The psychology major can be completed entirely online and is consistently ranked among the top online programs nationwide by External Link BestCollegeReviews.org.

Is online education right for me?

• Distance learners may be adults juggling full-time work and family responsibilities or traditional-aged students who find online courses the best solution to meet their educational needs.
• The online format requires a high level of self-motivation and better than average time management skills. Online courses operate on the same semester-based schedule as in-person classes (the program is not self-paced). Fall classes start the first week of September with finals in mid-December, and spring classes start the third week of January with finals in mid-May.

How does it work?

• Online students take the same courses as traditional on-campus UWM students and are taught by the same faculty and academic staff. The courses are just delivered in a different format. No distinction is made between an online student and a traditional student, and the application process is the same. To begin the application process, see apply.wisconsin.edu.
• Once admitted, students will work with an assigned advisor in the College of Letters & Science via phone or Skype.
• Following admission, you can declare the major online. To declare the major, you must read our Program Handbook and take a corresponding Online Quiz. Then, you can complete our Online Declaration of Major Form. As part of this process you will be able to select a faculty member to serve as your advisor for the major. This person will be able to help with psychology-specific questions (e.g., classes in psychology, requirements of the major, graduate school in psychology, future directions). If you have questions about this process, please direct them to our Academic Program Manager, Dorrie Van Kerkvoorde (unertl@uwm.edu).

Is there anything else that I should know?

• All of the coursework required for the Psychology major can be completed online. However, there are some additional degree requirements — courses outside of the major — that are not currently available online (e.g., foreign language classes). If this applies to you, then your assigned Letters & Science advisor can help you explore options to meet the requirements. Some common solutions include coming to campus just for those classes, completing the required coursework at a university close to home, or finding another online institution that offers a comparable course. If coursework is completed elsewhere, your advisor will confirm that credit will transfer back to UWM.

Questions regarding the application process as a new freshman or as a transfer student can be directed to the Letters & Science admissions counselor at (414) 229-7711 or let-sci@uwm.edu.

UWM’s online history degree was ranked #5 in the country by BestAccreditedColleges.com for 2023