There is no single recommended course sequence for students, given that the vast majority enter the program already having completed a master’s degree in a mental health field. Thus, they waive a diverse range of pre-doctoral courses, and usually complete their remaining classes in the program in two years. Some courses may be offered in the Psychology Department at Marquette (often every other year); some courses may be available for COPS students through the Marquette University (MU) - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) Exchange Program. COPS students seeking to take a course through the MU-UWM Exchange Program must obtain prior approval by the Director of Training and the Department Chair before applying to the MU-UWM Exchange Program. In addition, they must notify the Graduate School before contacting UWM. Note that the PDQE and the dissertation proposal must be completed before applying for the pre-doctoral internship.
The department is not flexible with regard to many of the program requirements which are described in the handbook, but exceptions to some requirements are granted if a compelling rationale is provided. Students should begin the process of submitting a petition by consulting with their academic advisors. Students can then initiate a petition for an exception to Program requirements by submitting a written request to the department chair. Most of these petitions will be decided by a vote of the department faculty at their next regularly scheduled meeting, though the Graduate School will decide issues related to their requirements.