Graduate Schools in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Students interested in earning their grad degree in the Midwest might consider one of the Graduate Schools in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Milwaukee has more to discover than meets the eye. While the city may conjure up images of cold weather and iconic American traditions of beer and baseball, it is also nicknamed the “City of Festivals”.

written by Rana Waxman

Why Attend One of the Universities in Milwaukee?

Graduate Schools in Milwaukee situate students in the main cultural and economic hub, not to mention the largest city, in the state of Wisconsin. Locals proudly come together in a diverse mix of neighborhoods to enjoy restaurants and pubs, countless music and art events, and of course – festivals.

Milwaukee: A Unique City in the Midwest

One of the things that contributes to Milwaukee’s distinct personality is its history. Originally home to Native American tribes, the Potawatomis pronounced it Mahn-ah-wauk, meaning council grounds. The first immigrants to were French and French-Canadian traders and trappers who settled the area and helped it grow. In fact, the first elected mayor was a Solomon Juneau, a French Canadian trader who had settled his family in Milwaukee circa 1818. From there, an influx of German and Polish immigrants helped form Milwaukee’s identity, though other peoples from Europe also chose it as their home. Many were wheat farmers which placed Milwaukee on the map at a wheat-growing state. Easy access to Lake Michigan and the establishment of the railroads helped Milwaukee reshape and into a major port city. By the late 1850’s, the city was on the map for its many breweries and other industries followed.

Milwaukee’s Economy Today

In 2017, Wisconsin had nine firms on the Fortune 500 list. Among them Northwestern Mutual, Manpower Group, Kohl’s, WEC Energy Group and Harley Davidson.i Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average hourly wage of $23.73 in May 2016, not significantly different than the nationwide average of $23.86.ii
When compared to the nationwide distribution, Milwaukee’s local employment in May 2016 was more highly concentrated production; personal care and service; and business and financial operations. ii
FUN FACT: Two ABC sitcoms from the 1970’s and 80’s – Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley were set in Milwaukee.iii

Is Milwaukee Close to Chicago?

Milwaukee is located about 90 miles and 90 minutes from Chicago. That said, Milwaukeeans do not consider themselves a suburb of their southern neighbor. In fact, a cost of living comparison shows that despite the proximity, Milwaukee is less expensive in terms of rent, eating out, groceries and consumer prices than Chicago.iv In addition, Milwaukee is smaller. The entire area of Wisconsin is 96.1 square miles of which 10.2 miles of lakefront shoreline. And, while Milwaukee bustles with a population just over 595,000 in 2016 it is less densely populated than Chicagov.

Explore the Neighborhoods of Milwaukee

Students who move in order to attend one of the Graduate Schools in Milwaukee could factor in lifestyle needs to figure out where to reside. Locals tend to appreciate the fact that there is a smaller city feel. From north to south, it could take about a half hour to get from place to place; average commute to work runs just above 22 minutes. iv Bay View: Home to Humboldt Park and a portion of Oak Leaf Trail, Bay View is close to the lake, airport, and the downtown area. Here you could find charming antique stores, small businesses, and growing families. Historic Third Ward: This area is within walking distance to the iconic Summer Fest grounds and has seen lots of redevelopment. Think – vacant lots turned luxury condo. Shorewood: A district within Milwaukee County that has easy access to downtown, historic Tudor style homes and various price points. Suburbs: Areas such as Pewaukee, New Berlin, Richfield and Hubertus rest outside city limits and could provide that neighborhood vibe or classic suburban feel. In terms of transport, Milwaukee has an extensive bus network and light rail but no subway. The Amtrak Hiawatha train has several daily round trip services between Chicago and Milwaukee, to make any trips to the Windy City more convenient. Rely on a car? The I-94 and I-43 are the main interstates.

Is Milwaukee Walkable?

A report by Money-Talks-News gives Milwaukee points as a walkable city in the United States, with a walk score of 61.2.vi Many locations are pedestrian friendly and lend themselves to a casual stroll or run. The River Walk is easy to get to but there is also the Lakefront Trail. It runs along the shore of Lake Michigan and passes the Milwaukee Art Museum, Veteran’s Park, and the McKinley Marina. Along the Lakefront you can find bikers, runners, walkers, roller-bladers, and kite-flyers.

Milwaukee by Bike

For those who prefer two wheels, Milwaukee’s public bike sharing system, affectionately named Bublr Bikes, has 39 plus stations located throughout the downtown area. Plus, over 100 miles of bike lanes line the streets. The city also boasts a number of trails such as the Beerline, KK River, Oak Leaf and Hank Aaron trails.

Things to Do in Milwaukee

For those who call Milwaukee home, there are any number of things to do whether you prefer your activities indoors or outdoors. Weather could be cold, windy and snowy in winter which suits hockey fans, while summers could be warmer and humid. Actually, because of the winter, Milwaukeeans especially know how to appreciate the good weather once it hits. In fact, as soon as they can, many set sail to experience Milwaukee’s beautiful shoreline from Lake Michigan. Here are a dozen fun ideas to start out with.
  1. Check out the Harleys at the Harley Davidson Museum
  2. Shop and eat your way through the Public Market
  3. Meander through downtown Milwaukee on the River Walk, it has great access to shops, bars, and restaurants
  4. Head to Miller Park, home of the Brewers and a unique retractable roof for baseball and brats with sauerkraut, mustard or horseradish
  5. Explore the historic Third Ward, the Art and Fashion district with its theaters, shops and interesting eats
  6. Take a selfie in front of the Bronz Fonx on Wells Street
  7. Listen to free jazz in the park from June to September
  8. Cheer your team. Milwaukee is home to four professional sports teams: the Milwaukee Brewers (baseball), Milwaukee Bucks (basketball), Milwaukee Admirals (hockey), and the Milwaukee Wave (soccer). The Green Bay Packers are a 90 minute ride away
  9. Get tickets for the Summerfest, a huge annual music festival held at 75-acre Henry Maier Festival Park
  10. It isn’t the “City of Festivals’ for nothing. Check out the Polish Fest, Festa Italiana, Mexican Fiesta, German Fest, Irish Fest, Arab World Fest, African World Festival, Pride Fest, and Indian Summer
  11. Chill on the Hill. Lay out your blankets and enjoy local music every Tuesday from June to August in the Bay View park
  12. Take in the East Side, which is close to downtown and the lake. Full of local businesses, restaurants, and bars, this rustic area is Milwaukee’s pride and joy

What Food Is Milwaukee Known For?

Milwaukee is well-known for cheese, sausage, pretzel rolls, and beer. You could learn about making beer during a brewery tour. The Friday fish fry is a long-held Milwaukee tradition, though strong Polish roots have also given Milwaukee a love of the pierogi. BBQ ribs and cheese curds also dominate the food scene. That said, there is everything from ramen eateries to fine dining. On the beer front, craft breweries have carved out a niche in “Brew City”, though there are plenty of spots for cocktails and the like.

Masters in Education Programs in Milwaukee

Earn a Masters in Education degree in Milwaukee. The average wage for Education, Library and Training professionals was 2% higher in Milwaukee than the nation’s average in May 2016.vii Are you a mid-career professional or bachelors degree graduate who hopes to transition into a career in education? You might consider a Master of Art in Teaching (MAT) degree in Milwaukee. At Wisconsin Lutheran College, students could complete coursework to help them prepare to seek licensure in early childhood, elementary, secondary, or wide-range education. A blend of online and classroom learning could provide extra convenience for at-work students. Compare this with a Master of Arts degree in Special Education Leadership or a Master of Arts degree in Cross-Categorical Special Education. Wisconsin Lutheran College offers both these special education-focused masters programs. The MA in Special Education Leadership is all about guidance, mentorship and making a positive impact of student achievement at the elementary, middle or secondary levels. The MA in Cross-Categorical Special Education focuses on research-based practices that Special Ed teachers could use to help students with disabilities.

DNP Programs in Milwaukee

Busy nurses who want to prepare for advanced practice might consider an online DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. A DNP degree could help nurses to analyze current science and use it to inform their clinical practice and quality of health care. DNP students at Kaplan could take the academic component of the program online. Students may also be guided by a DNP mentor as they integrate practice and theory through a supervised clinical experience in their local community. Students also complete a scholarly project to earn their DNP degree. Two paths of entry include the BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP.

Finance Masters Programs in Milwaukee

Define your skills in investments as you study to earn a Masters in Finance in Milwaukee. Northern Wisconsin is considered one of the nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment of financial analysts. viii A Master of Science in Finance holistically explores areas such as risk management, compliance, and investment analysis. Students could also learn to make decisions based on financial data. Kaplan offers an online Master of Science in Finance curriculum which has two concentrations to select from. Each is designed to help students develop professional expertise: Financial Analysis and Financial Planning. Compare this with an online Masters in Accounting. The curriculum at Kaplan may help students to deepen skills in auditing, taxation, cost accounting, and financial accounting. In tandem, students might have the chance to choose elective courses and a concentration to meet their specific interests and goals. Graduates may be eligible to sit for professional certification examinations, which include the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA®), and Certified Management Accountant (CMA®) examinations.

MPA Programs in Milwaukee

Students interested in policy and leadership might consider a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from one of the Graduate Schools in Milwaukee. A MPA program is often planned to help students manage public funds, plan and implement strategic and ethical decisions. At Kaplan, MPA degree seekers could choose to focus on a concentration in health care management, governmental management, fire science and emergency services, or criminal justice. Compare this with a Master of Science in Management program. A MSM degree program could also cover ethics and leadership in tandem with a variety of key business courses. Kaplan offers a MSM program with several potential areas of emphasis. These include Health care management, human resources, IT management, organizational design and project management.

Choose a Graduate School in Milwaukee

Easily apply to the above graduate schools in Milwaukee with the on-page form. Excited to see what else is offered? Use filters such as degree level (Masters, Certificate, Doctorate), subject (E.g. Nursing, Finance, IT), and program format (online, campus). Take that step next.

[i] biztimes.com/2017/industries/banking-finance/wisconsin-has-9-firms-on-2017-fortune-500-list/ | [ii] bls.gov/regions/midwest/news-release/occupationalemploymentandwages_milwaukee.htm [iii] wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee | [iv] numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&city1=Milwaukee%2C+WI&country2=United+States&city2=Chicago%2C+IL | [v] census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/milwaukeecitywisconsin/PST045216 | [vi] moneytalksnews.com/slideshows/the-35-most release/occupationalemploymentandwages_milwaukee.htm -walkable-cities-america/13/ |
  • Wake Forest University

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  • The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

  • Liberty University Online

  • University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

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  • Milwaukee School Of Engineering

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  • Wisconsin School Of Professional Psychology

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