School Psychology Online
Application Process
Online information Session
7 p.m. Central Time, November 13, 2024
Join Rob Dixon, Ph.D., NCSP, Academic Program Director, to learn more about this unique program. Rob will provide an overview of the online School Psychology program, application tips, and and answer your questions.
A Zoom link will be provided upon registering.
School Psychology Online (M.S.Ed. + Ed.S.)
Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to the School Psychology Online program must meet the UWL requirements for admission to graduate study, hold a Wisconsin educator license, have at least one year of experience in K-12 schools, and currently be employed in K-12 education. Successful completion of an undergraduate course in statistics prior to the start of classes for the program is also required. Admitted students will also need to pass a Criminal Background Check before starting classes. See more information below.
The GRE is not required for application to this program.
Professional licensure disclosure
- If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Wisconsin after completion of this program, you should contact that state's appropriate licensing board and refer to the Professional Licensure Disclosure to determine whether this UWL program meets licensure requirements in a specific state.
If you have any trouble completing your application, contact Olga Santoyo-Garcia.
How to apply
Assurance of support
As a requirement for application, you will need to request that an administrator at your school/district complete & submit the Assurance of Support for Applicant form. The individual completing this form must have hiring authority for School Psychologists. Applicants from Milwaukee Public Schools must contact Myah Herro, Supervisor in the Office of Psychological Services (hougemm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us) regarding the assurance of support.
Submit a UW System application
- Follow the link to the UW System application. Register as a new user, unless you already have an account.
- The email you enter on this application will be used to send you important information related to completing your graduate school application. You should use an email address that you monitor on a regular basis.
- There is a $56 UW System application fee, which you can pay online at the time of application. Alternatively, you can send a check (payable to UWL) to the address below. *Application fee assistance is available to McNair Scholars.
Graduate Admissions Office
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
Watch your email
Following UW System Application submission, you will receive two emails.
The first email is an invitation to your WINGS Student Center and includes information about your NETID/WINGS Username. Access your WINGS Student Center to check the status of your application fee and transcripts.
The second email provides login information for your Applicant Dashboard. This email will be sent within 3 business days of submission of your UW system application; you may need to check your junk/spam email folders. You will use your Applicant Dashboard to submit the supplemental application materials described below (including reference requests) for this program. If you have problems with the Applicant Dashboard, please contact gradstudies@uwlax.edu.
WINGS (example) |
Applicant Dashboard (example) |
 WINGS example |
 App Dashboard example |
Submit transcripts
Request that ALL previously attended institutions of higher education send official transcripts to the UWL Admissions Office. This includes college level courses taken while in high school. If you enrolled in fewer than 10 undergraduate semester credits at an institution, you do not have to send an official transcript unless the courses completed are prerequisites for the graduate program. Additional transcripts may be required at the university or graduate program's discretion. All graduate transcripts must be submitted. UWL accepts transcripts mailed directly from the issuing institution(s) or through an electronic secure document sending service. Transcripts should be sent to:
UWL Admissions Office
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
admissions@uwlax.edu
- Applicants can check transcript status via their WINGS account.
- Applicants who are current UWL undergraduate students/alumni do not need to request formal transcripts for UWL coursework. Admissions can access your UWL transcript.
- It may take a week or more for transcripts to be received/uploaded to your application file. Please plan accordingly in order to meet application deadlines.
Log in to Applicant Dashboard to submit supplemental application materials
All supplemental application materials and information listed below will be submitted via your Applicant Dashboard. You will receive an email invitation to login to your Applicant Dashboard within 3 business days of UW System Application submission. Contact gradstudies@uwlax.edu with questions.
Recommendation contact information
You will need to request two letters of recommendation. Both letters should address how your professional experience and personal characteristics make you a strong candidate for a degree in school psychology.
- Letter 1 - Completed by an administrator at school or district in which you are currently teaching. This should be the same administrator who submitted the Assurance of Support for Applicant form for you prior to application.
- Letter 2 - Completed by a colleague or other professional contact.
You will submit your recommendation request(s) using the Applicant Dashboard by providing the name and email address for each reference. The system will automatically send the reference an email, including a link through which their recommendation should be uploaded to your application file. Your reference(s) should receive the emailed link within one business day of your request.
It is your responsibility to notify your reference(s) of the emailed request (they may need to check spam/junk folders) and provide information regarding deadlines for completion of the recommendation.
You will be able to monitor the status of your recommendation requests, resend requests, and change reference information on Applicant Dashboard. Please contact gradstudies@uwlax.edu with questions.
Personal statement
This program requires submission of a personal statement. This statement should describe your interest in school psychology and motivation for pursuing the degree in the UWL program. Relevant information may include experiences during the COVID pandemic, experience relative to personal identity, or experience with school leadership, special education, PBIS, and/or Tier 1 interventions.
In addition to being used to evaluate your understanding of the role of a school psychologist and your qualifications, the statement will be used as evidence of your writing skills. Please write in a formal style, with careful attention to grammar, punctuation, and organization.
Resume
This program requires submission of a resume. Your resume should detail your experience as a professional in PK–12 schools and relevant certifications. Please highlight extracurricular roles such as coaching, leadership of student clubs, etc. which might contribute to your interest in pursuing graduate study.
Licenses or certifications
- Submit a current Wisconsin educator license
Additional requirements for international applicants
In addition to the application requirements listed above, international applications will need to submit the following items:
- Transcript information: As noted above, official, certified or attested transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be submitted. Additionally, documents issued in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
- Proof of English language proficiency: Non-native English speakers must submit evidence of one the following language proficiency requirements for admission:
- TOEFL score (within last 2 years) of at least 79 iBT or 550 pBT - Institution Code: 1914
- IELTS score (within last 2 years) of at least 6.0
- Duolingo English Test (DET) score of at least 110
- 60 PTE score
- A bachelor’s or higher degree from UWL or another approved institution where English is the sole language of instruction.
- Degree must be earned within two years of expected enrollment in this UWL graduate program.
- Applicant must have attended the institution for a minimum of two years.
Please contact International Admissions at intladmissions@uwlax.edu if you have questions. Each of the items listed in this section "Additional requirements for international applicants" can be sent directly to the UWL Admissions Office.
UWL Admissions Office
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
USA
* Special note regarding F-1/J-1 Visas: UW-La Crosse (UWL) is unable to issue immigration documents for an F-1/J-1 visa to international students in this online program [8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G)]. International students must either complete the program outside the U.S. or have a valid visa that permits online study in the U.S. If you have further questions please contact UWL's International Education & Engagement (IEE) at international@uwlax.edu.
Need help?
If you have issues with your application check out these resources.
Dates & Deadlines
- Applications open September 1 for the following summer.
- Review of completed applications will begin on February 15. Applications completed after that date will be reviewed as long as there are spaces left in the program.
- We anticipate making offers of admission in mid-March.
It may take a number of weeks to complete a graduate program application. Specifically, you need to allow sufficient time for transcripts and recommendations to be received. Please plan accordingly.
Criminal Background Check
The WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires that candidates for admission to a teacher education, administration, or pupil services program successfully pass a criminal background check (CBC) as one criterion for admission. By applying for admission to one of these programs, candidates agree to provide the necessary personal information to UWL in order to initiate their CBC, and to complete their portion of the process prior to the specified deadline. Applicants to programs leading to endorsement for licensure are responsible for all costs associated with their criminal background check(s). Admission decisions are contingent upon a successful CBC clearance decision by the UWL Office of Field Experience. Specific instructions on completing the required consent form and CBC will be sent by the UWL Office of Field Experience to the email address included on the UWL application for admission. Questions can be directed to soefieldexp@uwlax.edu.
Selection process
Admission to the School Psychology Online program is anticipated to be competitive; our target cohort class is just 12 students, the same as for the on-campus program.
Complete applications will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee consisting of selected program faculty and graduate assistants in the School Psychology program. A subset of applicants will be invited for an online (video conference) interview with the Admissions Committee. Applicants will also be able to talk with current school psychology students.
Information on selection criteria
The Admissions Committee is focused on assessing your potential to complete graduate studies, your potential to positively impact students, and evidence of the skills and characteristics identified by the National Association of School Psychologists: effective interpersonal skills; responsibility; adaptability; initiative; dependability; technological competence; advocacy skills; respect for human diversity; and a commitment to social justice and equity.
Supporting student success
“...there were benefits to the UWL virtual psych program that I couldn’t ignore,” says Amy Schmidt, a kindergarten co-teacher in the School District of Bayfield.
UW-La Crosse to offer unique program to grow state’s school psychologists
