Education pathways

If you know what you would like to study, research options for majors/programs and which schools offer what you hope to learn. 

These tools can help you explore and narrow down your options.

Wisconsin

Universities of Wisconsin Explore programs search  

Wisconsin Technical College System Program search 

Wisconsin’s Private Colleges Find your fit search 

National

College Board College search  

National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator

Once you find a school and program of interest, it is time to dig in a little deeper. 

Check accreditation 

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States. Check the accreditation status of any school you hope to attend. Not all schools are accredited through HLC, and this could impact how other schools and employers view degrees from a non-accredited institution.

Individual programs may also be accredited. This is an important distinction from institutional accreditation by HLC. For example, the nursing profession has standards for accreditation of nursing education programs. Attending an educational program that is not accredited for the profession, could affect licensing and/or employment opportunities. Check with any professional organizations in your desired occupational field to learn more about accreditation. Use the Career One Stop professional association finder to search for organizations related to your field of interest.

Admission process

Every college and university has their own process for admitting students. 

At the undergraduate level, oftentimes freshman and transfer admissions processes are different, so if you have transfer credit, make sure you are seeking the correct information.

Some majors have a separate admissions process, so make sure you ask about your specific major.

For graduate or professional school admissions, you will want to check the process for each program as requirements vary.

Degree requirements

Majors and programs will all have different requirements for graduation. To find out what courses you will be required to take, the department is the best place to start. At UW–Madison, the Guide is the recommended resource for the most accurate information about coursework, how to get in, learning outcomes, and contact information.

Job possibilities and placement  

Most schools include information about the types of jobs you might be qualified for once you complete a degree. Some also include placement data. If you don’t find this information on the website, contact the department or career services. 

While school-provided data is good, you may also want to check employment projections for your chosen field. Here are some tools you can use.

Wisconsin labor market information

Industry tools from Career One Stop

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections

Career services, internships, and placement 

Look at what services are provided for career planning, resume review, interview preparation, and job fairs. 

At UW–Madison, each school and college (e.g. Business, Engineering) have their own career services staff. Other universities have one main career service office. Regardless of what general career services are offered, check with the department offering your major or program to see if they provide additional help with career planning and placement.

Support services

Explore other services offered by the school. Here is a list of common services students are seeking:

Disability support

Veterans services

Health services

Childcare

Emergency support

Tutoring

Housing (both on and off campus)

Dining

Affinity group support and programming

Clubs and student organizations

Recreation and fitness

Cultural events

Sports (both recreational and intercollegiate)

You are not alone! Luckily, there are great resources for exploring careers and learning what training is necessary.

O*Net Online allows you to search based on your interests, skills, work styles, and more. Training information is also included. 

The Occupational Outlook Handbook is another great resource for exploring careers and finding what type of education you might need. 

The Office of Admissions and Recruitment is your starting point if you are interested in completing a bachelor’s degree. Freshman and transfer admission counselors are available to help you navigate the application and admission process. As a transfer student, the Transfer Transitions Office can assist with additional advising before becoming a Badger.

If you have college credit but no degree and it has been a few years since you have been in school, you may want to explore the Badger Ready program. Designed for prospective students who may not currently qualify for transfer admission, this transitional program is for adults and veterans who typically have a minimum of 24 credits from an accredited institution (excluding UW–Madison) and a cumulative break of at least 2 years. 

Interested in an online undergraduate degree? UW–Madison’s online undergraduate degree is designed for students with some college credit.

Graduate admission is a shared process between academic degree programs and the Graduate School. While the Graduate School sets minimum admission requirements, academic programs may have additional requirements. As you begin to consider graduate study, be sure to thoroughly research the various degree programs and their individual requirements.

Online and flexible degrees and certificates available at UW–Madison. Learn more about our Professional Degrees and Certificates.

University Special Student Services hosts University Special (nondegree) students looking to take courses outside a formal degree program. These Special student types range from preparing yourself for undergraduate degree-seeking status, taking prerequisites for a graduate or professional program, or even a Capstone Certificate.

UW–Madison’s online undergraduate degree is designed for students with some college credit.Online courses and degree programs can provide the flexibility and convenience you need while juggling the variety of other responsibilities in your life. Find out more about the wide variety of online learning options.

Continuing education courses are affordable, flexible, and some are offered online. Find all the course options, details, and registration online.