Alverno College

2+2 Nursing

The 2+2 Nursing BSN Degree is one of two pre-licensure BSN degree programs offered by the JoAnn McGrath School of Nursing and Health Professions. Students enter after successful completion of 60 credits of college-level general education coursework and complete the nursing major at Alverno, progressing through holistic nursing management, clinical nursing practice, and advanced nursing science application courses.

Adaptive Art Education

Designed for licensed art educators, this flexible post-baccalaureate certificate in Adaptive Arts enables students to expand teaching practice through therapeutic, student-centered approaches. Entry requires a bachelor's degree and art education licensure; students design creative, compassionate lessons supporting the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs of K-12 learners.

Administrative Leadership

This major leads to a license in Principal/Administrative Leadership (DPI #51) and a Master of Arts degree in education. Tuition discounts are available to licensed teachers, classes meet evenings or every other weekend, and the program can be completed in two years. Real-life assignments allow students to integrate theory into practice.

Art

Students engage and develop social, technical and expressive skills creating impact through cultural participation. Students receive a rich foundation in art, art history, design, community art and general liberal studies, and choose fifteen credits of electives that match personal artistic goals. Students complete their study by designing a final graduating exhibition of their own advanced artwork.

Art Education

The Art Education program prepares students to teach art in early childhood through adolescence classrooms while developing their own studio practice in drawing, design, and art history. Students complete extensive field experiences and student teaching leading to Wisconsin art teaching licensure.

Art Education/Adaptive Arts

This program is for artists with a bachelor's degree who want to build a meaningful career, earning PK-12 licenses in Art Education (550) and Adaptive Arts (859) plus a Master of Arts in Education in two years. Students study art education from multiple perspectives, examining curriculum, representation, and art's role in culture and community. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in art or a related field or complete required coursework before admission.

Art Education & Art Therapy

The Art Education & Art Therapy major combines preparation for art teaching licensure with coursework and clinical experience in art therapy. Students study studio art, art history, art education methods, media and methods in art therapy, and psychology, and complete directed observation and teaching in art therapy settings.

Art Therapy

Students study, practice, and develop skills in the foundations of art, including form and space, analytic and expressive drawing, 2D and 3D design, and other self-selected studio courses. Students receive education and training in the areas of art therapy history, theory and approaches, media and methods, and practical applications, and complete four semester-long field experiences supervised by experienced and credentialed professionals.

Biology

Biology, the study of living organisms and life processes, is the most all-encompassing of the sciences. Students participate in collaborative group work in introductory science courses, design and perform experiments in the laboratory and in the field, and gain independence as learners in advanced courses. Programs in Biology lead to careers in health care, industry, biotechnology, or research.

Biology: Biomedical Science

The Biology: Biomedical Science major is the foundation for students aspiring to attend medical school, dental school, veterinary school, or biomedical research. It allows students to combine coursework required for graduate, medical and other professional health schools in a flexible and efficient four-year program.

Biology: Human Biology

The Biology: Human Biology major is designed for a diverse group of students from future laboratory technicians to students interested in direct entry masters of nursing programs. The degree is suitable for students entering a physician assistant program or similar health related fields, and gives students a strong background in human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and human diseases.

Business

The Business major prepares students academically and professionally, allowing them to complete their degree in three years through a structured format of 8-week course sessions. Students build a strong foundation in core business knowledge and develop transferable skills for today's workforce, and are required to choose a specialization or minor for this major.

Chemistry

The field of chemistry touches every aspect of our lives, and the work of chemists shows up in all types of settings. Chemistry students learn to ask chemical questions and develop a deep understanding of their solutions, grounded in the conceptual and practical knowledge needed to do pure and applied research. Across the curriculum students design, implement, and evaluate laboratory investigations with state of the art instrumentation.

Communication

The Communication Major focuses on how people communicate in a variety of settings, with new and emerging technologies, while gaining real-world experience. Whether students seek to inform, inspire, or drive social change, faculty will help students harness the power of your voice and speak up with confidence.

Community Engagement & Activism

This multidisciplinary program allows students to improve their community. With a focus on politics, social justice, leadership and activism, students gain knowledge and practical skills needed to mobilize for change. Through service-learning projects, field work, internships and networking opportunities, students gain on-the-ground insights into the challenges and opportunities for social change at the community level.

Community Psychology

The Master of Science in Community Psychology prepares students for work across a variety of mental health and community related settings, focusing on how graduates identify and engage community agencies and resources in the delivery of services. The program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council and is approved by the State of Wisconsin requirements for licensure as a professional counselor.

Direct Entry Nursing

The DEMSN Program is specifically designed for college graduates who hold a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing and aspire to complete a second degree, specifically a Master of Science in Nursing. Successful completion of the 77 credit program results in the concurrent conferral of a BSN degree and MSN degree; under no circumstance will partial completion of the program result in the conferral of a BSN degree only.

Educational Psychology

The School Psychology graduate program offers a unique two-degree structure in which students first complete a Master of Science in Educational Psychology before proceeding to the Educational Specialist in School Psychology. Coursework spans research and statistical methods, characteristics of learners with disabilities, culturally responsive intellectual assessment, academic assessment and progress monitoring, and clinical mental health counseling of children and adolescents.

Educational Studies

The Educational Studies major is chosen by students who wish to finish their undergraduate degree prior to completing student teaching, so they may complete student teaching while holding a Tier 1 License with Stipulations in classrooms as a teacher of record.

Education Birth to 3rd Grade

This major prepares students to teach children from birth through third grade. Students gain extensive field experiences beginning in the first year and complete a full semester of student teaching, leading to Wisconsin licensure.

Education K-9th Grade

This major prepares students to teach in kindergarten through ninth grade. Students gain extensive field experiences, starting the first year, and a full semester of student teaching, and take content courses designed to ensure they have a solid knowledge base of the content needed to teach across grade levels in mathematics, science, social students, and English language arts.

Education Specialists

This doctoral major is designed for candidates entering with prior advanced graduate study, combining the Ed.D. leadership core and full dissertation sequence with 15 credits of Ed.D. elective credit for which transfer credits are allowed. Students applying to the Ed.D. programs must have completed a master's degree, and the program is offered entirely online and largely asynchronous.

Family Nurse Practitioner

Students enrolled in the FNP Post-MSN Certificate Program complete a minimum of 15 credits in theory and practice; entry requires an MSN degree conferred by a college or university accredited by a nursing accreditation agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. At the time of application, the applicant's transcripts, credentials, practice experience, and other pertinent information are reviewed, and an individualized program of study is developed.

Family Nurse Practitioner

Students enrolled in the FNP MSN Degree Program complete 39 credits in theory and clinical practicum courses, with advanced-practice nursing theory including Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, and Advanced Pharmacology. A total of 750 hours of clinical practice are completed in clinical care settings approved by the FNP Program Director.

General Studies

The General Studies major is offered through the School of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. It pairs Alverno's general education requirements with 76 elective credits so students can build a broad, individualized bachelor's degree.

Global Studies & International Affairs

The Global Studies & International Affairs major starts with an introductory course in Global Studies where basic concepts and issues of global culture, international economics, and world politics are covered. Students complete courses from various disciplines: economics, geography, history, and political science, and combine the perspectives, concepts, and issues from these courses in the Global Studies Senior Seminar.

Higher Education Leadership

The Ed.D. programs in transformational educational leadership and higher education teaching extend Alverno's tradition of excellence into the doctoral level. The program is open to students with a master's degree, is offered entirely online and largely asynchronous, and requires two residencies, one in the first semester and one in the last semester; students enroll in nine credits in Fall, Spring and Summer for six semesters.

Integrated Natural Sciences

Integrated Natural Science focuses on understanding the fundamental principles of the natural world, from the micro- to the macroscopic. It provides a foundation for work in a variety of technology-rich fields and prepares students for many possible career paths including healthcare and medicine, conservation, environmental sustainability, and consumer products. The major offers a unique combination of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses for interdisciplinary careers.

Integrated Studies

This major allows students the flexibility to pursue individualized interests and prepare for a profession in a related field. Students work on minors, specializations, experiences, and individual initiatives in their areas of interest. This program is ideal for students returning or transferring to Alverno who are looking for a direct path to graduation.

K-12 Leadership

This doctoral major combines the Ed.D. leadership core and dissertation research sequence with K-12 leadership coursework in educational law and policy, governance, management and finance, assessment, technology and data/school improvement, and superintendency. The program is open to students with a master's degree and is offered entirely online and largely asynchronous.

K-12 Leadership/Superintendency

This doctoral major adds a superintendency practicum and superintendent licensure exit portfolio to the K-12 leadership coursework and the Ed.D. leadership core and dissertation sequence. People seeking Superintendency licensure must hold a principal's license in the state of Wisconsin and be eligible to pursue the Superintendent license under current state requirements.

Kinesiology: Exercise Science

Exercise Science is the most common major among students entering Physical Therapy school. It is a study of body movements and body response to physical activity, integrating physics, human anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, and kinesiology to study the process of physical activity in relation to health, fitness, and wellness. The degree also allows students to seek employment in sport and wellness, fitness centers, athletic coaching, and recreational sports.

Kinesiology: Physical Therapy

Kinesiology is the study of human movement and prepares students to improve health outcomes. Students complete core work in the sciences and humanities, then focus on examining how the body can function better, which is excellent preparation for pursuing a doctoral degree in physical therapy.

Leadership

The BA in Leadership in the Alverno Accelerate program is a fully online program open to both women and men. The program allows up to 90 transfer credits and provides flexible pathways for students to complete a bachelor's degree, pushing students to learn within the context of life and to apply what is learned to experiences in community and work.

Leadership

The Associate of Arts in Leadership is a 60-credit program in the Alverno Accelerate program. Students complete the Beginning Level of the Accelerate Program and 20 credits at the Intermediate Level. This degree can be a stand-alone credential or a step toward the bachelor's degree in Leadership, and all courses are offered in an online asynchronous modality.

Liberal Studies

The Associate of Arts Degree with a major in Liberal Studies is offered through the School of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. Students complete Alverno's core requirements in communication, quantitative literacy, fine arts and humanities, science, and global studies, along with 20 elective credits.

License to Masters - Birth to 3rd Grade

This major is for those who love working with young children; students are licensed to teach children from birth to age eight, usually third grade. Graduate students enter the program with a completed bachelor's degree in any field and complete their coursework and student teaching during their pathway to licensure and a Master of Arts in Education degree.

License to Masters - K to 9th Grade

This major prepares students to teach in kindergarten through ninth grade, with extensive field experiences and a full semester of student teaching. Graduate students enter the program with a bachelor's degree in any field and complete coursework and student teaching during their pathway to licensure and a Master of Arts in Education degree. Classes are taught in a hybrid format with both online and in-classroom sessions.

Literacy

The Literacy major prepares licensed educators as reading professionals through required Reading Specialist and Reading Teacher coursework, practica, and portfolio work. As part of the Reading Teacher, Reading Specialist and/or Master of Arts in Reading programs, students develop a portfolio demonstrating their growing knowledge and professional development in literacy learning based on the ILA Standards for Reading.

Multicultural and Multilingual Bilingual School Psychology

This certificate is for school psychologists to specialize in delivering services in a language besides English. Entry requires a completed graduate degree in school psychology (master's/educational specialist), and coursework includes practicum with multilingual students, counseling multilingual and multicultural clients, advanced assessment of multilingual learners, and a seminar for multilingual school psychologists.

Multicultural and Multilingual Monolingual School Psychology - Language Endorsement

This certificate is for monolingual school psychologists to specialize in supporting multilingual K-12 students. Entry requires a completed graduate degree in school psychology (master's/educational specialist), and coursework includes practicum with multilingual students, counseling multilingual and multicultural clients, advanced assessment of multilingual learners, and a seminar on supporting multilingual students.

Music

The program blends the richness of a contemporary music education with the depth and versatility of a liberal arts foundation. Students study general education, a comprehensive music core, and a customizable minor, and explore hands-on training in applied music, music theory, history, and electives before preparing for a high-impact capstone experience.

Music Therapy

The Music Therapy Program is the third oldest music therapy training program in the United States. The program combines a balance of classroom education and clinical training combining musical and clinical foundational components in the liberal arts tradition. Students complete 1,200 hours of clinical work prior to graduation and are eligible after the degree to take the board certification examination.

Music Therapy Equivalency (Alverno)

This equivalency certificate serves students who already hold a bachelor's degree and are preparing to enter the music therapy profession; entry requires a completed bachelor's degree rather than a master's. The faculty believe ability and performance-based baccalaureate and equivalency music therapy education is the ideal preparation for the professional music therapist.

Music Therapy Equivalency (Concordia Consortium)

This consortium equivalency certificate is for students who already hold a bachelor's degree, typically in music, and who seek music therapy credentialing; entry requires a completed bachelor's degree rather than a master's. Coursework covers musical foundations such as improvisational music, music technology, songwriting and arranging, and vocal and percussion techniques, along with the music therapy clinical and lab experience sequence, psychology of music, and clinical internship.

Nursing

The undergraduate nursing programs carry on Alverno College's tradition in the professional liberal arts, with particular focus on integrative, experiential, and reflective approaches to learning. The BSN degree curriculum supports students' development of knowledge and competence in the abilities that frame the undergraduate curriculum at Alverno College.

Nursing Practice - Direct Care

The DNP program is a post-master's program designed for nurses who have previously earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree, and it is delivered asynchronously online with flexibility for full or part-time study.

Nursing Practice - Educational Leadership

The leadership track is ideal for students whose prior graduate nursing education and specialty role experience has been focused in health care administration and organizational leadership, health policy development and law, informatics, or nursing education.

Nursing Practice - Executive Leadership

The leadership track is ideal for students whose prior graduate nursing education and specialty role experience has been focused in health care administration and organizational leadership, health policy development and law, informatics, or nursing education.

Pharmaceutical Science

The Pharmaceutical Science major is a collaboration between Alverno College and Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) School of Pharmacy or the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) School of Pharmacy. Alverno students enroll in the advanced program, complete 86 credits in six semesters, then transition to the CUW or MCW Doctor of Pharmacy program, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science upon completion of the required pharmacy school terms.

Professional Development

This degree program allows licensed educators to work toward attaining a Master of Arts in Education degree. Students complete a core of assessment, human development, and learning organization coursework, a practicum, and graduate-level electives chosen in conjunction with an advisor.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Students enrolled in the PMHNP Post-MSN Certificate Program complete a minimum of 18 credits in theory and practice; entry requires an MSN degree conferred by a college or university accredited by a nursing accreditation agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. At the time of application, the applicant's transcripts, credentials, practice experience, and other pertinent information are reviewed, and an individualized program of study is developed.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Students enrolled in the PMHNP MSN Degree Program complete 42 credits in theory and clinical practicum courses, with advanced-practice nursing theory including Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, and Advanced Pharmacology. A total of 750 hours of clinical practice are completed in clinical care settings approved by the PMHNP Program Director.

Psychology

The Psychology Department has organized its courses and experiences to develop student expertise in concepts, theories, and methods of psychology. Beginning students observe behavior scientifically and understand basic principles of psychology, while advanced students learn to integrate theory and experience in sophisticated attempts to understand the complexity of human behavior, including the pursuit of independent inquiries.

Psychology Pre-Counseling

Undergraduate students focus on the scientific study of normal and abnormal human behavior across the diverse subdisciplines of psychology, including developmental, cognitive, physiological, social, and cultural psychology. When work is complete, students begin training in counseling psychology, engaging with issues of healing and social justice. The courses prepare students to be skilled counselors while they learn how to address the important social issues that affect communities daily.

Public Health: Health Sciences

Students learn to leverage technology to track disease outbreaks, ensure safe drinking water is available in all communities, and understand how climate change continues to affect public health. The Public Health: Health Sciences major is based in biology, with emphasis on human health and diseases, and provides a strong foundation developing and refining skills needed to identify, collect and interpret biological data needed to address public health concerns.

School Psychology

The Educational Specialist in School Psychology is a fully online, three-year program accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists and designed to prepare professionals for licensure as a school psychologist in Wisconsin through the Department of Public Instruction. Program requirements include advanced coursework in school psychology, a 600-hour supervised practicum, and a 1,200-hour full-time internship in a school setting.

Secondary Education 4-12

This graduate major in the License to Masters sequence prepares candidates for Wisconsin teaching licensure in grades 4 through 12 while earning a Master of Arts in Education degree. Candidates must add a content specialization in English/Language Arts, Social Science, Math, or Science; all programs leading to licensure culminate in applied practicum experiences supervised by qualified educators and include an exit portfolio.

Social Work

Bachelors in Social Work (BSW) students use their knowledge and skills providing human services to individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities and the broader society. The Social Work curriculum at Alverno College prepares social work graduates to engage in client-centered, ethics-grounded, research informed, social justice driven, strengths-based practice. The BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since February 2021.

Special Education

The Special Education major prepares students to teach learners with disabilities across the K-12 grade range. Coursework spans foundations of special education, characteristics and assessment of learners with disabilities, language and literacy development, teaching adaptive standards, and community environments, and culminates in student teaching leading to Wisconsin licensure.

Special Education K-12th Grade

This graduate major prepares candidates for Wisconsin K-12 special education licensure and includes a required Early Childhood Specialization. Coursework covers foundations of special education, characteristics and assessment of learners with disabilities, language and literacy development for students with disabilities, teaching adaptations, and community environments, culminating in student teaching and portfolio assessment.

Teaching & Learning in Higher Education

This doctoral major pairs the Ed.D. leadership core and dissertation research sequence with concentration coursework in higher education curriculum and assessment, assessment/technology and data in higher education settings, instructional design fundamentals, and teaching and learning in diverse educational contexts. The program is open to students with a master's degree and is delivered entirely online and largely asynchronously.