Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of questions students commonly ask. If you have further questions or need clarification, please call the Student Academic Affairs Office at (608) 262-2608.
ADVISING
Where do I go for my advising appointment with a Student Academic Affairs advisor?
The Student Academic Affairs Office, Room 135 in the Human Ecology Building, 1300 Linden Drive.
What are the Student Academic Affairs Office hours?
Monday through Friday 8:00AM to 4:30PM
How do I schedule an advising appointment?
Call the Student Academic Affairs Office at (608) 262-2608, or stop by Room 135 in the School of Human Ecology.
How do I find out who my advisor is?
You can find out who your advisor is by logging on to the Student Center through MyUW, requesting a DARS report, or by contacting the Student Academic Affairs Office at (608) 262-2608 or acadaffairs@mail.sohe.wisc.edu.
When is walk-in-advising?
Fall 2007 to be determined.
My advisor is always talking about DARS reports. What are they?
The Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) is a tool that students and advisors use to determine how courses and credits fit into degree requirements. A DARS report shows which course requirements have already been completed and which course requirements remain unsatisfied.
Students should check their DARS report at least twice a semester--before registration to determine which requirements remain unsatisfied and after registration to see how new courses apply. The "What-If" DARS report allows students to see how completed or in-progress courses may be used in different degree programs. Both the DARS and "What-If" DARS reports can be accessed through MyUW. Instructions on how to do so can be found here.
Although students are encouraged to review the DARS report regularly with their advisor, final responsiblity for completion of the requirements for graduation rests with the student.
I'm interested in a major in the School of Human Ecology. How do I get more information?
We are having group advising sessions for students interested in applying to our majors. The advisors will cover how to apply for the major, options within the major, career opportunities, and curriculum information. There is also time for questions and an opportunity to speak individually with an advisor.
Who do I make an appointment with to talk about internships?
You may make an appointment with an internship coordinator in the Student Academic Affairs Office by calling (608) 262-2608. Before scheduling an individual appointment, students must attend an internship orientation session specific to their major.
MAJOR CHANGES
What is the process for switching majors into the School of Human Ecology?
If you are not currently in the School of Human Ecology, but are interested in one of our majors, attend a Group Advising & Information Session to find out more information about the major of interest. Here you will also have the opportunity to meet one on one with an advisor. If you have completed less than 24 credits, they can assist you in completing a major change form and you will be admitted to the program or pre-program of your choice. If you have completed more than 24 credits, you will receive information on how to apply to your desired major.
How do I change options within my major?
You can meet with an advisor through the Student Academic Affairs Office and they will help you fill out the option change form.
If I’m changing my major to one outside of the School of Human Ecology, do I need to fill out a form here?
No. Go to the department office in which you wish to declare a major and they’ll do the paperwork. No paperwork needs to be done here.
How do I declare double majors?
School of Human Ecology students may only double major in the College of Letters & Science. Students should meet first with their School of Human Ecology advisor to discuss their plan for double majoring, and then meet with a Letters & Science advisor to discuss the requirements for the L&S major. The L&S advisor should provide you with a form that must be returned to the School of Human Ecology Student Academic Affairs Office for approval of your double major.
COURSES
I'm trying to register for XYZ class, but I can't get in, what should I do?
If you are having problems registering for a specific class you should first check to make sure that it is your allotted time to begin registering and that you have met all the course prerequisites. You should also check to make sure that you have no class/time conflicts with courses that you may have already registered for. If you are still having difficulty, contact the department which is offering the class. Wait lists and permissions to enroll in courses are handled individually by each department. Contact information for SoHE departments is below:
| Consumer Science | Design Studies |
| (608) 263-5675 | (608) 262-2651- |
| csdept@consci.wisc.edu | etd@mail.sohe.wisc.edu |
| Human Development & Family Studies | Interdisciplinary Studies |
| (608) 265-1172 | (608) 262-2660 |
| hdfs@mail.sohe.wisc.edu | interdisc@mail.sohe.wisc.edu |
When is the best time for me to study abroad?
With the exception of Textile & Apparel Design and Interior Design majors, other majors are more flexible. Usually, students study abroad during their junior year or first semester of their senior year. If you are considering studying abroad, you should meet with your advisor to discuss how to plan your schedule accordingly. You may wish to save some general education courses, such as humanities and literature, to fulfill while abroad. For more information on UW-Madison study abroad programs, visit International Academic Programs.
If I want to take summer class in my hometown, how do I know it will transfer back to UW-Madison?
Course equivalencies for UW System schools and Wisconsin Techincal Colleges can be accessed on the Transfer Information System (TIS) web site.
Students planning to take a course outside of the UW System or Wisconsin Technical Colleges should submit a course equivalency form to the UW-Madison Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Forms are available online at www.admissions.wisc.edu/summerequiv.php or at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 716 Langdon St (Red Gym).
Please note that grades earned at other colleges or universities will not factor into the GPA at UW-Madison. Upon completion of the course, it is the student's responsibility to have the institution send an official transcript, with grades earned, to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 716 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 53706. It is also the student's responsibility to meet with an advisor to have summer transfer credits applied to the appropriate degree requirement on the DARS report upon returning to campus.
ACADEMIC REGULATIONS
How can I figure out my grade point average?
The grade point average for a student is derived by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of the grade piont average credits taken, whether the course was passed or not, exclusive of credits reported as incomplete or progress and credits reports for courses (S/U) and for specially approved courses designated Cr/N.
To determine what your grade point average may be, use the GPA calculator.
What GPA do I need to make the Dean’s Honor List or the Dean's High Honor List?
At the end of each semester, the names of all students with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher in at least 12 graded credits for that semester will be included on the Dean's Honor List. Students earning a grade point average of 3.75 or higher will be given recognition of Dean's High Honors. A notation of the honor will be entered on the student's transcript.
How do I take a class Pass/Fail?
Students are permitted to take one course pass/fail per semester for a total of no more than 6 pass/fail courses throughout a student's undergraduate career. A pass/fail course must be an elective for your major. To apply to take a course pass/fail you must complete the Pass/Fail Form available on the Registrar's Website. Print & sign three copies of the form and bring the form to the Student Academic Affairs Office, along with the SoHE Pass/Fail cover sheet, for the Dean's approval.
How do I add or drop a class after the add/drop deadline?
To add or drop a class after the deadline, you must complete the Course Change Form on the Registrar's website. Print three copies of the form and turn them in to the Student Academic Affairs Office for the Dean's approval. Be sure you fill in each section of the form. If you have any questions about what to fill in on the form, please contact the SAA Office. Please note that the classification of students in the School of Human Ecology is HEC, with the exception of Phase II TAD students, who are HTA, and Phase II ID students, who are HID.
What is a course substitution?
A course substitution form is used when a student would like to substitute one course of similar content in place of another on their DARS report in order to fulfill a requirement. Course subsitutuion forms are available in the Student Academic Affairs Office, Room 135 in the School of Human Ecology. It is recommended that students complete the form with their advisor, as the form requires their advisor's approval and signature.
What happens if my academic progress is not satisfactory?
Students with unsatisfactory performance will have an academic action notation on their grade report and transcript. The type of action taken depends on the GPA and number of semesters of poor academic performance. A detailed explanation of academic actions is available in the Undergraduate Catalog.
What happen if I receive a failing grade or an incomplete?
Failures. Every course grade of F counts as 0 grade points, and as any other grade, remains permanentlly on the transcript. A student who fails a course required for a major or a degree requirement must repeat the course and secure a passing grade as soon as the subject is again offered. After the course is repeated, the original F will remain on the transcript and will be included in computing the GPA.
Incompletes. An incomplete may be reported for a student who has carried a course with a passing grade until near the end of the semester. Once an incomplete is given, the missing work must be finished or the grade becomes F. An incomplete may be granted when a documented illness or other substantiated hardship causes the student to be unable to take final examinations or complete a substantial portion of the course. The student must complete the course no later than the close of the next semester of residence at UW-Madison.
GRADUATION & COMMENCEMENT
How do I to tell the University I am graduating at the end of the semester?
Indicate your intent to graduate via the MyUW-Madison web portal. In MyUW, go to the Student Record tab, click 'Apply for Graduation' in the Academic Record box, and follow the instructions to designate your intent to graduate. Your name will then be included in the commencement program, if you apply prior to the deadline indicated on the Registrar’s web-site.
Can I walk in the graduation ceremony before I’ve official graduated from UW?
If you will complete requirements for a bachelor's degree in August, you may participate in Spring Commencement. You must indicate your intent to attend via the MyUW-Madison web portal. In MyUW, go to the Student Record tab, click 'Apply for Graduation' in the Academic Record box, and follow the instructions to designate your intent to attend Spring Commencement. Your name will then be included in the commencement program, if you apply prior to the deadline indicated on the Registrar’s web-site.
What is graduating with Distinction and High Distinction mean?
"Graduation with Distinction" will appear on the transcripts of studentswho have earned a cumulative grade point average that places them in the top 20% of students graduating that term in their school or college with 60 credits or more at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Students in the top five percent will receive the designation "Graduation with Highest Distinction."
Notations citing graduation distinction will be made on the diplomas and transcripts of students who complete the degree requirements.
