The mission of Integrated Liberal Studies (ILS) is to provide an integrated and interdisciplinary exploration of human inquiry and expression in scientific, literary, political, economic, historical and artistic thought. The Integrated Liberal Studies curriculum offers a set of related courses specially tailored to meet the breadth requirements of the College of Letters & Science. Integrated Liberal Studies draws exemplary, dynamic faculty from departments across campus to create courses that challenge students with a rigorous program of interdisciplinary study emphasizing critical thinking and judgment rather than passive absorption of information. Although these courses may be taken as single electives, the purpose of the program is to counter the fragmentation of undergraduate education by providing a common ground of learning.

Because ILS courses are interdisciplinary, students are encouraged to make connections between the various subject areas that comprise the ILS curriculum. Students encounter the relations between literature and the arts; science, technology, and philosophy; and political, economic, and social thought. The content of the curriculum has been developed in the belief that historical perspective is required for a full understanding of contemporary issues. 

We provide a supportive community at the heart of campus and encourage the development of communication, comparative and analytical skills that will enhance every aspect of your personal and professional life. Our students go on to work in a range of fields, including health care, the media, the law, digital development and education.

How to Get in

Certificate Declaration Requirements

Students are eligible to declare the ILS Certificate at any point in their undergraduate career, and there are no prerequisites for declaring. Students should declare as early as possible in order to plan the required coursework. Students are encouraged to meet with the Integrated Liberal Studies academic advisor to discuss certificate requirements and ensure it fits with their academic goals.

Students who are ready to declare the certificate now may do so via the ILS Website.

Requirements

The certificate in Integrated Liberal Studies consists of two Core ILS courses, one additional ILS course, another non-ILS course from an approved list, and the ILS Capstone Integration Seminar.   

A total of 15 credits are required, of which 6 are in Core ILS courses, 3 in Integrative Breadth, 3 in Integrative Diversity, and 3 in the Capstone Integration Seminar.

Core ILS courses 

Integrative Breadth

Integrative Diversity

Capstone Integration Seminar

 Residence & Quality of Work

• 2.000 GPA with all courses taken on graded basis
• 8 credits in the certificate, in residence

Certificate Completion Requirement

This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and explain how people make meaning across times, cultures, media, and disciplines.
2. Critically analyze diverse approaches to how people make meaning in the past and present.
3. Recognize and synthesize diverse types of knowledge and disciplinary approaches to how people make meaning.
4. Formulate new questions about and integrate new approaches to how people make meaning.

Advising and Careers

The certificate’s academic advisor can help you create a meaningful course plan and stay on track as you complete the certificate‘s courses. Talk with the certificate advisors as early as possible to consult on a variety of topics including declaring the certificate, choosing courses, and other campus resources.

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

Resources and Scholarships

Integrated Liberal Studies scholarships

Meiklejohn Travel Award

Up to $1500

Named for Alexander Meiklejohn, founder of the University of Wisconsin Experimental College (1927–32), the forerunner to the ILS program, this prize is intended to help support an ILS student in a university-sponsored or an independent program of education-centered travel or study abroad, taking place during the summer or academic year (or in the United States if the destination is remote from the student’s home or the campus).

Ruth Knatz Memorial Prize

Up to $5,000 (based on available funds)

Named for Ruth Knatz Gross Wisnewsky and given by her husband, Edward Wisnewsky, this prize will be given only to a truly outstanding student who:

• is majoring in at least one humanities discipline (including history and history of science, but not social science or science); this means you may be double-majoring in one non-humanities major, but the other must be a humanities major,
• gives promise of making a valuable contribution to the humanities,
• has done exemplary work in their ILS courses,
• has achieved junior or senior standing, and
• has declared, and plans to complete, the ILS certificate.