The individual major provides undergraduates with an opportunity to develop a unique course of study; one that is interdepartmental and not reflected in existing degree programs. Completion of the individual major does not lead to a professional license or certification, although graduates may be interested in pursuing alternative educational careers or graduate work. Graduates earn a BS–Education degree.
How to Get In
Admission Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, applicants must:
- earn a 2.75 cumulative GPA on the UW–Madison campus.1
- complete a minimum of 54 credits
- receive approval of major program proposal submitted by the applicant.
- 1
For alternative calculation of cumulative GPA, see Last 60 Credits Rule.
Last 60 Credits Rule
Two grade point averages will be calculated to determine candidates' eligibility to the program. GPAs will be calculated using
- all transferable college-level coursework attempted, and
- the last 60 credits attempted.
The higher GPA of these two will be used for purposes of determining eligibility. If fewer than 60 credits have been attempted, all credits will be used to calculate the GPA. Graded graduate coursework will also be used in all GPA calculations. ("Attempted" coursework indicates coursework for which a grade has been earned.) More information on this rule is available here.
Application Procedures
Once a committee of three persons has been chosen in accord with the guidelines and required courses have been selected, students should proceed as follows:
- Submit an Individual Major in Education proposal form.
- Submit the program plan and narrative with the transfer application for associate dean's approval. The three-member committee must sign the proposal in the spaces indicated. Failure to submit a program narrative will void the transfer.
Once an application form has been submitted, changes must be approved by both the chair of the committee and the associate dean. Changes must be recorded on the program plan. If more than two program changes are made, a new application form must be filed by the student.
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
School of Education Liberal Studies Requirements
All students are required to complete a minimum of 40 credits of Liberal Studies coursework. This requirement provides an opportunity to do some academic exploration beyond the scope of the major. Students take courses in areas of particular interest and also have an opportunity to sample the wide selection of courses offered across the university. Coursework is required in humanities, social studies, science, and cultural and historical studies. Some elective coursework is also needed to reach the required number of credits.
The School of Education’s Liberal Studies Requirements automatically satisfy most of the University General Education Requirements outlined above, including ethnic studies, humanities/literature, social studies, and science. Students pursuing most School of Education degree programs may also complete Communication Part B, Quantitative Reasoning Part A, and Quantitative Reasoning Part B through courses required by their degree program. If a student cannot complete a General Education Requirement within the curriculum of their chosen School of Education program, academic advisors can offer suggestions for courses that meet the requirement and augment the student’s primary area of study.
A basic outline of the liberal studies is included below. Students must consult the detailed version of the requirements for information about course selection and approved course options.
Humanities, 9 credits
All students must complete a minimum of 9 credits to include:
- Literature
- Fine Arts
- Humanities Electives
Social Studies (Social Science)
All students must complete a minimum of 9 credits. Teacher certification programs and Kinesiology have unique requirements in this category.
Science
All students must complete a minimum of 9 credits to include:
- Biological Science
- Physical Science
- Laboratory Science
- Science Electives
Cultural and Historical Studies
All students must complete three requirements (9 credits) met by separate courses. Any of these courses can also be used to meet the Humanities or Social Studies (Social Sciences) requirements if it has the relevant breadth designation.
- Ethnic Studies
- U.S./European History
- Global Perspectives
Complete Liberal Studies Electives to total 40 Credits.
Program Structure
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program with an individual major has three components:
- Liberal studies courses expose students to a broad range of academic disciplines. The university-wide General Education requirements also encourage this breadth of study.
- Major requirements permit in-depth study of a unique area within the School of Education. Students create their own, interdepartmental major following the guidelines established by the school. When completed, the title of the individual major is listed on the student's transcript.
- Elective credits make it possible to pursue additional areas of interest and are necessary to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for the degree.
Requirements of the Individual Major
Development of the Major
Students must have an area of interest that they wish to develop into a 36–42 credit formalized program of study, or major. Advisors in Education Student Services, Room 139 Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, 608-262-1651, can discuss students' interests and help frame the written narrative required of the major. Current students can schedule an appointment with an advisor online through the Starfish app in MyUW.
Applicants must develop a narrative describing the proposed course of study and its related career goals. Information should be included which will enable a faculty committee to identify the relationship among the proposed program of study, a general interest in education, and career goals. A program title cannot duplicate the existing title of any program at UW–Madison.
Selection of Major Coursework
Select courses that support the program narrative, in consultation with the major advisor; see below. All courses in the major must be from School of Education course offerings. All credits in the major must be completed after admission into the program (IME classification).
Additional requirements regarding the major are:
- To ensure depth and breadth of study, no more than two-thirds of the total credits in a major can be taken from any one department (i.e., if a major is 36 credits, no more than 24 credits can be in one department).
- A sequential development of courses must be planned in consultation with the major advisor and committee, and must be approved by the committee. The course sequence must include beginning through advanced levels of work as prescribed by the credit distribution.
- At least 20 of the IME credits must be at the intermediate or advanced levels (generally numbered 300 or above, but this varies in some departments).
- Courses in the School of Education completed prior to admission to the IME classification may not be used toward satisfaction of the 36–42 credits in the major without the faculty committee and associate dean's approval. The credits may count toward the 120 credits required for graduation.
- Degree candidates must complete at least 15 credits of upper-level major coursework in residence on the UW–Madison campus.
- An individual major which essentially parallels an existing departmental major will not be accepted.
- Directed study credits (e.g. 399, 699) are acceptable, but each course must be accompanied by a statement that includes a description of the focus of study, the requirements for successful completion of the credits, and a discussion of the applicability of content to the proposed individual major. Usually no more than 3 credits of Independent Study will be allowed. Approval of the associate dean is required in order to exceed three credits.
- Students must complete prerequisites for all courses and, in some departments, may be required to complete foundational courses.
Selecting the Advisory Committee and Major Advisor
The applicant must create a three-member committee to oversee his or her work. Only assistant, associate, and full professors may serve on the committee; individuals holding such titles as Lecturer or Instructor cannot serve in this capacity. One of the committee members will be selected by the student to be the major advisor. The major advisor must be from a department within the School of Education and from the department in which the majority of courses for the individual major will be taken, i.e., the core area of study. The second faculty member must be from the same department as the major advisor/committee chair. The third faculty member must be from another department in the School of Education in which courses will be taken for the individual major. The associate dean serves as ex officio to the three-member committee and gives final approval to all programs and any exceptions.
Elective Credits
Elective credits make it possible to pursue additional areas of interest. Many students, for example, use their elective credits to complete an additional major from the College of Letters & Science. Some use this second major to complement their individual major, while others select second majors that are completely unrelated to their first. Elective credits are necessary to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for the degree.
GPA and Other Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements are based on UW–Madison coursework. Graduation GPA requirements may be modified by the Last 60 Credits Rule.
- 2.75 cumulative grade point average.
- 2.75 cumulative grade point average across all major coursework
- 2.75 cumulative grade point average across all upper-level (numbered 300 and above) major coursework
- Degree candidates must complete at least 120 total credits.
- Major residency. Degree candidates must complete at least 15 credits of upper-level major coursework in residence on the UW–Madison campus.
- Senior residency. Degree candidates must complete their last 30 credits in residence on the UW–Madison campus.
Degree Audit (DARS)
UW–Madison uses “DARS” to document a student's progress toward the completion of their degree, including any additional majors and certificates. A DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System) report shows all the requirements for completing a degree and, against courses that are planned or completed, shows the requirements that have been met, and those that are unmet. A report can offer suggestions about courses that may be taken to meet specific requirements and can assist in the academic planning and enrollment process. Students can access a DARS report in the Course Search & Enroll app or Student Center via My UW.
DARS also has a "what-if" function. This feature makes it possible to request a DARS report as if pursuing another program, major, or certificate. It is an excellent tool if considering a new or additional area of study. School of Education students in a pre-professional classification such as Pre-Elementary (PRE) or Pre-Kinesiology should request a "what if" DARS report of their professional program of interest.
More information on how to request a DARS report is available on the Office of the Registrar’s website.
DARS is not intended to replace student contact with academic advisors. It creates more time in an advising appointment to discuss course options, research opportunities, graduate school, or issues of personal interest or concern to students.
DARS is used as the document of record for degree program, major, and certificate completion in the School of Education.
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Four-Year Plan
Individual Major: Sample Four-Year Plan
This four-year sample graduation plan is designed to guide your course selection throughout your academic career; it does not establish a contractual agreement. Use it along with your DARS report and the Course Guide to create a four-year plan reflecting your placement scores, incoming credits, and individual interests. Consult with an academic advisor to develop a personalized plan of study and refer to the Guide for a complete list of requirements. You will likely revise your plan several times during your academic career here, based on your activities and changing academic interests.
Development of the Major
Students must have an area of interest that they wish to develop into a 36–42 credit formalized program of study, or major. Advisors in the School of Education Student Services office, Room 139 Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, 608-262-1651, can discuss your interests and help frame the written narrative required of the major. Current students can schedule an appointment with an advisor online through the Starfish app in MyUW.
Applicants must develop a narrative describing the proposed course of study and its related career goals. Information should be included which will enable a faculty committee to identify the relationship among the proposed program of study, a general interest in education, and career goals. All courses in the major must be from School of Education course offerings and all credits in the major must be completed after admission into the major (IME classification). The title of the major cannot duplicate the existing title of any other major or program at UW–Madison. Consult the Guide for more information on creating an individual major and its requirements.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication A (fall or spring semester) | 3 | Communication A (fall or spring semester) | 3 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 12-15 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 | ||
| Liberal Studies course work | 6-9 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication B | 3 | Develop and submit major proposal for approval | |
| Liberal Studies course work | 12 | Quantitative Reasoning B | 3 |
| Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 12 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Major course work1 | 9-12 | Major course work | 9-12 |
| Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 3-6 | Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 3-6 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Major course work (upper level) | 9-12 | Major course work (upper level) | 9-12 |
| Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 3-6 | Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 3-6 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
At least 15 credits of major course work must be upper-level (numbered 300 and above) and taken in residence.
Advising and Careers
Advising for the Individual Major
Students interested in the Individual Major should first consult with an advisor in the School of Education Student Services office, see below. Current students can schedule an appointment online through the Starfish app in MyUW. Eventually, a committee to oversee the major will be formed and also provide advising in the major.
Academic Advising in the School of Education
Dedicated to supporting and promoting student success, academic advisors are here to assist students with the adjustment to college, understanding their degree and career goals, and connecting them to resources. Advisors support prospective and current School of Education students in all programs through:
- Course selection
- Mentoring and advocacy for underrepresented and international students
- Understanding degree requirements and progression
- Interpreting academic policies
- Helping students recognize their strengths and suggesting ways to expand their skills
- Expanding learning through activities such as study abroad, volunteering/work/internship, and by assuming leadership roles
To schedule an appointment: Current students can schedule an appointment online through the Starfish app in MyUW. Appointments can also be made through email at studentservices@education.wisc.edu, by calling 608-262-1651, or in person.
Career Advising in the School of Education
Through individual appointments, events, courses, and online resources, the Career Center provides students and alumni with the tools needed to be successful in their career development.
Career and Internship Advisors are prepared to help students with:
- Exploration of career and academic pathways
- Resumes
- Cover letters
- Job/Internship search
- Interview preparation
- Mock interviews
- Graduate school search, applications and decisions
- Negotiating job or internship offers
- Professional networking
- Connecting with employers
Students are encouraged to meet with their Career and Internship Advisor early in their college experience to take full advantage of the resources and support available.
To make an appointment: log into Starfish from the MyUW dashboard.
For more information, visit the School of Education Career Center website or reach out at career-center@education.wisc.edu.
Resources and Scholarships
Information about scholarships, academic and career advising, study abroad opportunities, student diversity services, and other resources for students in the School of Education can be found on the school's Resources page.