In the College of Letters & Science, you earn your bachelor’s degree through a customized mix of classes where you explore your interests and discover new ones. You get the advantages that we have created over 175 years of being a great university. In Letters & Science, we take pride in blending the best practices from this long tradition with the newest ideas for instruction and research to offer an extraordinary undergraduate experience.

The Letters & Science difference is how you weave together studies in multiple areas, expanding this knowledge through ever-widening connections to related fields. You have at least one major for focused, in-depth study, and lots of flexibility in the ways you complete your degree.

Choose from hundreds of intriguing and challenging classes designed by Letters & Science faculty and instructors to give you a forward-looking education blending histories, communications, sciences, arts, languages, cultural studies, technologies, numbers, and international studies: ways we interact with our world, with information, and with each other.

Ways we interact with our world

Essential building blocks of science knowledge, including physics, chemistry, and mathematics, are especially strong here. Letters & Science offers not just biology, zoology, and botany, but also specialized areas of neurobiology, molecular and cell biology, and conservation biology.

You can study skies far away through astronomy and close above us through atmospheric sciences. Geology and environmental sciences reveal the physical world, while geography, cartography, and landscape studies show how land is used by humans and other living things.

Ways we interact with information

In Letters & Science, we offer in-depth studies in computer, statistics, and other information sciences. And data is everywhere, in every field and discipline, from psychology and linguistics to geographic information systems and digital media analytics. You learn how to collect, analyze, and use information to give you stronger tools to accomplish your academic and career goals.

Ways we interact with each other

Understanding different perspectives is one of the most significant transformations of your college years. Letters & Science’s academic programs include the study of uniquely American experiences of Asian American, African American, American Indian, and Chicanx/e people. You can explore the cultures and histories around the globe with classes and majors dedicated to regions in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.

Learn how we sustain our communities and social systems, through political science, legal studies, philosophy, economics, sociology, religion, gender, and social welfare. You can study (and create) music, art and visual culture, television and film, folklore, and literature.

Communications are a huge part of the Letters & Science academic mission. Here you can learn to speak and read in 50 languages, including those most commonly spoken around the world, American Sign Language, and six indigenous American Indian languages. About 40 Letters & Science majors and certificates have a required or recommended language component.

And communication is central to so many other areas of study in Letters & Science: journalism, rhetoric, English, communication disorders—and really, everything already named above.

Putting it all together

As a Letters & Science bachelor’s student, you get to choose from all these wonderful, intriguing, eye-opening, mind-awakening fields—and so many more. This Guide presents the full list of degrees, majors, and certificates, and all our courses. (See courses scheduled for a specific term in the public Course Search.)

As you earn your degree, what will be your special blend of knowledge, skills, and experiences, weaving together your understanding of the world, of information, and ourselves?

Degrees/Majors/Certificates

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

Entering the College

Entering the College

Students can enter the College of Letters & Science (L&S) upon admission to UW–Madison or by transferring from another school or college at UW–Madison.

Most students are admitted to Letters & Science, upon admission to the University, when their "first choice major" on their application is either an L&S major/degree or “Undeclared Major (College of Letters & Science).” A student will enter L&S as a first-year student if they select a School of Business major as their first choice major, a Letters & Science major as their second choice major, and are not directly admitted to the School of Business. Students who select Pharmacy as their first choice major begin in L&S, and may subsequently transition to the Pharmacology/Toxicology program or remain in L&S.

Students originally admitted to a different School or College at UW–Madison may transfer to Letters & Science if they are in good academic standing, meet the eligibility requirements, and complete a Request to Transfer to L&S application. 

Program of Study upon Entering the College

All students, except those admitted to the Mead Witter School of Music through an audition, enter Letters & Science as either Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science students. Students are required to declare a major before reaching Senior standing.

Reentry/Readmission

Students who have not been enrolled in classes for more than one full Fall or Spring term must apply as a reentry student through the Office of Admissions. Students reenter their most recent academic program (degree, major, and certificates).

L&S students who have been academically suspended must first apply for readmission to the College of Letters & Science. If approved, they must also apply for reentry to UW–Madison through the Office of Admissions. [see: L&S | Readmission after Academic Suspension].   

Policies and Regulations

Enrollment 

Enrollment Status

Students are considered enrolled at UW–Madison when they are officially registered for classes. Students on a UW–Madison Study Abroad or Study Away program are considered enrolled at UW–Madison.

Full-time enrollment is:

• Fall and Spring: 12 to 18 credits (18 is the normal maximum)

• Summer: 6 to 12 credits (12 is the normal maximum)

Students may enroll in fewer than 12 credits in Fall or Spring terms without special permission. [see: Office of the Registrar | Credit Load and Ranges]. However, full-time status is required for some campus programs, benefits, and services. Students should consult their academic advisor before enrolling in fewer than 12 credits. [Find your advisor in Academic Navigator]

Students may request a credit overload of 19 or 20 credits in Fall or Spring term, or 13 credits in Summer term, if they have a cumulative University GPA of 3.000 or higher. No student may be enrolled in more than these absolute maximums across all institutions for the term. Applications to enroll beyond the normal maximum at UW–Madison must be approved by L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans’ Services. [see: L&S Credit Limits in Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms]

University tuition is calculated based on enrolled credits, among other factors, so additional tuition and fees are assessed on credit overloads. [see: Bursar’s Office | Tuition & Fees and L&S Policy on Tuition Refunds]

Concurrent enrollment at another institution

Students may be enrolled in classes at another institution when they are also enrolled in UW–Madison classes, as long as the combined credit totals do not exceed 20 credits in Fall or Spring terms and 13 credits in Summer terms. No special permission is needed. [see: L&S | Concurrent Enrollment]

Credit earned at other institutions may be eligible to transfer to UW–Madison, up to the absolute maximums described above. [see: Office of the Registrar | Transfer Credit Overview]

Withdrawing from a term

A withdrawal is a request to drop all classes and not continue enrollment in that term. Because of the potential consequences of a withdrawal, the student must submit a withdrawal application to L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans’ Services. [see: L&S Withdrawing from a Term]

Deadlines to add, drop, and change classes

For each session in a term, UW–Madison sets deadlines for making changes to class schedules. After those deadlines pass, students must obtain permission to make changes. When “academic dean approval” is required, contact L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans’ Services. [see: Office of the Registrar | Dates & Deadlines, L&S Dropping a Course at UW—Madison]

Reentry

Students who have not been enrolled for at least one full term must apply for reentry to UW–Madison through the Office of Admissions. Students reenter their most recent academic program (degree, major, and certificates). [see: Office of Admissions | Apply as Reentry Student]

Courses and Credits

Find descriptions of UW–Madison courses, attributes, repeatability, and requisites in the Courses section of the Guide. 

Course requisites

Some courses have required conditions (“requisite” or “prerequisite”) that must be met before a student can enroll, such as another completed course (e.g., CHEM 103 before CHEM 104), placement test scores, or class standing (e.g., sophomore standing). Some courses have a co-requisite course where both are taken together in the same term.

Repeating a course

Some courses are designated as repeatable for credit, as shown in the details of the Courses section in Guide. For “Special Topics” and Directed Study courses that are repeated, the content of the class must be different each time for credit to be awarded.

Students may enroll in a nonrepeatable course for which they have already earned credit. This is referred to as enrolling on a “refresher” basis.  Students earn credit for the first time they pass a nonrepeatable course, whether that course was first passed at UW–Madison or another institution. A grade earned in a refresher course is calculated in the cumulative University GPA and the Term GPA, but not in the L&S degree’s other GPA requirements. [see: L&S | Retaking a Course at UW—Madison]

A refresher course counts toward the student’s credit load for the term, including as a basis for tuition and fees.

Repeating a nonrepeatable course does not remove or change the grade received for the earlier attempt or completion of the course.

Directed Study

Directed Study are courses where the learning experience is customized with the mentorship of a member of the faculty.

Directed Study courses in subject areas outside of Letters & Science, and numbered 398 or higher, are considered Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) courses. Directed Study courses may be repeated for credit if course content is not duplicated. Directed Study courses do not meet Core General Education and are not intended to meet L&S degree requirements for Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Mathematics, Language, and Breadth. Directed Study courses do meet the requirements for Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work, Liberal Arts and Science credit, UW—Madison Experience (Residence), and compute into GPA requirements, when taken for a letter grade [see: L&S Degree Requirements]

Directed Study courses may not be taken on a Pass/Fail or Audit basis. Courses with numbers ending in "99" (e.g., HISTORY 699 ) are taken for a letter grade. Courses with numbers ending in "98" (e.g., HISTORY 698) are taken on a Credit/No Credit basis.

Graduate courses

Courses numbered 700 and above are reserved for students enrolled in a UW–Madison graduate degree program. 

In rare instances, an instructor may permit an exceptional undergraduate student to enroll in their graduate course, if the graduate experience advances the student’s education goals. 

Undergraduate students taking graduate courses are expected to complete the same work as graduate students and are graded accordingly. Undergraduate students who complete a graduate course with a passing grade earn undergraduate degree credit. [see: L&S | Graduate Courses]

• Graduate-level courses in L&S subject areas count as Advanced-level credit and toward the required 108 credits in Liberal Arts and Science courses and the Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work.
• Graduate-level courses in subject areas outside of Letters & Science are considered free electives in the degree.
• Graduate-level courses do not count towards L&S Breadth requirements.
• Grades earned by undergraduates in graduate-level courses are computed in all relevant grade-point averages for the degree.
• Undergraduate students cannot enroll in or earn degree credit for graduate-level Directed Study, Independent Reading, Independent Study, Dissertation, or Individual Enrollment courses (e.g., 799, 899, 999).

Credit by Departmental Examination

Some L&S departments may award credit by exam for approved courses. Departments are responsible for maintaining procedures for awarding credit by departmental examination. For a list of courses approved for credit by examination see: Credit by Exam.

Retroactive language credit

UW–Madison awards degree credit (called retroactive credit or retro-credit) for language learning to students who meet certain criteria. [see: Retroactive Language Credit and UW—Madison Language Institute | Policies]

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Language placement tests for some students evaluate their English language proficiency and place those students into an English as a Second Language course. [see: Placement Tests]

Only ESL 118 counts as Liberal Arts and Science credit. Other ESL courses count as free electives toward the 120 credits required to graduate.

Exams 

Letters & Science follows the University policy and the campus schedule for midterm and final examinations. [see: L&S | Exams]

Grades

Letters & Science follows the University policy for grades and grading. [see: Grading System and Office of the Registrar | Student Grading and GPA]

Grade changes

A grade may be changed only if there has been a reporting error. In such cases, the student should notify the instructor, who can then correct the grade. [see: L&S | Policy and Process for Grade Changes]

Grade appeals

Students have the right to appeal a final grade if they believe that grade to be either incorrect or inequitable when compared to the standard grading policy in the syllabus for all students taking the same course.  A student wishing to appeal their grade must follow the process described here:  [L&S | Policy and Procedures for Grade Appeal]

Incomplete grade (I)

A temporary grade of Incomplete may be assigned to a student who, because of illness or another unforeseen and substantiated cause, is unable to complete all coursework by the end of the term or session.

To be eligible for an Incomplete grade, the student must:

• Have completed at least 75% of the coursework and be missing only a small amount of graded work, and;
• Be passing the class up to that point, and;
• Be able to complete the remaining work in a timely fashion, and;
• Have been in communication with the instructor and agreed upon a plan to complete coursework.

For a short summary of the policy, see the Enrollment and Records | Incompletes section of Guide.

Pass/Fail grade (S/U)

Students may take classes on a Pass/Fail basis according to University policy. In Letters & Science, courses with a Pass/Fail grade of S are eligible to meet the requirements for total degree credits, Liberal Arts and Science credit, Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work, and the UW–Madison Experience (Residence) requirement. Courses with a Pass/Fail grade of S do not meet other requirements of L&S degree, major, or certificate programs. Pass/Fail grades do not compute into any GPA requirements. [see: Pass/Fail Grading Option for L&S Undergraduates]

Students request the Pass/Fail grade option through their Student Center. This request must be approved by L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans’ Services. Once the deadline for requesting Pass/Fail grading has passed, no adjustments to the grading approach may occur. [see: Process for requesting the Pass/Fail grading option]

Majors 

Declaring a major

Declaring is the formal process of adding a major to a degree program.

Students are required to declare a major before they reach Senior standing (i.e., they have 86 earned degree credits). Students who have not yet declared a major by the fifth week of the term in which they have 86 combined earned and in-progress credits will be prevented from enrolling in a future term until they either declare a major or are granted an extension by L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans’ Services. Students who feel they need an extension must consult their academic advisor about their plan to declare a major. [Find your advisors in Academic Navigator]

Canceling a major

Students who no longer want to complete a major must contact the department of the major and request it be canceled. Seniors who wish to cancel their only declared major are subject to the major declaration policy above and will need to choose an alternate major. [see: L&S Degrees/Majors/Certificates]

Additional L&S major (for students in other schools/colleges)

Undergraduate students pursuing degrees in other UW–Madison Schools/Colleges may declare an additional major in the College of Letters & Science. Students must obtain permission from the Academic Dean in their home School/College and the L&S department that offers the L&S major.

Adding an L&S major to a degree in another school or college is not a "dual degree." Students who declare an additional L&S major only complete the requirements of that major; they do not complete the other L&S degree requirements. 

Students earning their degree from another School/College at UW–Madison and who concurrently complete the requirements of an L&S major will have the L&S major conferred after their primary degree is conferred. The L&S major will then be added to the official UW–Madison transcript. [see: L&S Degrees, Majors, and Certificates and Office of the Registrar | Posting of Degrees]

Additional non-L&S majors (for L&S students)

After declaring at least one L&S major, an L&S degree-seeking student may request permission to declare an additional major offered by another school or college at UW—Madison. Currently, these non-L&S majors are available to L&S students, as additional majors: 

• Biochemistry (College of Agricultural & Life Sciences)
• Educational Policy Studies (School of Education)
• Global Health (College of Agricultural & Life Sciences)
• Health Promotion and Health Equity (School of Education)
• Theatre and Drama (School of Education)

[see: L&S | Declaring a Second Major Outside of L&S for L&S Undergraduates]

The College of Letters & Science will not delay conferring a degree to a student who has completed their L&S degree requirements but has not completed the requirements of an additional non-L&S major.

Academic Standing 

Academic standing is based on the student’s most recent academic standing status, cumulative University GPA, and Term GPA. [see: Academic Standing in the College of Letters & Science]

Good academic standing

Students are in good academic standing when their cumulative University GPA and most recent Term GPA are both 2.000 or higher. New students who have not yet established a University GPA are in good academic standing.

Academic probation and suspension

Students with a cumulative University GPA or most recent Term GPA of 1.999 or lower have an academic standing of Probation, Strict Probation, or Suspension, according to the section below. Students who are academically suspended may not enroll at UW–Madison for three consecutive terms (a combination of Fall, Spring, and Summer). 

Probation

• Assigned when a student in good academic standing earns a Term GPA of 1.000 to 1.999.
• Continued when a student on probation earns a Term GPA of 2.000 to 4.000 that results in a cumulative University GPA of 0.000 to 1.999.

Strict Probation

• Assigned when a student in good academic standing earns a Term GPA of 0.000 to 0.999; or
• Assigned when a student on probation earns a Term GPA of 1.500 to 1.999; or
• Assigned when a student on academic suspension is readmitted.

• Continued when a student on strict probation earns a Term GPA of 2.000 to 4.000 that results in a cumulative University GPA of 0.000 to 1.999.

Suspension

• Occurs when a student on probation earns a Term GPA of 0.000 to 1.499; or
• Occurs when a student on strict probation earns a Term GPA of 0.000 to 1.999.

Readmission

L&S students who have been academically suspended must first apply for readmission to the College of Letters & Science. If approved, they must also apply for reentry to UW—Madison through the Office of Admissions. [see: L&S | Readmission after Academic Suspension].

UW–Madison requires that academically suspended students who have been approved for readmission return to their previous college (Letters & Science) and major (if declared), although the student may later follow standard processes to change colleges or majors.

Dean’s List 

The Dean's List is published at the end of Fall and Spring terms [registrar.wisc.edu/deanslist]. Students on the Dean’s List for that term receive a transcript notation.

In the College of Letters & Science, students are eligible for the Dean’s List for a term when they complete at least 12 graded credits, do not have any unresolved temporary grades, and have a Term GPA of:

• 3.600 or higher (freshmen and sophomores)
• 3.850 or higher (juniors and seniors)

Temporary grades like NR, I, and Q must be resolved before students are eligible for the L&S Dean’s List. [see: Office of the Registrar | Valid Grades]

Students who have verified that they meet the eligibility criteria for a term but do not have a Dean’s List notation on their transcript may contact L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services. [see: L&S | Dean’s List Qualifications]

Degrees and Diplomas 

Changing degrees within Letters & Science

Students in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees may switch between them by completing a Degree Program Change form.  [see: Degree Program Change (BA/BS)]

Graduation

Students are expected to graduate in the term when they have completed all degree and major requirements. Graduating students are encouraged to review all of their degree audit (“DARS”) reports, meet with their advisor, and “apply for graduation” by the tenth day of class in their final term. Students apply for graduation via their Student Center. [see: Office of the Registrar | Apply to Graduation]

Degree conferral

L&S confers degrees to qualified students after final grades are reported for a term. L&S uses the degree audit (“DARS”) to verify that all requirements in a student’s degree and each declared major are complete, and that all grades are final. Students should review their “DARS” in consultation with their advisor(s) to verify eligibility to graduate at the conclusion of the term.

In the term a student graduates with their degree, all completed certificates will be audited and, if complete, awarded. Certificates that are not complete will not be awarded and will not delay graduation. Students are strongly advised not to delay their graduation for the sole purpose of pursuing a certificate program.

Term of Conferral

A student’s degree is conferred in the term when all credit is awarded and all grades are final.

If a student has an Incomplete grade in their last enrolled term that is given a final grade after that term is over the degree will be conferred in the term when the work was reported to be completed by the instructor of the course. [see: L&S | Graduation and Degree Audit Deficiency]

The College of Letters & Science has the authority to confer a degree to a student who has completed their degree requirements but did not formally apply for graduation.

Diplomas

The University Registrar posts degrees and orders diplomas after a student’s degree is conferred by the College of Letters & Science. UW–Madison undergraduate diplomas display the degree earned (e.g., Bachelor of Arts) but not major(s) or certificate(s). Major and certificate information is recorded on the student’s official UW–Madison transcript. [see: Office of the Registrar | Posting of Degrees, Office of the Registrar | Diplomas and Office of the Registrar | Transcripts]

Second undergraduate degree

Students may be enrolled in, and earn, only one UW–Madison undergraduate degree. Students may not pursue a dual degree that combines a degree program in L&S with one in another UW–Madison School or College. 

When there are exceptional circumstances, a student may be approved to enroll in the College of Letters & Science for a second undergraduate degree. Eligibility is determined as part of the admissions process, in consultation with the academic deans in Letters & Science. [see: L&S | Second Undergraduate Degree]

Requirements

Notice: The requirements for all L&S degrees were updated for Summer 2026.

The requirements below apply to all students who matriculated at UW–Madison or any other post-secondary institution Summer 2026 and later.

Students who matriculated at UW–Madison or any other post-secondary institution prior to Summer 2026 should consult the archived version of Guide corresponding to their date of matriculation (guide.wisc.edu/archive).

This page provides information about the requirements of these L&S degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (BS)
• Journalism Bachelor of Arts (JBA)
• Journalism Bachelor of Science (JBS)

Consult the Guide Degrees/Majors/Certificates section for degree requirements for these L&S degrees: Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics, Engineering, and Physics; Bachelor of Landscape Architecture; Bachelor of Music: Performance; Bachelor of Music: Education; Bachelor of Social Work; and Bachelor of Liberal Studies.

Requirements for the BA, BS, JBA, and JBS degrees:

• Communication
• Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics
• Ethnic Studies
• Language
• L&S Breadth
• Major
• Liberal Arts and Science Coursework
• Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Work
• UW–Madison Experience
• Quality of Work
• Core General Education Requirements

Guide Editions and Catalog Years

A student’s degree requirements are established according to student-specific academic milestones called “catalog year” policies. Each School and College at UW–Madison may have different catalog year policies. In L&S, the catalog policies determine the requirements of the degree as follows:

• Core General Education Requirements (CGER): Year and term of first matriculation to any accredited institution of higher learning, after graduating from secondary school.
• L&S degree requirements: Year and term of first matriculation to any accredited institution of higher learning, after graduating from secondary school.
• L&S major/certificate requirements: Year and term of program declaration.

Students should consult the catalog-year edition of the Guide that applies to each requirement of their programs: guide.wisc.edu/archive. For example, a student’s Guide for L&S degree requirements may differ from their Guide for major requirements because they matriculated to post-secondary education in Fall 2024, but declared their major in Spring 2026. In this example, the student should consult Guide 2024-2025 for their degree requirements, and Guide 2025-2026 for their major requirements. The Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) applies these catalog year policies automatically.

Students are allowed to complete degree requirements in effect when they enter their program. Students have the option to adopt new requirements by requesting their catalog year be updated. Students wishing to update their catalog year for major/certificate requirements should contact the advisor of that program. For L&S requirements, students should contact L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services.

Communication

Courses designated as Communication A (Comm A) and Communication B (Comm B) help students learn how to gather and assess information from a variety of sources and to present different kinds of information, insight, and analysis to diverse audiences. Comm A courses focus on essential communication skills and Comm B courses teach research, writing, and communication skills within a disciplinary area. Students are expected to meet the Communication A requirement by the end of their first year of undergraduate study.

Students meet this requirement by completing:

• one course with the Communication A (or eligible English placement test score), and
• one course with the Communication B designation.

Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics

Quantitative Reasoning

Quantitative Reasoning A courses provide students with foundational skills in mathematics, computer science, statistics or formal logic that are needed for dealing with quantitative information. In Quantitative Reasoning B courses students use quantitative tools in the context of other disciplines or course material.

Students meet this requirement by completing:

• one Quantitative Reasoning A course (or eligible Mathematics placement test score), and
• one Quantitative Reasoning B course.

Students should complete Part A of the Quantitative Reasoning requirement by the end of their first year, and must complete Part A before enrolling in Part B.

Mathematics

The BS and JBS include a Mathematics requirement:

• two Intermediate or Advanced level courses, each at least three credits, in either Mathematics, Computer Sciences, or Statistics. Of the two additional courses, only one may be from Computer Sciences and only one may be from Statistics.

Ethnic Studies

The Ethnic Studies requirement is intended to increase understanding of the culture and contributions of persistently marginalized racial or ethnic groups in the United States, and to equip students to respond constructively to issues connected with our pluralistic society and global community.

Students meet this requirement by completing:

• One 3+ credit course with the Ethnic Studies designation

Language

The College of Letters & Science teaches over fifty languages other than English. The study of languages contributes in an important way to a broad education in a multilingual world where many 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. Degrees in L&S require language study to ensure that all students have access to the knowledge, skills, and perspectives that studying a language affords.

The Language requirement is fulfilled through the study of languages other than English, measured in units that represent a progression through a course sequence. A language unit at UW–Madison is defined as one semester of college language study, or one year of language study in high school.

For example, the “third unit” of a language would be awarded by completing three progressive years of high school French (French 1, French 2, French 3). Using college course work, three units would be granted by completing FRENCH 101, FRENCH 102, and FRENCH 203 at UW–Madison or their equivalents at another accredited college or university.

For BA and JBA students, the Language requirement is met when a student has either the fourth unit of one language, or the third unit in one language in combination with the second unit of another language.

For BS and JBS students, the Language requirement is met when a student has the third unit of one language.

Students may also meet the Language requirement through departmental assessment and placement.

Students with a documented disability in second-language acquisition who believe they cannot satisfy the Language requirement in a language other than English may apply for an accommodation. If approved, students may complete the Language requirement through a “Language Substitution Package.” Information about this process is available at L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans’ Services.

L&S Breadth

Students who are liberally educated understand the connections between many scholarly approaches to world knowledge. The L&S Breadth requirements expose students to three principal areas of knowledge: arts and humanities, social sciences, and the natural sciences. Combined, these broad areas challenge students to understand different ways (methods) of knowing and to connect various subjects of inquiry.

The three areas of Breadth are:

• Humanities, which primarily focuses on understanding humans as thinkers, citizens, and creators of art, literature, and culture.
• Social Sciences, which primarily focuses on understanding humans and their interactions in societies, institutions, and systems.
• Natural Sciences, which primarily focuses on systematic study of the natural and physical world, and with the use of abstraction and logical reasoning.

BA and JBA students must complete these Breadth requirements:

• 12 credits in Humanities, including at least 6 credits in Literature.
• 12 credits in Social Sciences.
• 12 credits in Natural Sciences, including at least one 3+ credit course in Biological Science and one 3+ credit course in Physical Science.

BS and JBS students must complete these Breadth requirements:

• 12 credits in Humanities, including at least 6 credits in Literature.
• 12 credits in Social Sciences.
• 12 credits in Natural Sciences, including at least 6 credits in Biological Science and 6 credits in Physical Science.

Some courses have a Breadth designation in two areas (e.g., “Humanities or Social Science”). These courses may only count toward one of the L&S Breadth requirements and cannot be applied twice or split between two L&S Breadth areas. DARS is programmed to apply these courses to the L&S Breadth requirements in a way that is most beneficial to each student.

Major

L&S offers more than 60 majors that can be completed in the BA and BS degrees. Completing a major allows students to deeply investigate at least one subject or issue. Work in the major requires a progression of skills, knowledge, and values, where advanced learning opportunities in upper-level coursework grow from and expand upon earlier experiences. In advanced coursework, senior capstone, or independent research projects, students are asked to synthesize what they have learned and apply it in new situations. By the conclusion of their studies, students are educated 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.

Students must complete at least one L&S major to earn their degree. Students are required to declare a major before reaching senior standing (86 earned credits). The process to declare a major is outlined in the How to Get In section of each major.

Liberal Arts and Science Coursework

Of the 120 credits required for the degree, students must earn at least 108 credits in courses designated as Liberal Arts and Science courses. These courses promote the core educational values of the liberal arts and sciences:

• 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.

Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Work

Students are expected to challenge themselves in rigorous courses and achieve deeper knowledge of subject matter as they progress in their degree.

To meet this requirement, students must complete at least 60 credits in courses with the Liberal Arts and Science designation, and either the Intermediate or Advanced level designation.

UW–Madison Experience

Students must have 30 overall credits in residence to meet the university requirements for an undergraduate degree. In addition, L&S students must complete at least 30 credits in residence as a Senior (after 86 earned degree credits) and 15 credits at the upper-level in each declared major.  These requirements are intended to ensure that students have a substantive and meaningful academic experience in classes taught by UW–Madison faculty. These credits do not have to be contiguous for the requirement to be met. A course is considered in residence if the student enrolls for credit through UW–Madison. This includes any courses completed:

Quality of Work

A student’s overall quality of work and their quality of work in their chosen major(s) 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, and set a minimum 2.000 GPA in four specific areas:

• University GPA, computed using all graded courses at UW–Madison.
• Intermediate/Advanced, computed using courses designated Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) with Intermediate or Advanced level. Courses taken on a refresher basis do not compute toward this requirement.
• Major, computed in each major using all courses that meet the requirements of that major and all courses in the subject listing of each major (if applicable). Courses taken on a refresher basis do not compute toward this requirement.
• Upper-Level in Major, computed in each major using courses designated as upper-level for that major. Courses taken on a refresher basis do not compute toward this requirement.

Core General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students must satisfy Core General Education Requirements to complete their undergraduate degree. In practice, students will complete many general education requirements through coursework applicable to their L&S degree or major.

Course Designations

Course designations are labels that indicate how courses could meet requirements. Courses with multiple designations are eligible to meet multiple requirements.

For example, a course with both Quantitative Reasoning B and Social Science Breadth designations can meet both requirements. A course with “or” in its designation (for example “Humanities or Social Science” Breadth) is eligible to count in one Breadth area, but not both.

Students can use their DARS to confirm how a course counts in their academic plan.

Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS)

The requirements for every L&S degree, major, and certificate program are evaluated using the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS). DARS is the official report of student degree progress, requirement fulfillment, and eligibility to graduate with an L&S degree, major, or certificate program. In principle, Guide and DARS will be aligned. However, since DARS applies a student’s academic record to their program requirements, it is essential to check DARS for academic progress and requirement completion.

Students can request and review their DARS in the Course Search and Enroll app or Student Center. Students should review DARS regularly to see how their completed and in-progress coursework satisfies the requirements of their program(s). When a student applies to graduate, L&S will use DARS for all their declared programs to determine whether they have completed all requirements of the degree and are eligible to graduate.

Students may also use DARS to explore L&S programs in which they are interested but not declared by using the “What-If” DARS. They may also include courses they plan to take in a future term and audit the results. When using DARS and exploring L&S program requirements, students are encouraged to consult Guide, their assigned academic advisor, and the academic advisor of the program they are considering.  

Resources

Academic Advising

You make the decisions that fit your academic plan. We’ll help you know your options.

Academic advisors are experts who help you explore UW–Madison courses and understand the components of your degree. They help you find learning support, tutoring, activities, and services that enhance your college experience, such as First-Year Interest Groups, Study Abroad, and honors classes.

Enrolled undergraduate students always have at least one assigned advisor; find yours in MyUW’s Academic Navigator. 

Discuss your academic plan with your advisor frequently throughout your college years.

You connect with your advising team at SOAR, the orientation for all incoming students. Your assigned advisor will have a broad knowledge of courses, majors, and certificates.

When you declare a major, your primary academic advising shifts to an advisor in that major’s department who specializes in its requirements and opportunities.

Additional Advisors

UW–Madison has specialist advisors for students interested in future study in medicine and health professions, law, business, and more. Students developing research for a senior thesis and other kinds of advanced study may have a faculty advisor who is an instructor or professor.

advising.wisc.edu/advising-101 — This all-campus advising website is an excellent place to start understanding how advising fits into your college life.

advising.ls.wisc.edu — L&S Academic Advising Services is the College’s central coordinating office for undergraduate academic advising.

Policy Advising

If you are told to “talk to a dean” or you “need deans' permission,” this means a special kind of college administrator called an academic dean.

Academic deans assist students on issues and processes related to college policy, such as grade changes, enrollment updates, credit overloads, and degree clearance. They also support students who are experiencing academic challenges, helping them navigate academic suspension, withdrawing from the term, and seeking readmission to the College. In their work, academic deans make discretionary decisions regarding the interpretation and implementation of College policy for individual cases and manage appeals of related concerns.

deans.ls.wisc.edu — Our academic deans are in L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans' Services. They interpret and apply academic policy to L&S students, faculty, and staff and provides accurate and comprehensive information about L&S academic rules and processes.

Career Advising

Many departments in Letters & Science have career advisors dedicated to students in the major: check the “Advising and Careers” sections of programs in this Guide. Career advisors have deep connections to alumni and other professionals in fields related to the major. They assist with internships, networking, and other services to help students build a plan toward chosen careers.

Study Abroad

Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu

As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.

SuccessWorks

SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.

Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.

• What you can do with your major  (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
• Make a career advising appointment
• Learn about internships and internship funding
• Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students

Honors

The College of Letters & Science Honors Program provides a community for many of the university’s most talented and engaged undergraduates. Students of all backgrounds and academic interests challenge and learn from each other while working closely with faculty members and completing Honors coursework. The Honors Program is home to around 1,500 motivated, curious 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, funding opportunities and much more can be found on the L&S Honors Program website. We welcome inquiries via email at honors@honors.ls.wisc.edu. The L&S Honors Program is located in the historic Washburn Observatory at 1401 Observatory Drive in Madison, WI 53706.

How to Get In

Eligibility criteria and admissions procedures differ for the different Honors degrees. Any UW–Madison Honors credits earned before admission to the Honors Program may be applied toward Honors degree requirements.

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 follow different application procedures based on whether they are an incoming (non-transfer) student newly admitted to the College of Letters & Science, on the one hand, or a transfer student or continuing L&S student, on the other.

All students admitted to the university and to the College of Letters & Science are invited to apply to the Honors Program to pursue Honors in the Liberal Arts. Interested incoming students can apply via an online application. L&S admitted students receive an invitation message by email that contains application instructions, and instructions are also on the Honors Program website. Admission to the program is competitive, and space is limited.

Continuing L&S undergraduates and incoming 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. Application instructions and decision timelines are available on the Honors Program website. While continuing or transfer students having 60 or more credits at the time of application to the Honors Program are eligible to pursue the Honors in the Liberal Arts (HLA) degree track, they are encouraged to consider whether Honors in the Major (HM) would be their preferred Honors track (see below), since they may find it difficult to prioritize and complete the HLA degree requirements. Meeting with an Honors advisor can help interested students understand Honors requirements and possible paths forward.

Admission to Honors in the Major (HM)

Most majors in the College of Letters & Science offer students the option of pursuing Honors in the Major. Students interested in pursuing an Honors in the Major degree should consult the requirements for their major in Guide, follow major-specific procedures to declare the major, and speak with their assigned major advisor, who will explain any major-specific admissions procedures and Honors requirements. After receiving authorization from the department to declare Honors in the Major, students must complete the Honors in the Major Declaration Form on the Honors Program website.

Honors in the Major can be pursued independently from or alongside Honors in the Liberal Arts.

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, BA with Honors in the Liberal Arts or BS with Honors in the Major).

Honors in the Liberal Arts (HLA)

Honors in the Liberal Arts 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. Coursework toward Honors in the Liberal Arts should be started as soon as possible and spread throughout a student’s undergraduate degree. Students who complete this curriculum build connections with faculty and peers and 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:

• completion of the L&S general degree requirements
• a University GPA of 3.300 or higher at the time of graduation
• completion of at least 24 credits in Honors courses with the Liberal Arts & Science (LAS) designation and with grades of B or better, of which:
  • at least 15 credits must be in courses with the Honors Only or Accelerated Honors designation
  • 6 credits must be courses designated as Humanities (may include Literature designation)
  • 6 credits must be courses designated as Social Science
  • 6 credits must be courses designated as Biological, Physical, or Natural Science 

Honors in the Major (HM)

Honors in the Major is intended for students who are interested in original research and who want deeper undergraduate training in the discipline. Honors in the Major can prepare students with the research, writing, and critical thinking skills useful to a wide range of career choices and graduate programs.

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.

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

• complete the L&S general degree requirements, if an L&S degree candidate¹;
• complete the regular major requirements, including any declared named option requirements;
• obtain a University grade point average of at least 3.300;
• earn a grade of B or better in all courses counting towards Honors in the Major requirements; and
• 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).

Senior Honors Thesis

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. The two-semester Senior 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 courses). These two courses may not be taken concurrently. The final grade for the entire thesis is assigned after 682 has been completed.  The thesis advisor will assign the thesis writer a P grade at the end of 681, signifying “progress,” if progress has been made on the Senior Honors Thesis. When a 682 grade is posted, the Registrar’s Office will update the “P” grade from 681 to match the assigned grade from 682.

A Senior Honors Thesis may not count toward Honors in the Major requirements in more than one major unless the student has received Dual Thesis Authorization from the L&S Honors Program. Dual Thesis Authorization allows the student to write one interdisciplinary thesis under the guidance of two thesis mentors, one representing each major, and have the thesis count toward Honors in the Major for both majors. Students interested in Dual Thesis Authorization should consult the Honors Program’s Dual Thesis Authorization information. The L&S Honors Program strongly recommends that students seeking Dual Thesis Authorization submit required application materials the semester before they will be in a first-semester thesis course (typically 681).

A student may not enroll in senior Honors thesis credits for an L&S major (typically 681 and 682) while studying abroad unless they have received prior authorization from the L&S Honors Program. Such authorization is rarely granted, and the student would still need their thesis mentorship to be through UW-Madison. L&S Honors students interested in completing any thesis credits while abroad should consult with the L&S Honors Associate Director of Advising and Curriculum and also make a plan for thesis completion while on campus in Madison.

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 below. Students should always verify the Honors designation available for the particular section in which they wish to enroll.

• "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 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 who have selected the "Honors Option" are advised to consult with the instructor during the first three weeks of the term to confirm the Honors requirements for the course. Instructors either have pre-established Honors Optional expectations or students may be encouraged to develop a project idea of their own. 

When the Schedule of Classes is published for the upcoming term, students can use the Enroll App to identify which course sections are being offered for Honors and with which designation. A course or course section 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:

• Complete an approved “Green Sheet” project. The Green Sheet proposal process allows a student to design an additional project for a course that is not otherwise offered for Honors credit in the given term. Green Sheets require consent of the instructor and approval of the L&S Honors Program. Green Sheet proposals must be submitted to the Honors Program no later than sixth week of a fall or spring semester or the third week of an eight-week summer term. Additional information and the online proposal form are available on the Green Sheet Information page of the Honors Program website.
• Participate in an Honors-affiliated Study Abroad Program. Honors credit for some or all of the courses taken through these programs is awarded automatically through the study abroad equivalency process. More information about current Honors-affiliated study abroad programs can be found on the Study Abroad page of the Honors Program website.
• Complete a study abroad petition. Through this process, a student may petition to have one course from an eligible study abroad term count toward unmet Honors requirements for Honors in the Liberal Arts. More information can be found on the Study Abroad Petition Information page of the Honors Program website.

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 L&S Honors Program has a team of dedicated academic advisors who accompany and support Honors candidates from the time the students join the Honors Program through their graduation. Advisors help individual students as they navigate a large, complex university, explore diverse educational and co-curricular experiences, and develop and pursue 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 the 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).

People

Please visit the L&S Honors website to view Honors Team Members, including the Director, Associate Directors, Program Administrator, and Academic Advisors.

We welcome inquiries via email at honors@honors.ls.wisc.edu. Current students can connect with Honors advising via Starfish or by emailing advisor@honors.ls.wisc.edu.

Policies

Honors Progression

Students must obtain a University grade point average of 3.300 or higher to be eligible to graduate with an Honors in the Liberal Arts, Honors in the Major, or Comprehensive Honors. As such, we encourage students to strive for at least this GPA each academic term. The Honors Program advising team will reach out to students and offer their support in developing an improvement plan should their GPA drop below 3.300. 

Students who leave the College of Letters & Science or who have not made progress toward meeting Honors in the Liberal Arts coursework or GPA requirements may be administratively withdrawn to facilitate timely graduation with a non-Honors degree.

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 of HM.

Students may withdraw from HLA and/or HM at any time by submitting an Honors Withdrawal Form, available on the Honors Program website. 

Honors Transfer Credit

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