The Graduate Guide provides an overview of UW–Madison programs that offer graduate degrees, doctoral minors, graduate/professional certificates, and capstone certificates.
The Graduate Guide is also the key source for program-specific policies, rules, and regulations as well as Graduate School-level policies regarding admission, coursework, the awarding of degrees and certificates, and the general criteria governing satisfactory progress in a degree program.
Editions and Archives
The information in this Guide is current as of June 1, 2023. The Guide is an official document of record and is reviewed and updated every year.
Archived editions from past years are available in the Guide and Catalog Archive.
Students are responsible for meeting the academic requirements that were in effect at the time that they matriculated, including satisfactory progress and degree requirements. In situations where academic requirements have changed during a student’s time of enrollment, the Graduate School and the academic program, together with the student, may elect to enforce requirements that are in the best interest of the student. University offices can provide current information about possible changes.
The Guide is published only online; printed copies are not available.
Graduate School Degrees Available
The UW–Madison Graduate School confers the Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Accountancy, Master of Business Administration, Master of Music, Master of Engineering, Master of French Studies, Master of International Public Affairs, Master of Music, Master of Public Affairs, Master of Social Work, Master of Fine Arts, Educational Specialist, Doctor of Audiology, Doctor of Musical Arts, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, and Doctor of Philosophy. Additionally, several programs that do not award graduate degrees may offer doctoral minors, specialist certificates, graduate/professional certificates, or capstone certificates. Some major programs have identified sub-majors, known as “named options.” These official named options are approved by university governance and appear on the transcript when the degree is conferred. Some programs also have unofficial specializations that do not appear on the transcript.
The master's degree is conferred only upon completion of a coherent and focused program of advanced study.
The Master of Fine Arts degree offers superior students advanced training and opportunities for creativity. The program is for the prospective professional artist and teacher in the fine arts at the college level and emphasizes creative work.
The Doctor of Philosophy, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, the Doctor of Audiology, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy, and the Doctor of Musical Arts are the highest degrees conferred at UW–Madison. None are conferred solely as a result of any prescribed period of study, no matter how faithfully pursued. The Ph.D. degree is a research degree and is granted on evidence of general proficiency, distinctive attainment in a special field, and particularly on ability for independent investigation as demonstrated in a dissertation presenting original research or creative scholarship with a high degree of literary skill. The DMA degree is granted on evidence of a high degree of competence in performance, conducting, or composition. The DNP, OTD, and Au.D. degrees are clinical doctorates granted on evidence of clinical knowledge and expertise in their respective disciplinary areas.
The Ph.D., DNP, Au.D., OTD, and DMA degree programs must be rationally unified, with courses that contribute to an organized program of study and research. Courses must be selected from groups embracing one principal subject of concentration called the major (see Degrees), and if required, from one or more related fields called the doctoral minor/breadth requirement. The major field is normally coextensive with the work of a single department or with one of the subjects under which certain programs have been formally arranged. A major may be permitted to extend beyond the above limits with the prior approval of the Dean of the Graduate School. The doctoral minor/breadth requirement is designed to represent a coherent body of work, taken as a graduate student, and should not be simply an after-the-fact ratification of a number of courses taken outside the major department.
Graduate School minimum credits and other requirements necessary to earn these degrees are listed in the Graduate School Minimum Degree Requirements and Satisfactory Progress section; each program may set degree requirements and expectations more rigorous than that which the Graduate School’s policy requires.
Other Central Resources
The Graduate School website offers links to information about admissions, program data profiles, funding resources, diversity, professional development, graduate student life, and other resources.
The Graduate School's Academic Policies and Procedures provides information about Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures.
Graduate Assistant Policies and Procedures (GAPP) outlining employment-related practices for graduate student teaching, research, and project assistants are available from the Office of Human Resources.
Graduate Student Professional Development
The Graduate School Office of Professional Development (OPD) coordinates, develops, and promotes learning opportunities to foster the academic, professional, and life skills of graduate students.
Professional development topics include Individual Development Plans, communication, mentoring, grant writing, dissertation writing, career exploration, job search strategies, and more. OPD provides a wealth of resources and events tailored to the needs of UW–Madison graduate students.
OPD developed and maintains DiscoverPD, an innovative tool for UW–Madison graduate students to advance their academic and professional goals. DiscoverPD introduces eight areas (or "facets") of professional development, includes a self-assessment, and provides a customized report of areas of strength and weakness. The report comes with recommendations to help graduate students strengthen their ability within each area.
More information on campus resources for student professional development is available at Graduate Student Professional Development. Students may keep up-to-date by reading GradConnections, the weekly newsletter for graduate students, bookmarking the Events Calendar to keep tabs on upcoming workshops of interest, and following the Graduate School’s Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram accounts.
Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, and Non-Discrimination
The University of Wisconsin – Madison is committed to providing equal opportunity and equal access in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations and University of Wisconsin System and university non-discrimination policies and procedures.
Policies & Procedures
The Office of Compliance promotes ethical conduct and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and UW–Madison policies. UW–Madison’s non-discrimination statement, contact information for the university’s Equal Opportunity Investigations Administrator, Title IX Coordinator, ADA Coordinator as well as information regarding UW–Madison’s Equal Opportunity Complaint process is available on the Office of Compliance’s website.
Disability Resources
The McBurney Disability Resource Center is an office within the Division of Student Affairs that views disability as an important aspect of the diversity of UW–Madison. We are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive educational experience for students. We do this by partnering with students, faculty, and staff to design accessible environments and to provide academic accommodations so that students can engage, explore and participate in the Wisconsin Idea.
We work with UW–Madison students with physical, learning, hearing, vision, psychological, health and other disabilities substantially affecting a major life activity (e.g., walking, communicating, learning, seeing, breathing, reading, etc.). Many students have non-apparent disabilities such as depression, anxiety, autism spectrum, learning disabilities, AD/HD and health conditions such as Crohn’s disease or fibromyalgia.
Common accommodations include extended time and/or small group environment for exams, notetaking support, sign language interpreting, real time and media captioning, and conversion of printed materials to accessible formats. McBurney Center staff members also collaborate with students and faculty to determine reasonable flexibility with regard to attendance, participation, and deadlines for conditions that fluctuate in severity over the course of enrollment. The Center makes referrals to other campus offices or community resources for non-classroom accommodations related to housing, transportation, personal care needs, and so on. Students should contact the Center upon admission to begin the eligibility for services process. Early notice is essential in order to have accommodations in place prior to the start of the semester. For detailed information, see How to apply for accommodations.
McBurney Disability Resource Center
702 West Johnson Street, Suite 2104
Madison, WI 53706
608-263-2741 (voice)
608-225-7956 (text)
608-265-2998 (fax)
mcburney@studentlife.wisc.edu
www.mcburney.wisc.edu
Accreditation
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is accredited by the:
Higher Learning Commission
230 South Lasalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
telephone 1-800-621-7440
www.hlcommission.org
UW–Madison, which was first accredited in 1913, was last accredited in 2019, and will go through a reaccreditation process again in 2028–29.
Registration with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education: The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public institution registered as a "Private Institution" with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions.
The information, policies, and rules contained herein are subject to change.
Filter Graduate Degrees
Explore Graduate School Program Data
-
African American Studies, M.A.
African American Studies, M.A.
-
African Cultural Studies, M.A.
African Cultural Studies, M.A.
-
African Cultural Studies, Ph.D.
African Cultural Studies, Ph.D.
-
Agricultural and Applied Economics, M.S.
Agricultural and Applied Economics, M.S.
-
Agricultural and Applied Economics,...
Agricultural and Applied Economics, Ph.D.
-
Agroecology, M.S.
Agroecology, M.S.
-
Agronomy, M.S.
Agronomy, M.S.
-
Agronomy, Ph.D.
Agronomy, Ph.D.
-
Animal Sciences, M.S.
Animal Sciences, M.S.
-
Animal Sciences, Ph.D.
Animal Sciences, Ph.D.
-
Anthropology, M.A.
Anthropology, M.A.
-
Anthropology, M.S.
Anthropology, M.S.
-
Anthropology, Ph.D.
Anthropology, Ph.D.
-
Applied Biotechnology, M.S.
Applied Biotechnology, M.S.
-
Art History, M.A.
Art History, M.A.
-
Art History, Ph.D.
Art History, Ph.D.
-
Art, M.A.
Art, M.A.
-
Art, MFA
Art, MFA
-
Asian Languages and Cultures, M.A.
Asian Languages and Cultures, M.A.
-
Asian Languages and Cultures, Ph.D.
Asian Languages and Cultures, Ph.D.
-
Astronomy, M.S.
Astronomy, M.S.
-
Astronomy, Ph.D.
Astronomy, Ph.D.
-
Athletic Training, M.S.
Athletic Training, M.S.
-
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, M.S.
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, M.S.
-
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Ph.D.
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Ph.D.
-
Audiology Consortial Program with U...
Audiology Consortial Program with UW-Stevens Point, Au.D.
-
Bacteriology, M.S.
Bacteriology, M.S.
-
Biochemistry, M.S.
Biochemistry, M.S.
-
Biochemistry, Ph.D.
Biochemistry, Ph.D.
-
Biological Systems Engineering, M.S.
Biological Systems Engineering, M.S.
-
Biological Systems Engineering, Ph.D.
Biological Systems Engineering, Ph.D.
-
Biomedical Data Science, M.S.
Biomedical Data Science, M.S.
-
Biomedical Data Science, Ph.D.
Biomedical Data Science, Ph.D.
-
Biomedical Engineering, M.S.
Biomedical Engineering, M.S.
-
Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D.
Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D.
-
Biophysics, M.S.
Biophysics, M.S.
-
Biophysics, Ph.D.
Biophysics, Ph.D.
-
Biotechnology, M.S.
Biotechnology, M.S.
-
Botany, M.S.
Botany, M.S.
-
Botany, Ph.D.
Botany, Ph.D.
-
Business, MSB
Business, MSB
-
Business, Ph.D.
Business, Ph.D.
-
Business: Accounting and Business A...
Business: Accounting and Business Analysis, MSB
-
Business: Accounting, M.Acc.
Business: Accounting, M.Acc.
-
Business: Analytics, M.S.
Business: Analytics, M.S.
-
Business: Arts Administration, MBA
Business: Arts Administration, MBA
-
Business: Arts and Creative Enterpr...
Business: Arts and Creative Enterprise Leadership, M.A.
-
Business: Data, Insights, and Analy...
Business: Data, Insights, and Analytics, M.S.
-
Business: Executive, MBA
Business: Executive, MBA
-
Business: Finance, Investment, and ...
Business: Finance, Investment, and Banking, M.S.
-
Business: Finance, Investment, and ...
Business: Finance, Investment, and Banking, MBA
-
Business: General Management, MBA
Business: General Management, MBA
-
Business: Management and Human Reso...
Business: Management and Human Resources, MBA
-
Business: Marketing, MBA
Business: Marketing, MBA
-
Business: Operations and Technology...
Business: Operations and Technology Management, MBA
-
Business: Real Estate and Urban Lan...
Business: Real Estate and Urban Land Economics, M.S.
-
Business: Real Estate and Urban Lan...
Business: Real Estate and Urban Land Economics, MBA
-
Business: Risk Management and Insur...
Business: Risk Management and Insurance, MBA
-
Business: Supply Chain Management, M.S.
Business: Supply Chain Management, M.S.
-
Business: Supply Chain Management, MBA
Business: Supply Chain Management, MBA
-
Cancer Biology, M.S.
Cancer Biology, M.S.
-
Cancer Biology, Ph.D.
Cancer Biology, Ph.D.
-
Cartography and Geographic Informat...
Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, M.S.
-
Cellular and Molecular Biology, M.S.
Cellular and Molecular Biology, M.S.
-
Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ph.D.
Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ph.D.
-
Cellular and Molecular Pathology, M.S.
Cellular and Molecular Pathology, M.S.
-
Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Ph.D.
Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Ph.D.
-
Chemical Engineering, M.S.
Chemical Engineering, M.S.
-
Chemical Engineering, Ph.D.
Chemical Engineering, Ph.D.
-
Chemistry, M.S.
Chemistry, M.S.
-
Chemistry, Ph.D.
Chemistry, Ph.D.
-
Chinese, M.A.
Chinese, M.A.
-
Chinese, Ph.D.
Chinese, Ph.D.
-
Civil and Environmental Engineering...
Civil and Environmental Engineering, M.Eng.
-
Civil and Environmental Engineering...
Civil and Environmental Engineering, M.S.
-
Civil and Environmental Engineering...
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ph.D.
-
Classical and Ancient Near Eastern ...
Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, M.A.
-
Classical and Ancient Near Eastern ...
Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Ph.D.
-
Clinical and Health Informatics, M.S.
Clinical and Health Informatics, M.S.
-
Clinical Investigation, M.S.
Clinical Investigation, M.S.
-
Clinical Investigation, Ph.D.
Clinical Investigation, Ph.D.
-
Clinical Nutrition, M.S.
Clinical Nutrition, M.S.
-
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, M.S.
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, M.S.
-
Communication Arts, M.A.
Communication Arts, M.A.
-
Communication Arts, Ph.D.
Communication Arts, Ph.D.
-
Communication Sciences and Disorder...
Communication Sciences and Disorders, M.S.
-
Communication Sciences and Disorder...
Communication Sciences and Disorders, Ph.D.
-
Comparative Biomedical Sciences, M.S.
Comparative Biomedical Sciences, M.S.
-
Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D.
Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D.
-
Computer Sciences, M.S.
Computer Sciences, M.S.
-
Computer Sciences, Ph.D.
Computer Sciences, Ph.D.
-
Counseling Psychology, Ph.D.
Counseling Psychology, Ph.D.
-
Counseling, M.S.
Counseling, M.S.
-
Creative Writing, MFA
Creative Writing, MFA
-
Curriculum and Instruction, M.S.
Curriculum and Instruction, M.S.
-
Curriculum and Instruction, Ph.D.
Curriculum and Instruction, Ph.D.
-
Dairy Science, M.S.
Dairy Science, M.S.
-
Dairy Science, Ph.D.
Dairy Science, Ph.D.
-
Data Engineering, M.S.
Data Engineering, M.S.
-
Data Science, M.S.
Data Science, M.S.
-
Design + Innovation, M.S.
Design + Innovation, M.S.
-
Development, Ph.D.
Development, Ph.D.
-
Economics, M.S.
Economics, M.S.
-
Economics, Ph.D.
Economics, Ph.D.
-
Educational Leadership and Policy A...
Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, Ed.S.
-
Educational Leadership and Policy A...
Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, M.S.
-
Educational Leadership and Policy A...
Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, Ph.D.
-
Educational Policy Studies, M.A.
Educational Policy Studies, M.A.
-
Educational Policy Studies, Ph.D.
Educational Policy Studies, Ph.D.
-
Educational Psychology, M.S.
Educational Psychology, M.S.
-
Educational Psychology, Ph.D.
Educational Psychology, Ph.D.
-
Electrical and Computer Engineering...
Electrical and Computer Engineering, M.S.
-
Electrical and Computer Engineering...
Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ph.D.
-
Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiolo...
Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology, M.S.
-
Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiolo...
Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology, Ph.D.
-
Engineering Management, M.S.
Engineering Management, M.S.
-
Engineering Mechanics, M.S.
Engineering Mechanics, M.S.
-
Engineering Mechanics, Ph.D.
Engineering Mechanics, Ph.D.
-
Engineering, M.Eng.
Engineering, M.Eng.
-
English, M.A.
English, M.A.
-
English, Ph.D.
English, Ph.D.
-
Entomology, M.S.
Entomology, M.S.
-
Entomology, Ph.D.
Entomology, Ph.D.
-
Environment and Resources, M.S.
Environment and Resources, M.S.
-
Environment and Resources, Ph.D.
Environment and Resources, Ph.D.
-
Environmental Chemistry and Technol...
Environmental Chemistry and Technology, M.S.
-
Environmental Chemistry and Technol...
Environmental Chemistry and Technology, Ph.D.
-
Environmental Conservation, M.S.
Environmental Conservation, M.S.
-
Environmental Remediation and Manag...
Environmental Remediation and Management, M.S.
-
Epidemiology, M.S.
Epidemiology, M.S.
-
Epidemiology, Ph.D.
Epidemiology, Ph.D.
-
Financial Economics, M.S.
Financial Economics, M.S.
-
Food Science, M.S.
Food Science, M.S.
-
Food Science, Ph.D.
Food Science, Ph.D.
-
Forestry, M.S.
Forestry, M.S.
-
Forestry, Ph.D.
Forestry, Ph.D.
-
French Studies, MFS
French Studies, MFS
-
French, M.A.
French, M.A.
-
French, Ph.D.
French, Ph.D.
-
Freshwater and Marine Science, M.S.
Freshwater and Marine Science, M.S.
-
Freshwater and Marine Science, Ph.D.
Freshwater and Marine Science, Ph.D.
-
Gender and Women's Studies, M.A.
Gender and Women's Studies, M.A.
-
Gender and Women's Studies, Ph.D.
Gender and Women's Studies, Ph.D.
-
Genetics, M.S.
Genetics, M.S.
-
Genetics, Ph.D.
Genetics, Ph.D.
-
Geography, M.S.
Geography, M.S.
-
Geography, Ph.D.
Geography, Ph.D.
-
Geological Engineering, M.S.
Geological Engineering, M.S.
-
Geological Engineering, Ph.D.
Geological Engineering, Ph.D.
-
Geoscience, M.S.
Geoscience, M.S.
-
Geoscience, Ph.D.
Geoscience, Ph.D.
-
German, M.A.
German, M.A.
-
German, Ph.D.
German, Ph.D.
-
Health Services Research in Pharmac...
Health Services Research in Pharmacy, M.S.
-
Health Services Research in Pharmac...
Health Services Research in Pharmacy, Ph.D.
-
History of Science, Medicine and Te...
History of Science, Medicine and Technology, M.A.
-
History of Science, Medicine and Te...
History of Science, Medicine and Technology, Ph.D.
-
History, M.A.
History, M.A.
-
History, Ph.D.
History, Ph.D.
-
Horticulture, M.S.
Horticulture, M.S.
-
Horticulture, Ph.D.
Horticulture, Ph.D.
-
Human Ecology, M.S.
Human Ecology, M.S.
-
Human Ecology, MFA
Human Ecology, MFA
-
Human Ecology, Ph.D.
Human Ecology, Ph.D.
-
Industrial Engineering, M.S.
Industrial Engineering, M.S.
-
Industrial Engineering, Ph.D.
Industrial Engineering, Ph.D.
-
Information, M.S.
Information, M.S.
-
Information, Ph.D.
Information, Ph.D.
-
Integrative Biology, M.S.
Integrative Biology, M.S.
-
Integrative Biology, Ph.D.
Integrative Biology, Ph.D.
-
Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies, M.A.
Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies, M.A.
-
Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies, Ph.D.
Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies, Ph.D.
-
International Public Affairs, MIPA
International Public Affairs, MIPA
-
Italian, M.A.
Italian, M.A.
-
Italian, Ph.D.
Italian, Ph.D.
-
Japanese, M.A.
Japanese, M.A.
-
Japanese, Ph.D.
Japanese, Ph.D.
-
Journalism and Mass Communication, M.A.
Journalism and Mass Communication, M.A.
-
Kinesiology, M.S.
Kinesiology, M.S.
-
Kinesiology, Ph.D.
Kinesiology, Ph.D.
-
Landscape Architecture, M.S.
Landscape Architecture, M.S.
-
Latin American, Caribbean, and Iber...
Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies, M.A.
-
Library and Information Studies, M.A.
Library and Information Studies, M.A.
-
Life Sciences Communication, M.S.
Life Sciences Communication, M.S.
-
Linguistics, M.A.
Linguistics, M.A.
-
Linguistics, Ph.D.
Linguistics, Ph.D.
-
Manufacturing Systems Engineering, M.S.
Manufacturing Systems Engineering, M.S.
-
Mass Communications, Ph.D.
Mass Communications, Ph.D.
-
Materials Science and Engineering, M.S.
Materials Science and Engineering, M.S.
-
Materials Science and Engineering, Ph.D.
Materials Science and Engineering, Ph.D.
-
Mathematics, M.A.
Mathematics, M.A.
-
Mathematics, Ph.D.
Mathematics, Ph.D.
-
Mechanical Engineering, M.S.
Mechanical Engineering, M.S.
-
Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D.
Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D.
-
Medical Physics, M.S.
Medical Physics, M.S.
-
Medical Physics, Ph.D.
Medical Physics, Ph.D.
-
Microbiology, M.S.
Microbiology, M.S.
-
Microbiology, Ph.D.
Microbiology, Ph.D.
-
Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology...
Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, M.S.
-
Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology...
Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Ph.D.
-
Molecular and Environmental Toxicol...
Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, M.S.
-
Molecular and Environmental Toxicol...
Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, Ph.D.
-
Music, M.A.
Music, M.A.
-
Music, Ph.D.
Music, Ph.D.
-
Music: Education, M.M.
Music: Education, M.M.
-
Music: Performance, DMA
Music: Performance, DMA
-
Music: Performance, M.M.
Music: Performance, M.M.
-
Neuroscience, M.S.
Neuroscience, M.S.
-
Neuroscience, Ph.D.
Neuroscience, Ph.D.
-
Nuclear Engineering and Engineering...
Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, M.S.
-
Nuclear Engineering and Engineering...
Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, Ph.D.
-
Nursing Practice, DNP
Nursing Practice, DNP
-
Nursing, M.S.
Nursing, M.S.
-
Nursing, Ph.D.
Nursing, Ph.D.
-
Nutrition and Metabolism, M.S.
Nutrition and Metabolism, M.S.
-
Nutrition and Metabolism, Ph.D.
Nutrition and Metabolism, Ph.D.
-
Occupational Therapy, OTD
Occupational Therapy, OTD
-
Pharmaceutical Sciences, M.S.
Pharmaceutical Sciences, M.S.
-
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ph.D.
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ph.D.
-
Pharmacy, M.S.
Pharmacy, M.S.
-
Philosophy, M.A.
Philosophy, M.A.
-
Philosophy, Ph.D.
Philosophy, Ph.D.
-
Physics, M.A.
Physics, M.A.
-
Physics, M.S.
Physics, M.S.
-
Physics, Ph.D.
Physics, Ph.D.
-
Physiology, M.S.
Physiology, M.S.
-
Physiology, Ph.D.
Physiology, Ph.D.
-
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics, M.S.
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics, M.S.
-
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics, Ph.D
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics, Ph.D
-
Plant Pathology, M.S.
Plant Pathology, M.S.
-
Plant Pathology, Ph.D.
Plant Pathology, Ph.D.
-
Political Science, M.A.
Political Science, M.A.
-
Political Science, Ph.D.
Political Science, Ph.D.
-
Population Health, M.S.
Population Health, M.S.
-
Population Health, Ph.D.
Population Health, Ph.D.
-
Portuguese, M.A.
Portuguese, M.A.
-
Portuguese, Ph.D.
Portuguese, Ph.D.
-
Psychology, M.S.
Psychology, M.S.
-
Psychology, Ph.D.
Psychology, Ph.D.
-
Public Affairs, MPA
Public Affairs, MPA
-
Rehabilitation Counselor Education,...
Rehabilitation Counselor Education, Ph.D.
-
Russian, East European and Central ...
Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, M.A.
-
Scandinavian Studies, M.A.
Scandinavian Studies, M.A.
-
Scandinavian Studies, Ph.D.
Scandinavian Studies, Ph.D.
-
School Psychology, Ed.S.
School Psychology, Ed.S.
-
School Psychology, M.S.
School Psychology, M.S.
-
School Psychology, Ph.D.
School Psychology, Ph.D.
-
Second Language Acquisition, Ph.D.
Second Language Acquisition, Ph.D.
-
Slavic Languages and Literatures, M.A.
Slavic Languages and Literatures, M.A.
-
Slavic Languages and Literatures, Ph.D.
Slavic Languages and Literatures, Ph.D.
-
Social Welfare, Ph.D.
Social Welfare, Ph.D.
-
Social Work, MSW
Social Work, MSW
-
Sociology, M.S.
Sociology, M.S.
-
Sociology, Ph.D.
Sociology, Ph.D.
-
Soil Science, M.S.
Soil Science, M.S.
-
Soil Science, Ph.D.
Soil Science, Ph.D.
-
Southeast Asian Studies, M.A.
Southeast Asian Studies, M.A.
-
Spanish, M.A.
Spanish, M.A.
-
Spanish, Ph.D.
Spanish, Ph.D.
-
Special Education, M.S.
Special Education, M.S.
-
Special Education, Ph.D.
Special Education, Ph.D.
-
Special Graduate Committee, M.A.
Special Graduate Committee, M.A.
-
Special Graduate Committee, M.S.
Special Graduate Committee, M.S.
-
Special Graduate Committee, Ph.D.
Special Graduate Committee, Ph.D.
-
Sports Leadership, M.S.
Sports Leadership, M.S.
-
Statistics, M.S.
Statistics, M.S.
-
Statistics, Ph.D.
Statistics, Ph.D.
-
Urban and Regional Planning, M.S.
Urban and Regional Planning, M.S.
-
Urban and Regional Planning, Ph.D.
Urban and Regional Planning, Ph.D.
-
Water Resources Management, M.S.
Water Resources Management, M.S.
-
Wildlife Ecology, M.S.
Wildlife Ecology, M.S.
-
Wildlife Ecology, Ph.D.
Wildlife Ecology, Ph.D.
Distance or Flexible Programs
The university offers several degree and capstone certificate programs that are fully or partially available at a distance or that are flexible to working schedules with evening and/or weekend courses. To learn more about the graduate-level degrees and certificates offered in flexible and online formats, visit the Wisconsin Professional Degrees & Certificates portal.
Other Professional Degrees
UW–Madison offers a number of post-baccalaureate professional degrees that are not administered by the Graduate School, but instead are solely supported by their home school.
Doctor of Juridical Science—SJD
Doctor of Law—J.D.
Doctor of Medicine—M.D.
Doctor of Physical Therapy—DPT
Doctor of Pharmacy—Pharm.D.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine—DVM
Master of Genetic Counseling—MGC
Master of Laws—LLM
Master of Laws–Legal Institutions—LLM
Master of Physician Assistant Studies—P.A.
Master of Public Health—MPH
Breadth is a required component of doctoral training at UW–Madison. A student’s doctoral major program determines how breadth is achieved: students either complete an additional program of a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate, or breadth is built into the doctoral major program curriculum. Most major programs instruct students to use a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate to meet the breadth requirement. If a doctoral minor is not required by the student’s doctoral major program, this is noted on the Requirements tab of the Guide degree or named option page. See Minors in the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures for minimum course requirements for the minor.
African American Studies, Doctoral Minor
African Cultural Studies, Doctoral Minor
African Studies, Doctoral Minor
Agricultural and Applied Economics, Doctoral Minor
Agronomy, Doctoral Minor
Anthropology, Doctoral Minor
Art History, Doctoral Minor
Art, Doctoral Minor
Asian Languages and Cultures, Doctoral Minor
Astronomy, Doctoral Minor
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Doctoral Minor
Biochemistry, Doctoral Minor
Biomedical Engineering, Doctoral Minor
Biophysics, Doctoral Minor
Botany, Doctoral Minor
Business, Doctoral Minor
Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, Doctoral Minor
Chemical Engineering, Doctoral Minor
Chemistry, Doctoral Minor
Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies, Doctoral Minor
Chinese, Doctoral Minor
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Doctoral Minor
Classics, Doctoral Minor
Clinical Investigation, Doctoral Minor
Communication Arts, Doctoral Minor
Communication Sciences and Disorders, Doctoral Minor
Community and Environmental Sociology, Doctoral Minor
Community-Engaged Scholarship, Doctoral Minor
Computer Sciences, Doctoral Minor
Counseling Psychology, Doctoral Minor
Creative Writing, Doctoral Minor
Culture, History and Environment, Doctoral Minor
Curriculum and Instruction, Doctoral Minor
Distributed, Doctoral Minor
East Asian Studies, Doctoral Minor
Economics, Doctoral Minor
Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, Doctoral Minor
Educational Policy Studies, Doctoral Minor
Educational Psychology, Doctoral Minor
Electrical Engineering, Doctoral Minor
Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology, Doctoral Minor
Energy Analysis and Policy, Doctoral Minor
Engineering Mechanics, Doctoral Minor
English Linguistics, Doctoral Minor
English, Doctoral Minor
Entomology, Doctoral Minor
Environment and Resources, Doctoral Minor
Environmental Chemistry and Technology, Doctoral Minor
Folklore, Doctoral Minor
Forestry, Doctoral Minor
French, Doctoral Minor
Gender and Women's Studies, Doctoral Minor
Genetics, Doctoral Minor
Geography, Doctoral Minor
Geological Engineering, Doctoral Minor
Geoscience, Doctoral Minor
German, Doctoral Minor
Global Studies, Doctoral Minor
Greek, Doctoral Minor
Hebrew Bible, Doctoral Minor
History of Science, Medicine and Technology, Doctoral Minor
History, Doctoral Minor
Human Ecology, Doctoral Minor
Industrial Engineering, Doctoral Minor
Integrative Biology, Doctoral Minor
Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies, Doctoral Minor
Italian, Doctoral Minor
Japanese, Doctoral Minor
Kinesiology, Doctoral Minor
Landscape Architecture, Doctoral Minor
Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies, Doctoral Minor
Latin, Doctoral Minor
Law, Doctoral Minor
Library and Information Studies, Doctoral Minor
Life Sciences Communication, Doctoral Minor
Linguistics, Doctoral Minor
Mass Communications, Doctoral Minor
Materials Science and Engineering, Doctoral Minor
Mathematics, Doctoral Minor
Mechanical Engineering, Doctoral Minor
Medieval Studies, Doctoral Minor
Microbiology, Doctoral Minor
Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Doctoral Minor
Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, Doctoral Minor
Music, Doctoral Minor
Neuroscience, Doctoral Minor
Nuclear Engineering, Doctoral Minor
Nursing, Doctoral Minor
Nutritional Sciences, Doctoral Minor
Philosophy, Doctoral Minor
Physics, Doctoral Minor
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics, Doctoral Minor
Plant Pathology, Doctoral Minor
Political Science, Doctoral Minor
Population Health, Doctoral Minor
Portuguese, Doctoral Minor
Prevention and Intervention Science, Doctoral Minor
Print Culture History, Doctoral Minor
Psychology, Doctoral Minor
Public Affairs, Doctoral Minor
Qualitative Research Methodology in Education, Doctoral Minor
Quantitative Biology, Doctoral Minor
Religious Studies, Doctoral Minor
Russian, Doctoral Minor
Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, Doctoral Minor
Scandinavian Studies, Doctoral Minor
Science and Technology Studies, Doctoral Minor
Science Education, Doctoral Minor
Second Language Acquisition, Doctoral Minor
Slavic Languages and Literatures, Doctoral Minor
Social Welfare, Doctoral Minor
Sociology, Doctoral Minor
Soil Science, Doctoral Minor
Southeast Asian Studies, Doctoral Minor
Spanish, Doctoral Minor
Special Education, Doctoral Minor
Statistics, Doctoral Minor
Urban and Regional Planning, Doctoral Minor
Visual Cultures, Doctoral Minor
Water Resources Management, Doctoral Minor
Wildlife Ecology, Doctoral Minor
Graduate/professional certificates are available to all degree-seeking graduate and professional students (Graduate, Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine careers) and meet the Graduate School breadth requirement. Graduate/professional certificate programs coordinate teaching and research among scholars active in interrelated disciplines.
The Specialist Certificate represents work beyond the master's level. For more information, contact the program.
African Studies, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Applied Bioinformatics, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Bilingual Psychological Services: Esperanza, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Business Analytics, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Business, Environment, and Social Responsibility, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Community-Engaged Scholarship, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Consumer Health Advocacy, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Culture, History and Environment, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, Specialist Certificate
Energy Analysis and Policy, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Entrepreneurship, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Fundamentals of Clinical Research, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Gender and Women's Studies, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Global Health Online, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Global Health, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Implementation Science and Community Health Outcomes, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Nurse Educator, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Prevention and Intervention Science, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Science Communication, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Strategic Innovation: Technology, Organizations, and Society, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Sustainability, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Visual Cultures, Graduate/Professional Certificate
Capstone certificates allow individuals with a bachelor’s degree to obtain additional professional skills and certification. Capstones do not lead to the conferral of a degree, but do appear on a student’s UW–Madison transcript.
Capstone certificate students are admitted as University Special students through Adult Career and Special Student Services (ACSSS). ACSSS as the academic dean is responsible for issues related to student enrollment and the student's official record.
An ACSSS student services coordinator works with each department's capstone certificate coordinator on advising, admissions, enrollment eligibility, and program completion. Capstone certificates typically follow rules of the Graduate School for tuition, credit limits, and grading.
Actuarial Science, Capstone Certificate
Advanced GIS, Capstone Certificate
Applied Bioinformatics, Capstone Certificate
Applied Drug Development, Capstone Certificate
Applied Engineering Management, Capstone Certificate
Clinical and Health Informatics, Capstone Certificate
Clinical Nutrition, Capstone Certificate
Communication Sciences and Disorders, Capstone Certificate
Community and Nonprofit Leadership, Capstone Certificate
Computer Sciences for Professionals, Capstone Certificate
Consumer Health Advocacy, Capstone Certificate
Data Analytics for Decision Making, Capstone Certificate
Engine Design, Capstone Certificate
Fundamentals of Clinical Research, Capstone Certificate
GIS Fundamentals, Capstone Certificate
Global Health Online, Capstone Certificate
Global Health, Capstone Certificate
Implementation Science and Community Health Outcomes, Capstone Certificate
Infant, Early Childhood and Family Mental Health, Capstone Certificate
Polymer Processing & Manufacturing, Capstone Certificate
Post-Graduate Psychiatric Nursing, Capstone Certificate
Power Conversion and Control, Capstone Certificate
Powertrain Electrification, Capstone Certificate
Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation, Capstone Certificate
Spanish-English Bilingual-Bicultural Education, Capstone Certificate
User Experience Design, Capstone Certificate
The University of Wisconsin–Madison has offered graduate study for more than a century. Its advanced instruction actively involves graduate students in research. The faculty of more than 2,000 distinguished scholars and teachers, supported by an academic staff exceeding 6,000 confers graduate degrees in more than 160 fields of study.
As one of the nation's major research institutions, the university maintains extensive research facilities. More than 40 campus libraries, three museums, and numerous research centers support nearly 7,500 active local, national, and international research projects.
Keep in mind:
- Deadlines for applications, fellowships and other types of funding vary among programs.
- Requirements for admissions also vary; therefore, it is important to check program websites and the program page in Guide before applying.
- All transcripts are sent directly to the program. If applying to more than one program, transcripts should be sent to each program. All transcripts become part of the university files and will not be returned.
- The application fee is set by the legislature and is nonrefundable.
Council of Graduate Schools Policy Resolution
Acceptance of an offer of financial support* (such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship) for the next academic year by a prospective or enrolled graduate student completes an agreement that both student and graduate school expect to honor. In that context, the conditions affecting such offers and their acceptance must be defined carefully and understood by all parties.
Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15; earlier deadlines for acceptance of such offers violate the intent of this Resolution. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15 and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. There has been a change in our process for students who want to withdraw from an offer of acceptance of financial support, starting with Fall 2020 admissions. In this case, the applicant must first inform the program that they are withdrawing or resigning from the offer of financial support that they previously had accepted. Starting in Fall 2020, applicants are no longer required to obtain a formal release from the program whose offer they accepted, either before or after the April 15 deadline. Once they have informed the program that they are withdrawing their acceptance of the offer, they then can accept any other offers. It is further agreed by the institutions and organizations subscribing to the above Resolution that a copy of this Resolution or a link to the URL should accompany every scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, and assistantship offer.
*Please Note: This Resolution applies to offers of financial support only, not offers of admission.
The Graduate School sets minimum standards that must be met by all graduate students in the university. Continuation in the Graduate School is at the discretion of the major program, the Graduate School, and the major professor.
The requirements of most programs exceed the Graduate School minimum criteria. These additional requirements are described in each major program entry in the Guide on the Requirements tab. Students are responsible for reviewing Guide and obtaining specific degree requirements from the program. Many programs publish a graduate student handbook, which provides more details about graduate study and other policies and processes.
Graduate School Minimum Degree Requirements and Satisfactory Progress
Schools/colleges, departments and programs may set more rigorous expectations and requirements than the Graduate School.
Master's Degrees
M.A., M.S., M.Acc., MBA, M.M., M.Eng., MFS, MIPA, MPA, MSW
Minimum Graduate Degree Credit Requirement
30 credits
Minimum Graduate Residence Credit Requirement
16 credits
Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement
At least 50% of credits applied toward the graduate degree credit requirement must be in graduate-level coursework. Details can be found in the Graduate School’s Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) policy (https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244).
Prior Coursework Requirements: Graduate Work from Other Institutions
For well-prepared advanced students, a student’s program may decide to accept prior graduate coursework from other institutions. This coursework does not appear on a UW–Madison transcript nor count toward graduate career GPA. The Graduate School’s minimum graduate residence requirement can be satisfied only with courses taken as a graduate student at UW–Madison. The only exception is graduate-level coursework taken as a CIC Traveling Scholar.
Prior Coursework Requirements: UW–Madison Undergraduate
For well-prepared advanced students, a student’s program may decide to accept up to 7 credits numbered 300 or above of required or elective courses from the undergraduate work completed at UW–Madison toward fulfillment of minimum degree and minor credit requirements. However, this work would not be allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless taken at the 700 level or above. This work will not appear on the graduate career portion of UW–Madison transcript nor count toward the graduate career GPA.
The Graduate School’s minimum graduate residence credit requirement can be satisfied only with courses taken as a graduate student at UW–Madison.
Prior Coursework Requirements: UW–Madison University Special
After admission to a graduate program, the student’s program may decide to accept up to fifteen University Special student credits as fulfillment of the minimum graduate residence, graduate degree, or minor credit requirements on occasion as an exception (on a case-by-case basis). UW–Madison coursework taken as a University Special student would not be allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless taken at the 700 level or above. This work will not appear on the graduate career portion of UW–Madison transcript nor count toward the graduate career GPA.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Credits per Term Allowed
Up to 15 credits
Overall Graduate GPA Requirement
3.00
Other Grade Requirements
The Graduate School requires that students maintain a graduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) for all graduate courses (excluding research) to receive a degree. Many programs impose higher standards. Students should check with their program. Grades of Incomplete are considered to be unsatisfactory if they are not removed during the next enrolled semester.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Probation Policy
The Graduate School regularly reviews the record of any student who earned grades of BC, C, D, F, or Incomplete in a graduate course (300 or above), or grade of U in research credits. This review could result in academic probation with a hold on future enrollment or in being suspended from the Graduate School.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Advisor / Committee
Every graduate student is required to have an advisor. To ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, the Graduate School expects them to meet with their advisor on a regular basis.
An advisor generally serves as the thesis advisor. In many cases, an advisor is assigned to incoming students. Students can be suspended from the Graduate School if they do not have an advisor. An advisor is a faculty member, or sometimes a committee, from the major department responsible for providing advice regarding graduate studies.
A committee often accomplishes advising for the students in the early stages of their studies.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Assessment and Examinations
Requirements determined by the program.
Time Constraints
Master’s degree students who have been absent for five or more consecutive years lose all credits that they have earned before their absence. Individual programs may count the coursework students completed prior to their absence for meeting program requirements; that coursework may not count toward Graduate School credit requirements.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Language Requirements
Each program sets its own language requirements. Some programs require competence in one or more languages before students can take preliminary examinations.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Master of Fine Arts Degree, Educational Specialist Degree, or Specialist Certificate
MFA, Ed.S., Specialist Certificate
Minimum Graduate Degree Credit Requirement
42 credits
Minimum Graduate Residence Credit Requirement
24 credits
Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement
At least 50% of credits applied toward the graduate degree credit requirement must be in graduate-level coursework. Details can be found in the Graduate School’s Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) policy (https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244).
Prior Coursework Requirements: Graduate Work from Other Institutions
For well-prepared advanced students, a student’s program may decide to accept prior graduate coursework from other institutions. This coursework does not appear on a UW–Madison transcript nor count toward graduate career GPA. The Graduate School’s minimum graduate residence requirement can be satisfied only with courses taken as a graduate student at UW–Madison. The only exception is graduate-level coursework take as a CIC Traveling Scholar.
Prior Coursework Requirements: UW–Madison Undergraduate
For well-prepared advanced students, a student’s program may decide to accept up to 7 credits numbered 300 or above of required or elective courses from the undergraduate work completed at UW–Madison toward fulfillment of minimum degree and minor credit requirements. However, this work would not be allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless taken at the 700 level or above. This work will not appear on the graduate career portion of UW–Madison transcript nor count toward the graduate career GPA.
The Graduate School’s minimum graduate residence credit requirement can be satisfied only with courses taken as a graduate student at UW–Madison.
Prior Coursework Requirements: UW–Madison University Special
After admission to a graduate program, the student’s program may decide to accept up to fifteen University Special student credits as fulfillment of the minimum graduate residence, graduate degree, or minor credit requirements on occasion as an exception (on a case-by-case basis). UW–Madison coursework taken as a University Special student would not be allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless taken at the 700 level or above. This work will not appear on the graduate career portion of UW–Madison transcript nor count toward the graduate career GPA.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Credits per Term Allowed
Up to 15 credits
Overall Graduate GPA Requirement
3.00
Other Grade Requirements
The Graduate School requires that students maintain a graduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) for all graduate courses (excluding research) to receive a degree. Many programs impose higher standards. Students should check with their program. Grades of Incomplete are considered to be unsatisfactory if they are not removed during the next enrolled semester.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Probation Policy
The Graduate School regularly reviews the record of any student who earned grades of BC, C, D, F, or Incomplete in a graduate course (300 or above), or grade of U in research credits. This review could result in academic probation with a hold on future enrollment or in being suspended from the Graduate School.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Advisor
Every graduate student is required to have an advisor. An advisor is a faculty member, or sometimes a committee, from the major department responsible for providing advice regarding graduate studies. An advisor generally serves as the thesis advisor. In many cases, an advisor is assigned to incoming students. Students can be suspended from the Graduate School if they do not have an advisor
To ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, the Graduate School expects them to meet with their advisor on a regular basis.
A committee often accomplishes advising for the students in the early stages of their studies.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Assessment and Examinations
Requirements determined by the program.
Time Constraints
Master’s degree students who have been absent for five or more consecutive years lose all credits that they have earned before their absence. Individual programs may count the coursework students completed prior to their absence for meeting program requirements; that coursework may not count toward Graduate School credit requirements.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Language Requirements
Each program sets its own language requirements. Some programs require competence in one or more languages before students can take preliminary examinations.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Doctoral Degrees
Au.D., DMA, DNP, OTD, Ph.D.
Minimum Graduate Degree Credit Requirement
51 credits
Minimum Graduate Residence Credit Requirement
32 credits
Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement
At least 50% of credits applied toward the graduate degree credit requirement must be in graduate-level coursework. Details can be found in the Graduate School’s Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) policy (https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244).
Prior Coursework Requirements: Graduate Work from Other Institutions
For well-prepared advanced students, a student’s program may decide to accept prior graduate coursework from other institutions. This coursework does not appear on a UW–Madison transcript nor count toward graduate career GPA. The Graduate School’s minimum graduate residence requirement can be satisfied only with courses taken as a graduate student at UW–Madison. The only exception is graduate-level coursework take as a CIC Traveling Scholar.
Prior Coursework Requirements: UW–Madison Undergraduate
For well-prepared advanced students, a student’s program may decide to accept up to 7 credits numbered 300 or above of required or elective courses from the undergraduate work completed at UW–Madison toward fulfillment of minimum degree and minor credit requirements. However, this work would not be allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless taken at the 700 level or above. This work will not appear on the graduate career portion of UW–Madison transcript nor count toward the graduate career GPA. The Graduate School’s minimum graduate residence credit requirement can be satisfied only with courses taken as a graduate student at UW–Madison.
Prior Coursework Requirements: UW–Madison University Special
After admission to a graduate program, the student’s program may decide to accept up to fifteen University Special student credits as fulfillment of the minimum graduate residence, graduate degree, or minor credit requirements on occasion as an exception (on a case-by-case basis). UW–Madison coursework taken as a University Special student would not be allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless taken at the 700 level or above. This work will not appear on the graduate career portion of UW–Madison transcript nor count toward the graduate career GPA.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Credits per Term Allowed
Up to 15 credits
Doctoral Minor/Breadth Requirements
The Graduate School requires doctoral programs to have a doctoral minor requirement to achieve breadth. Only those doctoral programs which have an accepted minor opt-out request on file may excuse their students from the doctoral minor requirement with alternate paths to breadth.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Overall Graduate GPA Requirement
3.00
Other Grade Requirements
The Graduate School requires that students maintain a graduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) for all graduate courses (excluding research) to receive a degree. Many programs impose higher standards. Students should check with their program. Grades of Incomplete are considered to be unsatisfactory if they are not removed during the next enrolled semester.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Probation Policy
The Graduate School regularly reviews the record of any student who earned grades of BC, C, D, F, or Incomplete in a graduate course (300 or above), or grade of U in research credits. This review could result in academic probation with a hold on future enrollment or in being suspended from the Graduate School.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Advisor
Every graduate student is required to have an advisor. An advisor is a faculty member, or sometimes a committee, from the major department responsible for providing advice regarding graduate studies. An advisor generally serves as the thesis advisor. In many cases, an advisor is assigned to incoming students. Students can be suspended from the Graduate School if they do not have an advisor.
To ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, the Graduate School expects them to meet with their advisor on a regular basis.
A committee often accomplishes advising for the students in the early stages of their studies.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Assessment and Examinations
Doctoral students are required to take a comprehensive preliminary/oral examination after they have cleared their record of all Incomplete and Progress grades (other than research and thesis). Deposit of the doctoral dissertation in the Graduate School is required. Additional requirements are determined by the program.1
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Time Constraints
Doctoral degree students who have been absent for ten or more consecutive years lose all credits that they have earned before their absence. Individual programs may count the coursework students completed prior to their absence for meeting program requirements; that coursework may not count toward Graduate School credit requirements.
A candidate for a doctoral degree who fails to take the final oral examination and deposit the dissertation within five years after passing the preliminary examination may by require to take another preliminary examination and to be admitted to candidacy a second time.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
Language Requirements
Each program sets its own language requirements. Some programs require competence in one or more languages before students can take preliminary examinations.
For more information, please consult the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.
- 1
References to preliminary/oral examinations and dissertations to not apply to clinical doctorate degrees (such as Au.D., DNP). Consult the program for specific requirements.
Academic Calendar
Establishment of the academic calendar for the University of Wisconsin–Madison falls within the authority of the faculty as set forth in Faculty Policies and Procedures. Construction of the academic calendar is subject to various rules and guidelines prescribed by the Board of Regents, the Faculty Senate and State of Wisconsin legislation. The Faculty Senate approves an academic calendar which spans a future five-year period.