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Adler University Interview 1Featured Q & A with Adler University
Michelle Kerulis, ED.D., LCPC, CC-AASP

What makes Adler University a great choice for graduate study?

Adler University focuses on teaching students how to be socially responsible practitioners through community engagement, social justice advocacy, field training, and classroom interactions with highly specialized professors who are also practitioners. Our sport and health psychology specialization is the only master’s program of its kind that results in a dual credential leading to eligibility as a licensed clinician and a certified sport psychology consultant (CC-AASP).

Students will learn the skills to practice as licensed clinicians, and also work with athletes, exercisers, and people interested in health and wellness. Students benefit from sport and health psychology coursework that aligns with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology’s (AASP) C1-C12 requirements, and a sport and health psychology externship.

What career options exist for those who study Sport and Health Psychology?

Students leave Adler with a specialized skill set that allows them to work within the sports and exercise world as sport psychology consultants for teams, health clubs, park districts, or athletic departments, as well as performance enhancement specialists. Graduates work in community mental health centers, college counseling and wellness centers, hospitals, and private practice.

What is Adler University’s Community Service Practicum, and what are the benefits for students?

Our Sport and Health Psychology students experience their Community Service Practicum in sport and health settings through service learning, where they assist with a variety of projects including creating sports and exercise programs and program evaluations.

About Michelle Kerulis

Michele Kerulis, Ed.D., LCPC, CC-AASP, is program director of the M.A. in Counseling: Specialization in Sport andHealth Psychology program at Adler University. She was also the 2013-14 president of the Illinois Counseling Association, a board member of the Illinois Counselor Educators and Supervisors, and a board member for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s Professional Counselor Licensing and Disciplinary Board. Dr. Kerulis specializes in exercise and sport psychology, health and wellness, and trauma and crisis.port and Health Psychology students experience their Community Service Practicum in sport and health settings through service learning, where they assist with a variety of projects including creating sports and exercise programs and program evaluations.

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Adler 2bFeatured Q & A with Adler University
Karen Koch, PSY.D.

What can students expect to learn in the M.A. in Counseling: Specialization in Forensic Psychology program?

We train practitioners to work in criminal justice, mental health, and corrections, with a focus on improving communication between the clinician and individuals in the criminal justice system. Our rigorous curriculum emphasizes theoretical knowledge, strong clinical skills, and the civic responsibility that socially responsible practitioners hold within and outside the criminal justice system. Students learn the fundamentals of criminal psychology, police psychology, legal psychology, and correctional psychology. Specialized coursework in forensic evaluation focuses on the treatment of forensic populations; aggression and social deviance; and trauma-focused therapies, for working with individuals coping with substance abuse, domestic violence, rape crisis, and sex offenses.

We provide an immersive learning experience with a diverse faculty. Professors are practicing clinicians experienced in the field of forensic psychology, as well as scholars and researchers. Learning takes place in small, intimate classes, and through the exceptional training opportunities we offer. 

What training and community engagement opportunities are available to students?

Adler University's partnerships with hundreds of community agencies enable our counseling students to gain valuable practicum and field experience in law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, court systems, child advocacy centers, behavioral health units, substance use treatment programs, and community mental health agencies. All Adler students take a six-month practicum that exposes them to concepts of social justice and social change, and helps instill skills needed to engage in socially responsible practice.tudents leave Adler with a specialized skill set that allows them to work within the sports and exercise world as sport psychology consultants for teams, health clubs, park districts, or athletic departments, as well as performance enhancement specialists. Graduates work in community mental health centers, college counseling and wellness centers, hospitals, and private practice.

About Karen Koch

Karen Koch, Psy.D., is program director of the M.A. in Counseling: Specialization in Forensic Psychology program at Adler University. She is a clinical psychologist and former police officer with more than 30 years in law enforcement, including 27 years as a sworn police officer with assignments in patrol, detective, juvenile, and crime prevention divisions.

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Adler-3Featured Q & A with Adler University
Valerie Werner, PH.D.

What is unique about Adler University’s Master of Arts in Public Policy & Administration program?

The Master of Arts in Public Policy & Administration at Adler University educates students for leadership positions in social, economic, and environmental justice with concentrations in Human Rights Advocacy and Urban Mental Health. Adler’s unique curriculum explores societal values through a socially conscious lens, and considers ways of improving health within communities and individuals.

Recognizing the importance of efficiency and economy in public policy, this program goes a step further to identify and advocate for policies that create a more fairness and equality. The Public Policy & Administration program is offered full-time with completion in one year or part-time evening classes completed in two years.  

Describe the concentrations offered in human rights advocacy and urban mental health.

The Human Rights concentration prepares graduates for leadership roles in the private, government, or non-profit sectors for the application of human right standards, laws, and treaties that improve conditions domestically and internationally. Training in cooperative teamwork, intergroup dialogue, intercultural sensitivity, situational analysis and partnerships amongst government and non-governmental organizations helps create leaders able to advance services, and economic and social development around the world.

The Urban Mental Health concentration prepares graduates for work in policy, administration and services within urban areas with the recognition of the determinants that shape mental health outcomes and cause the disparities between health and disease. With urban populations dramatically increasing, future leaders must understand how to create and implement policies that promote health in urban communities.

What career options exist for those studying Public Policy & Administration? 

Graduates find employment in many policy areas including housing, education, transportation, environmental, health, food, violence reduction, and programs for the arts. They also find employment within organizations such as community health and social service agencies, schools, research centers while focusing on education, environmental programs, transportation, energy initiatives, and more.

About Valerie Werner

Valerie Werner, Ph.D., is director of the M.A. in Public Policy & Administration program at Adler University in Chicago. A practicing clinician and doctor in public administration she teaches and trains students in the areas of public policy, administration and service.