Rehabilitation Psychology, B.S.

Rehabilitation Psychology is the academic home to many students interested in the health or helping professions. Rehab Psych students enjoy working with people with disabilities. They gravitate toward psychology and other coursework in the social sciences.

In this major students learn how to promote and support the independence and full inclusion of people with disabilities in employment and the community. Various types of disabilities examined in the major include physical, mental, intellectual, emotional, and developmental disabilities. Graduates are prepared to provide quality entry-level general services in a variety of community settings, including advocacy, behavioral support, independent living, and supported employment.

Many students go on to complete graduate programs in rehabilitation counseling, mental health counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, special education, social work, and other human services and health professions.

The Rehabilitation Psychology program emphasizes course work in the following areas:

• Psychology and educational psychology
• Sociology and social work
• Rehabilitation services and community supports for individuals with disabilities
• Biological, psycho-social, and vocational aspects of working with individuals with disabilities
• Positive psychology and health promotion for individuals with disabilities
• Working collaboratively with community agencies advocating and supporting individuals with disabilities

The culminating experience in the degree program is the community-based internship. Students complete six credits of internship working with agencies that serve individuals with disabilities. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Rehabilitation Psychology.

Visit the departmental website to view the program handbook, learn more about internship opportunities and guidelines, and what current students have to say about the program.

1. Students will demonstrate understanding of major current and past public policy debates, and how to approach questions and research with a public policy lens.
2. Students will gain knowledge and demonstrate application of methodological tools utilized in the public policy arena (e.g., policy memo writing, policy analysis, experience working with administrative data, program evaluation, cost-benefit analysis, performance management).
3. Students will demonstrate understanding and application of knowledge regarding the substantive policy area of interest of their choice (e.g., education, health, social, environmental, science).
4. Students will gain practical professional experience in a public policy work setting.

All undergraduate students at UW–Madison must complete the university-wide General Education Requirements, which are designed to convey the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. These requirements provide for breadth across the humanities and arts, social studies, and natural sciences; competence in communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills necessary for success in college and beyond; and investigation of the issues raised by living in a culturally diverse society. This core is intended to provide students with intellectual and practical skills, basic knowledge of human cultures and the physical world, strategies for understanding these topics, and tools intended to contribute to their sense of personal and social responsibility. General Education complements the work students do in their majors and degrees. Together, these requirements help students learn what they need to know not just for making a living, but also for making a life.

Completing the General Education Requirements is an important part of achieving these competencies, and to do so, students choose from many courses in communication, ethnic studies, quantitative reasoning, and breadth of study across disciplines in the natural sciences, humanities, literature, and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Completing the General Education Requirements is an important part of achieving these competencies, and to do so, students choose from many courses in communication, ethnic studies, quantitative reasoning, and breadth of study across disciplines in the natural sciences, humanities, literature, and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Each school and college may choose to allow General Education courses to count toward other degree and/or major requirements. Students should always check with their advisors to discuss any additional degree requirements and determine if students are required to take specific General Education courses or to complete the requirements in a particular order. Students should review their Degree Audit (DARS) report to see how they are progressing toward fulfilling the General Education requirements. Please refer to.

The La Follette School of Public Affairs welcomes you to reach out to our student services team. Here are some quick steps toward getting what you need. Before getting in touch, be sure to check the Frequently Asked Questions section of our web site. It is updated regularly and just may hold the answers you seek!

• If you’re interested in learning more about the Certificate or would like guidance as a current Certificate student, make an appointment via Starfish or send an email to Mary Michaud ([email protected]), the Undergraduate Advisor for the Certificate Program.
• If you’re already a Certificate student, you can connect with Marie Koko, our Career Services Coordinator, about careers and internships: Send her an email at:  [email protected] 
• If you have a technical question about your DARS report, enrollment, or other things administrative, connect with David Wright-Racette at  [email protected]
• If you’re interested in learning more about La Follette’s graduate programs in public and international affairs, contact Mo O’Connor, our graduate advisor: [email protected]
• If you’re an alumnus, parent, or student who is curious about how to get involved or contribute to the mission of the La Follette School, please contact Associate Director Steve Kulig: [email protected]

Staff Contact Information:

Mary Davis Michaud, Faculty Associate, La Follette School of Public Affairs
[email protected]
(608) 262-7390
110A Observatory Hill Office Building

Marie Koko, Senior Career Services Coordinator, La Follette School of Public Affairs
[email protected]
608-262-3908
204 Observatory Hill Office Building

David Wright-Racette, Senior Student Status Examiner, La Follette School of Public Affairs
[email protected]
608-262-9163
110A Observatory Hill Office Building

Mo O’Connor, Senior Student Services Coordinator, La Follette School of Public Affairs
[email protected]
608-262-3582
107 Observatory Hill Office Building

Steve Kulig, Associate Director, La Follette School of Public Affairs
[email protected]
608-262-8631
103 Observatory Hill Office Building

SKILLS & CAREERS

Given the increasing complexity in every realm of public policy, students in the public policy certificate program gain skills in quantitative analysis, communication, writing, critical thinking, and problem solving that are in demand by more and more employers in almost every sector.

The certificate program focuses on evidence-based practices and provides students with the skills to gather data and information from various sources, analyze and synthesize the findings, and write a clear and concise report to illustrate the main points.

With the focus on evidence-based practices, the public policy certificate program provides research and data analysis skills that are transferrable to nearly any occupation. Students maximize their electives and earn a credential that highlights these highly sought-after skills in the context of real-world practice.

Career development is an integral part of the La Follette School experience, with staff members and alumni eager to support and mentor students with diverse interests. Students benefit from networking opportunities, employer visits, professional development seminars, and other services.