Undergraduate Major Declaration

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Policy Number:
UW-1009
Responsible Office:
Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

Timely major declaration is associated with timely degree completion. This policy establishes a university standard for school/college declaration of major policies.

Definitions:
Academic Plan Code
A code representing a formally approved academic offering such as a major (e.g., BUS 623, Business: Management and Human Resources, BBA), minor, or certificate within an academic career and program. This code corresponds to the degree-major in which a student is enrolled and awarded.
Accumulated Credits
Credits earned through successful completion of UW–Madison coursework, transfer credit, advanced placement credit, retroactive credit, credit by departmental exam, and/or other transcripted credit.
Degree-Major
Combination of the degree and the major, represented in the academic plan code, that signifies a credential that has been authorized for UW-Madison by the UW System Board of Regents.
Undergraduate
An enrolled student who is pursuing a degree program that leads to a bachelor’s degree.
Scope:

Academic divisions and units that offer undergraduate degree-major programs and all undergraduate students.

Policy:

  1. Policy

    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.

  2. Relationship to School/College Policies

    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.

  3. Implementation

    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.

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Policy Manager:
Vice Provost for Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research
Contact:
Associate Director, Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research -- Michelle Young, MEYOUNG@WISC.EDU, (608) 262-2143
Effective Date:
08-01-2016
Revised Dates:

02-19-2020, 07-31-2023

Retrieved:
05-07-2024 21:26:00