Navigating Graduation Requirements at the University of Wisconsin System

Earning a degree from a University of Wisconsin (UW) System institution signifies the culmination of dedicated academic pursuit. This article provides a detailed overview of the graduation requirements within the UW System, drawing primarily from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) as an example, while also referencing UW-Eau Claire and UW-Whitewater. Understanding these requirements is crucial for students to successfully plan their academic journey and achieve their graduation goals.

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (B.A. or B.S.)

The baccalaureate degree, whether a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.), is a cornerstone of higher education. Typically, these programs are designed to be completed within four years, requiring a minimum of 120 credits. To earn a baccalaureate degree, candidates must fulfill several key requirements:

General Education Requirements

Students must satisfy the general education requirements, which are designed to provide a broad foundation of knowledge and skills across various disciplines.

Ethnic Studies (Diversity) Course

Completing at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course is a requirement. This course aims to broaden students' understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives. It should be noted that Universities of Wisconsin no longer has an ethnic studies requirement. If this was not done as part of the first degree, it must be fulfilled for the second degree.

Major and Minor Requirements

Students must complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for their chosen degree in their respective school or college. Additionally, students must fulfill major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA in each major and minor, including any selected concentrations or emphases.

Credit and GPA Requirements

Earning a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA is essential. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement. It is important to note that grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

Residency Requirement

A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation.

Application for Graduation

Submitting an application for graduation via the "Submit Intent to Graduate" link in the WINGS Student Center is a crucial step. This application should be submitted as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1, while May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.

Second Baccalaureate Degree Policy

For graduates who have already earned one baccalaureate degree at UWL and are pursuing a second, specific requirements apply. They must meet all core, professional, and major requirements for the second degree and earn at least 30 resident credits beyond the first degree. Students with a previously earned baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution must meet all core, professional, and major requirements for the second degree and must earn at least 30 resident credits beyond the first degree. Students wishing to use credits from their first degree to fulfill requirements of a second degree must obtain approval from the dean of the college in which they are enrolled. All general education requirements are satisfied by students who have completed the first baccalaureate degree. Students cannot earn a second baccalaureate degree in the same major (different emphasis) as their first baccalaureate degree.

Second Major or Minor Policy

A graduate who has earned one baccalaureate degree at UWL, who wishes to complete the requirements for another major and/or minor, must meet all professional and major/minor requirements. A notation will be made on the student’s transcript that an additional major/minor has been completed. Students with demonstrated evidence of a previously earned baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution, who wish to complete the requirements for another major/minor at UWL, must enroll as a special non-degree student and fulfill all professional and major/minor requirements.

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Associate of Arts Degree Requirements

The Associate of Arts degree provides a foundation for further academic pursuits. Candidates for this degree must:

File an application for the associate degree with the Office of Records and Registration.
Earn a total of 60 or more semester credits applicable to a bachelor’s degree at UWL. At least 15 credits must be earned at UWL.
Achieve a 2.00 cumulative grade point average.
Complete two courses within the same subject (i.e., course prefix).
Earn a minimum of 41 credits of general education courses.

General Education Categories

General education courses are categorized to ensure a well-rounded academic experience. These categories include:

First College Courses

New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits are required to take First Year Seminar in their first two semesters at UWL.

Written Literacy

A course focusing on written literacy, such as ENG 110 College Writing II, is required.

Spoken Literacy

A course focusing on spoken literacy, such as CST 110 Communicating Effectively, is required.

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Quantitative Reasoning

A minimum of three credits in quantitative reasoning is required. Courses that fulfill this requirement include CS 101 Introduction to Computing, CS 115 Introduction to Python Programming, CS 120 Software Design I, CT 100 Introduction to Computational Thinking, FIN 207 Personal Finance, MTH 115 Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers I, MTH 116 Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers II, MTH 123 Mathematics for Decision Making, MTH 150 College Algebra, MTH 151 Precalculus, MTH 160 Mathematics for Business, MTH 175 Applied Calculus, MTH 207 Calculus I, MTH 208 Calculus II, MTH 215 Mathematics for Middle School Teachers I, MTH 216 Mathematics for Middle School Teachers II, MTH 265 Mathematical Models in Biology, MUS 115 Fundamentals of Music Theory, PHL 101 Introduction to Logic, and STAT 145 Elementary Statistics.

University Core

The University Core encompasses several areas of study:

Ethnic Diversity

A minimum of three credits is required in ethnic diversity.

Mind and Body

A minimum of three credits is required in courses related to Mind and Body. Courses include HP 105 Analysis of Health, Wellness and Disease for the Health Care Consumer, HPR 105 Creating A Healthy, Active Lifestyle, MIND 110 Introduction to Mindfulness, PH 207 Youth Health Issues, and REC 150 Leisure, Quality of Life, and Well Being.

Arts and Aesthetics

A minimum of four credits is required in Arts and Aesthetics. Courses include ART 102 Art Appreciation, ART 160 General Art Foundations, ART 172 Photography Survey, ART 272 Photography and Imaging I, ART 302 Visual Language in the Global Classroom, ART 332 Themes of Contemporary Art, ESS 104 Dance Appreciation, MUS 100 Screaming Eagles Marching Band I, MUS 103 Concert Band I, MUS 105 Music Appreciation, MUS 106 Concert Choir I, MUS 123 Treble Chorus I, MUS 134 Jazz Ensemble I, MUS 140 Wind Ensemble I, MUS 144 Symphonic Band I, MUS 156 Orchestra I, MUS 158 Choral Union I, PHL 332 Philosophy of the Arts, THA 110 Theatre Appreciation, THA 120 Acting for Non-Majors, and THA 201 Dramatic Literature and Theatre Arts.

Experiential Science

A minimum of four credits is required in Experiential Science. Courses include ANT 102 Introduction to Biological Anthropology, BIO 100 Biology for the Informed Citizen, BIO 105 General Biology, CHM 100 Contemporary Chemistry, CHM 103 General Chemistry I, GEO 101 Earth Environments, MIC 100 Microbes and Society, PHY 103 Fundamental Physics I, PHY 106 Physical Science for Educators, PHY 155 Solar System Astronomy, PHY 160 Stars, Galaxies and the Universe, and PHY 203 General Physics I.

Social and Behavioral Studies

A minimum of three credits is required in Social and Behavioral Studies. Courses include ANT 101 Human Nature/Human Culture, ART 215 Introduction to Museum Studies, CST 271 Media and Society, ECO 110 Microeconomics and Public Policy, ECO 120 Global Macroeconomics, ECO/THA 376 Economics of Art and Entertainment, EDS 203 Foundations of Education, ENG 220 Women and Popular Culture, GEO 102 Maps and Society, GEO 203 Urban Community Health: A Global Perspective, GER 398 German Thinkers and Popular Culture, PH 200 Introduction to Public Health, PHL 120 Introduction to Ethics and Society: The Person and the Community, POL 101 American National Government, POL 102 State and Local Government, PSY 100 General Psychology, RGS/SOC 150 Introduction to Social Justice, RGS 307 Ethnic, Racial, and Gender Stereotypes in the Media, SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology, and SOC 120 Social Problems.

Integrative Perspectives

At least three of the courses taken under "Integrative Perspectives" must have different prefixes.

The Stories We Tell

A minimum of three credits is required in The Stories We Tell. Courses include CHI 305 Introduction to Modern Chinese Literature, ENG 200 Literature and Human Experience, ENG 201 American Literature before 1865, ENG 202 American Literature after 1865, ENG 203 British Literature before 1800, ENG 204 British Literature after 1800, ENG 205 Western Literature before 1700, ENG 206 Western Literature after 1700, FRE 395 French Literary Voices in English, GCL 299 Global Literature in Translation, GER 399 German Literature in Translation, HIS 355 Historical Non-Fiction, PHL 100 Introduction to Philosophy, PHL 200 Introduction to the Literature of Philosophy, POL 150 Foundations of Political Thought, and RUS 305 Golden Age Russian Literature and Culture.

The Pasts That Define Us

A minimum of three credits is required in The Pasts That Define Us. Courses include ARC 200 World Archaeology: Origins and Development of Human Culture and Society, HIS 110 World History, HIS 260 Survey of the Middle East, HIS 350 Oral History Theory, Methods, and Practice, HIS 361 Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, POL 140 International Relations in a Changing World, and SOC 115 Criminology and Criminal Justice through the Ages.

The Planet that Sustains Us

A minimum of three credits is required in The Planet that Sustains Us. Courses include ANT 103 The Human Story: Evolution, Environment, and Shared Ancestries, ARC 100 Archaeology: Discovering Our Past, BIO 102 Contemporary Issues in Biological Sciences, ENV 101 Introduction to Sustainability and Environmental Studies, GEO 200 Conservation of Global Environments, GEO 211 Global Climate Change, GEO 340 Polar Environments, MIC 130 Global Impact of Infectious Disease, MIC 150 Discovery Microbiology, PHY 142 Navigating Global Nuclear Issues, POL 202 Solving Problems in Global Politics, and PUB 210 Contemporary Issues in Government.

The Cultures of Our World

A minimum of three credits is required in The Cultures of Our World.

General Studies Program at UWL

The General Studies Program offers an alternative path for students to complete a UWL Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree through the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH). This program is designed for students who are advanced in their credits and need an efficient way to finish their bachelor’s degree without a specific disciplinary focus.

Admission Eligibility

To be eligible for the General Studies Program, students must:

Be a current or former UWL student with at least 90 undergraduate credits accepted at UWL.
Never have received a bachelor’s or higher degree from any institution, including UWL.
Be a current UWL student with a declared major in any UWL school/college (CBA, CASSH, CSH, or SOE) or a former UWL student who left without completing a degree and has not subsequently earned a bachelor's or higher degree at another institution.

Application Process

Interested students must complete an application and correspond with the Academic Services Director (ASD) of CASSH, who will consult with the student’s advisor, the ASD of the student’s current school/college (if not CASSH), and other applicable units. The Dean of CASSH makes the final decision on appeals.

Requirements

To complete the General Studies Program, students must:

Be admitted through the general studies application process.
Complete all UWL requirements for a bachelor’s degree, including general education requirements, at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course, and at least 40 credits earned in 300/400-level courses.
Earn 120 semester credits with a minimum 2.0 UWL cumulative GPA.
Complete at least 30 semester credits in residence at UWL.
Are encouraged to complete a minor or certificate if possible.

Students accepted into the program are exempt from college core requirements.

Additional Graduation Requirements and Considerations

Credit Restrictions

Various credit restrictions apply toward graduation, including limits on junior college credits, extension credits, WTCS credits, USAFI credit, and activity credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit. Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses).

Liberal Education Core at UW-Eau Claire

The Liberal Education Core at UW-Eau Claire is designed to develop essential skills, knowledge, and values. It includes requirements in:

Knowledge: Natural Sciences (K1), Social Sciences (K2), Humanities (K3), and Fine Arts (K4).
Skills: Written and Oral Communication (S1), Mathematics (S2), and Creativity (S3).
Responsibilities: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (R1), Global Perspectives (R2), and Civic and Environmental Issues (R3).
Integration: Applying knowledge and skills across different contexts (I1).

Two learning experiences are required to fulfill the Responsibility 1 Outcome (R1): Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity requirement. One three credit learning experience must address one or more of the following groups: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, and/or Asian Americans, in order to fulfill the UW System Design for Diversity requirement.

Community-Engaged Learning at UW-Eau Claire

All candidates for the baccalaureate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire must satisfactorily complete an approved community-engaged learning activity.

GPA Requirements

A minimum total GPA of 2.00 and a minimum resident GPA of 2.00 is required for graduation from all curricula. Minimum resident and total GPAs of 2.00 are required in the major, minor and certificate.

Application and Deadlines

Each candidate for a baccalaureate degree must apply for graduation via CampS by the end of the first week of undergraduate priority registration for the semester of intended graduation.

Catalog Base for Degree Plan

In planning their degree programs, students must follow the curricular requirements of the catalog under which they entered UW-Eau Claire or upon notification to their department of a more recent catalog.

Commencement

Candidates for graduation are encouraged to attend commencement ceremonies, which are held twice during the calendar year: at the close of the fall and spring semesters. Students who will complete all requirements for the degree during the Summer Session are August graduates but will be invited to attend the prior May commencement ceremony.

Additional Majors or Minors After Graduation

Students may, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, complete an additional major or minor.

UW-Whitewater Degree Options

The UW-Whitewater offers the following undergraduate degrees: Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Education.

UW-Whitewater Requirements

A minimum GPA of 2.00 or better on a 4.00 system, both overall and in the major and minor fields. Completion of a minor if required in the major/degree program. Students must take required courses in their major and their minor on a conventional grade basis. The same course credits may not be counted in both the major(s) and the minor(s). Students must demonstrate writing proficiency in their major. Racial/Ethnic Diversity course dealing with the African American, Native American, Asian American or Latino/a American experience is required for graduation.

Application for Graduation at UW-Whitewater

Students must complete the online application for graduation found within their Student Center in WINS no later than the end of the second week of the term in which they expect to graduate. Graduating students will be charged a graduation fee which will appear on their billing statement. The diploma cost is part of the graduation fee.

Wisconsin Graduation Requirements

The state graduation requirements under Wis. Stats. 118.33 and 118.33(1m)(a)1, Section 3266R total 15.5 credits and the successful passing of a civics exam.

CTE Courses and Graduation Requirements

A student could take a CTE course for a math credit and a different CTE course for a science credit. The school board first needs to determine which CTE courses, if any, they approve to be equivalent math credit. The teaching license required for those courses would be the same as if full equivalency credit is awarded--the proper CTE license. If a school district determines that specific CTE courses satisfy high school graduation requirements for mathematics or science, how shall the school district designate this on the student’s transcript?

Computer Science Courses

For the purposes of the new Wisconsin State Statute 118.33 (1) (a) 1.c.-High School Graduation Standards, DPI has established the following criteria that must be used in determining that a course is a Computer Science course, and therefore a school district may give math credit. The teacher must hold the proper CTE license for the course that they are teaching.

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