21 North Park Street, 7th Floor
Madison, WI 53715
608-262-1156
fax 608-265-4555
www.dcs.wisc.edu
Adult and Student Services Center
Summer Sessions
University Special and Guest Students
Independent Learning
Continuing Education Program
DCS Faculty
The Division of Continuing Studies provides services to adult students, continuing education programs, and special programs as well as coordinating summer sessions. DCS fosters professional and personal development by making the resources of the University of Wisconsin-Madison available to individuals of all ages.
The Adult and Student Services Center (ASSC) serves adults returning to formal education and/or considering a career change. ASSC provides career counseling, academic advising, and university information to adults through individual appointments and a number of career workshops and academic programs.
It is also the admitting and academic dean's office for University Special students. University Special students are typically those not currently earning credits for a UW-Madison degree program but enrolling in UW-Madison credit courses. They often are individuals who need to enhance job skills, maintain or earn certifications or licensing, change careers, or fulfill prerequisites for graduate or professional school. Many take courses to satisfy a personal interest. Special students may also be part of pre-selected groups identified by departments for specific courses or programs. Undergraduate students from other institutions who wish to take a course at UW-Madison do so as University Special students in the classification of Visiting student.
Community adults or individuals who are no longer working on their degrees are eligible to access services with a career counselor. Through individual discussions, assessments and workshops, individuals can discover a path to a more meaningful and satisfying career or a future educational goal. This resource is available to community adults seeking personal or professional development and one need not be a graduate of the University of Wisconsin to use these services.
ASSC also provides workshops and programs on a variety of topics including career transitions, academic skills and success, and returning to school. Many of these programs are free and open to the public.
For more information, call 608-263-6960 or visit the ASSC, 21 North Park Street, Madison, WI 53715. For list server information, send an e-mail to assc@dcs.wisc.edu or call 608-263-6960.
During the summer term, students can earn nearly a semester's worth of credits, enabling them to graduate on schedule or, in some cases, graduate early. Each summer, more than 12,000 undergraduate students enroll in summer courses. They can choose from more than 1,000 credit classes in sessions lasting from one to 13 weeks. Students can also experience innovative programs available only in summer, including the University Summer Forum.
UW-Madison undergraduates eligible to continue in summer from spring are sent Web enrollment information in spring. Undergraduates not eligible to continue must obtain their dean's permission to enroll for summer sessions. Those applying for the first time or planning to reenter as undergraduates should apply for admission early and must abide by deadlines set by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Visiting undergraduates from other institutions should apply for admission to the Adult and Student Services Center by late spring.
Admission, enrollment, and special program information is published in Summer Sessions. This publication is available starting in late January from the Division of Continuing Studies, 21 North Park Street, Madison, WI 53715-1218; 608-262-1156; fax 608-265-4555; www.dcs.wisc.edu/summer.
The Adult and Student Services Center provides academic advising, admission, records, and other support services for non-degree students enrolling as University Special and Guest students.
Students with bachelors' degrees may take courses to fulfill graduate or professional school pre-requisites, or for licensing or employment purposes, or to take university classes beyond the regular degree requirements. Undergraduate students visiting from other universities and transferring credits to their home academic institution can also enroll in classes for one semester. Early applications are encouraged. Persons who have missed undergraduate deadlines or have been denied undergraduate admission are not eligible for admission as University Special students. In most cases, University Special students pay regular per-credit undergraduate fees and tuition and have access to most of the privileges of all other students enrolling for credit, such as use of recreational facilities, Metro bus pass, and health services.
Guest students audit regular UW-Madison courses for a reduced fee and do not earn course credit. This option exists for those seeking personal or professional enrichment through regular UW-Madison courses and who do not need credits. Qualified Wisconsin residents over 60 years of age can audit at no charge.
For information and to access the online application, see www.dcs.wisc.edu/info. For questions, contact Adult and Student Services Center, 21 North Park Street, Suite 7101, Madison, WI 53715; 608-263-6960; fax 608-265-2901; assc@dcs.wisc.edu.
Students may earn undergraduate credits through Independent Learning courses arranged through UW-Extension. A wide range of correspondence and Internet courses have been developed by UW faculty. Credits can be applied toward a bachelor's degree from any institution in the UW System. Confirm transferability by checking the Transfer Information System (TIS). Before enrolling in Independent Learning courses, students should check with an advisor in their school or college to make sure the chosen course is appropriate for the degree program. Students currently enrolled at a UW System institution should follow the regulations governing Independent Learning. To obtain more information or to request a catalog, call 608-262-2011 (or 877-895-3276) or visit the Independent Learning Web site.
Undergraduate students interested in supplementing their university credit classes with noncredit programs will find hundreds of opportunities through the Division of Continuing Studies departments of Liberal Studies and the Arts, and Professional Development and Applied Studies. The Continuing Education Catalog is published three times a year and can be requested from the Division of Continuing Studies, 21 North Park Street, Madison, WI 53715-1218; 608-262-1156; fax 608-265-4555; info@dcs.wisc.edu; www.dcs.wisc.edu/classes.
Liberal Studies and the Arts: Professors Auerbach (also English), Cook, Nelson (also Art), Schulenburg (also Women's Studies); Associate Professors Bowles (also Music)
Professional Development and Applied Studies: Professors Campbell, Cox (also Curriculum and Instruction) Kessel (also Genetics, and Medical Genetics), Orton, Paddock