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The minor in counseling psychology is in alignment with a scientist-practitioner model of training, which emphasizes the integration of counseling and psychological theory and practice along with development of research skills in the domains encompassed by counseling psychology.

The profession of counseling psychology uses an inclusive definition of multiculturalism (i.e., a range of individual cultural differences including, but not limited to, race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, class status). In doing so, the complexity of diversities and influence of oppressions and saliencies of multiple cultures can be addressed. Students in counseling psychology are trained to apply a tripartite framework of personal identity in which individual, group, and universal levels are considered. Drawing from such a holistic framework permits the simultaneous attention and address of unique processes, cultural differences and similarities, and universal experiences, while recognizing the influence of social conditioning, sociopolitical forces and context, and institutional processes. This emphasis on respect for diversity and competence to bridge cultural divides is consistent with the core values of counseling psychology, and has implications for the roles and mutual obligations of trainers and trainees in counseling psychology programs.

First Step:  All graduate students must utilize the Graduate Student Portal in MyUW to add, change, or discontinue any major/named option, doctoral minor, or graduate/professional certificate.  To apply to the Counseling Psychology minor, please log in to MyUW, click on Graduate Student Portal, and then click on Add/Change Programs.  The Counseling Psychology graduate program manager will review your application for admittance, and reach out to the student regarding the next steps (below).

Next Steps:  PhD students wishing to complete a PhD minor in Counseling Psychology should complete their program’s minor form, listing four graduate courses in Counseling Psychology that they wish to take (or have already taken).  If the student has selected a faculty member from the Counseling Psychology faculty to be their minor advisor, the form should be signed by them.  If no specific faculty member has been selected, the form may be turned in to the Graduate Program Manager in room 335B, who will then forward the request to the Chair for approval.  Following the signature of the CP minor advisor or Department Chair, the student should then get the signature of their home department advisor.  The completed form with all signatures must then be given to the CP Graduate Program Manager, who will maintain a copy in the CP files.

  • A minimum of 12 credits in graduate Counseling Psychology courses.
  • Coursework can include both those courses typically taken by Counseling M.S. students as well as Counseling Psychology Ph.D. students. However, in all cases, the focus of the coursework should be content-based, not practicum-based.
  • A grade of at least a B in each course used for the minor (all coursework must be taken on a graded basis; pass/fail and audited courses cannot be used).
  • A maximum of 3 credits of independent study (e.g., 699, 799) can be used towards the minor
  • Research (990) cannot be used to satisfy the minor requirement
  • All coursework must be completed at UW–Madison during the student’s time in their current graduate program. Any exceptions to this will require the advance approval of the minor advisor or department chair.

Faculty:  Professors Thompson (Chair), Gloria, and Quintana; Associate Professors Budge, Goldberg, and Wright; Assistant Professors Frost and Kim; Faculty Associate Lotta; Clinical Associate Professor Graham; Clinical Assistant Professors Ramirez Stege and Her.

Graduate Program Manager: Andrea Burdick.
Department Administrator: Nancy Jaeckle