Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find a list of frequently asked questions from past prospective students regarding the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Program.


1. Is the program accredited by the American Psychological Association?
Yes, the program has been fully accredited by APA since 1996. We were revisited in 2007 and received full reaccredidation for the maximum 7 years. Our next site visit will be in 2014.

2. Do you need a master's degree to apply?
No, we accept students with a bachelor's or a master's degree. Students entering with a bachelor's degree take approximately one extra year of coursework.

3. How long is the program?
If students enter with a master's degree, there are three years of coursework, a year of dissertation and a year of internship. If you enter with a bachelor's degree, you will have an additional year of coursework.

4. Does the program have any particular emphases?
Yes, the program has a very strong emphasis on training students to be multiculturally competent and to work with urban populations.

5. Are assistantships available?
Yes, assistantships are available from the School of Education, as well as in other units on campus. In addition there are fellowships available through the Graduate School.

6. Are all students funded?
In the 2005-6, 2006-7, 2007-8, and 2008-9 academic years, we were able to fund all students who applied for assistantships. However, for the 2009-10 academic year, budget difficulties required the program to prioritize funding awards with the newer students first, followed by the second and third years. Many advanced students - fourth year and up, choose to seek off-campus employment. Assistantship opportunities include: research assistantships to work on faculty grants, teaching assistantships, and project assistantships.

7. How much are assistantships?
In 2008-9 assistantship stipends were $13,189 for 50% (20 hours a week) assignments. In addition, all students working 33% or more receive tuition remission (meaning that tuition is waived).

8. Do I have to take the GREs? Do you look for any particular score?
Yes, we require GREs for all students, but we do not have a particular cutoff score required for admission to the program. Rather we look at the GREs, undergraduate and graduate GPA, interest in working with urban and multicultural populations, and interest in a scientist-practitioner program. We do not require the subject GRE in psychology.

9. How many students are admitted each year?
We typically admit 6-8 students each year.

10. It's been a while since I've been in school. Do the letters of recommendation need to be from professors?
Yes, one letter must be from an academic professional. However, you can also solicit letters of recommendation from anyone who can speak to your academic background, your background in counseling, and your potential for graduate work.

11. You have interviews scheduled for Jan. 21, will all applicants be interviewed? Would I still be considered for admission if I can't travel to Milwaukee?
No, we select a subset of the applicant pool to interview. The selection is based upon qualifications, recommendations, as well as fit with the program's stated goals.

If you can not travel to Milwaukee, we can arrange a phone interview with you on Jan. 21, or before that day if it's not possible for you to be available then.

12. How many credits are required for the program?
Students are required to take 18 credits of counseling psychology courses, 12 credits of practicum, 13 credits of statistics, 18 credits of psychological foundations, and 9 credits of urban ed/urban psychology.

13. I took psychology and statistics courses in my master's program, can some of those be transferred in?
Yes, often courses taken in your master's program may be transferred into the doctoral program. Final evaluation of whether they may be transferred is made by the Graduate School, the training director and the student's advisor.

14. I will be new to Milwaukee, how do I find a practicum site for the first year?
Once students are admitted to the program, the student's advisor and the training director will work with the student to find an appropriate placement for the first year.

15. What types of practicum sites are available?
Our students are placed in a variety of settings. All students must have one year of practicum at a site where they will be able to develop skills to work with urban and diverse populations. Available sites may be viewed on the link "Practicum Sites."

16. Are there research requirements?
Yes, consistent with our scientist-practitioner model all students are required to participate on a faculty member's research team for two years. Many students participate on more than one faculty member's team, and most students stay involved in research for the entire 4 years that they are on campus. Prospective students may view current research team activities on the tab "News and Events," and learn more about areas of faculty interest in the "Faculty Profiles" section.

17. I know that internships are very competitive. How many students receive APA-accredited internships?
From 1996-2003, 100% of students received APA-accredited internships. In 2004, three out of six students received APA-accredited internships. All three of the students not receiving APA-accredited internships were placed in local, non-funded internships. In 2005, two of three students applying for internships received APA-accredited internships; the third student decided to wait a year and apply again. In 2006, all five students received an APA-approved internship. In 2007 one of the two students received an APA approved internship. The second student reapplied in 2008 and received an approved internship. In 2008, three additional students applied and were placed in local, funded internships.

18. Are students eligible for licensure as a psychologist?
Yes, the program is recognized by the state licensing board as eligible for licensure as a psychologist once they complete the doctorate and the post doctoral hours required by the state (1,500 hours in Wisconsin) and successfully pass the national licensing exam and state jurisprudence exam.

19. How are advisors determined?
We assign students a temporary advisor when they are admitted to the program. Once they enter the program, students are free to choose a new advisor who will be the chair of their dissertation committee, or continue with their assigned advisor.

20. How much interaction and advising is there among students and faculty?
Students and faculty interact on an informal basis on research teams, on a more formal basis in class, and through advising. Many research teams present at conferences, and students have the opportunity to interact with faculty in these situations, as well.

21. How much interaction is there among students in the program?
The Counseling Psychology Student Association (CPSA) has monthly meetings, attended by most students not on internship. The CPSA has several social events a year, arranged mentoring for new students, and plans brown-bag presentations. For more information, click on the CPSA link.

22. Is there someone I can talk to if I have any more questions?
Certainly, please contact Stephen Wester, the training director at srwester@uwm.edu or 414-229-4774.