Adler University: Advancing Social Justice Through Graduate Education

Founded in 1952, Adler University is a private, non-profit graduate institution dedicated to continuing the pioneering work of Alfred Adler (1870–1937), the renowned physician, psychotherapist, and founder of Adlerian psychology. Widely recognized as the first community psychologist, Adler pioneered an approach that placed community life, prevention, and population health at the center of psychological thought. Today, Adler University carries this vision forward by preparing socially responsible practitioners who engage communities and advance social justice.

A Mission Rooted in Social Interest

At the heart of Adler University’s identity lies *Gemeinschaftsgefühl* — a German term meaning “community feeling” or “social feeling” — which captures Adler’s belief that individual well-being is inseparable from community health. This principle shapes the university’s mission: to prepare students to be global leaders who improve health outcomes through applied research, community co-creation, and immersive education. The university’s vision is to become the leading graduate institution advancing global health and well-being through community-rooted education, courageous leadership, and systems-level transformation. Buy fake diploma online.

Adler’s values — equality, civil rights, mutual respect, and the advancement of democracy — continue to drive the university’s work today. He was among the first to use public education as a way to address community health and to write about the social determinants of physical and mental health, long before these ideas gained broad acceptance.

Three Campuses, One University

Adler University operates as an international graduate university with campuses in two of North America’s most renowned cities: Chicago, Illinois, and Vancouver, British Columbia, alongside a fully online campus. The Chicago campus, located in the heart of downtown, boasts LEED Gold certification for environmental innovation and features state-of-the-art classrooms, a library, collaborative workspaces, and a wellness studio. The Vancouver campus, also LEED Gold certified, comprises 30,500 square feet across five contiguous floors, with open collaboration spaces, a rooftop terrace, and easy access to regional transit. The Online Campus brings fully online degree programs together under one virtual roof, enabling students to earn advanced degrees from anywhere in the world.

Academic Excellence and Community Impact

Adler University offers more than 25 accredited master’s and doctoral programs across psychology, counseling, and mental health. Doctoral offerings include the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology with emphases in Advanced Adlerian Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Psychology, and Military Clinical Psychology. Master’s programs include the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and various online degrees in nonprofit management, emergency management, and industrial-organizational psychology.

What truly sets Adler apart is its commitment to experiential learning and community engagement. Students engage communities through over 1,700 community partnerships, providing approximately 358,000 direct service hours to nearly 14,000 people each year. This deep commitment to community engagement has earned Adler the Carnegie Foundation’s Elective Classification for Community Engagement, recognizing exemplary alignment between academic learning and community impact.

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Accreditation and Recognition

Adler University has been continuously accredited since 1978 by the Higher Learning Commission, and its Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology has been accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1998. The university serves approximately 1,600 students annually and has grown significantly from its origins as a small psychology school. In 2015, the institution changed its name to Adler University to reflect its expanded mission and scope.

Conclusion

Adler University stands as a unique institution where the principles of social interest, community engagement, and social justice are not merely taught but lived. By preparing breakaway thinkers to challenge convention and create meaningful change, Adler continues to fulfill Alfred Adler’s vision of a world where individual well-being and community health are inextricably linked. For those seeking graduate education with purpose and impact, Adler University offers an education that truly makes a difference.