The Department of Psychology strongly encourages you to expand your educational experience through participation in UW’s International Academic Programs. While such programs provide you with opportunities to gain a broader understanding of the cultural influences on behavior, more importantly, it allows for tremendous personal growth. Placing yourself in an unfamiliar cross-cultural context deepens your self-awareness and your understanding of psychology. With careful planning, Psychology majors can study abroad for up to one year without delaying their degree completion.
Prospective Psychology Students
Current and potential Psychology majors should be aware of the Psychology Major Requirements as they are planning a study abroad experience. While Psychology majors can study abroad at any time during their academic career, we strongly encourage students to complete all Foundation courses (Psychology 202, 210, 225, and the biology requirement) at UW-Madison and before studying abroad. We recommend meeting with a Psychology advisor early in your academic career to discuss your intent to study abroad and plan classes accordingly.
Attend the Study Abroad Fair or visit the Program Search on the International Academic Programs (IAP) website to get an idea of what programs are available to you. Schedule a meeting with advisors at IAP to learn more about your study abroad program options.
Psychology Advisors can meet with students who are currently studying abroad, using Google Hangouts. Students schedule advising appointments online at psych.wisc.edu – undergraduate program – schedule an advising appointment.
Psychology Course Considerations Abroad
Many programs abroad offer a variety of Breadth level classes in the major, while Depth and Capstone classes can be more difficult to find. Because of the flexibility of the major, many students opt out of taking Psychology classes altogether so they may focus more on immersing themselves in their new cultural surroundings. Other students choose Psychology classes so they can learn about diverse theoretical orientations and approaches to psychology. Still others choose classes not offered at UW-Madison, which can be a great way to expand your knowledge of the field. What is most important is that you choose a program that caters to your interests and passions. Taking Psychology classes might be a part of that plan and our advising office help you determine what would be best given your academic plan.
Mapping Your Study Abroad Experience as a Psychology Major
Current and prospective majors should consult the recommended four-year planning guide for the Psychology major. You should be aware that this is only a suggested plan and there is flexibility in this plan. It is always best to meet with a Psychology advisor to develop a plan that is unique to your circumstance. We work hard to make study abroad a viable option for all students.
- Freshman Year
This is a good time for Psychology majors to focus on the Foundation and Breadth level requirements in the major. Completing Introduction to Psychology and one Breadth level class is ideal. You may also opt to complete the biology requirement. - Sophomore Year
Second year students should consider completing the statistics requirement and continue taking breadth level classes. For broadest flexibility in studying abroad in later years, you should also consider completing research methods (Psych 225). - Junior Year
The majority of psychology students study abroad for one semester during their third year. We encourage you to complete research methods prior to going abroad. While it is ideal to complete a Depth class in your junior year, this is not always feasible because of the high demand for classes. We encourage you to at least complete Psychology elective credit. - Senior Year
While you are still able to study abroad during your senior year, careful planning is required. You are typically completing your Depth and Capstone level requirements in the major. These categories can be very difficult to find abroad and many students need to take these classes at UW. The Capstone class requires senior standing, making it difficult (but again, not impossible) to be gone for an entire year.
Below are some sample plans for you to consider. Keep in mind that your Psychology Advisor can help you create a plan that is best for you and note where there is flexibility.
One semester abroad: This sample plan is for students who start the major early in the college career.
- Freshman Year
- Fall: Introductory Psychology
- Spring: Psychology Breadth Level course; Biology requirement for the Psychology major
- Sophomore Year
- Fall: Psychology Breadth Level Class, Statistics Requirement (Psychology 210*)
- Spring: Psychology Breadth Level class; Research Methods (Psychology 225)
- Junior Year
- Fall: Psychology elective
- Spring: Abroad
- Senior Year
- Fall: Psychology Depth course, Psychology Capstone
- Spring: Psychology Depth course, Psychology Capstone (if not taken in the Fall)
One semester abroad: This sample plan is for students who may have spent more time exploring the Psychology major.
- Freshman Year
- Fall: No Psychology
- Spring: Introductory Psychology
- Sophomore Year
- Fall: Two Psychology Breadth Level Classes
- Spring: Psychology Breadth Level class; Biology Requirement
- Junior Year
- Fall: Statistics Requirement (Psychology 210*), Psychology elective**
- Spring: Abroad
- Senior Year
- Fall: Research Methods (Psychology 225); Psychology Depth course
- Spring: Psychology Depth course; Psychology Capstone
One year abroad: This will take careful planning, very early on, in your college career.
- Freshman Year
- Fall: Introductory Psychology
- Spring: Psychology Breadth Level course; Biology requirement for the Psychology major
- Sophomore Year
- Fall: Psychology Breadth Level Class, Statistics Requirement (Psychology 210*)
- Spring: Psychology Breadth Level class; Research Methods (Psychology 225)
- Junior Year
- Fall: Abroad
- Spring: Abroad
- Senior Year
- Fall: Psychology Depth course; Psychology Capstone or Psychology Elective**
- Spring: Psychology Depth course, Psychology Capstone or Psychology Elective**
*Other accepted statistics courses for the Psychology major are listed at psych.wisc.edu – undergraduate program – major – requirements.
**Students must complete 33-credits in the Psychology department. Students generally need Psychology elective credits, beyond the Psychology Foundation, Breadth, Depth, and Capstone courses, to meet the 33-credits in PSYCH requirement. Psychology electives can be taken abroad.
Questions to Ask
Your Academic Advisor
- What classes must I complete for my degree (breadth/depth, major requirements, etc.)?
- Do I need to be on UW-Madison’s campus for any courses in my major?
- How many electives do I have outside of my major?
Your Study Abroad Advisor
- What classes can I take abroad?
- How and when do I select courses for my program?
- When will I know course equivalents for my program?
- What is the class structure like abroad?
Identifying Programs That are Right for You
We encourage you to consider programs that are intrinsically the best fit for you. Where do your passions and interests guide you? If you’ve always wanted to visit a particular region of the world, we can help you build an academic plan while meeting your graduation timeline. Psychology major students have studied all over the world. Some have opted to take Psychology courses and others have not. Still others have pursued programs that offer internship options to gain more insight into the international professional world of psychology.
Below is a brief list of programs that seem to be most popular among Psychology majors and/or provide unique opportunities for taking Psychology courses abroad. This is not an exhaustive list of all programs, so feel free to explore all your options with IAP and find the program that fits your interests best! Keep in mind that some programs do offer more Psychology courses than what you might find in the course equivalency listing, so be sure to check the subjects offered on a program for a more in-depth look. You are always free to work with IAP to submit Psychology syllabi though your study abroad portal for department review.
Programs with two or more Psychology Breadth course options
Argentina, Buenos Aires: IFSA Argentina Study Abroad Programs
Australia, Brisbane: University of Queensland Exchange
Australia, Cairns & Townsville: James Cook University
Australia, Canberra: Australian National University Exchange
Australia, Sydney: Macquarie University Exchange
China, Hong Kong: University of Hong Kong Exchange
England, Bristol: University of Bristol Exchange
England, Lancaster: Lancaster University Exchange
England, Leeds: University of Leeds Exchange
England, London: University of Westminster
Ireland: IFSA National University Ireland, Galway
South Africa, Cape Town: University of Cape Town Exchange
South Korea, Seoul: Korea University Exchange
South Korea, Seoul: Yonsei University Exchange
Thailand, Bangkok: Mahidol University Exchange
Wales, Cardiff: Cardiff University
Programs with one or more Psychology Depth course options
Australia, Sydney: University of Sydney Exchange
Denmark, Copenhagen: Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS)
England, London: University of Westminster
Ireland: IFSA National University Ireland, Galway
South Africa, Cape Town: University of Cape Town Exchange
South Korea, Seoul: Korea University Exchange
Spain, Seville: CIEE Advanced Liberal Arts & Liberal Arts in Seville
Thailand, Bangkok: Mahidol University Exchange
Wales, Cardiff: Cardiff University
Programs with one or more Psychology Capstone course options
Australia, Sydney: University of Sydney Exchange
China, Hong Kong: University of Hong Kong Exchange
Denmark, Aarhus: Aarhus University Exchange
Denmark, Copenhagen: Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS)
South Korea, Seoul: Korea University Exchange
Spain, Barcelona: IES Liberal Arts & Business Program in Barcelona
Search all IAP programs
Research all programs using the IAP Program Search page. Again, the above is not an exhaustive list of all programs that offer Psychology courses. There may be other programs that are a better fit for your individual needs or interests.