The undergraduate major in Rehabilitation Psychology prepares students for graduate study in rehabilitation counseling, for advanced study in other professional programs related to disability and rehabilitation, and for certain entry-level positions in rehabilitation and related human service agencies. This program does not lead to teacher certification.
The Rehabilitation Psychology program has three primary components:
Students interested in Rehabilitation Psychology usually begin their academic careers in the School of Education with a "pre-professional" designation (“Pre-Rehabilitation Psychology ” or “PSR”). Choose this link for a pre-professional application form. Pre-Rehabilitation Psychology students enroll in liberal studies, general education, and professional education and background courses during their freshman and sophomore years. Students who do not begin on campus as Pre-Rehabilitation Psychology students must complete an application.
Students generally apply to the professional program during their sophomore year and begin the professional sequence as juniors. Most students require four years to complete the Rehabilitation Psychology degree program.
Students usually apply for admission to the Rehabilitation Psychology program during their sophomore year. Students are admitted to the Rehabilitation Psychology undergraduate program twice a year, for the fall and spring semesters. Minimum eligibility requirements currently include 40 credits earned by the end of the semester of application; a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average; and a completed application.
Selection to the program will be made at the end of the fall and spring semesters, after the previous semester grades are reported. The number of applicants admitted each semester will be determined by the faculty according to available resources. While all eligible applicants have been admitted to the professional program in recent years, this may not always be the case. If the applicant pool exceeds the resources available for any admission period, admission will become limited and competitive and selection will be based upon cumulative grade point average.
Students are encouraged to meet regularly with their advisor at Education Academic Services (EAS). Each student interested in a School of Education program is assigned a specific EAS advisor. Advisors are located in Rust-Schreiner Halls, 115 North Orchard Street (call 608-262-1651 to make an appointment). Students admitted to the program will work closely with a Rehabilitation Psychology faculty sadvisor.
Incoming freshmen discuss program options with advisors during the Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) Program. At SOAR, advisors help students select courses and plan their first semesters at UW-Madison. Recognizing that students often have many academic interests and more than one possible career goal, School of Education advisors help students explore options and maintain academic flexibility. Prospective off-campus transfer students and on-campus students considering teacher education may meet with an advisor in an individual advising session.