School of Education

Additional Requirements for Graduation and Degree Audit: Communicative Disorders

Requirements below are based on UW-Madison course work.

• 2.75 minimum cumulative grade point average. This may be modified by the Last 60 Credits Rule.
• 2.75 cumulative grade point average in all major course work
• 2.75 cumulative grade point average in all upper-level (300-699) major course work
• 2.75 cumulative grade point average in all education course work
• Major Residency. Degree candidates must complete at least 15 credits of upper-level major course work (300-699) in residence on the UW-Madison campus.
• Senior Residency. Degree candidates must complete their last 30 credits in residence on the UW-Madison campus. Practicum work is considered part of the 30 credits.
• 40-Credit Rule. Students may not count more than 40 credits from one department within the 120 degree credits needed for graduation. For example, if 42 credits of course work have been completed from the Communicative Disorders Department, the student will need 122 credits to graduate. Com Dis 110 does not count toward the 40 credits.
• 120 credits required for graduation.

The master's degree is required to be certified to work in a public school program in Wisconsin and most states. The major in Communicative Disorders prepares graduates to function competently and independently in public school programs, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, birth-to-three programs, or clinics. The bachelor of science degree is earned in the School of Education, and the master's degree is earned in the Department of Communicative Disorders. Student teaching and other professional education courses will be taken while earning the bachelor's and master's degrees. Not all students who apply for admission can be accepted into the master's degree program.

For detailed information about the master's program, see this link.

Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS)

The Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) is an automated reflection of a student's academic progress toward completion of a degree. A DARS report shows which requirements have already been completed and which requirements remain unsatisfied. It can offer suggestions about appropriate courses that may be taken to meet specific requirements.

DARS reports are currently available to most students in the School of Education; additional degree programs become available as they are developed. Students should check their DARS reports through My UW-Madison whenever a registration change (i.e., adding or dropping a class) is made. In addition, students can request a "what-if" DARS report through My UW-Madison. This feature makes it possible to select any number of programs and/or majors on campus and run a DARS report as if pursing this option. It is an excellent tool for students considering new or additional areas of study. The "what-if" DARS report can be located on the My UW-Madison site under "Student Center."

DARS is not intended to replace student contact with academic advisers. It encourages a more beneficial relationship between student and adviser because valuable advising time is not lost calculating how courses and credits fit into requirements. The quick and thorough analysis provided by DARS allows more time in an advising appointment to discuss course options, research opportunities, graduate school, or issues of personal interest or concern to students. DARS is the document of record, i.e., certifying document of degree completion, for most program areas in the School of Education.