Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Attend the UW-L School Psychology Program

  1. Our students are placed in area schools early in the program.

  2. The UW-L program promotes cooperation and collaboration among graduate students.

  3. The UW-L program promotes cooperation and collaboration among graduate students.
    UW-L has a strong reputation for producing well trained school psychologists. 100% of current students partially based their decision to come to UW-L based on the reputation of the program.*

  4. The UW-L program is fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists.

  5. Most UW-L students complete their required internship during their first year of employment.

  6. Our graduates have found school psychology to be a satisfying and fulfilling career.

  7. The UW-L school psychology program has an applied emphasis. In addition to reputation, 100% of current students partially based their decision to attend UW-L because of the emphasis on practical skills.*

  8. Our faculty are licensed as school psychologists.

  9. Graduate students are provided one-on-one and small group supervision.

  10. UW-L graduates meet requirements for licensure in most states.

* - data based on 2011-2012 cohort Student Profile Survey

Why Choose the UW-La Crosse School Psychology Program?

  • Wisconsin school psychology graduates are highly regarded and have readily attained positions in many states.

  • Wisconsin has a low ratio of students to school psychologists, 1100:1 as compared to the national average of 2300:1.

  • Wisconsin school psychologists and graduate students in training have more time for prevention, intervention, and consultation.

  • The UW-L School Psychology faculty visit and observe students at their practicum sites in addition to regularly scheduled meetings at the University.

  • The program is housed and staffed within the Psychology Department which includes 19 full time faculty who provide a rich resource of psychological knowledge.

  •  UW-L graduate students are placed in area schools early in the program.

    • First semester: Intellectual and academic evaluations of children in schools

    • Second semester: Students spend two days per week working in area schools under the direct supervision of experienced school psychologists who know the UW-L program, the curriculum, and the objectives of the program.

  • By the end of two years, graduate students have accumulated more than 700 hours of practicum experience. Early and intensive experience in schools means students go beyond assessment to intervention and consultation.

  • The UW-L School Psychology students are supported within the university graduate school community (see Graduate School Organization Welcome Packet).

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  • The UW-L program's training focuses on the skills and best practices which every school psychologist needs. The program especially emphasizes teacher, parent, and school consultation, with intensive training in assessment and intervention skills as well.

  • The UW-L program promotes cooperation and collaboration among graduate students, rather than competition. Students take all school psychology core courses together. By the end of two years most graduate students have formed lasting friendships with their classmates.

  • The UW-L program is fully approved by the National Association of School Psychologists. Full program approval means graduates are eligible for certification as Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP) upon passing the national exam.

  • UW-L students are allowed to complete their required internship (third year of the program) during their first year of employment.

  • UW-L has a strong reputation for producing well trained school psychologists. UW-L graduates are sought after and generally have no difficulty finding a position within weeks of completing the second year of the program.

  • Employment in school psychology remains strong. Recent graduates of UW-L are averaging an entry salary of $43,000 for 190 day contracts.

  • Over the past 30 years most UW-L graduates have found school psychology to be a satisfying and fulfilling career. Over 85% of UW-L alumni remain in the practice of school psychology.