This is a named option within the Human Ecology, PhD.
The Human Ecology PhD named option in Civil Society and Community Research (CSCR) focuses on theoretical foundations of grassroots institutions, nonprofit organizations, voluntary associations, and social networks that strive to benefit the common good. The program emphasizes mixed method inquiries that integrate participatory approaches with advanced quantitative and qualitative analysis. The program prepares students to use the processes of research and outreach to strengthen civil society.
Students enrolled in one of the Human Ecology PhD program named options have the opportunity to earn the Human Ecology MS: Human Ecology Research degree along the way to the PhD upon successful completion of coursework and research.
The Civil Society and Community Research faculty areas of research include: civil society, the nonprofit sector, civic engagement, developmental psychology, community and organizational development, youth civic engagement, community psychology, applied medical anthropology, sustainability, education, inter-generational partnerships, program evaluation and learning assessment, community–university partnerships, and philanthropy and giving.
The CSCR program is served by a multidisciplinary faculty who are professionally active and have strong records of national and international scholarship. They bring perspectives of many disciplines to their work, including community psychology, developmental psychology, sociology, education, medical and cultural anthropology, transformative evaluation, and community action. Reflecting the multidisciplinary orientation of the program, faculty possess expertise in areas as diverse as longitudinal modeling, interpretive interviewing, mixed methods study designs, various mapping techniques, observational methods, survey methodology, community-based research, and ethnography.
The CSCR program is committed to collaborations between faculty and graduate students in the arenas of research, teaching, and outreach. Current areas of scholarly activity include youth civic engagement, community organizing, inter-generational partnerships, social trust, program evaluation, coalition building, voluntary associations, adult learning, community development, place-based education and stewardship, and social change. Faculty and students not only conduct research in these areas, they affirmatively support policies and programs. The department maintains strong affiliations with the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension's Department of Youth, Family & Community Development.
Graduates of CSCR are prepared for careers as professors in academic departments of human ecology, community development, community research and action, nonprofit management, community sociology, applied developmental science, and program support services. Students will also be prepared for careers as senior staff in technical assistance organizations, foundations, public agencies, and advocacy/public education units. Others will choose to use their research and consultation skills to support grassroots organizations.
Admissions
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | December 1 |
| Spring Deadline | This program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | This program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241. |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
The Human Ecology Graduate Program reviews applications once per year after the admissions deadline. The faculty admissions committee reviews all complete applications using holistic admissions criteria. Those selected for an interview will be contacted by email. All admitted students will be invited to attend the Human Ecology Graduate Programs Admitted Student Visit Day held each spring. For more information on the specifics on the timeline, process, and application materials, please see the Human Ecology Admissions Information website.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Resources
Funding opportunities for Human Ecology graduate students are available and made possible, in large part, by generous donations to SoHE. Every year, these funds are used to fund teaching or project assistantships, award academic excellence scholarships, and provide students doing their master's or doctoral research or final MFA project with conference travel scholarships and graduate research scholarships. See more funding information for the School of Human Ecology on our program website and enrollment requirements for funding eligibility in our handbook.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Named Option Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 51 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 32 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 26 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203. |
| Other Grade Requirements | n/a |
| Assessments and Examinations | Doctoral students are required to take a comprehensive preliminary/oral examination after they have cleared their record of all Incomplete and Progress grades (other than research and thesis). Deposit of the doctoral dissertation in the Graduate School is required. |
| Language Requirements | Contact the program for information on any language requirements. |
| Graduate School Breadth Requirement | All doctoral students are required to complete a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate. Refer to the Graduate School: Breadth Requirement in Doctoral Training policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1200. |
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Human Ecology Courses | ||
| INTER-HE 792 | Theories and Perspectives in Human Ecology | 2 |
| INTER-HE 793 | Research Methods | 3 |
| INTER-HE 801 | Special Topics in Human Ecology (Professional Development Seminar) | 1 |
| Theoretical Foundations | ||
| CSCS 775 | Building Civil Society | 3 |
| CSCS 785 | Theoretical Foundations of Community Studies | 3 |
| CSCS 795 | Community Power and Collective Action | 3 |
| Methods and Applications of Community-Based Research | ||
| Applications of Community-based Research | ||
| CSCS 811 | Community-Based Research: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| CSCS 812 | Mixed-Methods in Community-Based Research | 3 |
| CSCS 813 | Transformative Evaluation in Practice | 3 |
| Research Methods | ||
| Students must complete one course (3 credits each) in each of the following areas for a total of 9 credits in research methods. Suggestions can be found on the CSCR course checklist or other courses may be approved in consultation with the faculty advisor and/or the CSCR Graduate Program Chair (GPC). | 9 | |
Quantitative Designs & Statistical Methods | ||
Qualitative Data Collection & Analysis | ||
Methods Elective | ||
| Community Innovations for Civil Society | ||
| CSCS 801 | Special Topics in Civil Society and Community Research (topics vary; select one) | 3 |
| Breadth Requirement | ||
| Breadth is a required component of doctoral training at UW–Madison. Students achieve breadth through a doctoral minor (distributed minor or external minor) or a graduate/professional certificate. https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1200 | 9 | |
| Research and Thesis | ||
| CSCS 990 | Research and Thesis | 6 |
| Total Credits | 51 | |
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures and are updated continuously. Note some policies redirect to entries in the official UW-Madison Policy Library. Programs may set more stringent policies than the Graduate School. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Named Option-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions
With program approval, students are allowed to transfer up to 18 credits of graduate coursework taken at other institutions. Prior coursework taken at other institutions may not be used to satisfy the minimum graduate residence credit requirement. Credits earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree are not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison
With program approval, students are allowed to transfer up to 9 University Special credits in coursework numbered 300 or above. These credits are not allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless taken in coursework numbered 700 or above or are taken to meet the requirements of a capstone certificate and has the “Grad 50%” designation. Credits earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree are not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Probation
Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.
Advisor / Committee
Every graduate student is required to have an advisor. An advisor is a faculty member, or sometimes a committee, from the major department responsible for providing advice regarding graduate studies. An advisor generally serves as the thesis advisor. In many cases, an advisor is assigned to incoming students. Students can be suspended from the Graduate School if they do not have an advisor.
To ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, the Graduate School expects them to meet with their advisor on a regular basis.
A committee often accomplishes advising for the students in the early stages of their studies.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credit maximum. Refer to the Graduate School: Maximum Credit Loads and Overload Requests policy.
Time Limits
Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
The School of Human Ecology Graduate Program Handbook outlines the conduct expectations and grievance process.
Other
n/a
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Program Resources
The School of Human Ecology Graduate Program values the professional development of graduate students and provides financial awards to those who are invited to present at professional conferences/exhibits. The purpose of the support is to encourage participation in professional development, scholarly research, and/or creative endeavor and to help cover expenses not covered by other sources. Students may receive a maximum award of $650 for travel ($750 for international travel) to support conference participation in a single academic year. Students are encouraged to seek conference and travel funding from the Graduate School as a first step and apply for supplemental funds through SoHE as needed.
In addition, each academic department within the School of Human Ecology may offer additional professional development grant opportunities. See Programming and the Events Calendar for the most up-to-date information on professional development opportunities.