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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

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Six UWM Degrees for Psychology and Counseling

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee appears in our ranking of the 50 Top Online Bachelor of Psychology Degree Programs.

At Garland Hall or online on Desire2Learn, the College of Letters & Science led by Dr. Scott Gronert awards a 120-credit BA/BS in Psychology where University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers complete 10-hour weekly practicum like March of Dimes, join Psi Chi, and produce senior theses. The MS in Health Psychology plots a 36-credit, 1.5-year terminal plan under Dr. Diane Reddy to focus on disease prevention with 700-level daytime courses from Behavioral Neuroscience to Psychophysiology plus Child Stress & Coping Lab projects. Chaired by Dr. Nadya Fouad, a 2014 Faculty Distinguished Service Award recipient, the MS in Educational Psychology specializes a 60-credit, MPCAC-accredited curriculum for Clinical Mental Health Counseling or K-12 School Counseling with two semester-long field placements, such as Walker’s Point or Rosalie Center, to fulfill Wisconsin DSPS Professional Counselor requirements.

Given the 2013 Bersoff Presidential Cultural Award, the EdS in School Psychology builds a 60-credit program advised by Dr. Karen Stoiber to prepare evidence-based practitioners for 100 percent EPPP certification success after 600 practicum hours and the 1,200-hour internship. Directed by Dr. James Moyer Jr., the Ph.D. in Psychology customizes three tracks of 54-73 credits for Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, or Neuroscience with opportunities to practice in the Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy Clinic, research in the UWM Brain Lab, and join the Association of Graduate Students. At Enderis Hall, the School of Education headed by Dr. Carol Colbeck shapes the 73-credit, APA-accredited Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from a scientist-practitioner approach for candidates to take 800-level courses like Multicultural Counseling, add the Trauma-Informed Care Certificate, and present original dissertations.

About the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee originated in 1885 when Governor Jeremiah McLain Rusk signed legislation to create the Wisconsin State Normal School on Wells Street. In 1919, Mitchell Hall became the first building at its present 104-acre lakefront location. In 1927, it was renamed the Wisconsin State Teacher’s College with the addition of bachelor’s degrees. In 1946, President J. Martin Klotsche formed its earliest master’s program in education. One decade later, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee name was adopted. In 1964, it purchased Milwaukee-Downer College and Lawrence College to expand. In 1971, it formally joined the 13-school University of Wisconsin system. In 1980, UWM received its first American Psychological Association accreditation. By 1994, the Carnegie Foundation gave UW-Milwaukee its RU/H designation for high research activity. In 2011, UWM started building an Innovation Park in Wauwatosa.

Endowed for $139.0 million, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee now employs 1,575 faculty inspiring 21,398 undergrad and 5,639 post-grad Panthers from 92 countries in 850 classes online or at the 45-building “Cream City” campus with 300+ clubs like the Educational Psychology Association. In 2016, UWM won an International Interior Design Association Award of Excellence. In 2007, UW-Milwaukee accepted the Randy Thrush WCPA Leadership Award. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee had two 2017 APA Dissertation Research Award finalists too. The U.S. News & World Report named Milwaukee the 62nd best clinical psychology and 81st top general psychology school. On Niche, UWM boasts America’s 166th top public education, 192nd best dining, and 207th best location. Forbes noticed UW-Milwaukee for the 234th most influential research. The Center for World University Rankings placed UWM 150th nationally. Campus Pride chose Milwaukee for its 30 most LGBTQ-friendly schools.

Featured Programs

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Accreditation Details

On August 4, 2015, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee received notification from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council that the Level VI accreditation status was renewed through 2022-23 under the eighth chancellor, Dr. Michael R. Lovell, who earned the ASME Burt L. Newkirk Award in Tribology. Located 95 miles down Interstate 94 in Chicago, this huge 19-state Heartland Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to review UWM’s 98 baccalaureate, 65 master’s, and 37 doctoral degrees. Further, the American Psychological Association (APA) has accredited the Ph.D. Program through 2023. The Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) reaffirmed UW-Milwaukee in January 2014. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) approved the Educational Specialist degree in 2019.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Application Requirements

Starting the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because only 7,211 of the 10,046 Fall 2017 applicants were okayed for 72 percent acceptance. First-year Panthers chasing the BA/BS in Psychology must verify high school diploma or GED equivalent completion. Secondary preparation must include four English, three Math, and three Science units. The Class of 2021 earned an average 3.1 GPA. The middle 50th percentile had ACT scores of 20-25. Mid-range admitted SAT scores were 1030-1220. College of Letters & Science transfers are test-optional with 12+ college credits at GPAs above 2.0. Graduate programs only consider bachelor’s completers from regionally accredited schools. GPAs of 3.0 and greater are generally demanded. Both MS in Educational Psychology concentrations require 18 credits of prerequisite social science courses. Selected Ph.D. cohorts present median GRE marks of 157 Verbal, 155 Quantitative, and 4.5 Analytical Writing.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee set a priority freshman deadline of March 1st. Department of Psychology transfers can file until August 1st for Fall or December 1st for Spring. Hopeful MS in Educational Psychology cohorts are welcome until February 15th. Terminal MS in Health Psychology students are reviewed through December 31st. The EdS in School Psychology has a January 3rd deadline. All Doctor of Philosophy tracks close on December 1st each year. Accordingly, complete the UW System Application online for $50 ($75 if graduate). Forward official transcripts to 2100 East Kenwood Blvd. in Milwaukee, WI 53211. Directly submit test scores via ACT code 4658 or SAT/GRE code 1473. Attach supplemental materials, such as the reason statement, 2-3 recommendation letters, detailed resume, and writing sample. Contact (414) 229-6594 or uwmpsych@uwm.edu with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2018-19, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee charged full-time Badger State undergrads $4,794 per semester or $9,588 annually. Non-resident BA/BS in Psychology majors paid $10,433 each term or $20,867 each year. The Midwest Student Exchange Program dropped yearly rates to $13,634. Residing at the Milwaukee dorms like Purin Hall added $4,850 to $8,030 for annual housing. Premium meal plans for Sandburg Dining Hall were $2,461 extra. UWM budgeted $800 for books and $3,370 for miscellaneous. Annual bachelor’s attendance equaled $24,486 in-state or $35,765 out-of-state. The Graduate School billed Wisconsinites $11,884 each year. Non-resident master’s or doctoral students covered $24,921. Post-grad Midwesterners lowered tuition to $17,077 per year. Online courses were $392 per undergrad or $800 for graduate credit.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in Mellencamp Hall Room 162 links 83 percent of new UWM Panthers to tuition assistance averaging $5,560 apiece for $10.85 million combined. Psychology funds include the John & Lynn Schiek Research Award, Corrine Russell Donley Fellowship, Cialdini Fellowship, First Generation Scholarship, Access to Excellence Scholarship, Ethel Sloane Memorial Scholarship, Gertrude Eichstaedt Scholarship, Victor Vega Scholarship, Ian Elliott Memorial Scholarship, Jeffrey Kunkel Scholarship, Martine Darmon Meyer Scholarship, and Meadows Fund Scholarship. The New Directions Scholarship gifts $3,500 annually for College of Letters & Science majors meeting the 28 ACT or 1300 SAT minimum. The Faaborg-Rogers Scholarship has an August 1st deadline for full-time undergrads with GPAs above 2.5. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Work-Study Program, require FAFSA applications coded 003896. In-state students could also claim the Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship, Indian Student Assistance Grant, Kohler Foundation Scholarship, Menasha Utilities Scholarship, UW Credit Union Scholarship, and more.

Keep reading about the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at the Department of Psychology website.