High School or Transfer Students
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Admission to UW
All prospective students applying to UW–Madison must do so through the central Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
Follow these steps when applying for a Human Ecology major
- Be sure to indicate your interest in a specific Human Ecology major as your first choice on your application
- Clearly articulate how your personal and professional interests relate to that major
- Ensure all required documents are submitted in a timely manner (i.e., transcripts and application essays)
Already admitted to UW–Madison
You can also indicate your interest in a Human Ecology major when registering for SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising and Registration) or while attending SOAR.
Additional information for students applying for admission to Design Studies
Textile and Fashion Design applicants may also submit an optional Design Studies Portfolio to show off your creative and artistic talents for additional consideration for admission to UW–Madison.
The Interior Architecture program at UW–Madison is a selective admission program with a sequence of Phase 1 and Phase 2 required courses. Prospective students must complete Phase 1 courses to be eligible to apply for admission into Phase 2 of the program. The number of students accepted into Phase 2 of the program is limited to 32 spaces. Applications for Phase 2 admissions are accepted once a year in the spring semester.
Transfer students may take longer to complete the Interior Architecture degree than students entering the program as freshmen. Please consult with an academic advisor in the School of Human Ecology to learn more about timeline to degree. To set up an appointment call the main office line at 608-262-2608.
Visiting campus & the School of Human Ecology
The School of Human Ecology holds monthly campus visits for prospective students and their families and guests. Register now for upcoming Campus Visit days!
If you are unable to attend one of our upcoming visitation dates, please contact the Advising & Career Center to schedule an appointment at advising@sohe.wisc.edu or 608-262-2608.
Complete this form if you would like to speak with a current Human Ecology student ambassador.
Current UW–Madison Students
What does it mean to declare?
Declaring means you fill out a form and are transferred into the School of Human Ecology within 5 business days. If you meet minimum eligibility requirements, there is no review process. Declaring a SoHE major will drop any other major you currently have declared. If you want to declare a second major, connect with the other department after receiving confirmation of your SoHE major declaration.
What does it mean to apply?
If you don’t meet minimum eligibility requirements, you must apply during the first four weeks of fall or spring semester. Your application will be reviewed by a faculty committee and is a competitive process that does not guarantee admission.
- Students can apply for multiple majors and certificates, but must fill out a separate application for each program
- Applications are accepted twice a year and are open during the first four weeks of each fall and spring semester
- Students can apply to a human ecology department a maximum of two times
- To be eligible to apply, students must be in good academic standing with their current school or college
- Students may formally appeal a denied admission decision
- No late applications are accepted
- Students are notified of admission decision approximately one month after the application deadline
Faculty Admissions committees will review all applicants and will give preference to students who have some or all of the following:
- Experience (paid or volunteer) in work related to the major
- Other life experiences that show a commitment to the major
- Life experiences and personal characteristics that will enrich our learning community
- Career goals that are a good fit with the major
- Competitive GPA
- Successful completion of some coursework in the major
- High quality application materials, including evidence of strong writing skills
Class standing (sophomore, junior, or senior) will also be considered in admissions decisions as it is necessary to have a balance of students across the different classes in the program.
Admission depends both on the quality of the application materials and on the availability of space in the program.
The School of Human Ecology application includes an essay addressing the following prompt, “In no more than 500 words, please tell us what you hope to gain by pursuing this major, and what you would bring to the School of Human Ecology. Please note career goals/plans, relevant job or volunteer experience, and/or life experiences related to this major.”
The admissions committee evaluates the quality of the student’s writing in the application essay as part of the admissions process. Applicants are encouraged to work with The Writing Center.
The application is available starting the first day of the fall and the spring semesters and will close the 5th Friday of the respective semester at 4pm (Central Time).
Click on the major you’re interested in to learn more about application and declaration requirements.
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Community & Nonprofit Leadership
Declaration
First semester transfer students and students with fewer than 60 earned GPA credits, a minimal 2.75 cumulative GPA, and not on probation in their school/college can declare the Community & Nonprofit Leadership major. To declare, complete the Human Ecology Major Declaration form
Application
All other students (who do not meet the declaration criteria above) must apply. The application is available starting the first day of the fall and spring semesters and will close the 5th Friday of the respective semester at 4pm (Central Time)
Have questions?
For an in-depth overview of Human Ecology and all of our majors complete the online Becoming a SoHE Student (BASS) presentation. For quick questions or concerns, attend drop-in advising (Monday through Thursdays, 2-3pm)
Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies
Declaration
Students in their first year of enrollment at UW-Madison (i.e. their first two semesters, excluding summer) may declare as long as they have a minimum 2.75 GPA and are not on academic probation. To declare, complete the Human Ecology Major Declaration form
Application
All other students (who do not meet the declaration criteria above) must apply. The application is available starting the first day of the fall and spring semesters and will close the 5th Friday of the respective semester at 4pm (Central Time)
Have questions before declaring?
For an in-depth overview of Human Ecology and all of our majors complete the online Becoming a SoHE Student (BASS) presentation. For quick questions or concerns, attend drop-in advising (Monday through Thursdays, 2-3pm)
Human Development & Family Studies
Declaration
First semester transfer students and students with fewer than 60 earned GPA credits, a minimal 2.75 cumulative GPA, and not on probation in their school/college can declare the Human Development & Family Studies major. To declare, complete the Human Ecology Major Declaration form
Application
All other students (who do not meet the declaration criteria above) must apply. The application is available starting the first day of the fall and spring semesters and will close the 5th Friday of the respective semester at 4pm (Central Time)
Have questions?
For an in-depth overview of Human Ecology and all of our majors complete the online Becoming a SoHE Student (BASS) presentation. For quick questions or concerns, attend drop-in advising (Monday through Thursdays, 2-3pm)
Interior Architecture
The Interior Architecture program at UW-Madison is a selective admission program with a sequence of Phase 1 and Phase 2 required courses. Prospective students must complete Phase 1 courses to be eligible to apply for admission into Phase 2 of the program. The number of students accepted into Phase 2 of the program is limited to 32 spaces. Applications for Phase 2 admissions are accepted once a year in the spring semester.
Declaration
A 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA is required for declaring the pre-interior architecture major (Phase One). Eligible students should meet with an advisor to declare as early in their academic career as possible.
Ready to declare a human ecology major
Complete the Human Ecology Major Declaration form today!
Application
After completing DS 120, 252, and DS 221, and while enrolled in DS 220 and DS 140, students apply for admission to Phase Two: Professional Course Sequence. The selective application process for Phase Two admissions will open during the latter half of the spring semester and decisions will be made once the spring coursework is completed.
Personal Finance
Declaration
Students in their first year of enrollment at UW-Madison (i.e. their first two semesters, excluding summer) may declare as long as they have a minimum 2.75 GPA and are not on academic probation. To declare, complete the Human Ecology Major Declaration form
Application
All other students (who do not meet the declaration criteria above) must apply. The application is available starting the first day of the fall and spring semesters and will close the 5th Friday of the respective semester at 4pm (Central Time)
Have questions before declaring?
For an in-depth overview of Human Ecology and all of our majors complete the online Becoming a SoHE Student (BASS) presentation. For quick questions or concerns, attend drop-in advising (Monday through Thursdays, 2-3pm)
Textiles & Fashion Design
Declaration
First semester transfer students and students with fewer than 60 earned GPA credits, a minimal 2.75 cumulative GPA, and not on probation in their school/college can declare the Textiles & Fashion Design major. To declare, complete the Human Ecology Major Declaration form
Application
All other students (who do not meet the declaration criteria above) must apply. The application is available starting the first day of the fall and spring semesters and will close the 5th Friday of the respective semester at 4pm (Central Time)
Have questions?
For an in-depth overview of Human Ecology and all of our majors complete the online Becoming a SoHE Student (BASS) presentation. For quick questions or concerns, attend drop-in advising (Monday through Thursdays, 2-3pm)
Design Strategy Certificate
All students interested in the Design Strategy Certificate must apply.
The application is available starting the first day of the fall and spring semesters and will close the 5th Friday of the respective semester at 4pm (Central Time)
Have questions?
For an in-depth overview of Human Ecology and all of our majors complete the online Becoming a SoHE Student (BASS) presentation. For quick questions or concerns, attend drop-in advising (Monday through Thursdays, 2-3pm)
Material Culture Certificate
All students interested in the Material Culture Certificate must apply.
The application is available starting the first day of the fall and spring semesters and will close the 5th Friday of the respective semester at 4pm (Central Time)
Have questions?
For an in-depth overview of Human Ecology and all of our majors complete the online Becoming a SoHE Student (BASS) presentation. For quick questions or concerns, attend drop-in advising (Monday through Thursdays, 2-3pm)
Textiles & Design Certificate
All students interested in the Textiles and Design Certificate must apply.
The application is available starting the first day of the fall and spring semesters and will close the 5th Friday of the respective semester at 4pm (Central Time)
Have questions?
For an in-depth overview of Human Ecology and all of our majors complete the online Becoming a SoHE Student (BASS) presentation. For quick questions or concerns, attend drop-in advising (Monday through Thursdays, 2-3pm)
Contact an advisor to talk about a Human Ecology degree
Nancy Nicholas Hall
Room 1194
608-262-2608