Program Overview

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Rehabilitation Psychology, BS

Rehabilitation Psychology is an academic field designed for students passionate about health and helping professions. Students majoring in Rehabilitation Psychology are dedicated to supporting individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities, preparing them for careers that improve lives and promote well-being. The curriculum integrates hands-on learning with theoretical knowledge, giving students valuable experience in addressing the real-life challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, as well as the services and supports that can enhance their quality of life.

How to Get in

Rehabilitation Psychology Declaration

New first-year students and off-campus transfers are admitted directly to the Bachelor of ScienceRehabilitation Psychology degree program. On-campus students starting at UW-Madison in other majors can declare Rehabilitation Psychology at any time of the year, and at any point in their academic career.

Eligibility to Declare Rehabilitation Psychology

• Earn a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA based on all college coursework attempted or a 2.50 last 60 credits GPA by the end of the term prior to the declaration semester.
• The on-campus declaration form is located on the School of Education's Undergraduate Admissions page.

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education.

• BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
• BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits
• BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
• Communication Part A & Part B
• Ethnic Studies
• Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

School of Education Liberal Studies Requirements

All students are required to complete a minimum of 40 credits of Liberal Studies coursework.

Humanities, 9 credits

• Literature
• Fine Arts
• Humanities Electives

Social Studies (Social Science), 9 credits

Science, 9 credits

• Biological Science
• Physical Science
• Laboratory Science
• Science Electives

Cultural and Historical Studies, 9 credits

• Ethnic Studies
• U.S./European History
• Global Perspectives

Program Structure

The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program in Rehabilitation Psychology has four components:

1. Liberal studies courses expose students to a broad range of academic disciplines.
2. Related coursework comes from departments related to Rehabilitation Psychology.
3. Rehabilitation Psychology coursework offers an in-depth study of working with people with disabilities.
4. Elective coursework is taken to meet the minimum of 120 credits required for the degree.

Related Course Requirements

Psychology/Educational Psychology

Complete 12 credits selected from Educational Psychology and/or Psychology.

Sociology/Social Work/Gender and Women's Studies

Complete 6 credits selected from Sociology, Social Work, and/or Gender and Women's Studies.

Rehabilitation Psychology Course Requirements

Didactic Core

Complete the following 21 credits:

• RP & SE 125: Health and Rehabilitation Professions
• RP & SE 316: Health Promotion for Individuals with Disability and Chronic Illness
• RP & SE 325: Self Management of Chronic Illness and Disability
• RP & SE 500: Rehabilitation-Counseling Psychology: Foundations
• RP & SE 501: Rehabilitation-Counseling Psychology: Applications
• RP & SE 505: Biological, Psychosocial, and Vocational Aspects of Disabilities
• COUN PSY 655: Clinical Communication Skills

Supervised Field Experience

Complete 6 credits of RP & SE 630 Internship in Rehabilitation or Special Education.

Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education Electives

Complete 12 credits from the following:

• RP & SE 121: Disability and Substance Abuse
• RP & SE/LEGAL ST 135: Disability and the Criminal Justice System
• RP & SE 300: Individuals with Disabilities
• RP & SE 310: Positive Psychology and Well Being
• RP & SE 311: International Perspectives on Disability in Australia
• RP & SE 330: Behavior Analysis: Applications to Persons with Disabilities
• RP & SE 335: Introduction to Sport Psychology
• RP & SE 355: Remote Service Provision Strategies for Health and Rehabilitation Providers
• RP & SE 390: Community Psychiatric Rehabilitation
• RP & SE 405: Current Topics in Special Education
• RP & SE 520: Case Management and Community Resources
• RP & SE 535: Introduction to Forensic Rehabilitation
• RP & SE 630: Internship in Rehabilitation or Special Education
• RP & SE 660: Special Topics

Elective Coursework

Complete additional coursework to reach the minimum of 120 credits.

GPA and Other Graduation Requirements

• 2.50 minimum cumulative grade point average.
• 2.50 cumulative grade point average in all major coursework.
• Major Residency: Complete 15 credits of the Didactic Core and Supervised Field Experience coursework while in residence on the UWMadison campus.
• Senior Residency: Complete the last 30 credits in residence on the UWMadison campus.
• Total Credits: A minimum of 120 degree credits are required for graduation.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze complex social issues using skills gained through the study of communication, quantitative reasoning, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, ethnic studies, history, and global issues.
2. Apply knowledge of models and concepts of disability and chronic illness to education, employment, rehabilitation, and healthcare services.
3. Identify basic theories in the field of psychology and recognize the importance of theoretical foundations in psychology for the study of rehabilitation, disability, and health.
4. Develop knowledge of the health and human services delivery systems and demonstrate pre-professional skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and ethical issues through engagement with the healthcare and rehabilitation services professional community.
5. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for graduate study in a variety of health and human service fields related to disability and rehabilitation or for entry-level positions in disability and related human services agencies.

Four-Year Plan

A sample four-year graduation plan is designed to guide course selection throughout the academic career.

• Freshman:
  • Fall: Communication A, RP & SE 125, Sociology, Social Work, or Gender and Women's Studies course, Liberal Studies coursework
  • Spring: Communication A, Ethnic Studies, Quantitative Reasoning A, PSYCH 202, Liberal Studies coursework
• Sophomore:
  • Fall: Sociology, Social Work, or Gender and Women's Studies course, RP & SE Elective, Quantitative Reasoning B, Liberal Studies coursework
  • Spring: PSYCH 405, RP & SE Elective, Liberal Studies coursework
• Junior:
  • Fall: RP & SE 316, RP & SE 500, COUN PSY 655, Liberal Studies or General Elective coursework
  • Spring: RP & SE 325, RP & SE 501, RP & SE 630, Liberal Studies or General Elective coursework
• Senior:
  • Fall: RP & SE 505, RP & SE Elective, Educational Psychology or Psychology course, Liberal Studies or General Elective coursework
  • Spring: RP & SE 630, RP & SE Elective, Educational Psychology or Psychology course, Liberal Studies or General Elective coursework

Advising and Careers

Rehabilitation Psychology Advising

Students meet with their assigned advisor in the School of Education Student Services office.

School of Education Advising

Academic advisors assist students with course selection, understanding degree and career goals, and connecting them to resources.

Wisconsin Experience

The Wisconsin Experience combines learning in and out of the classroom, emphasizing empathy, relentless curiosity, intellectual confidence, and purposeful action.

• Undergraduate Research: Students collaborate with faculty and graduate students on research in rehabilitation psychology.
• Community-Based Learning: RP & SE 300 includes a field-based component where students gain real-world experience working directly with individuals with disabilities.
• Guest Speakers: Experts share their perspectives on the daily experiences of individuals with disabilities.
• Internships: Rehabilitation Psychology majors complete 240 hours of internship in the community.
• Clubs and Organizations: Students participate in extracurricular clubs and organizations, such as Badgers for Special Olympics and Best Buddies.
• Study Abroad: Students can participate in study abroad programs, such as the Disability Access and Rights in Australia course.
• Community Employment: The Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education connects students with part-time employment opportunities in the community.