The Adler School of Professional Psychology

Term Credits = 6

Summer Term

PCO-497 Research Methods 3 cr.

MAO-586 M.A. Practicum Seminar in Organizational Psychology III:
Business 1 cr.

MAO-588 Organizational Psychology Practicum III: Business 1 cr.

MAO-995 Master of Arts Qualifying Exam (MAQE) 0 cr.

Term Credits = 5

Total Credit Hours = 66

Accelerated (2-Year) Sequence (Total Credits = 66)

YEAR ONE

Fall Term

PCO-210 Professional Development Seminar 0 cr.

PCO-402 Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology 3 cr.

MAO-571 Foundations in Counseling and Organizational Consulting 3 cr.

PCO-623 Life Span Development 3 cr.

Term Credits = 9

Spring Term

PCO-211 Community Service Seminar I 1 cr.

PCO-213 Community Service Practicum I 1 cr.

MAC -505 Professional Development, Issues and Ethics 3 cr.

PCO-520 Theories of Psychotherapy 3 cr.

PCO-647 Biopsychosocial Bases of Health and Dysfunction for

Counselors 3 cr.

Term Credits = 11

Summer Term

PCO-212 Community Service Seminar II 1 cr.

PCO-214 Community Service Practicum II 1 cr.

PCO-438 Introduction to Addictive Disorders 3 cr.

PCO-472 Basic Skills for Psychotherapy 3 cr.

MAC-679 Counseling Multicultural and Marginalized Communities 3 cr.

Term Credits = 11

YEAR TWO

Fall Term

PCO-569 Lifestyle and Career Development 3 cr.

MAO-574 Principles of Industrial/Organizational Psychology 3 cr.

MAO-580 Organizational Theory and Change Management 3 cr.

MAO-585 M.A. Practicum Seminar in Organizational Psychology I:
Counseling 1 cr.

MAO-587 Organizational Psychology Practicum I: Counseling 2 cr.

Term Credits = 12

Spring Term

PCO-337 Group Psychotherapy 3 cr.

MAO-584 Organizational Consultation and Group Development 3 cr.

MAO-589 M.A. Practicum Seminar in Organizational Psychology II:

Counseling 1 cr.

MAO-590 Organizational Psychology Practicum II: Counseling 2 cr.

MAF-662 Overview of Marriage and Family Therapy 3 cr.

Term Credits = 12

Summer Term

PCO-497 Research Methods 3 cr.

MAC-516 Individual Appraisals for Counselors in Practice 3 cr.

MAO-575 Executive Coaching/Consulting and Leadership Development 3 cr.

MAO-586 M.A. Practicum Seminar in Organizational Psychology III:
Business 1 cr.

MAO-588 Organizational Psychology Practicum III: Business 1 cr.

MAO-995 Master of Arts Qualifying Exam (MAQE) 0 cr.

Term Credits = 11

Total Credit Hours = 66

Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of all required credit hours, including all required courses.

2. Satisfactory completion of 700 clock hours of a counseling practicum and 300 hours of a business
practicum, and 200 minimum clock hours of Community Service Practicum.

3. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades or six credit hours of “C.”

4. Successful completion of the Master of Arts Qualifying Examination (MAQE).

5. Submission of completed Graduation Application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees.

6. Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the
Master of Arts in Counseling and Organizational Psychology.

Program-Specific Practicum

In addition to the practicum requirements for all Masters level students at the Adler School, all MAO students take a third practicum placement in a business site (Practicum III) for a minimum of 300 hours with a concurrent business seminar prior to completion of the program. The Program Director and selected faculty work collaboratively with the staff of the Department of Training and Community Service to ensure that students identify practicum experiences that meet the standards and requirements of the program. For the business practicum, selected program faculty work with the students to develop and assist in securing sites that are suited to specific professional interests.

M.A. in Gerontological Counseling

The Master of Arts in Gerontological Counseling program will admit students through the Fall 2012 term. New students will not be admitted to this program after September 1, 2012.

The United States is experiencing a demographic transformation, the impact of which is having profound effects on families, communities, and the older individual. Longer life spans have created a critical need to prepare students who can help older adults capitalize on their strengths, develop healthy coping strategies to life changes, and encourage each individual to reach their maximum human potential. The Master of Arts in Gerontological Counseling program is designed to provide students with a sound foundation of coursework and practical training with the emphasis on community outreach and advocacy. Students will be exposed to the impact of psychological, biological, and socio-cultural factors on the aging process in order to gain a holistic understanding of the needs and issues of older adults. Completion of the foundational coursework, specialized studies, and supervised training, ensures graduates are well prepared to assess and counsel older adults and their families. Graduates are also prepared to take a leadership role in a variety of human services agencies and organizations with older adults who have a strong appreciation for the value of psychology in promoting their quality of life.

The Master’s program prepares graduates to sit for Professional Counselor licensure in Illinois (LPC). After receiving this license, a practitioner may work to complete additional requirements in order to apply to take the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) examination. For students planning to work in another state, the school suggests that you inquire about licensing requirements specific to that particular state.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants to this program are required to have:

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 course work. Exceptions may be made for applicants who demonstrate improved academic performance or academic ability in other ways.

The equivalent of 12 semester credit hours in psychology with grades of “C” or better. These courses need to include general or introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, theories of personality and research methods. Equivalent coursework in other social sciences may also be considered. All prerequisites need to be completed by the end of a student’s first semester at Adler School.

Approved applicants will be invited in for a personal interview as the final step in the application process.

Degree Requirements

Successful completion of the following courses is required for this degree:

* PCO-210 Professional Development Seminar 0 cr.

* PCO-211 Community Service Seminar I 1 cr.

* PCO-212 Community Service Seminar II 1 cr.

* PCO-213 Community Service Practicum I 1 cr.

* PCO-214 Community Service Practicum II 1 cr.

PCO-337 Group Psychotherapy 3 cr.

* PCO-350 Community Psychology 3 cr.

* PCO-402 Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology 3 cr.

PCO-438 Introduction to Addictive Disorders 3 cr.

* PCO-472 Basic Skills for Psychotherapy 3 cr.

PCO-497 Research Methods 3 cr.

* PCO-505 Professional Development, Issues & Ethics 3 cr.

* PCO-520 Theories of Psychotherapy 3 cr.

* MAG-551 Introduction to Gerontological Psychology 3 cr.

MAG-554 Practicum in Gerontology I 1 cr.

MAG-555 Practicum in Gerontology II 1 cr.

MAG-557 M A Practicum Seminar in Gerontology I 2 cr.

MAG-558 M A Practicum Seminar in Gerontology II 2 cr.

* MAG-560 Assessment Methods with Older Adults 3 cr.

MAG-563 Counseling Techniques with Older Adults & Their Families 3 cr.

MAG-564 Physical and Psychological Issues in Aging 3 cr.

PCO-569 Lifestyle and Career Development 3 cr.

* PCO-623 Life Span Development 3 cr.

* PCO-647 Biopsychosocial Bases of Health and Dysfunction for

Counselors 3 cr.

MAF-662 Overview of Marriage & Family Therapy Models 3 cr.

MAC-679 Counseling Multicultural & Marginalized Communities 3 cr.

MAG-995 Master’s Clinical Qualifying Examination 0 cr.

Total Credit Hours: 61

* = Required before beginning Gerontological Counseling practicum

Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of all required credit hours, including all required courses;

2. Satisfactory completion of 200 minimum clock hours of Community Service practicum.

3. Satisfactory completion of 700 minimum clock hours of a Clinical practicum;

4. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades (or six credit hours)
of “C” grade;

5. Successful completion of the Master's Clinical Qualifying Examination

6. Completion of application for graduation and full payment of any outstanding tuition or other fees;

7. Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the

Master of Arts in Gerontological Counseling.

Practicum

Please see “M.A. Programs –Practicum Requirements” section for details regarding practicum requirements for all M.A. degree programs.

M.A. in Marriage and Family Counseling

The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling program (MAF) is designed to prepare highly-skilled, entry-level therapists with specialized expertise in treating couples and families. Students are trained to perceive individuals, couples and families from systems perspective. The clinically-intensive course work and practicum experiences provide students with strong conceptual, assessment, treatment planning, and intervention skills based on the major models of couple and family therapy. Marriage and family therapists work with individuals, couples, and families in a wide variety of clinical settings including hospitals, schools, substance abuse treatment programs, community mental health centers, correctional institutions, residential treatment programs and private practice. The ability to work with families is particularly valuable for clinicians treating children and adolescents.

Graduates of the program have a core professional identity as a couples and family therapist qualified for membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). In 2011, U.S. News and World Report identified marriage and family therapists as one of the 50 best careers. The sequence of courses and supervised clinical training are intended to assist professionals in meeting the educational requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Although this degree program satisfies the current academic and pre-degree training and education requirements for the LMFT in Illinois, students should be aware that requirements change periodically. In addition, LMFT requirements can vary significantly from state to state in their expectations for coursework and practicum hours. Thus, it is the responsibility of for each student to plan their curriculum with MAF faculty in order to meet the criteria for the state where they intend to practice.

The MAF Program embraces Adler’s commitment to social justice and diversity. Thus, social interest is integrated into the curriculum with the goal of skilled clinicians who are socially-responsible and culturally competent.

The current MAF curriculum has been approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Thus, the program also strives to meet the educational and training requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois. Like the LMFT, the students should plan their curriculum in order to meet the criteria for the state where they intend to practice.

Program-Specific Minimum Admission Requirements

In addition to admission requirements common to all of the Adler graduate clinical programs, the Marriage and Family program has requirements for undergraduate course prerequisites that are somewhat flexible since graduates in disciplines related to psychology are encouraged to apply to this program. Additional requirements include:

Completion of 9 semester credit hours in psychology with grades of “C” or better including general or introduction to psychology, life span Development, and research methods or statistics. All prerequisites should be completed by the end of a student’s first semester at Adler School.

Degree Requirements

Successful completion of the following courses is required for this degree:

* PCO-210 Professional Development Seminar I 0 cr.

* PCO-211 Community Service Seminar I 1 cr.

* PCO-212 Community Service Seminar II 1 cr.

* PCO-213 Community Service Practicum I 1 cr.

* PCO-214 Community Service Practicum II 1 cr.

PCO-337 Group Psychotherapy 3 cr.

PCO-350 Community Psychology 3 cr.

PCO-402 Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology 3 cr.

PCO-433 Parenting Education: Adlerian Theory and Interventions 2 cr.

PCO-438 Introduction to Addictive Disorders 3 cr.

* MAF-472 Basic Skills for Psychotherapy 3 cr.

PCO-497 Research Methods 3 cr.

* MAC-505 Professional Issues and Ethics 3 cr.

PCO-516 Individual Appraisal for Counselors in Practice 3 cr.

PCO-569 Lifestyle and Career Development 3 cr.

* PCO-647 Biopsychosocial Bases of Health and Dysfunction

for Counselors 3 cr.

* MAF-651 Assessment and Treatment Planning with Individual

and Family Systems 3 cr.

* MAF-654 Individual Life Span and the Family Life Cycle 3 cr.

MAF-655 Advanced Assessment and Counseling with Couples 3 cr.

* MAF-660 Issues of Culture and Diversity in Couple and

Family Counseling 3 cr.

* MAF-662 Models of Couple and Family Counseling 3 cr.

MAF-663 Effective Marriage and Family Counseling 3 cr.

MAF-664 Practicum in Marriage and Family I 1 cr.

MAF-665 Practicum in Marriage and Family II 1 cr.

MAF-667 M.A. Practicum Seminar in Marriage and Family I 2 cr.

MAF-668 M.A. Practicum Seminar in Marriage and Family II 2 cr.

MAF-995 Master’s Clinical Qualifying Examination 0 cr.

MAF-XXX Intervention Elective (MAF-661, MAF-670 or PCO-523) 3 cr.

Total Credit Hours: 63

* = Required before beginning counseling practicum

Curriculum Sequence

YEAR ONE

Fall Term

PCO-210 Professional Development Seminar I 0 cr.

MAF-472 Basic Skills in Psychotherapy 3 cr.

PCO-350 Community Psychology 3 cr.

MAF-651 Assessment and Treatment Planning with Individual and
Family Systems 3 cr.

Term Credits = 9

Spring Term

PCO-211 Community Service Seminar I 1 cr.

PCO-213 Community Service Practicum I 1 cr.

PCO-402 Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology 3 cr.

MAF-654 Individual Life Span and the Family Life Cycle 3 cr.

MAF-662 Models of Couple and Family Counseling 3 cr.

Term Credits = 11

Summer Term

PCO-212 Community Service Seminar II 1 cr.

PCO-214 Community Service Practicum II 1 cr.

MAC-505 Professional Development, Issues and Ethics 3 cr.

PCO-647 Biopsychosocial Bases of Health and Dysfunction for
Counselors 3 cr.

MAF-660 Issues of Culture and Diversity in Couple and Family

Counseling 3 cr.

Term Credits = 11

YEAR TWO

Fall Term

PCO-433 Parenting Education: Adlerian Theory and Interventions 2 cr.

MAF-663 Effective Marriage and Family Counseling 3 cr.

MAF-664 M.A.F. Practicum I 1 cr.

MAF-667 M.A.F. Practicum Seminar I 2 cr.

MAF-XXX Intervention Elective 3 cr.

Term Credits = 11

Spring Term

PCO-337 Group Psychotherapy 3 cr.

PCO-569 Lifestyle and Career Development 3 cr.

MAF-655 Advanced Assessment and Counseling with Couples 3 cr.

MAF-665 M.A.F. Practicum II 1 cr.

MAF-668 M.A.F. Practicum Seminar II 2 cr.

Term Credits = 12

Summer Term

PCO-438 Introduction to Addictive Disorders 3 cr.

PCO-497 Research Methods 3 cr.

PCO-516 Appraisal with Individuals 3 cr.

MAF-995 Master’s Clinical Qualifying Exam 0 cr.

Term Credits = 9

Total Credit Hours: 63

Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of all required credit hours, including all required courses.

2. Satisfactory completion of 700 minimum clock hours of clinical practicum.

3. Satisfactory completion of 200 minimum clock hours of community service practicum.

4. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades or six credit hours of “C.”

5. Successful completion of the Master’s Clinical Qualifying Examination in M.A.F.

6. Submission of completed Graduation Application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees.

7. Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the

Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling.

Program-Specific Practicum

Students in the MAF Program acquire and develop practical clinical skills in MFT and general counseling through a clinical practicum in the second year. Students spend roughly twenty hours per week over nine to twelve months at an approved MAF practicum site. A minimum of 700 total clock hours of practica is required, which should include at least 250 hours of direct clinical service, of which one-third or more should be in conjoint therapy with couples or families. The Department of Training and Community Service and the Director of the Marriage and Family Counseling Program work in collaboration with MAF students to identify clinical experiences which will meet the specialized needs of the MFT profession and the goals of the student. Additional resources are available in the Practicum Handbook and the database of MAF practicum sites available from the Training Department.

M.A. in Police Psychology

The Master of Arts degree in Police Psychology is designed for individuals currently in the field of law enforcement. The Program is designed to provide a theoretical background in clinical and social psychology and learn to apply the basic principles of these disciplines to managerial, field, interpersonal and organizational concerns that arise within the police environment.

This Master of Arts degree is not designed to teach the student to conduct therapy or engage in psychological testing. There neither are clinical hours required nor a practicum to complete. This degree does not lead to any type of licensure or certification. Rather, this program is designed to teach students how to practically apply psychology to the field of law enforcement. A number of courses are team taught, combining experts from both fields of study.

The Program consists of 33 credit hours divided into 10 core courses plus a thesis course. All core textbooks are provided for each course, and courses are generally taught in the evenings and on weekends. Students who choose to take two courses per semester can complete the degree program in two years. Individuals who have successfully completed the ten week School of Police Staff and Command course at Northwestern University, or the Chicago Police Executive Development Program may be granted 3 credit hours toward this degree by having the thesis requirement waived.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants to this program are required to have:

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 course work. Exceptions may be made for applicants who demonstrate improved academic performance or academic ability in other ways.

Approved applicants will be invited in for a personal interview as the final step in the application process.

Degree Requirements

The following core and advanced courses are required for this degree. All required courses are three credits.

PCO-402 Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology 3 cr.

MAP-750 Police Psychology 3 cr.

MAP-751 Psychology of Police Organizations 3 cr.

MAP-752 Assessment Issues in Police Psychology 3 cr.

MAP-753 Psychology of Critical Incidents and Trauma 3 cr.

MAP-754 Psychology of Evil and Criminal Behavior 3 cr.

MAP-755 Psychology of Terrorism 3 cr.

MAP-756 Social and Community Psychology 3 cr.

MAP-757 Psychology of Leadership 3 cr.

MAP-758 Tactical and Field Psychology 3 cr.

MAP-759 Thesis and Portfolio Development 3 cr.

Total Credit Hours: 33

Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of all required credit hours, including all required courses.

2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades or six credit hours of “C.”

3. Submission of completed Graduation Application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees.

4. Completion of Thesis with a grade of “CR”.

5. Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the

Master of Arts in Police Psychology.

M.A. in Criminology: Online

The Master of Arts in Criminology: Online Program is specifically designed to train practitioners to address current challenges facing the criminal justice system, through a blend of coursework that focuses on the intersection of criminology, psychology, and social justice. This unique approach prepares students to truly make a difference through examining the causes and consequences of criminal behavior, understanding the intricacies of modern day criminal justice systems and applying theoretical skills and empirical data to address those challenges.

The program also prepares students to understand the larger social context in which individuals are situated. This perspective will be a guiding factor in developing intervention and prevention strategies that are practical, effective, socially responsible, and sustainable.

The contemporary criminal justice field faces challenges coping with issues such as mental illness, terrorism, gangs, racial disparity, and advances in technology. As a result, the employment scope for those trained in criminology is broader than ever before. Career paths for individuals with an advanced degree in this field can include academia, research, corrections, law enforcement, investigations, policy assessment, prevention, and youth programming. Employment settings may be as diverse as court systems, correctional institutions, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, insurance companies, retailers, law firms, non-profit agencies, and government entities such as the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the Department of Homeland Security.