Academics
The Graduate School Office of Academic Services is the academic dean’s office for all graduate students.
Contact the Graduate School Office of Academic Services:
gsacserv@grad.wisc.edu
608-262-2433
On this page
Academic Matters
These guides help you understand academic procedures and requirements for graduate students at UW–Madison.
Courses and Enrollment
Enrollment requirements vary based on whether you are a graduate assistant, fellow, or trainee, and whether you have dissertator fee status. Learn these requirements and other considerations for your enrollment.
Progress Toward Your Degree
You make progress toward your graduate degree by meeting the university’s credit and GPA requirements each semester. Doctoral students also need to meet a breadth requirement, pass a preliminary (or qualifying) exam, and become a doctoral candidate before defending a dissertation and graduating.
Degree and Certificate Types
The Graduate School offers master’s degrees, PhDs, and an Educational Specialist degree. We also offer a variety of graduate and professional certificates.
Grading
Learn about UW–Madison’s grading scale for graduate courses and different grades you may receive.
Transfer of Prior Coursework
The Graduate School allows programs to accept transfer credits for previous coursework under specific conditions.
Grievances and Appeals
If you are unfairly treated by faculty, staff, or another student, there are several ways you can address your grievance.
Completing Your Master’s Degree
Learn what master’s students need to do to meet the requirements for graduation. If your program requires a master’s thesis, you can find information about preparing and depositing your thesis here.
Completing Your Doctoral Degree
Doctoral students have additional considerations, such as defending and depositing a dissertation. The Graduate School offers a detailed guide to preparing your doctoral dissertation.
Policies
Be familiar with your program’s and the university’s policies for your academic progress and for any graduate assistantship appointments you hold.
Graduate School academic policies
This list includes the official academic and administrative policies the Graduate School maintains relevant to graduate students.
Program-specific policies
The Graduate Guide is our university’s program catalog and a great resource for official academic matters. Find your program’s Guide page by selecting “Degrees/Majors” in the right column menu. Your program’s academic grievance/appeals policy and procedures are listed on its Guide page under the “Policies” tab in the right column menu.
Employment policies
The Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures outline employment-related practices for graduate student teaching assistants, research assistants, and project assistants.
Academic Success
These skills will help you succeed during — and beyond — graduate school.
Work effectively with your advisor
The self-paced micro-course A Graduate Student Guide to Working with Faculty Advisors outlines the characteristics of functional and dysfunctional relationships with faculty advisors, strategies for communicating effectively and aligning expectations, as well as program grievance processes and Hostile and Intimidating Behavior resources. This 20-minute course is optional but encouraged for all graduate students.
Plan for your success
Making a plan can help you meet your academic and professional goals. An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a great way to communicate your professional development and career planning needs and intentions, which can lead to helpful advice and resources. You can use the IDP to make sure you and your advisor’s expectations are clearly outlined and in agreement so that there are no big surprises, particularly at the end of your training. Students with National Science Foundation (NSF) or National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding are required to have an IDP.
Think about mentorship
During graduate school, you should have multiple mentors including— and in addition to—your faculty advisor. Mentors help you achieve your goals and develop skills. Being proactive as a mentee can help ensure you get what you need from a mentoring relationship. As you progress through graduate school, you are likely to be a mentor to others.
Track your progress
A UW–Madison policy ensures that PhD-seeking students receive regular updates on their academic progress. Your program must provide you with an annual written assessment on your degree progress and have an opportunity to discuss it. If you are not making satisfactory progress, your program must clearly outline and communicate follow-up expectations.
The Graduate School
217 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Front Desk Hours:
Fall and Spring Hours
(September – April):
Monday – Friday
10 am – 3 pm
Summer Hours (May – August):
Monday – Friday
10 am – noon
Faculty/Staff Resources
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Prospective students and applicants:
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