Course variations

Course summary

This program is designed for individuals currently in the field of law enforcement. It 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 acknowledges the challenges law enforcement personnel can face in attending graduate school related to shifting, unpredictable work schedules. As a result, the program offers courses in the evenings and on weekends as well as online. By taking two courses per semester, students can graduate in 18 months. In addition, the program accepts contracts and vouchers for most tuition reimbursement programs, provides the assigned textbooks for each core course, and grants three credit hours (thus waiving the thesis requirement) for individuals who complete staff and command training at Northwestern University.

Program modules

The modules are 402 Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology 3 cr., 750 Police Psychology 3 cr., 751 Psychology of Police Organizations 3 cr., 752 Assessment Issues in Police Psychology 3 cr., 753 Psychology of Critical Incidents and Trauma 3 cr., 754 Psychology of Evil and Criminal Behavior 3 cr., 755 Psychology of Terrorism 3 cr., 756 Social and Community Psychology 3 cr., 757 Psychology of Leadership 3 cr., 758 Tactical and Field Psychology 3 cr., 759 Thesis and Portfolio Development 3 cr.

Entry requirement for international students

Students should 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. They should have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate course work. International students should have obtained a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based, score of 79 on the internet-based and score of 213 on the computer-based. Students who have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited program in English instruction are not required to take the TOEFL score.

Qualification

Masters

Awarding body

ADLER SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Department name

Adler School of Professional Psychology