Timely major declaration is associated with timely degree completion. This policy establishes a university standard for school/college declaration of major policies.
Academic divisions and units that offer undergraduate degree-major programs and all undergraduate students.
All academic divisions (schools/colleges) that offer degree-majors at the undergraduate level are required to maintain and enforce a policy on undergraduate major declaration. The school/college policies must abide by the university standard which requires a student to declare a major no later than the end of the term in which the student accumulates 86 credits.
In recognition of the fact that some students enter UW-Madison with a significant number of college credits, the schools/colleges must allow an undergraduate two semesters of enrollment at UW-Madison before enforcing the policy on undergraduate major declaration.
All undergraduates are assigned to a school or college and, under this policy, are subject to their school or college’s major declaration policy. The school or college’s policy cannot be less strict than the university policy.
School/college policies on undergraduate major declaration must be published in The Guide. Annually, an audit is generated of undergraduates with more than 86 accrued credits, at least two semesters of enrollment at UW-Madison, and no declared degree/major. The school/college dean’s offices review the data and follow up accordingly.
02-19-2020, 07-31-2023