Frequently Asked Questions
What degree will I be working toward?
UW-L offers a 72-semester hour graduate program, which
awards an Education Specialist (EdS) degree upon completion of
all program requirements. Students first complete a 30-hour
program, which meets the requirements of a Master of Science in
Education (MSEd) degree. They then complete the remainder
of the 72-hour program, which leads to the Education Specialist
degree and certification as a School Psychologist in Wisconsin.
The Education Specialist degree qualifies individuals for
certification in most other states.
How long will the program take to complete?
Students typically finish the program after three
years. The first two years are focused on academic
coursework, 700 hours of supervised practica, and thesis
development. Students complete their 1200-hour internship
during their third year. Students typically earn full pay
during their internships in states such as Wisconsin and
Minnesota.
What is the environment like in the UW-L School Psych program?
UW-L is a great place to be a graduate student. The
faculty members are welcoming and supportive and they encourage
collaboration and learning in all areas of life. The faculty
encourage a cooperative rather than competitive environment.
The students in the program form close collaborative
relationships that often last for years after graduation.
How closely do students work with professors?
Students work very closely with the core School
Psychology professors. Their doors are always open and welcoming
to students. While each student will have an official
advisor, students are more than welcome to consult and work with
all of the faculty members.
What if I did not major in psychology? Can I still apply?
Yes! However, students are expected to enter the program with a good understanding of psychological principles. This can be achieved through completing an undergraduate psychology major or completing psychology content classes through elective course offerings. Regardless of background, students are required to have an undergraduate statistics course. We find that most students will find the following classes helpful and would form a good foundation for School Psychology graduate work:
- Psychological Tests and Measurements
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality Theories
- Educational Psychology
- Behavior Modification
- Abnormal/Psychopathology
- Research Methods
If these were not available through a specific course or across several courses, it would be advised to take a class to gain the content through distance education or online course options.
Are there research opportunities available?
A practitioner-scholar model is the foundation of the
program. Therefore we spend more time working on how to
apply research to the school setting to solve problems. There is
an education specialist capstone activity requirement for all students;
however, additional research opportunities are available. These
can include collecting data in the schools or assisting with
faculty projects. Most students find they have limited time for
research projects beyond their theses.
Can I work and go to school?
It is possible to balance work and school. The faculty
feels that in order to educate you to be the best possible
professional to meet the needs of children, your education needs
to be your priority. Please remember that graduate courses are
very demanding and time consuming.
Is it possible to enroll as a part-time
student?
UW-L's School Psychology Program is a sequenced
full-time program. It is not possible to enroll as a first
year graduate part-time student. It is sometimes possible to
enroll part-time to update certification or take classes for
continuing education if arranged with the program director.
When do we start working in the schools?
Students begin visiting schools and practicing a
variety of assessments during their first semester. Students
spend two full days a week working side by side with a site
supervisor in practicum during their second, third, and fourth
semesters in the program.
What is the difference between a
school psychologist and other school professionals?
Click here for a detailed description of the similarities and differences between School Psychologists, School Counselors, and School Social Workers.
Will I have time to have a life outside of grad
school?
It is important to maintain a balance of school and
recreation time. Although there is much more work required in
our graduate program than there is in most undergraduate
programs, there is still some time for climbing the bluffs,
taking in a movie or enjoying a bike ride.
After acceptance into the program, the program assistant provides students with one another's contact information and a list of popular rental options.
What factors are considered for the admission
decision?
Our admissions committee takes a holistic view across
all the materials. We look at strengths, experiences, and
diversity. We look for evidence of a strong academic
foundation (e.g., undergraduate performance, GRE, letters of
reference, etc) and for experiences working with children,
teachers, and parents (e.g., diverse populations such as
children with and without disabilities across the age span.)
Letters of reference and your personal statement offer evidence
of how you see the fit between your learning goals and the
factors of the program that can support that goal. Finally, we
look for a strong interpersonal presentation in the interview to
solidify our decision.
How do I apply?
Application involves:
- applying to the University of
Wisconsin Graduate School system
- sending GRE scores to UW-L through
ETS
- sending transcripts to UW-L Graduate
Admissions
- sending statement of purpose, letters
of recommendation, sample of writing, and
current résumé to UW-L School Psychology at
schoolpsych@uwlax.edu
Please refer to the link "How
to Apply" at the left for detailed
instructions.
Is there financial aid available?
Financial aid in the form of grants and assistantships
are available, yet limited. We highly encourage students to
apply for
Federal Perkins Loans, which have loan
forgiveness for individuals who work in the field of education,
particularly with students in special education. Click on
the financial aid links to the left for more information.
How do I become a GA?
See the following page: Graduate Assistantship Information