on diversity and inclusion within socially responsible practice, the Adler Black Student Association in Chicago and Vancouver are led by a Chief Diversity Officer and is designed to address equity in all university activities. At Adler, diversity and inclusion are more than words, they are words we live by.

Graduate Spotlight

Tiffany R. Gunn

Master of Arts in Counseling: Specialization in Rehabilitation Counseling, M.A.

Doctors Without Borders, who are independently funded, are exhausting all of their resources and volunteers to try and help put an end to this global devastation. Having the opportunity to work with refugees, immigrants and those seeking asylum with the United African Organization, I was happy to visit and tour “Forced from Home” with my class from Adler University. The interactive tour brings to life the experiences of a displaced person due to extreme poverty, violence, and war in order to live and survive.

Graduate Spotlight

Blake Schroedter

Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Specialization in Military Psychology), Psy.D.

Blake Schroedter, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist and heads the Effingham Clinic for the Road Home Program run by the Rush, an academic health system in Illinois. The clinic serves men and women in Central Illinois returning from military service. A veteran himself, Schroedter was awarded the Bronze Star and Golden Combat Spurs in 2009 during a deployment to Afghanistan for his role in training and operating with the Afghanistan National Army. He was recently named to the Illinois Bicentennial Honor 200 list for “going above and beyond in serving fellow veterans and their communities.”

Graduate Spotlight

Sara Vargas

Master of Arts in Couple and Family Therapy, M.A.

Sara Vargas is a marriage and family therapist of Mexican heritage who was born and raised in northern suburbs of Chicago. She graduated from Adler University’s M.A. in Couple and Family Therapy program in 2017. Currently, she is working at a nonprofit and conducting therapy sessions with a diverse Latino population.

Admissions

Come prepared. At Adler University, our students come from all walks of life and from all around the world. If you have the aptitude, resolve and academic resume, you are Adler material and more than welcome to join us in our quest to create a more just world.

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Academic Calendar


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Spring 202501.06.2504.20.25
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Summer 202505.05.2508.17.25
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Fall 202509.02.2512.15.25

Catalog & Handbook

The 2024-2025 Adler University Catalog provides comprehensive information about degree programs, course descriptions, and academic and student policies.

Adler University’s 2024-2025 Student Handbook is meant as a guide only and does not serve as a contract between Adler University and its students. Adler University reserves the right to alter its policies, procedures, curriculum, and to do so at any time, with or without advance notice, and to apply changes regarding current and future students alike.

In our archives, we maintain a collection of historical catalogs dating back to the early 1970’s. If you have any questions or need additional information, please email the Office of the Registrar or call (312) 662-4130. Please click here to access our Catalog Archives.

VISIT COURSE CATALOG

ADLER UNIVERSITY STUDENT HANDBOOK

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      You need a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to enroll in Adler University programs.

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