Polish is the most commonly spoken Slavic language of the European Union and the second largest Slavic language in the world, with over 50 million users across the globe. Poland has a unique and vibrant culture shaped by a millennium of artistic and intellectual innovation and struggles for political, social, and cultural independence. The country survived two world wars and half a century of communist rule to emerge as a regional leader in East Central Europe, the fastest growing economy in the European Union, and home to one of the most dynamic cultural scenes in the world. It is also a key NATO and U.S. ally in Europe. The Polish diaspora is among the world’s largest, with major concentrations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.
The Polish major offers courses in the Polish language, literature, culture, politics, and one of the most intricate, fascinating histories in Europe, providing the knowledge and skills for successful careers in business, politics, diplomacy, arts, translation, international law, environmental science, journalism, national security, tourism, and cultural services.
How to Get in
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare. For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers. |
| Courses required to get in | None |
| GPA requirements to get in | None |
| Credits required to get in | None |
| Other | None |
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. Some courses satisfy more than one L&S degree requirement (visit College of Letters & Science: Requirements for details).
This major can be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
| Communication | Complete both:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning | Complete both:
|
| Ethnic Studies | one 3+ credit course with the Ethnic Studies designation |
| Language | Complete either:
|
| L&S Breadth: Humanities | Complete 12 credits with the Humanities or Literature designation, which must include at least 6 credits with the Literature designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Social Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Social Science designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Natural Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Natural Science, Biological Science, or Physical Science designations, which must include both:
|
| Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) Coursework | at least 108 credits |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work | at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | at least 120 credits |
| UW-Madison Experience |
|
| Quality of Work |
|
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their School/College to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
The Polish major requires study of the Polish language, Polish literature in translation, Polish literature in the original language, as well as culture and area studies, as detailed below:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Polish Language (complete two courses): | 6 | |
| Third Year Polish I | ||
| Third Year Polish II | ||
| Polish Literature and Culture (complete both): | ||
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 215 | Love and Death: Introduction to Polish Literature & Culture | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 361 | Living at the End of Times: Contemporary Polish Literature and Culture | 3 |
| Additional Course in Polish Language or Literature/Culture (complete one): | 3 | |
| Fourth Year Polish I | ||
| Fourth Year Polish II | ||
| History and Ethics on Film: Polish Cinema 1 | ||
| Adventure in Literature and Film | ||
| Polish Literature and Culture Area Studies from: | 6 | |
| History and Ethics on Film: Polish Cinema 1 | ||
SLAVIC 242 | ||
| Escaping Utopia: Cultures after Communism | ||
| Topics in Slavic Literatures | ||
| Eastern Europe: An Interdisciplinary Survey | ||
| Slavic Culture in Context: An Honors Course | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Study Abroad in Poland | ||
| Study Abroad in Polish Culture and Area Studies | ||
| Intermediate Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | ||
SLAVIC 444 | ||
| Advanced Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | ||
| History of Polish Literature until 1863 | ||
SLAVIC 472 | ||
| Eastern Europe since 1900 | ||
| Slavic Science Fiction through Literature and Film | ||
LITTRANS 218 | ||
| Representation of the Jew in Eastern European Cultures | ||
LITTRANS 241 | ||
| Topics in Slavic Literatures in Translation | ||
| Intermediate Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | ||
| Advanced Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | ||
LITTRANS 473 | ||
| The European Union: Politics and Political Economy | ||
POLI SCI 659 | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Residence and Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all major courses
- 2.000 GPA on at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the major, in residence
- 15 credits in the major taken on the UW–Madison campus
Upper-Level Courses in the Major:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLAVIC 277 | Third Year Polish I | 3 |
| SLAVIC 278 | Third Year Polish II | 3 |
| SLAVIC 307 | Study Abroad in Poland | 1-4 |
| SLAVIC 308 | Study Abroad in Polish Culture and Area Studies | 1-4 |
| SLAVIC 331 | Fourth Year Polish I | 3 |
| SLAVIC 332 | Fourth Year Polish II | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 357 | Intermediate Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 361 | Living at the End of Times: Contemporary Polish Literature and Culture | 3 |
| SLAVIC 444 | ||
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 467 | Advanced Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | 3 |
| POLI SCI 340 | The European Union: Politics and Political Economy | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 659 | 3-4 |
Honors in the Major
To earn Honors in the Major, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 University GPA
- Earn a 3.300 GPA for all SLAVIC courses and all courses counting in the major
- Complete a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in SLAVIC 681 and SLAVIC 682, for a total of 6 credits
- 9 credits from the following list:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLAVIC 277 | Third Year Polish I | 3 |
| SLAVIC 278 | Third Year Polish II | 3 |
| SLAVIC 331 | Fourth Year Polish I | 3 |
| SLAVIC 332 | Fourth Year Polish II | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 361 | Living at the End of Times: Contemporary Polish Literature and Culture | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 357 | Intermediate Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 467 | Advanced Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | 3 |
Footnotes
- 1
SLAVIC 231 may only count within one requirement for the major.
Learning Outcomes
- (Polish language proficiency) Develop speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills and integrate these skills to communicate in Polish in a variety of social situations.
- Develop and apply writing skills and oral communication skills appropriate to liberal arts education in the context of Slavic studies.
- Develop and apply critical thinking skills inherent in the liberal arts tradition in the context of Slavic studies.
- Analyze and interpret works of literature in themselves and in the context of specific historical and cultural conditions.
- Demonstrate insight into Polish culture and civilization and apply this knowledge across disciplines such as history, political science, the arts, geography, business, economics, sociology, the sciences, gender studies, philosophy, law, folklore.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SLAVIC 111 | 4 | SLAVIC 112 | 4 |
| Communication A | 3 | GERMAN 267 | 3-4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | 3-4 | Social Science Breadth | 4 |
| Social Science Breadth | 4 | Biological Science Breadth | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SLAVIC 207 | 4 | SLAVIC 208 | 4 |
| GNS/FOLKLORE 200 (Comm B) | 3 | SLAVIC/GEOG/HISTORY/POLI SCI 254 | 4 |
| Physical Science Breadth | 3 | INTER-LS 210 | 1 |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 3 | Social Science Breadth | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SLAVIC 277 | 3 | SLAVIC 278 | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 215 | 3 | SLAVIC/LITTRANS 361 | 3 |
| Science Breadth | 3 | Polish Area Studies Course | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | Science Breadth | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SLAVIC 331 | 3 | SLAVIC 332 | 3 |
| Polish Area Studies course | 3 | Polish Area Studies course | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | Electives | 9 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Declare or Cancel This Major
Please follow the process described on the German, Nordic, and Slavic+ website.
Any student with previous experience with the Polish language is required to take a placement test. These tests may admit a student to a more advanced course, but give no credit toward graduation. However, retroactive credits can be granted in recognition of previous language study. L&S Retro Credit Policy. The Placement Advisor for Polish is Krzysztof Borowski. Please contact the undergraduate advisor to request placement.
For other undergraduate concerns, please contact the undergraduate advisor.
For advising on careers related to languages, talk with the Language Directions Specialist in the Language Institute.
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