2017-2018 Catalog Addendum Adler University CHICAGO CAMPUS VANCOUVER CAMPUS 17 North Dearborn Street 520 Seymour Street Chicago, IL 60602 Vancouver, BC V6B 3J5 Phone: 312.662.4000 Phone: 236.521.2500 Email: admissions@adler.edu Email: vanadmissions@adler.edu ONLINE CAMPUS 17 North Dearborn Street Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: 312.662.4000 Email: onlineadmissions@adler.edu adler.edu
PURPOSE OF ADDENDUM: PROGRAM ADDITION ONLINE CAMPUS MASTER OF ARTS IN APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY Program Overview The Master of Arts in Applied Psychology (MAAP) is a nonclinical degree program designed to prepare socially responsible professionals and leaders to devise practical solutions to complex problems within a multitude of public and private sector employment settings. The program incorporates Adler s social justice mission, emphasizing inclusiveness and culturally competent practices that prepare passionate agents of change to meet the ever evolving needs of dynamic workplace settings and thriving diverse communities. Students will master core competencies in socially responsible practice, applied research, business and community applications, and varied skills for leadership, program management, and global communication. Experienced faculty members will guide students through a rigorous curriculum that focuses on building academic knowledge and developing professional skills. Students will apply real world problem solving and develop solutions which apply the principles of Applied Psychology and demonstrate a commitment to social justice within a wide variety of environments. Students will also complete a Thesis or Capstone Project that will reflect the culmination of their learning and training experiences within the program and will serve to advance their preparation to contribute to the field. Graduates of this program will use the knowledge they have gained to implement effective solutions, resolve practical problems, improve the experience of individuals and groups, and participate in their field of interest within a diverse global community. Program graduates will be poised to practice and lead within diverse fields and occupations such as Business and Industry, Government and Nongovernmental Organizations, Nonprofit Systems, Public and Behavioral Healthcare Systems, Human Resource Management,
Sports Psychology, Addictions, Family and Domestic Violence, Veterans Affairs, Public Safety and Emergency Management Systems, and non-clinical Youth and Older Adult Services. Program Objectives Upon completion of this degree program, graduates will be able to: 1. Analyze principles and theories that impact individuals, systems and groups within diverse global communities. 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. 3. Devise evidence-based qualitative and quantitative research strategies that are responsive to diverse system needs within the field of applied psychology. 4. Advance cultural competence by evaluating dynamic problems of human experience and proposing socially responsible solutions. 5. Provide critical analysis of local and global systems within the professional practice of applied psychology. Degree Requirements Core Courses (21 Credits) PSYC-500 History & Systems for Applied Psychology 3 cr. PSYC-501 Ethics & Socially Responsible Practice for Applied Psychology 3 cr. INDS-502 Statistics 3 cr. INDS-503 Research Methods 3 cr. PSYC-505 Diversity & Individual Differences 3 cr. PSYC-506 Adlerian Psychology: Community Applications 3 cr. PSYC-509 Cognitive, Affective, and Biological Bases of Behavior 3 cr. Social Justice Practicum (2 Credits) SJP-515 Social Justice Practicum I 0.5 cr.
SJP-516 Social Justice Practicum II 0.5 cr. SJP-517 Social Justice Practicum III 0.5 cr. SJP-518 Social Justice Practicum IV 0.5 cr. Elective Coursework (9 Credits) PSYC-508 Social Determinants of Mental Health 3 cr. PSYC-504 Lifespan Development 3 cr. PYSC-507 Social Psychology 3 cr. Thesis or Capstone Coursework (3 Credits) MAAP-511 MA Capstone 3 cr. PSYC-512 MA Thesis - 1-3 cr. (may be repeated multiple times for credit; minimum of 3 credit hours of thesis are required). Total Credit Hours Required: 35 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. Completion of application for graduation and full payment of any outstanding tuition or other fees. 4. Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the Master of Arts in Applied Psychology.
PSYC 500: History & Systems for Applied Psychology 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. Students will examine major theories, frameworks, and historical influences in relation to the current practice of applied psychology. This course will include a consideration of the early philosophers and the modern integration of theory and applied research. Students will evaluate the social, cultural, political, and scientific contexts that fostered the origins and development of applied psychology and analyze multifaceted issues related to the development of the discipline. PSYC 501: Ethics & Socially Responsible Practice for Applied 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 will prepare students to apply socially responsible practice and leadership approaches within a variety of environments and systems. Students will explore foundations and delivery systems for building effective and ethical organizations, groups, and systems. Students will also apply ethical strategies for problem solving, explore best practice models within social justice focused delivery systems, and evaluate the integration of ethical frameworks in communities and public and private sector systems. INDS 502: Statistics This course prepares students to conduct statistical analyses using SPSS. Descriptive, inferential, and multivariate statistical techniques will be examined as they relate to decision making and problem solving in organizations and systems. This course will also include a consideration of the application of statistical methods within applied research that impacts socially responsible practice within organizations and systems.
INDS 503: Research Methods This course explores the fundamental concepts of social science research methodology within the field of applied psychology. Students will learn how to conduct literature reviews, establish and evaluate sampling methods and research designs, and recognize variables related to systems evaluation. Students will be exposed to philosophical concepts related to ethical and culturally relevant strategies for studying human behavior and will have the opportunity to critically evaluate research and provide recommendations for improvement within a variety of settings. This course also serves as the foundation for the Capstone Project. Students will identify a current or emerging social justice problem within the field of applied psychology, which will serve as their Capstone Project topic and begin their research as a part of this course. To support completion of the required Capstone Project, faculty advising will be provided within the course. PSYC 505: Diversity & Individual Differences 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. Concepts such as power, privilege, individual and group identity, age, gender, sexual orientation, culture, race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, and health and ability status will be examined. This course will emphasize experiential and theoretical learning, including self-reflection and the exploration of personal identity, so that students may develop and apply culturally and socially responsive skills and attitudes within their personal and professional lives. Research, theoretical frameworks, and models for understanding diversity and identity will be presented throughout the course for personal and professional development and students will integrate diverse perspectives into their personal and professional practice as socially responsible practitioners within the field.
PSYC 506: Adlerian Psychology: Community Applications Adlerian Psychology takes an ecological approach to human functioning, focusing on health and wellness in the interaction between individuals and larger social systems. Dysfunction results from not having a well-developed sense of social interest and connectedness which leads to a misguided notion of place and withdrawal from effective functioning in work, social relations, and intimacy. This area of psychology is also primarily concerned with strength-based interventions and strategies that encourage collaboration across multiple systems and disciplines. In this course, students will explore the impact of Adlerian principles on quality of life for individuals, communities and systems within diverse global communities. Students in this course will analyze contributions of Adlerian Psychology in a holistic system including social interest/community feeling, belonging, functioning horizontally versus vertically, collaboration, inclusion, shared responsibility, shared commitment, mutual respect, shared ownership and problem solving, and the role of phenomenology in the creation of individual and collective mental models. Students will explore theory and research on community applications of Adlerian Psychology as they address problems related to a range of pervasive social issues that impact the health and welfare of individuals, communities, and systems. This course will also include a consideration of intervention strategies that involve community needs assessment, program development and evaluation, community organizing, activism, fundraising, and policy analysis. PSYC 509: Cognitive, Affective, and Biological Bases of Behavior TBD SJP-515: Social Justice Practicum I Number of Credits: 0.5
The Social Justice Practicum (SJP) is a first-year, non-clinical and non-discipline specific experiential practicum that begins in the Fall Term. Students gain the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to utilize collective power and social justice strategies to build a more equitable society. The SJP is designed to help students learn how to work alongside different communities as agents of social change; and serves as the catalyst for students to realize and understand their own strengths and responsibility to contribute to social equity. The SJP unites our academic institution and larger communities, which is an anchor of student learning at Adler University. This experiential learning process includes attending monthly workshops to explore civics, intersectionality, and community organizing and completing a practicum at community-based organizations to work on projects that will strengthen the social justice missions of our community partner members. All students must complete the SJP before advancing onto any clinical or discipline specific training, respective of the program in which they are enrolled. SJP requirements include: 1) completion of a minimum of 200 hours at an approved SJP site, 2) completion of online modules and 3) a formal SJP presentation at the Social Justice Symposium, and 4) students must receive a grade of Pass for the mid-term and final evaluation to receive credit for completing the SJP. The SJP may not be waived and no life credit is admissible to meet this requirement. SJP-516: Social Justice Practicum II Number of Credits: 0.5 The Social Justice Practicum (SJP) is a first-year, non-clinical and non-discipline specific experiential practicum that begins in the Fall Term. Students gain the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to utilize collective power and social justice strategies to build a more equitable society. The SJP is designed to help students learn how to work alongside different communities as agents of social change; and serves as the catalyst for students to realize and understand their own strengths and responsibility to contribute to social equity. The SJP unites our academic institution and larger communities, which is an anchor of student learning at Adler University. This experiential learning process includes attending monthly workshops to explore civics, intersectionality, and community organizing and completing a practicum at community-based organizations to work on projects that will strengthen the social justice missions of our community partner members. All students must complete the SJP before advancing onto any clinical or discipline specific training, respective of the program in which they are enrolled. SJP requirements
include: 1) completion of a minimum of 200 hours at an approved SJP site, 2) completion of online modules and 3) a formal SJP presentation at the Social Justice Symposium, and 4) students must receive a grade of Pass for the mid-term and final evaluation to receive credit for completing the SJP. The SJP may not be waived and no life credit is admissible to meet this requirement. SJP-517: Social Justice Practicum III Number of Credits: 0.5 The Social Justice Practicum (SJP) is a first-year, non-clinical and non-discipline specific experiential practicum that begins in the Fall Term. Students gain the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to utilize collective power and social justice strategies to build a more equitable society. The SJP is designed to help students learn how to work alongside different communities as agents of social change; and serves as the catalyst for students to realize and understand their own strengths and responsibility to contribute to social equity. The SJP unites our academic institution and larger communities, which is an anchor of student learning at Adler University. This experiential learning process includes attending monthly workshops to explore civics, intersectionality, and community organizing and completing a practicum at community-based organizations to work on projects that will strengthen the social justice missions of our community partner members. All students must complete the SJP before advancing onto any clinical or discipline specific training, respective of the program in which they are enrolled. SJP requirements include: 1) completion of a minimum of 200 hours at an approved SJP site, 2) completion of online modules and 3) a formal SJP presentation at the Social Justice Symposium, and 4) students must receive a grade of Pass for the mid-term and final evaluation to receive credit for completing the SJP. The SJP may not be waived and no life credit is admissible to meet this requirement. SJP-518: Social Justice Practicum IV Number of Credits: 0.5 The Social Justice Practicum (SJP) is a first-year, non-clinical and non-discipline specific experiential practicum that begins in the Fall Term. Students gain the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to utilize collective power and social justice strategies to build a more equitable society.
The SJP is designed to help students learn how to work alongside different communities as agents of social change; and serves as the catalyst for students to realize and understand their own strengths and responsibility to contribute to social equity. The SJP unites our academic institution and larger communities, which is an anchor of student learning at Adler University. This experiential learning process includes attending monthly workshops to explore civics, intersectionality, and community organizing and completing a practicum at community-based organizations to work on projects that will strengthen the social justice missions of our community partner members. All students must complete the SJP before advancing onto any clinical or discipline specific training, respective of the program in which they are enrolled. SJP requirements include: 1) completion of a minimum of 200 hours at an approved SJP site, 2) completion of online modules and 3) a formal SJP presentation at the Social Justice Symposium, and 4) students must receive a grade of Pass for the mid-term and final evaluation to receive credit for completing the SJP. The SJP may not be waived and no life credit is admissible to meet this requirement. PSYC 508: Social Determinants of Mental Health In this course, students will examine social determinants of mental health and dysfunction within society. This course will examine the ways in which contemporary social forces, such as globalization, impact the health and well-being of individuals within society. Students will examine the impact of social and cultural values, legislation, public policy, systems functioning, and institutional practices on collective behavioral health outcomes. This course will include a consideration of the complementary roles of structural and behavioral health interventions in the promotion of health and well-being and the amelioration of inequities and disparities that inhibit effective functioning. This course will also include a consideration of intervention strategies and the evaluation of solutions that promote advocacy and socially responsible practice. Students will analyze approaches that support the health and welfare of the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in society. PSYC 504: Lifespan Development
In this course, students will explore the stages and transitions of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development across the lifespan. This course includes a consideration of cross-cultural, gender, familial, and historical perspectives as they relate to life span development. This course will focus on the interaction and relationships between genetic and environmental influences on human development. Course content areas will include personal and interpersonal growth across the lifespan, Adlerian Birth Order and Family Constellation theory, perception, attachment behavior, intelligence, cognitive development, moral development, and social interaction within a variety of systems. Students will explore the application of the aforementioned concepts to the practice of applied psychology throughout the course. PYSC 507: Social Psychology In this course, students will explore the major theories, principles, research findings, and experimental methods of social psychology. Students will evaluate social issues within multiple environments and systems. This course will include an examination of the impact of cognition, perception, and behavior of individuals and groups within diverse systems. This course will explore content areas such as the social construction of self, interpersonal and intrapersonal attitude development and cognition, group dynamics, social learning, conformity, prejudice, altruism, aggression, obedience, compliance, and stereotypes. Students will propose socially responsible solutions to a wide variety of social problems impacting quality of life. MAAP 511: MA Capstone Pre-requisite Courses: PSYC 500, INDS 502, INDS 503 The Capstone course provides students with a unique opportunity to complete a project that will reflect their learning and training experiences throughout the program. This project will provide students with the ability to communicate socially responsible recommendations and solidify their intended contributions to the field of applied psychology. Students will identify a current or emerging social justice problem within the
field of applied psychology and complete an applied research project that demonstrates their mastery of culturally competent engagement as a practitioner of social justice. PSYC 512: MA Thesis Number of Credits: 1 3 cr. Pre-requisite Courses: PSYC 500, PSYC 501, INDS 503, PSYC 505, PSYC 506, PSYC 508, PSYC 509 Course may be taken multiple times for credit. The M.A. Thesis is a student-directed study conducted in consultation with an assigned Chair and Reader in an area of applied psychology with relevance to the curriculum. The research culminates in the completion of a scholarly paper of publishable quality in accordance with Adler University guidelines and standards outlined by the American Psychological Association. This course provides support and structure for the thesis process. Students will build upon the research which they proposed during the INDS 503, Research Methods, course and prepare and complete a thesis proposal, Institutional Review Board (IRB), conduct research, finalize and defend their Thesis.