Wisconsin is a great place to get a graduate education. This is true of many subjects, including child psychology-related fields. Not only does Wisconsin have an extensive network of public colleges and universities, but it also has many private institutions that offer high-quality educational programs.
Additionally, Wisconsin’s geography gives you the opportunity to study in vastly different locations. For example, you can study in Southern Wisconsin and have easy access to the Chicago, Illinois, area and all it has to offer. If you study in Eastern Wisconsin, you can take advantage of the many recreational opportunities of Lake Michigan.
The graduate programs available to you are varied as well. With programs at the master’s, doctoral, and specialist levels in many different psychology disciplines, Wisconsin is likely to have the program that suits your needs the best.
Child Psychology Graduate Programs in Wisconsin
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering child psychology graduate programs in Wisconsin:
- University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
- Capella University
- University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
- University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
- University of Wisconsin – Stout
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Located in southeastern Wisconsin between Milwaukee and Chicago, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offers hundreds of undergraduate and graduate programs. The school was founded in 1868 and was initially a teacher preparation college. However, the school has expanded its course and degree offerings over the years. Today, roughly 12,000 students attend UWW.
The UWW campus is a tight-knit community, just like its namesake city of Whitewater. Many of UWW’s students are from Whitewater and other Wisconsin communities. In fact, about 83 percent of UWW students hail from the Badger State. If you enroll at UWW, you’ll study alongside these students in small classes – the university has a student-to-faculty ratio of just 20:1.
Child Psychology Program Information
UWW’s School Psychology program is a dual-degree program that confers a Master of Science in Education-School Psychology and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) Degree. The M.S. is earned after completing one year of studies and 32 credits. The Ed.S. requires another two years of work – one year of classes and a one-year internship.
The curriculum focuses on building a solid foundation of understanding in education and psychology. As such, you will take courses like:
- Foundations of Professional School Psychology
- Advanced Child Development
- Psychopathology of Childhood and Adolescence
- Research Design and Program Assessment
- Consultation and Prevention
During the program’s first year, you will complete two one-semester field placements in school psychology. Then, during your second year, you will have two practicum internships. As noted earlier, there is a one-year internship, too.
You can submit your application to UWW online. The following are required prior to admission:
- Complete the School Psychology Program questionnaire
- Submit an autobiographical statement in which you discuss your personal background and why you wish to work in this field
- Provide three letters of recommendation
- Provide unofficial undergraduate transcripts
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a relatively young school – it was founded in 1956. Yet, UWM has risen in the ranks of colleges and universities and is considered one of the top research universities in the nation. With more than 23,000 students from nearly 100 nations, UWM is also a large and diverse school where you can participate in nearly 300 student clubs and organizations.
From an academic standpoint, UWM offers over 200 unique degree programs for bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and specialist students. Its focus on research means UWM also has many partnerships with organizations in and around Milwaukee that help provide its students with a rich, hands-on learning experience.
Child Psychology Program Information
The Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at UWM adheres to the scientist-practitioner model of psychology training. As such, you will get guided practice in conducting important psychological research that also informs how you provide mental health services to your clients.
This program is part of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science. The Academy includes various doctoral programs whose goal is to advance the science of psychology and improve aspects of mental health services, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of people with mental disorders. Though the program is generalist in nature, there are three primary areas of concentration: cognitive-behavioral therapy, neuroscience, and pediatric/health psychology.
During this six-year program, you will take courses like:
- Developmental Psychopathology
- Professional Ethics and Issues in Clinical Psychology
- Human Development
- Multicultural Seminar in Clinical Psychology
- Foundations of Psychotherapy
You will also complete various practicum experiences (e.g., in assessment, interventions, interviewing), exam requirements, a dissertation, and an internship. These hands-on activities enable you to put what you have learned into practice in a real-world supervised setting.
Admission to the program is based on a number of factors, including:
- Research experience
- Clinical experience
- GPA
- Letters of recommendation
- A personal statement
- Alignment of your desired area of emphasis with faculty research mentor areas of expertise
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire was founded in 1916. In the years since, the school has advanced and grown to include a student population of more than 10,000. UWEC is also a highly regarded school and is one of the top producers of Fulbright Scholars in the nation. UWEC also ranks as one of the best colleges in the Midwest, according to Princeton Review.
As a student at UWEC, you can choose from a broad range of degrees and programs – more than 200, in fact. Many of these programs benefit from community partnerships. For example, UWEC partners with the Mayo Clinic, which allows students and faculty at the university to contribute to innovation that improves medical and mental health care.
Child Psychology Program Information
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology is a three-year program in psychology training, educational foundations, and research. The sequence of coursework and field experiences leads to an Ed.S. degree. You will also be eligible to obtain licensure as a school psychologist in Wisconsin.
The curriculum helps you develop expertise in many aspects of child psychology, developmental psychology, and educational psychology. This includes learning, behavior, and mental health. You will take classes that include the following:
- Evidence-Based Interventions
- Statistical Methods in Psychology
- Human Relations
- Historical, Legal, and Philosophical Foundations of Education
- Counseling
You must also complete a capstone project or a thesis and a six-credit internship in school psychology.
To apply, you must have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or higher and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. You must also submit the following:
- Official transcripts from each college or university attended
- Three letters of reference
- GRE scores, though this is an optional step
University of Wisconsin – Stout
The University of Wisconsin-Stout was founded in Menomonie in 1891. Like Menomonie, UW-Stout is small – there are just 9,000 students. This small-town and small-campus atmosphere is beneficial if you prefer a slower pace of life than what you often find at larger universities. You’ll also find classes that tend to be smaller than most schools, which can also be helpful for you as you complete your studies.
UW-Stout is the state’s polytechnic school. Many degree programs focus on professional careers in technology and industry. However, with about 50 undergraduate degrees and more than 20 graduate programs, UW-Stout offers a wide range of study possibilities. This includes the Educational Specialist degree discussed below.
Child Psychology Program Information
The Educational Specialist program at UW-Stout is structured as a dual degree. First, you will complete a Master of Science in Education. Then you will complete training as an Educational Specialist in School Psychology. These programs prepare you to provide children with the support they need to succeed in academic environments.
This Ed.S. degree requires three years of full-time studies. You will take classes like
- Developmental Intervention and Methods
- Psychometric Theory and Application
- Psychology of Development
- School Consultation
- Roles, Law, and Ethics for the School Psychologist
A total of 69 credits – 31 for the Master’s Degree and 38 for the Ed.S. – are required to graduate. This includes several practicum experiences and an internship.
You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and have a 3.0 GPA or higher for your undergraduate studies. You must also pass a background check.
In addition, you must provide the following when applying:
- A program application
- A current resume
- A written statement
- Three letters of reference
Child Psychology Work Opportunities in Wisconsin
Wisconsin offers many different work opportunities for child psychologists, whether you get your graduate degree specifically in child psychology or in a related field like developmental psychology, school psychology, or clinical psychology.
As is the case in other states, many licensed psychologists in Wisconsin go into private practice. Doing so allows you to specialize your services to specific age ranges or mental health needs. It’s also advantageous to be self-employed, as you can determine your own hours. However, private practice requires you to have extensive education, training, and experience and is often not something new graduates pursue.
Alternatively, you might work for an educational program or organization and provide services to students in after-school or summer programs. Some child psychologists use play and activities as their method of intervention, and this would be an ideal approach in an educational-based situation.
Many of the child psychology programs in Wisconsin focus on school psychology or educational psychology, so working within a school system is another popular option. Wisconsin has schools of all sizes and with varying student needs. Your work in public or private schools might be highly general, or you might work with specific students, like children with behavioral disorders.
Wherever you work, your education and training will allow you to make a positive impact on your young clients. These positive contributions aren’t just to their lives now; instead, your expertise will set them up for success in the future.
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