GRADUATE SCHOOL MINIMUM DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
To make progress toward a graduate degree, students must meet the Graduate School requirementsin addition to the requirements of the department or program. See department or program Criteria for Satisfactory Progress.
MASTER'S DEGREES* DOCTORAL DEGREES**
Overall Graduate GPA
3.00
Overall Graduate GPA
3.00
Other Grade Requirements
Yes
The Graduate School requires an average grade of B or better in all course work (300 or above, not including research credits) taken as a graduate student unless conditions for probationary status require higher grades. Grades of Incomplete are considered to be unsatisfactory if they are not removed during the next enrolled semester.
Other Grade Requirements
Yes
The Graduate School requires an average grade of B or better in all course work (300 or above, not including research credits) taken as a graduate student unless conditions for probationary status require higher grades. Grades of Incomplete are considered to be unsatisfactory if they are not removed during the next enrolled semester.
Probation Policy
Yes
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.
Probation Policy
Yes
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.
Specific Courses
Determined by department
Specific Courses
Determined by department
Specific Credits
Determined by department
Specific Credits
Determined by department
Examinations
Determined by department
Examinations / Time Constraints
Yes / Yes
  • Doctoral students are required to take a comprehensive preliminary examination after they have cleared their record of all Incomplete and Progress grades (other than research and thesis).
  • Doctoral students have five years from the date of passing the preliminary examination to take the final oral examination and deposit the dissertation. In some departments, if the professor(s) in charge is satisfied with the preparation, the preliminary examination may be construed as the final examination.
  • A candidate for the Ph.D. degree who fails to take the final oral examination within five years after passing the preliminary examination is required to take another preliminary examination and be admitted to candidacy a second time.
    • Other Assessments / Time Constraints
    Yes / Yes
  • A master's degree requires a minimum of 16 graduate credits (300 level or above, no audits or pass/fail) taken as a graduate student at UW-Madison.
  • M.F.A. candidates are required to complete a minimum of 24 graduate credits (300 level or above, no audits or pass/fail) taken as a graduate student at UW-Madison.
  • Master's degree students who are absent for five or more years will not be given credit for prior work.
    		•  Other Assessments / Time Constraints
    Yes / No
  • A Ph.D. degree requires 32 graduate credits (300 level or above, no audits or pass/fail) taken as a graduate student at UW-Madison.
  • Deposit of the doctoral dissertation in the Graduate School is required.
    • Language Requirements
    Determined by department
    		Language Requirements
    Determined by department
    Minor Requirements
    Yes
    The Graduate School normally requires a Ph.D. minor (see department criteria). Option A requires a minimum of 10 credits in a single department/major field of study. Selection of this option requires the approval of the minor department. Option B requires a minimum of 10 credits in one or more departments and can include course work in the major department. Selection of this option requires the approval of the major department.
    Minimum course requirements for the minor include:
  • Average GPA of 3.00 on all minor course work.
  • Course work must be graduate level (the equivalent of UW-Madison courses 300 level or above; no audits or pass/fail).
  • Maximum 3 credits of independent study (e.g., 699, 799, 899, 999).
  • Research and thesis cannot be used to satisfy the minor (e.g., 790, 890, 990).
  • No more than 5 credits of course work completed more than five years prior to admission to the Ph.D.; course work taken ten years ago or more may not be used.
    • Advisor
     Yes
    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. A committee often accomplishes advising for the students in the early stages of their studies. Students can be suspended from the Graduate School if they do not have an advisor.
    		Advisor
     Yes
    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 dissertation advisor. In many cases, an advisor is assigned to incoming students. A committee often accomplishes advising for students in the early stages of their studies. Students can be suspended from the Graduate School if they do not have an advisor. See Graduate School's Academic Guidelines for minor course-work requirements.
    Review Policy
    To ensure they are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, students are encouraged to meet with their department advisors on a regular basis. The Graduate School regularly monitors the progress of all graduate students.
    		 Review Policy
    To ensure they are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, students are encouraged to meet with their department advisors on a regular basis. The Graduate School regularly monitors the progress of all graduate students.
    *M.A., M.S., M.Acc., M.B.A., M.M., M.Engr., M.F.A., M.F.S., M.I.P.A., M.L.I., M.P.A., M.S.W.
    		 **D.M.A., Ph.D.