Prospective & Transfer Students

Are you a prospective student to UW- Madison?

The Department of Psychology welcomes prospective students to attend our Information Sessions held throughout the year. You can go to the Office of Admissions’ Visit Bucky website for information on our Psychology Major Information Sessions. These sessions will introduce you to the Psychology department, curriculum, and additional opportunities available for future Psychology students. Currently, our session is virtual. Click the Pre-Recorded Offerings tab on Visit Bucky to find a listing of all current virtual prospective student events, including the Psychology Info Session.

Students are welcome to visit certain classes, including Psych 202 Introductory Psychology, during the fall and spring semesters. You can find more information about Class Visits on the Visit Bucky site.

Students planning on transferring to UW-Madison from another undergraduate institution can visit the following link for additional information for Transfer Students.

Upcoming Events for Prospective Students:

Exploring Psychology at UW-Madison

Experience WI Open House

Undergraduate

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Individual Departments, like Psychology, review undergraduate applications and make admissions decisions?
- Undergraduate admissions decisions, for both incoming freshmen and transfer students, are made solely by the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Individual departments, including psychology, cannot influence admissions decisions and do not review admissions materials. Any admissions related questions should be directed to Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
I want to increase my chances of admission. What can I do?
- The Office of Undergraduate Admissions has put together a list of what they are looking for in prospective students. As they are the office who make all undergraduate admissions decisions, it is recommended students use this information: https://admissions.wisc.edu/can-i-get-in-to-uw-madison/
Can I meet individually with a psychology advisor or professor as a prospective student?
- Unfortunately, psychology advisors are unable to meet one-on-one with prospective students. There are some great in-person, virtual, and pre-recorded resources available through the Office of Admissions. Prospective psychology majors are encouraged to look for Psychology group/panel sessions, and a psychology specific pre-recorded session, as well as sessions from the College of L&S. All offered sessions will be listed on admissions.wisc.edu/visitbucky/. The Department of Psychology also participates in the Experience Wisconsin Open House.
Are there any structured visit sessions for prospective psychology majors?
- Any prospective student sessions the Department of Psychology hosts will be found at visit.wisc.edu. Prospective Psychology majors are encouraged to attend the “College of Letters and Science Information Session” for an overview of academic and career advising, learning support, the basics of L&S majors and certificates, and opportunities for first-year students. You will also find a recorded Psychology Information Session on Pre-Recorded Offerings at Visit Bucky.
Can I sit in on a psychology class during a campus visit?
- Maybe! You will find a list of classes that have expressed willingness for prospective students to attend HERE. We do our best to ensure at least one or two psychology courses are on this list each semester. You MUST contact the instructor prior to attending to ensure there is not an exam and visitors are welcome on the day you intend to visit.

I took the AP Psychology test- will that count towards any requirements?
- Students who earn a 4 or 5 on the Psychology AP test will receive credit for Psych 202: Introduction to Psychology. Students who earn a 3 will earn 3 elective psychology credits (Psych X19), but will still need to take Psych 202 to progress in the psychology major. Information on AP, IB and CLEP test scores and course equivalencies can be found HERE. Psych 202 also counts as Social Science Breadth credit toward undergraduate degrees..
What are the requirements for a psychology major?
- The most current and updated information on the psychology major and requirements can be found on UW-Madison’s “Guide.” https://guide.wisc.edu/undergraduate/letters-science/psychology/
Do undergraduates have the opportunity to get involved in research?
- There are a number of research opportunities available for undergraduates at UW-Madison. Incoming first year students interested in research may want to consider involvement in the Undergraduate Research Scholars program. There are also Research opportunities for undergraduates to earn credit as research assistants within the Department of Psychology. Approximately 25% of psychology majors participate in research for credit within the Department of Psychology by the time they graduate.
Can I complete the psychology major in 4 years? What about 3 years?
- Sample four-year plans are available for viewing on Guide. It is absolutely possible for students to complete BA/BS requirements with a psychology major within four years. Depending on the number of AP/IB/College Credits and Retro credits earned, as well as openness to summer coursework, it may be possible for students to graduate in less than four years. In 2023 the average time to degree completion was 3.74 years for psychology majors. Students should work with their academic advisor to ensure they will meet all degree and major requirements within their desired timeframe.
Can I minor in psychology?
- UW-Madison does not offer minors, but rather offers Certificate programs that allow students to build some level of expertise in a field outside of a student’s major. The Department of Psychology does NOT offer a certificate program. Students who are interested in adding psychology to another area of study may want to consider adding psychology as a second major.

What can I do with a psychology major?
- Psychology majors enter a wide range of career fields. There are several offices at UW-Madison specifically designed to help students explore their major and career interests, including the Career Exploration Center and SuccessWorks at the College of Letters and Science. Psychology majors at UW-Madison have access to a variety of psychology focused career exploration resources, including a Career Advisor specifically for psychology majors. Declared psychology majors have access to a Psychology Advising Canvas Page with additional resources. Take a look at what some UW-Madison psychology alumni are doing now!
What academic advising is available to psychology majors?
- First-year pre-declared psychology students will be assigned to an Academic Advisor in the L&S Academic Advising Services office. Once a student declares the psychology major, they will be reassigned to a psychology academic advisor until they graduate with the Psychology major (or cancel the major). Current students are encouraged to meet with their assigned advisor regularly. Unfortunately psychology advisors do not have the capacity to meet with non-UW-Madison students.
How can I stay updated on what’s happening in the Department of Psychology
- There are several ways for students and families to stay in touch with the Department of Psychology at UW-Madison. We have a social media presence; an e-letter for undergraduate students; check out our most recent Department News, and check out our undergraduate event programming. Most of our undergraduate events are open to all students. If you are interested in attending a public event, please contact advisor@psych.wisc.edu prior to registering.
I’m considering starting my college career elsewhere and transferring to UW-Madison. What should I be doing now?
- Students considering starting at a different institution and transferring to UW-Madison should check out the Department of Psychology’s Transfer Student Information. Use Guide.wisc.edu as a reference for requirements, and Transferology.com to view course equivalencies from different institutions. For information on applying as a transfer student go to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
What scholarships are available for incoming psychology majors?
- Psychology does not have specific scholarships available for incoming students. Students are encouraged to look at the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub to find scholarships they are eligible to apply for. Students majoring in psychology should look specifically at the scholarships available campus-wide and within the College of Letters and Science. All psychology specific scholarship applications are available in the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub as well. For a list of nomination-based and application-based awards that students may be eligible for later in their undergraduate career, click HERE.
The College of Letters and Science Information for Prospective Students
- The Department of Psychology is housed within the College of Letters and Science. All prospective psychology majors are encouraged to explore the information provided by the College of L&S.