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What's so great about a liberal arts education from UW–Madison?

For one thing, it makes for a college experience that is rich in discovery, exploration, personal growth, and new ideas.

But while your courses may be fascinating, liberating, eye-opening and mind-blowing, a liberal arts degree from UW–Madison keeps working for you long after you have graduated.

By pursuing a degree in the liberal arts—a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science—you are preparing for long-term satisfaction in work and in life. A liberal arts degree is a journey of self-discovery, as you explore new topics and discuss ideas with a wide range of people. You delve deeply into a broad range of subjects beyond just your major. When you graduate, you aren’t narrowly prepared for one field. You’ve developed writing, presentation, and analytical skills. You’ve been exposed to the scientific method, as well as literary analysis. A chemistry major, for example, will also graduate with knowledge of a language, history, social science, the arts, and more.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

Because the more you know, the more curious you become. Curious people seek opportunities to enrich and expand their lives. Learning leads to conversation, dialogue, innovation, advancement. Employers value liberal arts majors because they are problem-solvers, out-of-the-box thinkers, and good communicators. 

CAN A 4-YEAR DEGREE FROM L&S REALLY OPEN DOORS WITH EMPLOYERS? 

Absolutely. Based on a recent L&S alumni survey rigorously designed and administered by the university’s nationally renowned survey center, our graduates’ employment rates are on par with the School of Business and the College of Engineering, and out-perform the national average for university graduates. They work for an extremely wide range of fields, including technology, corporate management, education, and nonprofits.

L&S alumni also report high job satisfaction and believe that their academic preparation gave them an advantage compared to employees from other colleges and universities.

Students in the College of Letters & Science have an additional built-in career advantage.   SuccessWorks, the L&S center for personal professional development, makes it possible for every L&S student to channel the breadth and depth of knowledge they gain during their time at UW into meaningful, rewarding lives and careers.

There is nothing like SuccessWorks in any other school or college at UW, or at most other universities around the country.   SuccessWorks Career Communities encourage students to explore jobs and fields where alumni have built fulfilling careers, then dive deep into building skills and experiences once they have discovered the right paths for them.  Each Career Community connects students to an advisor with specific expertise, plus a network of supportive alumni mentors and highly engaged employers seeking to hire L&S students for jobs and internships.  We start where you are - and go from there, wherever it takes you in your life and career.

BUT WE VALUE LEARNING FOR ITS OWN SAKE, HERE. 

You will never regret your liberal arts degree from UW–Madison, because it gives you the opportunity to explore subjects that fascinate you, as well as prepare you for a successful career. You will connect with wonderful faculty from 125 departments, programs, centers and institutes, whose mentoring and teaching will influence your goals and direction. And you will gain an appreciation for learning that will last a lifetime.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is one of the great universities of the world, and the College of Letters & Science is at its center. Students who earn a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree in the College of Letters & Science (L&S) complement their broad study in the liberal arts and sciences with in-depth study of one or more particular fields, or "majors." Majors range from African cultural studies to philosophy in the humanities, from astronomy to zoology in the natural sciences, and from African American studies to sociology in the social sciences.

In addition to the bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees available in L&S, the college also offers a limited number of special degrees. These programs often have additional admission requirements and require completion of additional requirements in the major.

Finally, a wide array of certificate programs are also available for students who have special interests in such diverse topics as integrated liberal studies; international, global, and area studies; religious, ethnic, and gender studies; and more.

NOTE:  Major requirements are the same whether a student pursues a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

Admissions

Any student interested in earning an undergraduate degree in the College of Letters & Science will need to apply for admission through the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at UW–Madison. Information on applying to the university as a freshman, transfer, or international student is available through the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

Prospective students with questions about study in the College of Letters & Science may contact L&S Academic Advising Services at 608-262-5858 or Cross-College Advising Service at 608-265-5460. Students should also feel free to contact the major department directly if they have specific questions about a particular major.

Transfer Students 

Transfer students interested in earning an undergraduate degree in the College of Letters & Science will need to apply for admission through the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at UW–Madison. Transfer students must complete all Letters & Science degree requirements. Once admitted, transfer students should obtain a copy of their DARS report which will explain how their transfer credits will apply toward L&S requirements. Students can request and review their DARS in the Student Center via My UW. Students can also request DARS for programs, majors, or certificates that they have not declared but are interested in declaring. These reports are called "what-if" reports.  (Please note that some programs may not be available in DARS. For information about requirements in a program not available in DARS, contact the advisor for the particular program.)

Please note that the DARS audit serves as the document of record (DOR) for students in the College of Letters & Science.   The DOR is used to certify completion of degree requirements, and it is retained according to university record retention and archival polices.

Students can transfer only a limited number of credits from non-degree-granting accredited institutions and correspondence courses. See non-degree-granting accredited institutions' transfer credit limitation in the Guide under Credits.

Transfer students who have more than 30 degree credits are ineligible to earn retroactive credits in a foreign language on the UW–Madison campus. See credit by course examination/retroactive credits in the Guide under Credits.

Advisors for freshman and sophomore students are in the L&S Academic Advising Services (608-262-5858) in 101 Ingraham Hall and the Cross-College Advising Service (608-265-5460) in 10 Ingraham Hall. Junior and senior transfer students should meet with an advisor in the department in which they intend to major.  All L&S undergraduate students are expected to declare a major by the time they have 86 degree credits.

Transfer students should note that the L&S degree requirements have changed as of summer 2007. Those students who matriculated before May 21, 2007 are eligible to complete the degree requirements in force at the time they began their college-level studies. (See previous catalogs under Archive for more information.)

Because some requirements in force before this edition of the Guide differ substantially from the requirements articulated here, transfer students are strongly encouraged to refer to the undergraduate catalog or Guide in force at the time of their first matriculation to college. (See past catalogs to review the requirements that apply.) For some students, it may be to their benefit to consider transferring to the new degree requirements; they may consult with their academic advisor if they wish to consider this option.

On-Campus Transfer

Continuing UW–Madison students must have a minimum 2.000 cumulative grade point average and a UW–Madison grade point average of at least 2.000 in their most recent semester of work in order to transfer into the College of Letters & Science. First-semester and new transfer students without a UW–Madison grade point average may transfer into Letters & Science provided they meet university admission requirements (three units of math and two units of a single foreign language). Students admitted to the university with admission deficiencies must remove those deficiencies before they are eligible to transfer into L&S. For more information about transferring into L&S, call 608-262-5858 or refer to request to transfer into L&S.

Students transferring into one of the general courses from a special course (AMEP, Music), or from another college/school of the university to the College of Letters & Science will receive no more than 18 credits per semester toward graduation for work already completed, unless a 3.000 grade point average was earned the previous semester or the semester the overload was carried. Then a maximum of 20 credits from that term may be transferred. These transferring students will receive credit for studies in another college/school, but will be subject to the conditions of the Liberal Arts and Science Credits requirement. (See Liberal Arts and Science Credits.)

University Special Students

If you are not currently enrolled in a UW–Madison degree program but wish to take courses within the College of Letters & Science at UW–Madison for credit as a non degree-seeking candidate or as an auditor, it may be best to consider becoming a special student.   Information about becoming a non degree-seeking student at UW–Madison can be found at Adult Career and Special Student Services.  

The Wisconsin Experience: Essential Learning in the College of Letters & Science

The three elements of learning —tools, breadth, and depth—work together to create a broad and rich education in the liberal arts and sciences, and promote attainment of core areas of essential learning: knowledge of human cultures and the natural and physical world, intellectual and practical skills, personal and social responsibility, and integrative and applied learning. These and countless other experiences comprise the Letters & Science approach to helping students obtain a distinctive Wisconsin Experience.

Academic Status

The primary audience for this page are students in one of the L&S residential undergraduate degrees:

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Journalism Bachelor of Arts
Journalism Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, And Physics
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Bachelor of Music: Education
Bachelor of Music: Performance
Bachelor of Social Work

The information may not be relevant to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Liberal Studies online degree.

ACADEMIC Standing

Good Academic Standing

L&S undergraduate students are in good academic standing if their [cumulative] University and most recent term (Fall, Spring, Summer) GPA are at least a 2.000. Students in good academic standing are not on any form of academic probation and are not at risk of being dropped from the University.  
Students (e.g., first-term Freshmen) who have not yet established a University GPA are also in Good Academic Standing.

Academic Probation and Suspension

Students whose University GPA or most recent term GPA are below a 2.000 will be placed in academic probation or academic suspension, as follows:

  • If a student is not on probation and earns a term GPA of 1.000 - 1.999, the student is placed on probation.
  • If a student is not on probation and earns a term GPA of less than 1.000, the student is placed on strict probation.
  • If a student is on probation and earns a term GPA of 1.500 - 1.999, the student is placed on strict probation.
  • If a student is on probation and earns a term GPA of less than 1.500, the student is dropped (placed on academic suspension) for one (1) year.
  • If a student is on strict probation and earns a term GPA below 2.000, the student is dropped (placed on academic suspension) for one (1) year.

Readmission

Students who have completed their academic suspension may apply for readmission.  
Some students may wish to appeal their academic suspension through the L&S Undergraduate Academic Dean’s office. 

DEAN'S LIST

The College of Letters & Science Dean's List is established at the end of each fall and spring terms. To be eligible for the Dean's List in a given term, students must:

  • complete a minimum of 12 graded* credits in that term with a minimum GPA of 3.600 for students who are classified as freshmen (fewer than 24 credits) and sophomores (24-53 credits), or
  • complete a minimum of 12 graded* credits in that term with a minimum GPA of 3.850 for students who are classified as juniors (54-85 credits) and seniors (at least 86 credits)
    • Note: Advanced Placement (AP), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB) credits, credit by department examination, transfer credits, and retroactive credits (retrocredits) will count toward a student's class standing (level).

*The grades used to determine the dean's list eligibility are: A, AB, B, BC, C, D, and F. A student must have a minimum of 12 credits from this list of grades in order to qualify for the L&S Dean's List. 

An entry, "Dean's List," appears on the student's grade report and on the transcript.

  • Students who have P grades for their senior thesis (regardless of whether they have 12 other graded credits), as well as students with unresolved grades of NR, I, and Q are not eligible for the Dean's List until they get these outstanding temporary grades resolved.
  • Once a student has resolved any outstanding grade issues and believes he/she qualifies to be on the Dean's List, the student should contact L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services for more assistance.
  • Please note that the College of Letters & Science does not "round up" for the purpose of tabulating the GPA for the Dean's List. For example, an L&S sophomore with a fall or spring term GPA of 3.599 is not eligible for the Dean's List since the minimum GPA for freshmen and sophomores to qualify for the Dean's List is 3.600.  

More information can be found at Dean's List and  L&S Dean's List Qualifications. For information about class standing, see L&S Undergraduate Classification and Class Standing.

Transferring to L&S from another UW-Madison School or College

Students in Good Academic Standing may apply for transfer to the College of Letters & Science (L&S) from within UW-Madison, by completing the Transfer Request Form.

 

Courses and Enrollment

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT

In some circumstances, it is appropriate for students to enroll for credit at another insitution at the same time as being enrolled at UW-Madison. This is called concurrent enrollment (or concurrent registration).

Students can request permission to be concurrently enrolled via the concurrent enrollment request form.

Dropping a Course

Students may drop one or more courses and remain enrolled if they continue in at least one course in that term. See dropping a course at UW-Madison for more information.

Enrollment/Registration Deadlines

Deadlines for all types of enrollment changes can be found on the Office of the Registrar's Dates & Deadlines page.

If a student wishes to drop all of their classes in a term, the student should withdraw from the semester. For more information about withdrawing, see withdrawing from UW-Madison.

DIRECTED/INDEPENDENT STUDY

Directed/Independent Study offers the student an opportunity to work with a faculty member on an individual study program. A student who is stimulated by a particular concept or problem encountered in a course can pursue and develop that interest in depth through a Directed Study project. Such individualized study can make a valuable contribution to a student's educational experience. 

Directed Study courses are made available by departments on the basis of a student's preparation and motivation and a faculty member's willingness to accept the student in such an endeavor. See L&S Undergraduate Directed/Independent Study Course Guidelines for more detailed information.

Directed Study courses with a number ending in 98 (e.g., 198, 698) are carried on a Credit/No Credit (Cr/N) basis.

Prior to registration and before the end of the second week of classes, students are responsible for making all arrangements with the faculty member who agrees to direct their work. The student and faculty member should prepare a study plan, determine the time and place for regular meetings, the number of credits to be earned, and how to enroll in the course.

Notes:

  • Directed Study courses do not carry University General Education, Language, or L&S Breadth attributes
  • Directed/Independent Study courses may not be taken on a pass/fail or audit basis.
  • L&S undergraduates are not permitted to take graduate level directed study (courses numbered 799, 899, and 999) under any circumstance.
  • Directed Study courses may be repeated for credit if course content is not duplicated.
  • Some majors limit the number of Directed Study credits that can be applied to the major.
  • Directed Study courses are not intended as placeholder credits for registration purposes, and students with special rules for full-time status should consult the undergraduate deans before enrolling in Directed Study courses after the enrollment period.
  • Directed Study courses taken in non-L&S departments are considered equivalent to Liberal Arts and Science courses provided that they are offered at the 300-or-above level.
  • Because these experiences are intended to provide intensive, one-on-one experiences with faculty, departments are not allowed to use Directed Study courses to teach group instruction courses.

DROP NOTATION

The Drop (DR) notation appears on students' records for any course dropped after the last day to drop courses or withdraw without a DR or W grade notation appearing on students' transcripts. For the specific deadline for dropping classes so a DR will not appear on a student's records, see the Office of the Registrar Dates and Deadlines page. Please note that L&S does not backdate drops to erase them from a student's academic records or extend the drop deadline so that the DR will not appear.

The DR notation only shows that a student has dropped a course(s) before the official drop deadline. A "DR" on a student's academic record does not have any negative implications for students when they are applying to graduate schools or seeking employment. The "DR" was instituted as a means to document when a course was dropped after the first eight days in the fall and spring semesters (or the appropriate period during the summer session or module courses).

GRADUATE COURSES

All courses numbered 700 and above are graduate courses and considered advanced (A). Enrollment in these courses is strictly limited to only graduate-level students. L&S undergraduates who, on the rare occasion, are permitted to enroll in graduate level courses and receive passing grades in these classes will be awarded undergraduate degree credit.  L&S undergraduate students SHOULD NOT enroll (or be permitted to enroll) in graduate courses if they are not making satisfactory progress toward their undergraduate degree or if taking graduate-level courses would delay their time to graduation.

  • L&S students who receive permission to enroll in L&S graduate courses may count those credits toward completion of their Liberal Arts and Sciences credit requirement. These credits may be used to satisfy the requirements related to mastery of intermediate/advanced level work, but since these courses do not carry breadth designations, they do not satisfy breadth requirements.
  • L&S students who enroll in non-L&S graduate courses may count those credits as part of their free electives in the degree. These credits may not be used to satisfy breadth or level requirements.
  • Grades earned by undergraduates who complete graduate courses will be included in all relevant grade point average calculations (see Quality of Work Requirements for the list of areas in which these averages are calculated). Most graduate courses restrict enrollment to students who have graduate standing, or who have received the instructor's consent to enroll.
  • Students can count up to seven (7) credits of graduate-level coursework earned as an undergraduate toward future graduate studies.
  • Undergraduate students cannot take or earn degree credit for graduate-level Directed Study, Independent Reading, Independent Study, or Individual Enrollment courses (e.g., 799, 899, 999).

Provided that an instructor wishes to allow undergraduates to enroll in a graduate course, students who wish to enroll in the courses should meet with the instructor, who can evaluate whether or not the student should be allowed to register. This decision is made at the instructor's discretion, based on such considerations as whether or not the student has met course prerequisites, is prepared to perform graduate-level work in the course, and is likely to successfully complete the course. Instructors are not obligated to accommodate undergraduate student requests to enroll in graduate-level courses. Furthermore, it should be noted that all students in graduate-level courses are expected to be held to a similar performance standard with respect to quality, quantity, and type of work performed.

English as a second language (ESL)

The Madison English as a Second Language Test (MSNESLAT) is taken by all students who are required to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score for admission to UW-Madison. See more information about Language Placement Exams here.

All ESL courses completed in residence, and all credit earned in those courses, will appear on students’ transcripts. ESL courses numbered below 118 are not considered Liberal Arts and Science courses but may be counted among L&S students’ free electives in the degree.

Degree Requirements for ESL Students

International students must complete the same degree requirements as any other entering student. The College of Letters & Science makes some exceptions to this policy.  For example, the College may waive the language requirement for the B.A. and B.S. degrees for students who are native speakers of a language other than English.

A student who graduates from or completes a major portion (the equivalent of at least five semesters) of a secondary school in a non-English-speaking school system may qualify for an exemption from the L&S language requirement. Exemption is not automatic. Students who believe they may qualify for an exemption should contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment or an L&S academic dean to determine how their language background may be applicable toward the language requirement.

Students whose native language is not English may not receive degree credit for work in their native language through Credit by Examination except for literature credit.

International Student Services (ISS) offers assistance and advising in non-curricular matters such as visa-related issues.

LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCE (LAS) COURSES

Courses that have been approved as Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) classes are expected to encourage students in one or more of the three "habits of the mind" of liberal arts education, as specified by the College of Letters & Science. These include:

  1. Skilled written and verbal communication, excelling in formulating and expressing a point of view, reflecting and questioning current knowledge through reading, research and consideration of the views of others.
  2. The ability to draw flexibly upon and apply the modes of thought of the major areas of knowledge.
  3. Knowledge of our basic cultural heritage as a multifaceted and often contested history.

For more detailed information, refer to criteria for Liberal Arts and Science Courses.

PREREQUISITE COURSEs

The College of Letters & Science recognizes that some courses that meet general degree requirements (e.g., language, math, ESL) require prior knowledge in that subject. For purposes of distinguishing between necessary prerequisites and electives, coursework that is regarded as prerequisite to courses meeting general degree requirements is considered "necessary" and not purely elective. 

REGISTRATION (Enrollment) CHANGES

Students may make changes in their registration (add and/or drop courses, change sections in a course, or change the number of credits in a course) via their Student Center in My UW according to the deadlines (see the Office of the Registrar's Dates and Deadlines Page). For more specific information about this process, please refer to Course Change RequestStudents are strongly encouraged to check their current registration and verify they are properly enrolled in the correct courses using My UW. For general questions about this process, contact your undergraduate advisor or L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services at 608-262-0617.

Students who enroll for a course must either complete the course or drop it by the deadline for dropping courses.

Retaking a Non-Repeatable Course (taking a course on a "refresher" basis)

A student who passes a non-repeatable course is allowed to repeat that course for no credit. This is called taking the course on a “refresher basis.” All instances of a non-repeatable course will calculate in the semester GPA and in the cumulative University GPA. Repeated courses do not calculate in L&S requirements for quality of work (Mastery of Intermediate/Advanced work, Major GPA and Upper-Level Major GPA. Credits carried on a refresher basis count toward a student’s credit load, each term. Repeating a course will not remove the prior course or grade(s) earned for that course from the student's record. 

See retaking a course for more information.

Transfer students must be particularly careful to avoid taking courses on the Madison campus that duplicate courses taken at another institution. Credit will not be given twice for the same courses. Students should carefully check their Transfer Credit Evaluation and consult an advisor when enrolling.

All courses bearing credit – including UW-Madison, Transfer and Test credit (e.g., AP credit) -- cannot be repeated, unless the course is designated as repeatable for credit in the Courses section of Guide.

Withdrawing and Cancelling Enrollment

Withdrawal means dropping all courses in a term. Before the first day of classes in a term, students may cancel their enrollment by dropping all their courses via My UW–Madison. Information about the withdrawal process for L&S undergraduates can be found at withdrawing from semester/term.

After the first day of classes and through the withdrawal deadline, L&S undergraduate students may withdraw from the term by going to their Student Center in My UW and accessing the Term Withdrawal tab under Course Enrollment. See Withdraw or Cancel Enrollment for a Term.

Students who withdraw prior to the withdraw deadline do not need special permission to re-enroll in a subsequent term. Letters & Science undergraduate students wishing to withdraw after the deadline must obtain permission from an academic dean through appointment with L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services (608-262-0617). Failure to obtain this permission results in the recording of Failures for all courses.

Students who have neglected their classes, or who have earned unsatisfactory grades, or who have a pattern of withdrawals may need permission of an academic dean to continue or reenter their undergraduate program. 

Students are encouraged to confer with a dean regarding the possible effects of withdrawal upon their academic work.

Credits

CREDIT LOAD

Students are Full-time if enrolled for 12–18 credits in a Fall or Spring term (semester). An enrollment in fewer than 12 credits may be carried without the specific authorization of an academic dean. Students are encouraged to consult their undergraduate advisor or an academic dean regarding their credit load.

There is no equivalent to full-time status for Summer terms.

The credit load limit for Fall and Spring terms is 18 credits. The credit load limit for Summer terms is 12 credits.

Heavy load
Students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or better at the University of Wisconsin–Madison may enroll for 19 or 20 credits during the fall or spring term, or 13 credits in summer term, with permission from an academic dean in L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services. Additional fees per credit are assessed for all credits above the limits. Under no circumstances may a student carry more than 20 credits in either the fall or spring term or more than 13 in a summer term.

Some students (e.g., international students and students competing in NCAA athletic events) are usually required to maintain full-time status.  Some scholarships and other financial aid packages may require full-time status.  Such students should consult their advisor or the academic deans in L&S before dropping below full-time status.

For more information regarding credit load, see common credit load for L&S undergraduate students.

CREDIT BY COURSE EXAMINATION/RETROACTIVE CREDITS (Retrocredits)

The College of Letters & Science will award degree credit for language work successfully completed in high school under certain circumstances and if an additional language course is taken at UW–Madison. In no case can a student earn retroactive credits simply by taking a placement test or other exam. A student must take the appropriate UW–Madison language class at UW–Madison to earn retroactive credits.

Students who qualify for retrocredits after completing the appropriate language course on the UW–Madison campus will automatically receive retrocredits approximately two to three months after all grades have been posted for all students. This benefit is available to freshmen (first-year students), and can be exercised when the following conditions are met:

  • The course must be a student's first course at the college level in the language. This does not include college-level coursework taken prior to graduating from high school but does include courses transferred from another institution where a student was working towards an undergraduate degree or coursework a student completed after graduating from high school.
  • The course must be designated appropriate for earning retroactive credits. These courses are designated with the Foreign Language Level attribute of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th semester language course in the Guide under Courses (see course designation). Course designed in the Guide as Frgn Lang - 1st semester language course are not eligible for retrocredits.
  • A student must take the course before he/she has earned 30 degree credits. This does not include AP, CLEP, IB, or other college credit earned in high school, nor does it include retroactive credits earned in another language. It does include courses transferred from another institution where you were working toward a degree.
  • A student must earn a B or better in the class.
  • The student is not a native speaker of the language of the course

If a student meets all the conditions listed above, retroactive credits should appear automatically on a student's transcript by the beginning of the following semester (e.g., if the language was completed in the fall term, the retroactive credits should appear on a student's record by the beginning of the spring term). If retroactive credits do not appear on a qualified student's records by the end of the fourth week of the following term, the student should fill out a Retroactive Language Request Form and submit that form to the office of the academic dean at the student's particular school or college. For students earning an undergraduate degree in the College of Letters & Science, the form should be sent to L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services.  Non-L&S degree-seeking candidates should speak with the undergraduate academic service unit in the school or college for more guidance.

  • Retroactive credits (retrocredits) will not automatically be posted for students who have already earned retrocredits. If a student is still eligible to earn retrocredits and wishes to receive retrocredits for another language(s), the student will need to fill out the Retroactive Language Request Form and deliver it to the L&S Academic Deans' Services Office in 110 Ingraham Hall if the student is an L&S undergraduate. For further information, contact L&S Academic Deans' Services at 608-262-0617.

Please note:

  • Students can earn retrocredits in more than one language as long as they are within the 29-credit limit and meet the other requirements listed above to earn retrocredits.
    • Retroactive credits (retrocredits) will not be posted automatically for students who have already earned retrocredits. If students are still eligible to earn retrocredits and wishes to receive retrocredits for another language(s), they will need to fill out the Retroactive Language Request Form and deliver it to L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services in 110 Ingraham Hall to be reviewed if they are an L&S undergraduate student.
  • Retrocredits can only be earned for the first four semesters/levels of a language sequence. For example, a student who tests into SPANISH 311 can earn a maximum of sixteen retrocredits (SPANISH 101, SPANISH 102, SPANISH 203, and SPANISH 204). The maximum number of credits earned will be impacted if the student already has AP credits for a particular course. 
  • The maximum number of retrocredits a student can earn in the Chinese/Japanese language sequence is sixteen (16) credits. For example, a student who tests into ASIALANG 301 and successfully completes this course with a grade of B or better can earn a maximum of sixteen (16) retrocredits (ASIALANG 101, ASIALANG 102, ASIALANG 201, and ASIALANG 202). 
  • UW–Madison will honor retroactive credits earned at another UW System institution provided that these credits were earned according to UW–Madison policy. Students will need to work with the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at UW–Madison to make sure the retrocredits from the other institution get posted to their official UW–Madison records.

For more information about retroactive credits, refer to L&S retrocredit requirements and information.

CREDIT BY DEPARTMENTAL EXAMINATION

The College of Letters & Science allows degree credit, as well as placement credit, for the mastery of some L&S coursework as demonstrated by appropriate achievement tests. The intent of these examinations is to increase opportunities for obtaining degree credit for college-level work done in high school or elsewhere.

Credit may be earned based on an examination given by a department when a student has demonstrated possession of knowledge equivalent to what would be learned in a specific course taught in that department. The credit given is for knowledge possessed by the student regardless of where they have gained that knowledge. For more detailed information, please see the placement and credit by exam tab in the Guide.

  transfer credits

Transfer credit can be awarded to any admitted UW-Madison student who has completed coursework at institutions accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). For more details about receiving credit for transfer work at UW-Madison, see transfer your credit to UW-Madison. Credit Evaluation Services has additional information regarding transfer credit at credit resources for current UW-Madison students. Students who have general questions about transfer credits should refer to Credit Evaluation Services on the Office of the Registrar's website or contact them via email at crediteval@registrar.wisc.edu.   

Limits on the Number of Transfer Credits from Non-baccalaureate Institutions

Of the credits required for graduation, the maximum number of transferable semester credits from a two-year college (non-degree-granting accredited institution) is 72. There is no credit limit on transferable credits from a four-year university. However, of the last 60 credits earned before graduation, not more than 12 may be carried at these non-degree-granting accredited institutions. See transfer your credit to UW-Madison for more information about UW-Madison's transfer credit policy.

Degrees

ASSOCIATE's DEGREE POLICY

All new transfer students with an associate's degree from any UW System institution or an approved liberal arts associate’s degree from a Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) schools (Madison College, MATC–Milwaukee, Nicolet, Chippewa Valley, Western) will have their University General Education (UGER) breadth requirements satisfied at UW–Madison. Students pursuing their undergraduate degrees in the College of Letters & Science may need to take additional coursework to fulfill the L&S breadth requirements. Students should consult with their undergraduate advisor(s) if they have additional questions.

WTCS transfer students should be aware that only liberal arts associate's degrees that are approved by both WTCS and UW System Administration are eligible for this provision. Students with associate degrees in technical, vocational, or other fields will not have their UGER breadth requirements satisfied.
 

Degrees and Diplomas information

A UW–Madison undergraduate diploma lists only the degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts) and does not list major(s) or certificate(s). Major and certificate information will be recorded on a student's official UW–Madison transcript.

All L&S undergraduate students are expected to graduate as soon as they have completed all of their degree and major requirements. Students should declare their intent to graduate via their Student Center. L&S reserves the right to graduate an undergraduate student if the College discovers that a student has completed all their major and degree requirements but has not declared intent to graduate. 

Graduation is based on the last term a student was enrolled in courses that completed all of their requirements. For additional information about degree conferment, see conferral of degrees under graduating.

SECOND UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE

Students are not permitted to earn two undergraduate liberal arts degrees within the College of Letters & Science at UW-Madison.  

Students who already have a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from another institution may not enroll for a second B.A. or B.S. degree in L&S, even if their major is substantially different than what they intend to declare at UW-Madison.

To be permitted admission for a second undergraduate degree in L&S, the student’s first undergraduate baccalaureate degree must be in field substantially different than our liberal arts education. Eligibility is determined as part of the admissions process. Before embarking on a second undergraduate degree, students should clearly identify their goal(s), research options carefully, and be sure that you need a second undergraduate degree to reach your objectives. For more detailed information about applying for a second undergraduate degree, please see L&S Second Undergraduate Degree. Second undergraduate degree students are admitted to a specific major. To make changes to their major, second-degree students must first secure permission from L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans’ Services. Students who are found to have declared another major without first getting permission will be removed from that major. Students admitted as candidates for a second undergraduate degree are subject to the L&S Academic Probation and Drop system.

Students interested in applying as candidate for a second undergraduate degree in the College of Letters & Science apply as a second degree student with the UW-Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment. 

Students who started an additional major but did not declare it prior to graduating are not eligible to return as a second-degree student to finish up coursework for the second or additional major.

Exams

Final Examinations (Academic summary Period)

Following the regularly scheduled instructional period each semester is an eight-day summary period. Typically the first day of the summary period is for individual study and review, and no classes or exams are to be scheduled during this designated period. The last seven days are prescheduled to include one two-hour summary block for each course of two or more credits. This two-hour block shall be used for an examination or for other instructional activities as deemed appropriate by the instructional unit offering the course. During the two weeks preceding the summary period, examinations covering the content of the entire course cannot be given. Take-home examinations are due at the scheduled two-hour block.

Faculty policy prohibits giving or taking final examinations earlier than the time assigned in the Course Guide. Students may arrange a make-up examination only if the professor is willing and if there is a valid reason for missing a final examination. (See the Guide entry "incompletes" below.)

Students are required to attend all their final exams. Leaving prior to the final examination period and not taking finals will have a negative impact on a student's final grade in a course or courses. See class attendance policy for more information.

Midterm Exam Policy

Information about midterm exam policy along with fall, spring, and summer term final exam policy can be found at midterm and final exam policy information on the Registrar's website. Additional information can also be located at midterm grades and upcoming final exam periods.

  • It is implicitly understood that no exams, papers, or assignments will be required during any break period (e.g., spring break) or major holiday.

Grades

Official information about grades, GPA calculations, and grading processes and deadlines can be found here: Student Grading and GPA.

AUDIT

A student may enroll in a course on an audit (AU) basis with prior consent of the instructor of the course. As an auditor, the student is considered a passive learner and may not recite in class or take examinations. Courses with laboratory or performance skills may not be audited.  (L&S undergraduate students are not allowed to audit classes required for their major or degree with the purpose of getting some background prior to formally enrolling in the courses). Regular class attendance is expected. Courses audited carry no degree credit and are not graded. The credit value of courses carried on an audit basis is included in the semester/term program load for purposes of determining fees and maximum credits carried.

Courses carried on an audit basis may have an impact on students applying for scholarships or other forms of financial assistance. Students should contact the unit/agency administering the scholarship or Student Financial Services for more guidance. Students should also contact their insurance company to determine whether auditing a course (or courses) will have an impact on their coverage. See information on auditing courses for L&S undergraduate students for more details.

L&S undergraduate students who wish to change their registration in a course from a credit basis to an audit basis must do so within the first four weeks of the semester by submitting a Course Change Form to 101 Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Drive. (Course Change Requests can be accessed through an individual's Student Center in My UW under: Course Enrollment/Term Information/Course Change Request.) Students will not be able to submit or cancel a request to audit a course after the fourth week of the fall or spring term.

  • Audited courses, noted as such by "AU" in place of a number of credits, are graded either "S" (Satisfactory) or "NR" (No Report) or "NW" (No Work). AU is not a grade.
  • For modular and summer session courses, audit requests must be submitted by the Friday of the week in which the session is one-fourth completed.
  • Audits may affect a student's eligibility for financial aid (including Social Security and Veterans' benefits). Students should consult an advisor in the Office of Student Financial Aid for more detailed information.
  • Students with questions about their Veteran benefits and taking courses on an audit basis should contact the University Veteran Services.  

credit/no-credit

A limited number of courses on campus are offered on a Credit/No Credit basis. Credit/No Credit is not the same as Pass/Fail. At the completion of the course the student is given a grade of CR or N.  A grade of CR will give a student degree credit; a grade of N will award no degree credit.  Neither grade has any GPA impact.

FAILURES

Students who have earned a grade of F may repeat the failed course in residence. The original grade of F remains permanently on a student's record and is averaged into the semester and overall grade point average (GPA). The failure will be counted as zero grade points per credit in computing the GPA. If a student repeats the failed course, the course will appear on the student's transcript twice with the original grade of F recorded and the new grade also recorded. Both grades will be counted in determining all applicable quality of work requirements. Multiple failures in the same course all count in the GPA and will appear on a student's permanent records. See retaking a course at UW-Madison for more details.

A course failed in residence at UW–Madison may be repeated for credit at any other educational institution. However, the new grade earned out of residence will not have an impact on the student's UW–Madison GPA.

GRADE CHANGEs

A change of grade is allowed only if there has been a clerical error. If an L&S undergraduate student believes a clerical error has been made in the awarding of the final grade for a course, the student should first meet with the instructor of the course to determine whether such an error has occurred.

Grade Appeals

L&S departments are required to have a written policy and process regarding grade appeals. Students who believe they have been unfairly graded in a course and wish to appeal should follow the appeal procedure established by the department in which the course grade was given. See process for appealing a grade in an L&S course for more information.

Incompletes

A grade of incomplete (I) may be reported for a student who has been enrolled in a course with a passing grade until near the end of the semester/term and then, due to illness or some other unusual and substantiated cause beyond the student's control, has been unable to take or complete the final examination (or to complete some limited amount of term work). An Incomplete is not given to a student who stays away from a final examination unless the student proves to the instructor that he or she was prevented from attending as indicated above. In the absence of such proof the grade reported will be an F. Even when a student can provide verifiable documentation, a student may still earn a grade of F if the quality of the student's work convinces the instructor that the student cannot successfully pass the course.

Any subject taken by an L&S undergraduate student marked Incomplete must be completed by the end of the fourth week of classes of the student's next semester/term in residence at the University (exclusive of summer sessions) or it will lapse into a Failure. If an instructor grants an extended incomplete (EI), a grade change will need to be filed by the instructor, approved by the chairperson of the department, and forwarded to L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services in 110 Ingraham Hall. In such cases the grade of I is replaced with the grade of extended incomplete (EI).

NOTE:  Extended Incompletes (EI) must be removed and replaced with the final grade by the last day of classes prior to the start of final exams or they will lapse into Failures. The last day of classes is defined as the last day of  instruction for a given term prior to the start of study day and final exams.

Incompletes incurred in the last semester in residence at UW–Madison may not be removed after five years of absence from the University without special advance permission from L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services. Such Incompletes must remain on the record with grades of permanent incomplete (PI) and do not lapse into failures.

If a student enrolls with an Incomplete grade from a previous semester and is dropped later in the term because the Incomplete has lapsed to an F or has been changed to a low grade, the student will be withdrawn with an effective date within the refund period closest to the time of the student's actual withdrawal if the student has not been granted permission to continue by an L&S academic dean.

For further information, see UW-Madison incomplete (I) grade information on the L&S website and incompletes on the registrar's website.

NO WORK (NW)

Students will receive a grade of No Work (NW) on their official records if they enrolled in a course and then never attended. Instructors may award this grade only when the instructor has no evidence that the student ever attended or submitted any work. Any student who does attend for part of the semester/term and then stops participating is not eligible to receive a grade of NW. The No Work notation does not have an impact on a student's semester/term or cumulative GPA.

A course failed in residence at UW–Madison may be repeated for credit at any other educational institution; however the new grade earned out of residence will not have an impact on the student's UW–Madison grade point average (GPA).

PASS/FAIL (S/U)

Any L&S undergraduate student in good academic standing is eligible to take one (1) course per term/semester on a pass/fail (S/U) basis and a maximum of sixteen (16) credits during their entire undergraduate career.

Any student who takes a pass/fail course must earn at least a C to receive credit for the course. Final grades for these courses will be indicated as satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U) without any computation of grade points for those courses into the semester or cumulative grade point average. The grade of S shall be recorded by the registrar in place of instructors' grades of A, AB, B, BC, or C. The grade of U will be recorded by the Registrar's Office in place of instructors' grades of D or F. Neither the S nor the U is used in computing the grade point average. The pass/fail option is the student's choice and the instructor reports the grade without knowing whether or not the student is taking the course on a pass/fail basis.

For more information, see taking a UW-Madison course pass/fail.

Notes:

  • First-semester freshmen and transfer students without an established UW–Madison GPA are eligible to take one (1) course for pass/fail in their first term at UW–Madison. Summer sessions collectively count as a single term. Thus, a student can only take one (1) course on a pass/fail basis during the summer.
  • Students must submit (or cancel) pass/fail requests via their Student Center link by the end of the fourth (4th) week of fall and spring terms. (For modular and summer session courses, pass/fail requests must be submitted by the Friday of the week in which the session is one-fourth completed).
  • Students may not cancel or add the pass/fail option after the deadline for submitting Pass/Fail Option Forms.
  • All requests to add or cancel pass/fail must be submitted via the Course Change request in the Student Center by the appropriate deadline.
  • Students cannot cancel a Pass/Fail request after the deadline if they need the course(s) to fulfill a major or degree requirement at a later date. It is the student's responsibility to determine whether or not they can take a course on a pass/fail basis.
  • Pass/Fail and Course Change Requests can be accessed through a student's Student Center in My UW–Madison by clicking Course Change Request via Course Enrollment, Term Information. For more information about requesting the pass/fail option, refer to  pass/fail option on the Registrar's Office website.
  • Only elective work may be carried on a pass/fail basis. Thus, pass/fail cannot be declared or used to fulfill the following requirements:
    • Breadth (humanities, literature, social science, natural science)
    • Foreign language (prior to fulfilling the B.A. or B.S. foreign language requirement)
    • Math
    • Ethnic Studies
    • General Education Requirements (Comm A, Comm B, QR A, QR B)
    • Major requirements
    • Senior Thesis coursework (i.e., 681, 682, 691, 692)
  • L&S undergraduates may take courses in their major or major department for pass/fail. However, any coursework taken for pass/fail in the major or major department will not count toward fulfilling any requirements. Students are strongly encouraged not to take coursework in their major program without first consulting with their undergraduate advisor.

For further information, see https://deans.ls.wisc.edu/policies-forms/pass-fail/.

Question (Q)

A "Q" grade is assigned by an instructor when there is a discrepancy between the work completed by a student and the student's official registration. The Office of the Registrar will post the temporary Q grade/mark to a student's record until the discrepancy is resolved. A student will receive a Q in one of three situations:

  • a student registers for a variable-credit course and completes the work that is appropriate for a different number of credits;
  • a student registers for Honors credit and does not complete the Honors portion of the work; and
  • a student does not register for Honors but completes the Honors work appropriate for an Honors designation.

In each of the three cases listed above, students will need to work with the instructor to correct the situation before a grade can be reported. The correct grade will need to be forwarded by the instructor to L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services. For more information, see valid instructor assigned grades.

Majors

Declaring A MAJOR

A department, program may specify prerequisites for acceptance into a major, such as a minimum grade point average or completion of specific courses with a minimum grade. Students are responsible for reviewing the quality requirements for a particular major or school, as outlined on the program pages listed in the degrees/majors/certificates section of this Guide. Students not accepted in a major or special degree program must select a different major.

Mandatory Major Declaration Policy

Students must declare a major through the department or unit administering that program. (Please note that all L&S undergraduate students are required to declare at least one L&S major by the time they have 86 degree credits.) Students should speak with the advisor for the major/certificate/l degree program to determine their eligibility to declare and the process for declaring the major.  If a student does not plan on completing the requirements for a declared major, the student must cancel the major. There is no limit to the number of majors an L&S undergraduate students can declare. Additional information can be found at how to declare a major in L&S.

completing an l&s major  with a non-L&S degree (Additional Major/AMAJ)

Non-L&S undergraduate students in other schools/colleges on at UW–Madison (e.g., Business, CALS, Education, Engineering, etc.) are eligible to complete a major in L&S without having to complete L&S degree requirements if they receive permission from their home school/college. The process for obtaining special permission to pursue an L&S major varies based on the student's home school/college. Non-L&S undergraduate students must contact the appropriate L&S major department/unit about the steps they will need to take in order to declare an additional major and fulfill all of the major requirements within the College of Letters & Science.

COMPLETING A non-L&S MAJOR with an L&S Degree

L&S undergraduate students must complete at least one (1) L&S major to earn their L&S degree. Students may also declare up to one (1) of approved additional major from another UW-Madison school/college. These majors are currently approved for L&S students, with permission from the L&S Academic Deans Services office:

The following policies apply to L&S students with an additional non-L&S major.

  • L&S undergraduate student must first declare a major in L&S before being eligible to declare one of the approved non-L&S majors.
  • L&S undergraduate students may complete these additional majors unless their degree or major explicitly states that their students cannot pursue an additional major or program.
  • Students pursuing the Bachelors in Landscape Architecture special degree are not permitted to pursue an additional major. 
  • A student earning an L&S undergraduate degree cannot graduate within L&S with only an approved non-L&S major.
  • L&S will not delay graduating students who have not completed the requirements for majors outside of L&S. Thus, students with these additional majors outside L&S will be graduated at the end of the semester/term in which they complete their L&S requirements, even if the CALS or School of Education major requirements have not been completed.
  • Any courses required for the non-L&S major that are not designated as Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) courses will not count toward satisfying the requirement that students complete 108 credits in Liberal Arts and Science.

CANCELing A MAJOR

Students may cancel a major by contacting the department of that major. A Senior with only one major who cancels that major is still subject to the Mandatory Major Declaration policy above, and should seek permission to cancel their major with Academic Deans Services.

Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in Letters & Science must complete the University General Education Requirements (GER) and the following L&S requirements:

L&S Degree Requirements

This page lists the general degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees, Journalism Bachelor of Arts (JBA), and Journalism Bachelor of Science (JBS). Students must complete at least one L&S major to earn one of these degrees; please consult the Guide pages for the respective L&S majors for information about specific major requirements.

Some L&S degrees have different degree requirements that share some aspects of the requirements described below. Please consult the Guide pages for specific requirements for admission and completion for the Bachelor of Science, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, and Physics, Bachelor of Liberal Studies (online only), Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Bachelor of Music (in Education and in Performance), and the Bachelor of Social Work.
In L&S programs, courses may apply to more than one requirement category, unless specifically noted otherwise.

Foundations: Tools for Learning

For all UW–Madison undergraduates, these learning experiences begin with students satisfying the university's General Education Requirements—usually by taking courses taught within the College of Letters & Science. These common foundations cover key topics which are necessary for any undergraduate major and any prospective career: oral and written communication; mathematical and logical reasoning; and the diversity of cultures within global society.

For more on the General Education Requirements, see Requirements for Undergraduate Study.

Language

The study of a  language other than English contributes in an important way to a broad education for today's students, who live in a world where the overwhelming majority of people do not speak or read English and where much of the knowledge that is disseminated may never appear in English. Knowledge of a language other than English is important for an appreciation of the culture of the people using that language, and it also helps students to understand the structure and complexities of their own language. Students with sufficient preparation may be able to use the  language for study in their chosen discipline.

To be admitted to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, students must have completed the second-year level of a single language other than English (or American Sign Language) in high school. On rare occasions, students may be admitted with a  language deficiency, but they will be required to make up that deficiency by the time they earn their 60th degree credit, or they will not be allowed to continue.

Language Requirement:

All students working for a B.A. or B.S. degree in the College of Letters & Science must fulfill the  language requirement (previously known as the “Foreign Language Requirement”). 

B.A. Degree

For the B.A. degree, the foreign language requirement may be met in one of two ways: (1) completion of the fourth unit (level) in one language, or (2) completion of the third unit (level) in one language and completion of the second unit (level) in another language.

B.S. Degree

For the B.S. degree, the foreign language requirement may be met by completion of the third level (unit) of a foreign language in high school, or the equivalent third-semester-level college work. 

Language Substitution:

The Foreign Language Substitution Package is for degree-seeking candidates in the College of Letters & Science (L&S) only who are seeking to fulfill the L&S foreign language requirements and also have a documented disability in secondary or additional language acquisitionin foreign language acquisition. Specifically, the Foreign Language Substitution Package, like the foreign language requirement, provides students with information about language in general as well as the literature and culture of the people using a particular language. Courses used to meet the substitution must be approved by the designated academic dean in L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans’ Services (101 Ingraham Hall). Classes used for the substitution package cannot be used to fulfill any of the following requirements:

  • University General Education Requirements
  • L&S Breadth
  • Major Requirements

For more detailed information about applying for the substitution package, please see L&S  language substitution.

Mathematics

Mathematics is a principal tool of knowledge. Algebra and geometry provide the minimum of mathematics skills that an educated person needs in today's world, and competence in these areas is required for admission to the university. Since mathematics underlies quantitative work in all sciences, and the level of mathematical background required has been steadily increasing in most areas of science, the L&S math requirements should be viewed as minimums. Students whose placement scores place them in MATH 96 must complete it before enrolling in any Quantitative Reasoning A course.

B.A. Degree

The B.A. requires completion of the University General Education Requirements for Quantitative Reasoning A and Quantitative Reasoning B. 

B.S. Degree

The B.S. degree requires two courses of at least three credits (each) at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT. Of the two courses, only one (1) course in COMP SCI and only one (1) course in STAT may count toward the B.S. mathematics requirement.

Breadth: Exploration in the Liberal Arts and Sciences

Ways of Knowing

At the heart of any degree in the liberal arts and sciences is an active understanding of the variety and breadth of the many scholarly approaches to knowing the world. Every student in the College of Letters & Science experiences significant exposure to three principal fields of knowledge: the arts and humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. These broad fields of knowledge are not the same as the areas of depth that we call "majors." In fact, any particular major—or even a particular course within a major—might well involve more than one of these fields of knowledge. (For example, imagine a seminar on "people and the environment" that combines historical background, research on social patterns of energy use, and scientific understanding of climate.) Working together, each of these three fields of knowledge represents a particular "way of knowing" about the world around us.

Arts and Humanities

Courses in the arts and humanities involve knowing the world through the production and analysis of artistic, literary, and scholarly work. Some courses examine the fine and performing arts, or literature, presenting students with opportunities to interpret and think critically about these creative expressions of the human condition. Other courses help students to understand and compare religious and philosophical conceptions of humankind. Still other courses take on historical subjects, focusing on moments of change and periods of continuity for the peoples and regions of the world. These courses all encourage students to analyze the range of creative and cultural artifacts, expressions, and ideas of human existence—history, literature, art, culture, folklore—and to use that information to better understand humanity and to cultivate civic and social responsibility.

Social Sciences

Courses in the social sciences involve knowing the world through the systematic study of human society, interactions, and institutions. The social sciences explore these issues from a wide range of perspectives and research techniques, both quantitative and qualitative. Through these courses students learn how to formulate research questions and determine what techniques are best used to answer those questions—for example, exploring ideas and developing theories, conducting surveys and building models, or observing and participating in social life itself. Developing such analytical skills assists students as they approach complex problems and seek to solve them in both the workplace and the community.

Natural Sciences

Courses in the natural sciences involve knowing the world through scientific inquiry—assembling objective information that can be used to explain observed natural phenomena in a way that is thorough and verifiable. The natural sciences are often divided into the physical sciences (dealing with matter and energy, or the study of the earth, atmosphere, and oceans) and the biological sciences (dealing with life and living systems, like plants, animals, and environments). These courses often contain laboratory components that allow students to gain firsthand experience in scientific research methods. By completing this requirement, science and non-science majors alike will gain an appreciation for science as a way of systematically looking at the natural world, understanding how this process can be used to inform decision-making in a wide range of political, economic, and social contexts.
 
Together, these broad "ways of knowing" give students a complementary set of tools for seeing, imagining, and asking questions about the world—tools that enhance creative problem solving no matter what the field. And, because twenty-first-century knowledge is not neatly compartmentalized, it is worth noting that these areas of study intersect and overlap; courses in some areas draw upon strategies used in the others. Experiences in "breadth" courses can be life-changing: we frequently hear that a course taken to fulfill a breadth requirement introduced someone to a subject that became a new major, a new way of looking at a current major, or a lifelong interest. For more information, visit the KnowledgeBase help document.
 
A liberal education involves not only the nature and kinds of knowledge but also the purpose for which knowledge should be used. These considerations are embodied in the breadth or distribution requirement and call for knowledge in several fields of learning. The purpose of this breadth requirement is to ensure that a degree candidate will obtain an understanding of approaches in the humanities, social sciences, biological sciences, and physical sciences adequate for use both as a citizen and as a specialist.

Breadth Requirements

The L&S breadth requirement is met with 36 credits in the three broad areas of knowledge described above: humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Look in the courses section of the Guide under Course Designation to see what breadth designation courses have.

B.A. Degree

Humanities: Students are required to complete 12 credits in the humanities, 6 of which must be in literature.  
Social Sciences: Students are required to complete 12 credits in social sciences.  
Natural Sciences: Students are required to complete 12 credits in natural sciences.  Students must take at least one 3+ credit course in biological science AND one 3+ credit course in physical science.  The remaining six (6) credits can be any combination of natural, biological, or physical science credits.

B.S. Degree  

Humanities: Students are required to complete 12 credits in the humanities, 6 of which must be in literature.
Social Sciences: Students are required to complete 12 credits in social sciences.  
Natural Sciences: Students are required to complete 12 credits in natural sciences. Students must complete 6 credits in biological science AND 6 credits in physical science.

Depth

Mastery of Intermediate/Advanced Work

Students must complete a minimum of 60 credits in courses with the Intermediate or Advanced level designation.  The purpose of this requirement is to encourage students to undertake advanced work to the greatest possible extent and to ensure that they achieve greater sophistication and a deeper mastery of subject matter as they advance through the baccalaureate curriculum.

Understanding a Field of Study (Major)

The process of declaring and completing a major provides students with an opportunity to concentrate on an in-depth investigation of at least one subject or issue, putting their tools for learning and ways of knowing to focused use. This intensive understanding of one topic helps students to appreciate the potential depth of the others. A student's work in the major reflects a continuing progression of skills, knowledge, and values, where advanced learning opportunities in upper-level coursework grow from and expand upon earlier experiences, helping students build additional depth in writing, speaking, information literacy, and critical thinking skills from the perspective of a particular discipline. In senior capstone or independent research projects, students are frequently asked to synthesize what they have learned and apply it in a variety of new situations. By the conclusion of their studies, students in the major are better able to understand themselves and their society, to develop their intellectual powers outside of a university setting, and to make productive contributions to the world around them. (See list of L&S majors.)

Every candidate for an L&S baccalaureate degree must complete a specified and approved L&S major field of study. Students may elect a department major, a major in a recognized interdisciplinary program, or may develop an individual major if approved by a faculty review committee.

Declaring a Major or Degree

A department, program, or school may specify prerequisites for declaration into a major, such as a minimum grade point average or completion of specific courses with a minimum grade. Students should review the requirements for a particular major or degree program as outlined under the L&S majors section of the Guide and consult the major advisor for information. Only the department or school can make an exception to declaration requirements. Students not accepted in a major or school must select a different major.

Requirements that Apply to All Majors

Mastery of Upper-Level Work in the Major

All students must complete in residence a minimum of 15 credits of major course work defined as "upper-level" by the major department or program. (Please see the section on Residence Requirements below for additional information about credits taken "in residence.")

Residence Requirement in the Major

All students must complete at least 15 credits in the major, at any level, on campus (not through a UW–Madison study abroad program). This includes courses offered by a UW–Madison instructor in hybrid and online modes of instruction.

Total Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits is required for all baccalaureate degrees granted by the College of Letters & Science. The total credits for the degree encompass the requirements detailed above, but also include elective credits not associated with any specific requirement, that allow students to explore other areas of academic interest..  Refer to the information in the Majors and Certificates section of the L&S Guide for information about the minimum degree credits required.

Liberal Arts and Science Credits: 108

Of the minimum 120 credits required for graduation for a B.A. or B.S. degree at least 108 credits must be in courses designated as Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) courses. These courses appear in the Guide as L&S credit and can be identified by looking at the course designation section for a course in the Guide.

Courses that have been approved as Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) classes are expected to encourage students in one or more of the three "habits of the mind" of liberal arts education, as specified by the College of Letters & Science. These include:

  • skilled written and verbal communication, excelling in formulating and expressing a point of view; reflecting and questioning current knowledge through reading; research and consideration of the views of others.
  • the ability to draw flexibly upon and apply the modes of thought of the major areas of knowledge.
  • knowledge of our basic cultural heritage as a multifaceted and often contested history.

For more information, refer to criteria for Liberal Arts and Science Courses.

Residence

Residence Requirement in the Degree

All L&S students must earn a minimum of 30 degree credits in residence at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A course is considered in residence if the student enrolls for credit through UW-Madison. This would include any course that is completed:

  • at UW-Madison, in any instructional mode (in-person, online, or hybrid)
  • through a UW-Madison administered program, either domestically or internationally (i.e., Study Abroad through International Academic Programs)

A course is not in residence when credit is earned through:

  • another accredited institution of higher learning
  • study abroad credit, if administered by an institution other than UW-Madison
  • examination, such Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or other approved exams
  • retroactive language credit.

UW-Extension and other campuses in the University of Wisconsin System are different institutions and credit earned at any of these campuses is considered transfer credit and not in residence.

Senior Residence Rule

The 30 minimum credits a student must earn in residence should be completed in the senior year (after a student has completed 86 degree credits). This requirement intends to ensure that the student's depth of study -- which should occur in more advanced-level courses, within the major, with faculty instruction, and in areas of research -- are distinctly UW-Madison experiences. These credits do not have to be contiguous for the requirement to be met.

Quality of Work

A student’s overall quality of work and their quality of work in their chosen major are important measures of a student’s mastery of knowledge.  The L&S quality of work requirements are all computed on courses taken in residence only, and set a minimum 2.000 GPA in four specific areas:

  • University GPA, computed using all courses taken for a grade at UW–Madison
  • Mastery of Intermediate/Advanced work in LAS courses, computed using all graded courses designated as LAS and as either Intermediate or Advanced level
  • Major GPA, which is computed using all courses in each declared major and all courses in the subject of that major (if applicable)
  • Upper-Level work in the Major, which is computed using all courses designated as upper-level in each declared major

For the University GPA, all graded courses compute into this grade point average, including courses that are failed and those that were repeated without credit.
For the other three L&S GPA, all graded courses, including courses that are failed, compute into the grade point average, except for non-repeatable courses for which credit has already been earned; these courses are considered be taken on a “refresher basis” and do not calculate into any GPA, except for the University GPA.  See Repeat of Courses Not for Credit in Policies & Regulations for more information.

Advising in Letters & Science

Academic advising is an essential component of undergraduate education, and the college's commitment to providing quality advising for undergraduates is reflected in the many advising programs it offers. Students who have not yet declared a major are assigned an advisor in L&S Academic Advising Services Services or the Cross-College Advising Service (see below). Students who have declared a major are assigned an advisor in their department or program.

All of the advising programs share the goal of assisting students in making responsible, informed decisions as they develop educational plans compatible with their potential, their interests, and their career and life ambitions. Advisors provide much more than information about course selection and academic programs; they encourage students to ask questions about the nature and direction of their learning, and they work with students to find meaningful answers to those questions. Advising involves a process in which students learn to think critically about the variety of options available to them and develop decision-making skills that will enable them to choose wisely. As adults, students themselves, however, must assume primary responsibility for choosing their academic program and making progress toward their degree.

Academic Advising Services (AAS)

L&S Academic Advising Services provides advising to undergraduate students who intend to complete a specific L&S degree, before they have declared a major.

We assist and support students in exploring their educational goals, learning about academic requirements, navigating the university structure, and progressing toward degree completion.

Cross-College Advising Services (CCAS)

Advisors at the Cross-College Advising Service (CCAS) provide personalized advising to help you develop a plan for choosing your major and exploring careers. We are here to help you make decisions about what to major in and also answer your general questions about academics and life on campus.

We’ll meet you at SOAR, and after that help you plan your future courses, talk about your academic interests and options, and refer you to other helpful campus resources. We're also here to encourage you when things are going well, as well as support you when times are difficult.

Center for Academic Excellence (cae)

The Center for Academic Excellence provides an enriching, inclusive community and academic support for L&S students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education. CAE offers a variety of engagement opportunities, including advising, tutoring programs, health and wellness events, social events, graduate school preparation, and connections with learning communities.

Honors

The L&S Honors Program attracts some of UW–Madison's most talented undergraduates who challenge and learn from each other while working closely with faculty members. By bringing students and professors closer together in small classes and individual research settings, the Honors Program fosters a feeling of community even as students push themselves to explore the very frontiers of knowledge. In addition to traditional course work, most Honors students pursue research projects of their own, and many find this experience so exciting that they go on to earn advanced degrees in the nation's best graduate and professional schools.

Major Advising

Students who are eligible to declare their major should do so as soon as possible. All L&S undergraduate students are expected to declare a major by the time they have earned 86 degree credits. All declared students will be advised by the advisor connected with their particular major/program. For more information about advising in the major, refer to the advising and careers tab for each major/special degree program under the L&S Degrees/Majors/Certificates section of the Guide.

Other Academic Resources

L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services

L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services  provide up-to-date information on college policies, procedures, and deadlines; campus resources; and degree requirements. Academic deans also offer limited academic advising and make decisions regarding exceptions to college policy. They work closely with advising staff in L&S Academic Advising Services, major advisors, and other student service personnel on the UW–Madison campus. In an institution as diverse as the University of Wisconsin–Madison, students have a wide range of values, interests, and skills. Moreover, as they progress through an academic program, their questions and concerns often change. Therefore, students are encouraged to seek the help of several different types of academic advisors during their years on campus. The university provides a system of staff and faculty advisors to address these ongoing and changing concerns. 

Advising in the Major

Juniors, seniors, and any other students who are preparing for, or have declared, a major or are contemplating a major in the College of Letters & Science, are encouraged to meet with an advisor in that major department. Each department has a faculty or staff member who serves as a major advisor. This person knows about prerequisites to courses, program planning for students majoring in the department, major requirements, and in some cases, general career information related to the field. A major advisor can help students make satisfactory progress toward completing requirements in the major, and can suggest courses that address students' interests and help them achieve their goals.

Juniors and seniors are encouraged to seek advice from these major advisors as soon as possible. Please note that the assignment of a major advisor and declaring a major in a particular department(s) are not automatic. Students must reach out to the major advisor to declare their desired L&S major.  Students are also advised to meet with the major's advisors early in their academic career since some majors require students to fulfill prerequisite classes and earn a minimum GPA in the designated coursework before they are eligible to declare the specific major. It is very important that students contact the major department(s) as early as possible so they are aware of any prerequisites.

Transfer students often come to the campus knowing their intended major. These students may go directly to the major advisors for any help they need in pursuing/declaring the major.

Students classified in any of the special degree programs (Applied Mathematics, Engineering and Physics, Journalism, Landscape Architecture, Music: Education, Music: Performance, Social Work) may refer to the specific special degree under Degree/Majors/Certificate tab within this Guide for major advisor information, then consult with the appropriate advisor.

Students pursuing Honors in the Major  are encouraged to work closely with the honors coordinator in their major department regarding course and research opportunities within the department or field of interest. Special major advisors are available to help any students, primarily sophomores, juniors, and seniors, who have decided on their major. These advisors are located in department offices throughout the campus. Office hours vary among departments. Consult individual majors and departments for a list of offices and locations, or see the department descriptions in this Guide.

International Internship Program (IIP)

The International Internship Program (IIP) at UW–Madison is a resource for undergraduate students from all disciplines seeking to gain hands-on international experience. IIP’s mission is to identify, cultivate and promote high-quality internships that advance the professional training of UW–Madison undergraduate students; foster global competency; and reinforce academic learning through practical application.

IIP cultivates internship opportunities around the world specifically for Badgers. IIP also identifies and promotes existing international internship and research opportunities offered by other campus offices or international organizations. Both types of opportunities can be found via the IIP database and other search resources are also listed on the website. IIP offers advising for any undergraduates who are exploring internships abroad whether they are just getting started, applying to an IIP-cultivated position, or finding their own. IIP can help with the many questions that come up related to international internships including visas, agreements, academic credit, and scholarships.

The Worldwide Internship Program (WIP), a collaboration between  International Academic Programs (IAP) and the International Internship Program (IIP), allows UW-Madison undergraduates to earn academic credit for an internship located outside the US.   This program is open to students from any major.  Internships are located in many countries and types of organizations (companies, non-profit organizations, government agencies, research centers, etc). 

An international internship is often located outside the United States, but IIP also promotes internship opportunities to apply international skills and interests domestically. There are many variables in international internships (compensation, duration, location, fees, credit and more) that IIP can help navigate. 

For more information on interning abroad visit International Internship Program.

Pre-Professional Study

General information can be found at Pre-Law and Pre-Health.

Scholarships

The College of Letters & Science welcomes incoming and continuing students to apply for scholarship opportunities created by the support of our donor friends. The undergraduate scholarships program provides support to students who intend to receive a degree from the College of Letters & Science. With over 63 majors and special degree programs which include journalism, landscape architecture, music, social work, and applied mathematics, engineering, and physics, the College of Letters & Science strongly supports the role of a broad and deeply educated citizenry. L&S graduates use this strong foundation to flourish in their chosen careers. For more information, see overview of scholarships.

Student Academic Affairs (SAA)/College of Letters & Science Resources

Advising & Academic Programs and Services

General academic questions: Academic Help Line, 608-262-5858

Academic Information Management (AIM)
326 Bradley Memorial Building
Provides several services such as accurate curriculum audit and degree progress information to students, advisors, and other stakeholders, as well as policy analysis & data to L&S administration, committees, departments & academic enrichment programs

Center for Academic Excellence
B47 Bascom Hall, 608-263-5068
Advising, academic support, advocacy, and community connections for first-generation, low-income, and multicultural underrepresented students within the College of Letters & Science

College of Letters & Science Academic Advising Services (AAS)
101 Ingraham Hll, 1155 Observatory Drive, 608-265-5858
Provides comprehensive advising services for students investigating and preparing for majors in the College of Letters & Science

L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services
101 Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Drive, 608-262-0617
Provides up-to-date information on college policies, procedures, and deadlines; campus resources; and degree requirements

L&S Honors Program
Students admitted to or interested in the Honors Program

L&S SuccessWorks
Career advising and development for students and alumni in L&S

Undergraduate Research Scholars (URS)
Helps first- and second-year undergraduates get hands-on experience in research

Study Abroad

About 25% of undergraduates make study abroad an integral part of their UW–Madison experience.

International Academic Programs (IAP) at UW–Madison offers over 200 study abroad options in about 60 countries on 6 continents. In addition to taking the opportunity to learn new languages, understand new cultures and see the world, UW–Madison students study abroad to complement their on-campus academic goals, strengthen their professional potential and enrich their personal lives.

Students of all academic levels and majors study abroad. While many programs include language training—from the basics to full language immersion—most IAP programs have no language requirement and include courses taught in English.

All courses taken abroad through IAP count as “in-residence” credit, just like taking courses on campus at UW–Madison, so students advance toward their degrees while abroad. And study abroad isn’t limited to classroom experience. Many students also complete internships, do research, fieldwork and service learning.

In addition to resources on health, safety, academic planning and other aspects, UW–Madison students receive the information and guidance they need to plan a study abroad experiences that fits their budgets. Many study abroad programs cost about the same or less than studying on campus, and student financial aid can be applied in most cases.  

SuccessWorks

SuccessWorks helps students build a bridge from the academic skills learned in the classroom to the internships that inspire them and the jobs they dream of starting after graduation.

In addition to providing basic career support like resume reviews and interview practice, SuccessWorks offers students ways to explore interests and build career skills from their very first semester/term at UW all the way through graduation and beyond.

SuccessWorks Career Communities encourage students to explore jobs and fields where alumni have built fulfilling careers, then dive deep into building skills and experiences once they have discovered the right path - or paths - for them.  Each Career Community connects students to expert one-on-one advising, plus a network of supportive alumni mentors and highly engaged employers seeking to hire L&S students for jobs and internships.  Through Career Communities, students take advantage of experience-based programs that help them build skills and try out different occupations with real employers.

SuccessWorks recognizes students don't need to have it all figured out right away.  They're here to help students take their first steps, then craft their unique paths toward a lifetime of success.  It's never too early to get inspired and get started!

Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

The Undergraduate Research Scholars program (URS) is dedicated to enhancing the academic experience of UW–Madison students by providing first- and second-year undergraduates with opportunities to earn credit for participating in the research and creative work with UW–Madison faculty and staff. The program has been designed to include partnerships between students and mentors, seminars on research-relevant issues, and practice in research/artistic presentations. The many benefits of the program are found in the fluid interaction between these activities.

L&S Honors Program

The College of Letters & Science Honors Program seeks to provide students with a small, liberal arts college experience within this large university. The Honors Program is home to more than 1,600 motivated, curious and high-achieving students, all pursuing one of three degree tracks: Honors in the Liberal Arts, Honors in the Major, or Comprehensive Honors—the highest undergraduate degree awarded by the college. In addition to an enhanced curriculum that offers small, faculty-led courses, the program also offers academic advising services; grants, scholarships, and awards; and many professional development and co-curricular opportunities. Events, term-specific deadlines, course descriptions for the upcoming semester and much more can be found on the L&S Honors Program website. We welcome inquiries via phone at 608-262-2984. The L&S Honors Program is located in the historic Washburn Observatory at 1401 Observatory Drive in Madison, WI 53706.

How to Get In

Students may apply to enter the L&S Honors Program in any semester of their undergraduate careers. Any UW–Madison Honors credits earned before admission to the Honors Program may be applied toward Honors degree requirements. Eligibility criteria and admissions procedures differ for the different Honors degrees.

Admission to Honors In the Liberal Arts (HLA)

To become a candidate for the Honors in the Liberal Arts degree, a student must apply directly to the L&S Honors Program. Students may apply at any point in their undergraduate careers provided they meet the eligibility requirements described below.

All students admitted to the university and to the College of Letters & Science are invited to apply to be considered for admission to the Honors Program to pursue the Honors in the Liberal Arts degree. Interested students can apply via an online application form. L&S admitted students receive an invitation message by email that contains the URL to the online application. Admission to the program is competitive, and space is limited.

Continuing and transfer students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.300 or above who are currently enrolled at UW–Madison or who are transferring to UW–Madison from another college or university may apply to the L&S Honors Program at any time. Applications are available from the Honors Program website and admission decisions are usually made within three weeks of submission of the completed application and supporting materials. While continuing or transfer students having 60 or more credits at the time of application to the Honors Program are eligible to participate in the Honors in the Liberal Arts (HLA) degree track, they are encouraged to consider Honors in the Major (HM) as an option (see below), since they may find it difficult to complete the HLA degree requirements if beginning that program in the junior or senior year.

Admission to Honors in the Major (HM)

Students interested in pursuing an Honors in the Major degree are encouraged to consult the department listings in this Guide and speak with the department's academic advisors, who will be able to explain admissions procedures and requirements for the degree. After officially declaring the major and receiving authorization from the department to declare Honors in the Major, students must complete an online Honors in the Major Declaration Form to the Honors Program office.

Requirements

Honors may be earned in any L&S undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Science–Applied Mathematics, Engineering, and Physics; Bachelor of Arts–Journalism or Bachelor of Science–Journalism; Bachelor of Landscape Architecture; Bachelor of Music; and Bachelor of Social Work). For students who complete the requirements, Honors will appear on diplomas and transcripts (for example, B.A. with Honors in the Liberal Arts or B.S. with Honors in the Major).

Honors in the Liberal Arts (HLA)

Honors in the Liberal Arts is often the primary focus for most first- and second-year Honors students. It requires students earn Honors credits in a breadth of disciplines and is meant to enrich and enhance a student's academic experience outside of the major. Students who complete this curriculum develop strong skills in communication, critical thinking and complex problem solving, which will serve them well regardless of career path. The specific requirements for the HLA degree are:

  1. completion of the L&S general degree requirements;
  2. a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.300;
  3. completion of at least 24 credits in Honors courses with grades of B or better;
  4. of the 24 Honors credits, at least 6 must be in the humanities, 6 in the social sciences, and 6 in the natural sciences; and
  5. of the 24 Honors credits, at least 15 must be "Automatic Honors" credits—that is, in courses that carry the "Honors Only" or "Accelerated Honors" designations in the Course Guide.

Honors in the Major (HM)

Most majors in the College of Letters & Science offer students the option of pursuing Honors in the Major. A student may formally declare their intent to earn Honors in the Major, if available, after declaring the major. Honors in the Major requirements can be completed independently from Honors in the Liberal Arts; they may also be completed in conjunction with Honors in the Liberal Arts (which would result in a Comprehensive Honors degree). Each academic department and program in the college, with approval of the Faculty Honors Committee, establishes its own requirements for the Honors in the Major degree. Honors in the Major is intended for students who are interested in original research and who wish to graduate with the best possible undergraduate training in the discipline. Honors in the Major is especially appropriate for students who are considering graduate work, or who want a particularly rigorous training in research, reasoning, and writing skills useful to a wide range of career choices.

Although many of the specific requirements for HM vary by department, all students pursuing Honors in the Major must:

  1. complete the L&S general degree requirements, if an L&S degree candidate1;
  2. complete the regular major requirements;
  3. obtain an overall cumulative grade point average of at least 3.300;
  4. earn a grade of B or better in all courses counting towards Honors in the Major requirements; and
  5. successfully complete a capstone experience during their senior year, typically a Senior Honors Thesis (see below for more information).
1

Non-L&S degree candidates may pursue Honors in the Major, but will not receive an L&S degree.

 

In addition to these collegewide requirements, Honors in the Major students may be required to complete additional upper-level, Honors coursework; participate in department research colloquia; and meet a minimum grade point average in all classes in the major (typically between 3.300 and 3.500).

As mentioned above, most departments require a Senior Honors Thesis as the culmination of their Honors in the Major curriculum. In departments for which a research thesis is not the most appropriate capstone, an alternative such as a performance, a professional practicum, or a major piece of creative writing may be required instead. The two-semester Honors thesis or capstone project is often the most challenging part of the Honors in the Major experience, and for most students it also proves to be the most rewarding. The Senior Honors Thesis is a two-semester (or summer and semester) effort; students first enroll in Senior Honors Thesis 681, followed the next term by Senior Honors Thesis 682 (some departments may use different numeric designations for Senior Honors Thesis options). These two courses may not be taken concurrently. The final grade for the entire thesis is assigned after 682 has been completed.

Students who intend to complete Honors in the Major and write a Senior Honors Thesis should consult with department advisors as early as possible. They are also strongly encouraged to begin working with a faculty advisor no later than the beginning of the junior year in order to formulate a research topic, which will enhance the student's potential for success in research grant funding cycles for their senior year. Some departments offer special courses designed to facilitate the organization, planning, and execution of Honors thesis projects. Other departments encourage (and some require) students to take a directed study or tutorial course with the thesis advisor sometime during the junior year. Students who receive funding from the L&S Honors Program for their thesis research should submit an unbound copy of their thesis to the Honors Program Office.

Students pursuing Honors in the Major in two majors may apply for Dual Thesis Authorization, which will allow them to write one interdisciplinary thesis to satisfy both major capstone requirements. Please see the Honors Program to learn more about the application process prior to enrolling in the 681 course.

Prior authorization is needed when students intend to complete either 681 or 682 while away from UW–Madison. Consult with the Honors Program if this is your intention.

Comprehensive Honors

Students who complete the requirements for both Honors in the Liberal Arts and Honors in the Major in at least one department or program earn Comprehensive Honors, the highest undergraduate degree awarded by the College.

How to Earn Honors Credit

There are three unique Honors course designations, each described here:

  • "Honors Only" courses are reserved for Honors candidates. They are generally small classes, led by a faculty member and designed for substantive engagement, or discussion sections or labs reserved for Honors students in larger non-Honors lecture courses. The enrollment system will automatically assign Honors credit to all enrolled students.
  • "Accelerated Honors" are open to all students. Honors credit is awarded in recognition of the rigor and pace of the course. These Honors courses are often conducted at a faster pace than the non-Honors course counterparts or are upper-level capstone courses in a major that require significant engagement with the course material. As with "Honors Only" designated courses, the enrollment system will automatically assign Honors credit to all enrolled students.
  • "Honors Optional" designates courses for which Honors is available through an optional Honors component of the course curriculum. These courses are open to all students for enrollment. Opting into the Honors component of the course is done through the enrollment process. Students enrolled in an "Honors Optional" course are advised to consult with the instructor during the first weeks of the term to determine the Honors curriculum if it is not outlined on the syllabus. Instructors either have designated Honors curricula or students may be encouraged to develop a project idea of their own. These "Honors Optional" courses are sometimes denoted with the symbol "%".

When the Schedule of Classes is published for the upcoming term, students can use the Enroll App to identify which courses are being offered for Honors and with which designation. A course being offered for Honors in a past term in no way guarantees that it will be offered for Honors in a future term.

Honors candidates may also earn Honors credit through the following methods:

  • Designing and successfully completing an additional Honors project for a course not carrying any of the Honors designations above in the given term. This option requires consent of the instructor and approval of the L&S Honors Program. To request permission from the Honors Program, students must submit a completed Green Sheet proposal form and all supporting documentation to the Honors Program no later than the sixth week of a regular semester, or the third week of an eight-week summer term. Green Sheets are available on the Honors Program website. Supporting documentation includes a written plan and timeline for the additional Honors project  and a Course Change Request Form. Additional Green Sheet information and the proposal form are available on the Honors Program website.
  • Students who study abroad on a non-Honors study abroad program may petition to have one course per semester abroad count toward Honors requirements. Upon returning from abroad, students are asked to write a petition in which they are required to reflect on the nature of the course taken abroad and explain why the course meets the desired criteria for general Honors credit, Honors breadth credit and/or Automatic Honors credit. For more details about the petition process, please consult the Honors Program website.
  • Studying abroad in an Honors Study Abroad Program. (Currently programs are available in Ecuador and Utrecht, Netherlands.) Students may earn up to 16 Honors credits. Students receive Honors credit in these cases through the study abroad equivalency process upon their return from abroad.

In all cases, to receive Honors credit in a course, students must earn a final grade of B or higher in that course. If a grade of BC or lower is earned in an Honors course, the Honors notation remains on the student's record, but the course does not count toward Honors degree requirements. If the course is retaken for Honors, regardless of the grade earned during this second attempt, the course cannot satisfy an Honors degree requirement.

Students may not receive Honors credit in courses carried on a pass/fail basis.

Advising and Careers

The University of Wisconsin–Madison can seem overwhelming because of its size and the complexity of its policies and procedures. Academic advisors help students get (and maintain) their bearings on campus. The L&S Honors Program has a team of specially trained academic and peer advisors who accompany and support Honors candidates as they pursue diverse educational and co-curricular experiences compatible with their long-term goals. Advising occurs through a variety of formats including small group workshops, individual appointments, drop-in hours and email. Additional information is available on the Honors Program website.

The L&S Honors Program encourages our students to begin working on their career exploration and preparation soon after arriving on campus. We partner with the L&S SuccessWorks office to help students leverage the academic skills learned in your major(s) and liberal arts degree, explore and try out different career paths, participate in internships, prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications, and network with professionals in the field (alumni and employers).

Letters & Science graduates are in high demand by employers and graduate programs. It is important to us that our students are career ready at the time of graduation, regardless of major or career goals.

People

Please see the L&S Honors website to find Honors Team Members, including the Director, Associate Directors, Program Administrators, and Academic Advisors.

Policies

Criteria for Remaining in Good Standing in HLA

Students must obtain a grade point average of 3.300 or higher to be eligible to graduate with an Honors in the Liberal Arts degree. As such, we encourage students to strive for at least this GPA each academic term. The Honors Program advising team will work with students on an improvement plan should their GPA drop below 3.300. Students must also make satisfactory progress toward degree requirements, meaning:

  1. successfully complete (grade of B or higher) at least one Honors course (any designation) by the end of the third semester on campus and
  2. successfully complete (grade of B or higher) at least two Automatic Honors courses by the end of the fifth semester on campus.

Students may withdraw from HLA at any time by completing an Honors in the Liberal Arts Withdrawal Form, available from the Honors Program office, and submitting it to the Honors Program.

Criteria for Remaining in Good Standing in HM

Because each department sets its own criteria for the HM degree program, students are encouraged to work closely with departmental advisors to stay on track towards successful completion. In addition to the criteria established by individual departments, all students must obtain a cumulative grade point average of 3.300 or higher in UW–Madison coursework to be eligible to graduate with the Honors in the Major degree. Students may withdraw from HM at any time by submitting an online Honors in the Major Withdrawal Form, available from either the department advisor or the Honors Program office.

Honors in the Individual Major

To complete the Individual Major with Honors, the student must earn Honors credit in at least 20 of the 36 or more credits comprising the Individual Major and must complete a Senior Honors Thesis of 6–8 credits.  Students wishing to complete an Honors in the Major degree with an Individual Major should append to their Individual Major proposal a specific outline of how the Honors in the Major requirements would be met, including appropriate Honors-caliber courses, upper-level seminars, and a two-semester capstone project, typically a Senior Honors Thesis. The proposal for Honors in the Individual Major will be reviewed by the Honors Program Associate Director for Academic Services. This individual is authorized to determine whether requests for exceptions to the approved HM requirements will be approved.

Honors Transfer Credit

Honors credit earned at other institutions is not currently accepted towards L&S Honors Program degree requirements.

Grants and Awards

The L&S Honors Program strives to support Honors students as they pursue original research, study abroad, attend academic conferences, and pursue other endeavors that complement their learning and growth. The following funding opportunities are regularly offered. Please see the L&S Honors Program website for additional opportunities, specific deadlines and additional information about the applications process.

Sophomore Summer Honors Research Apprenticeships

These competitively awarded grants provide funding for Honors students who learn more about the research process by working as research apprentices with UW–Madison faculty. Students may not earn course credit for this work. For past students, these apprenticeships often evolved into paid research positions and/or Senior Honors Thesis projects. Applications for the apprenticeships are submitted and considered early in the spring term.

Trewartha Undergraduate Thesis Research Award

This grant enables Honors students to undertake more demanding and extensive Honors Senior Thesis research projects than might otherwise be possible. Besides recognition of an excellent thesis proposal, grant recipients receive funds (up to $1500) to cover travel expenses and other costs needed to complete the research. These resources may enable students to travel to archives or research sites, or to initiate other research activities that require special funding. Each year 12–16 Trewartha awards are granted. Applications for the Trewartha are submitted and considered during the fall term.

Mark Mensink Honors Research Grant

The Mark Mensink Honors Research Grant is the L&S Honors Program's most prestigious grant, awarded in recognition of an exceptional thesis proposal. The purpose of the grant is to enable its recipient to undertake more demanding and extensive Honors senior thesis research than might otherwise be possible due to limited resources or time. Students do not apply specifically for the Mensink award.

Honors Summer Senior Thesis Research Grant

These grants enable students to undertake more demanding and extensive senior thesis research projects than might otherwise be possible. Besides recognition of an excellent thesis proposal, grant recipients are awarded a cash stipend of up to $3000 to cover research-related expenses. Such resources may enable students to travel to archives or research sites, arrange participant interviews or initiate other research activities that require special funding. Applications for summer research grants are submitted and considered during the spring term.

Leadership Award

The Leadership Trust Award supports students as they plan, develop and implement projects designed to improve UW–Madison, the community and/or the university student body. Each year, up to two (2) students receive awards equal to two (2) semesters of resident, full-time tuition plus project funds up to $3000 as justified in the submitted project budget. Past award recipients have established mentoring programs for underrepresented students; collaborated with local organizations to improve community access to fresh, healthy and local produce; and founded an academic journal, the Madison Journal of Literary Criticism, to increase students' opportunities to see their work published. Applicants are asked to identify a UW–Madison faculty member who will serve in an advisory/resource capacity and award winners are expected to submit progress reports to the L&S Faculty Honors Committee. Applications for the Leadership Award are submitted and considered during the spring term for the following academic year.

Study Abroad Awards

Up to four $1,500 travel awards will be awarded to eligible L&S Honors Program students who plan to study abroad. Students studying for either a semester or a year abroad are eligible, however preference will be given to students participating in a year-long program. Applications for this funding opportunity are available in the spring term.

Bromley Research Conference Travel Grant

These awards are meant to support students who present at and/or attend regional or national professional conferences. Priority is given to those who plan to present. The award amount is up to $500. The application process is competitive and students with the most promising proposals are selected.