Ranking of schools?

Understanding the U.S. education system

How important is the ranking of a university? How can I find out about ranking?

Answer: In some countries, there is a great deal of emphasis put on school rankings. Sometimes the government is responsible for school rankings. Attaining some jobs in the public sector will depend on graduation from a highly-ranked institution.

However, in the United States, all school rankings are unofficial. They are produced by book and magazine publishers and sold to the public. Rankings in one publication are often different from those in another. In our opinion, these so-called rankings should not be considered definitive. For example, many of the factors that go into such unofficial estimates do not pertain to international students very strongly at all, and relying on such a ranking could be self-defeating.

We encourage you to look for factors that fit your needs, not just the overall reputation of a particular U.S. university or program. It may well be that a school with a lower unofficial ranking may in fact be the best choice for your particular circumstances. In other words, the U.S. has over 3,000 accredited colleges and universities: don't restrict your search unnecessarily.

If you decide to look at rankings, you can obtain them from almost any bookstore that carries U.S. publications. Again, however, we caution you not to rely on them as highly important factors in your search. There are much better sources of direct information.

Adler School of Professional Psychology

Contact Information

17 North Dearborn Avenue
Chicago , Illinois   60606
Phone: 866-371-5900
Fax: 312-662-4099 

Program Description

Adler School of Professional Psychology is the oldest independent school of psychology in North America. Students come from all over the world to study in a collaborative atmosphere with experienced clinical faculty. The school offers classes both on campus and online, to accommodate both recent college graduates and working professionals. The Adler School has campuses located in downtown Chicago, Illinois, and Vancouver, Canada. Doctoral and master's degrees are available in numerous disciplines, and classes are conducted by faculty members who are licensed professionals combining clinical practice with instructional responsibilities.

Producing Socially Responsible Graduates by Emphasizing Uniqueness

The Adler School of Professional Psychology is named after Alfred Adler, the first community psychologist. Adler's theories and teachings of psychology focus on the uniqueness of each individual's relationship and connection with society. The school continues the work ethic established by Adler by producing socially responsible graduates, promoting social justice, and providing holistic services to individuals and communities.
Both campus-based and online classes are available, making it easier for recent college graduates and working professionals to combine their academic schedules with the responsibilities of their lives. The Adler School received the 2007 American Psychological Association Board of Educational Affairs Award for Innovative Practices in Graduate Education in Psychology. The school was also awarded the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in 2010.

Adler Institutes for Social Change Serve Disadvantaged Communities

The Adler Institutes for Social Change were created to advance social justice for disadvantaged and underserved communities through applied research, community outreach, and public awareness initiatives. The Adler Institute on Social Exclusion and The Adler Institute on Public Safety and Social Justice are founded on the belief that psychology's greatest benefits occur when the profession is practiced in collaboration with others in the community. For example, socially responsible psychologists may work with primary care physicians to improve total health care, or may educate teachers and clergy to recognize behavioral indicators of psychological issues and refer members of the community to the help they require.

Human Diversity a Central Component of Commitment to Social Responsibility

The Adler School's commitment to social responsibility is centered on celebrating human diversity. This central focus is evident in the structure of the school's academic curricula and in the diversity of the faculty and staff.
Students come from all over the world to study in a collaborative atmosphere among accomplished clinical faculty who are leaders in their field. Differences in race, gender, ethnicity, language, age, disabilities, religion, values, beliefs, and other areas are woven into the diversity of the school's faculty, staff, students, vendors, sponsors, and business partners.
The school attracts both recent college graduates and working professionals, and offers significant cultural diversity by attracting the best students the world has to offer. Student organizations at the Adler School provide support and fellowship for members of diverse and marginalized groups. Retaining a diverse student body is important for the preparation of students who will be entering a profession where the understanding of cultural diversity is essential.

Degree Programs Integrate Psychological Studies with Social Responsibility

The Adler School is committed to educating socially relevant graduates who will have the tools and critical thinking skills to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. The school's doctorate, master's, and certificate programs use integrated curricula of psychological studies and social responsibility.
The Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) program follows a scholar-practitioner based training model. This program prepares graduates to conduct clinical interviews and psychological testing, create treatment plans, consult and collaborate with physicians and other professionals, and provide multiple forms of therapy to alleviate mental illness, behavioral problems, and emotional distress. Upon completing foundational coursework, students have the opportunity to be placed in internships at prestigious clinics, hospitals, mental health centers, and government agencies. Adler School also offers a variety of concentrations and tracks including Child and Adolescent Psychology, Military Clinical Psychology, Neuropsychology, and Trauma.
Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees are available in counseling psychology, art therapy, gerontological counseling, marriage and family counseling, forensic psychology, criminology, sport and health psychology, rehabilitation counseling, police psychology, and counseling and organizational psychology. The M.A. in Criminology is the only fully online program offered by The Adler School.
Certificate programs include advanced Adlerian psychotherapy, clinical neuropsychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, marriage and family therapy, and substance abuse counseling.

For more information

Adler School of Professional Psychology