Dual-Degree Program: Psychology & Occupational Therapy

Overview

Beginning in the 2005 Summer term (and retroactive to the 2002 catalog), a dual degree program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy will be available to qualified UW-L students.  This dual degree program will require at least three years of attendance at UW-L in the psychology undergraduate program followed by two and one half years of attendance in the Occupational Therapy graduate program.  This results in the elimination of one year of undergraduate study.  Students interested in the Dual-Degree program:

  • must be accepted as a Psychology major.
  • must pass both Psychology 100 (Intro to Psychology) and Math 145 (Statistics).
  • should declare themselves as a Psychology major (or Pre-Psychology major - please visit the Psychology department's website for specific information), with Pre-OT as a second major.
  • must have an established GPA of at least 3.0.  Incoming freshmen must wait until their second semester in order to establish a college GPA.
  • should have fewer than 60 credits.  Once a student has earned 60 credits a dual-degree program generally does not save them any time in regards to length of study to complete both degrees.  However, exceptions do occur.  Students should examine their advisement report and the recommended course list to ascertain whether or not they might benefit from the Dual Degree major.  If it looks to the student as if the dual degree major may save them time, the student should schedule an advising appointment with either the OT Dual Degree advisor (Deborah Dougherty) or a psychology advisor (Betsy Morgan or Emily Johnson).
  • must sign a contract with the Dual-Degree program advisor (Deborah Dougherty, Assoc. Clinical Professor in Occupational Therapy program), during which time the advantages and disadvantages of the dual-degree program are explained to the student.

Students enrolled in the Psychology-Occupational Therapy Dual-Degree program are not guaranteed admission to the Occupational Therapy program.  Students will be admitted into the Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy program based on the following:

  • GPA
  • completion of prerequisite requirements
  • positive letters of reference
  • satisfactory application narrative (see admission requirements)

The Occupational Therapy Program will waive the admission requirement of a completed undergraduate degree for students enrolled in the dual-degree program.  These students, however, must still satisfy all other requirements for admission (minimum 3.0 GPA, completion of all prerequisite courses, and a minimum of ten hours of job shadowing experience).

This program is subject to re-negotiation as conditions change and experience dictates.

Dual-Degree FAQ's

Recommended Coursework

Dual-Degree Contract

Dual-Degree Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why would a student wish to pursue a dual degree?
    The dual degree program is designed to allow a student to complete a bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in 5.5 years of schooling (plus summers). Students who complete the requirements in the recommended sequence save approximately two semesters. The sooner a student decides to complete the dual degree, the higher the likelihood that she/he will reduce credits.

  2. Does the dual degree guarantee admission to the graduate program in Occupational Therapy?
    No. The dual degree exists to reduce the overall number of credits a student takes IF they are accepted into the graduate program. It does not guarantee admission. A student who is not accepted into the program may complete a BS in Psychology by completing 13 credits in psychology, 7 credits at the 300/400 level outside of psychology and approximately 10 additional credits of university courses to complete 120 credits toward graduation.

  3. Who is eligible for the dual degree?
    Any student at UW-L with fewer than 60 credits with a GPA of 3.0 or above. Students in the semester in which they will earn 60 credits are also eligible.  There are a few cases where students with above 60 credits may still benefit from the Dual Degree.  Students should examine their advisement report and the recommended course list to ascertain whether or not they might benefit from the Dual Degree major. If it looks to the student as if the dual degree major may save them time, the student should schedule and advising appointment with either the OT Dual Degree advisor (Deborah Dougherty) or a  psychology advisor (Betsy Morgan or Emily Johnson).

  4. Are there any drawbacks to the student?
    One drawback to the student is that they may not be accepted into the graduate Occupational Therapy program. In addition, the sequencing of courses is very tight and allows for little variation or additional electives. Students who are not accepted into the Occupational Therapy program have the option of completing a BS in psychology and then re-applying to UW-L's Occupational Therapy program or other graduate programs in Occupational Therapy.

    Another drawback pertains to Dual Degree students who enter the graduate program, and then realize that Occupational Therapy is not a good fit for them.  These students should be aware that withdrawing from the occupational therapy program, and then re-entering UW-La Crosse as an undergraduate student requires the completion of paperwork, and should contact an undergraduate psychology advisor as soon as possible.

  5. Can a student get an undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy?
    No. The last class of bachelor occupational therapy students was admitted in the summer of 2004.

  6. What courses does a student have to take?
    See the Recommended Course Sequence for Psychology Majors. Visiting an advisor in both psychology and occupational therapy is encouraged.

  7. What has to occur to make the dual-degree happen?
    A student interested in pursuing the dual degree must declare Psychology as their first major and Pre-OT as their second major. They must also sign a contract that is signed by an Occupational Therapy advisor.

  8. How are the credits earned?
    During the first 3 years, students would complete 92 credits of undergraduate coursework including (1) general education requirements, (2) CLS core requirements, (3) partial requirements for the CLS program option (which substitute for a minor), and (4) most of the psychology major requirements. Over the next several semesters, the students will complete 84 credits of Occupational Therapy coursework. Twenty-nine of these credits are applied to completion of the undergraduate degree. When the requirements are completed in the recommended sequence, students will be formally awarded a BS in Psychology no later than at the end of the Fall semester of their fifth year at UW-L. Together, the undergraduate and graduate degrees will take a total of 5.5 years to complete.

  9. Is there any flexibility in the scheduling?
    Yes. Despite the appearance of a rigid schedule of courses, there is room for trading when a variety of courses are taken. However, in order to enter the program with the proper requirements, students must complete 15-17 credits per semester and complete summer courses from starting in their third summer through the completion of the program.

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