School of Human Ecology
Students talking and studying around a table on the school rooftop terrace on a sunny day. A group of people sit at tables in the background.

Parents & Families

Welcome to the UW–Madison School of Human Ecology: a partner in your student's success

At the School of Human Ecology, we are ready and excited to provide students with an unforgettable experience. We recognize that the transition to college is a significant milestone for students and their families, and we are committed to supporting your student throughout their academic and career journey.

The Human Ecology advantage: preparing students for impactful careers

At the School of Human Ecology, we don’t just educate students; we empower them to build meaningful careers. Our unique approach ensures your student gains skills that are highly sought after across diverse industries.

Exploring career paths

Our graduates excel in fields ranging from healthcare to finance, fashion design to community development and everything in between.

Personalized career advising & mentorship

Finding a career path isn’t a one-time decision. It’s a journey, and your student doesn’t embark on it alone. Every student in Human Ecology is assigned their very own career advisor. Think of them as a coach who will work with your student to:

  • Identify unique strengths and career aspirations.
  • Discover internship and learning opportunities.
  • Connect with post-graduation job opportunities and our expansive alumni network.

Encourage your student to reach out to their career advisor and start the conversation. It’s never too early to meet with them!

“Human Ecology cultivates students with exceptional skills, creativity and strategic insight. Partnering with their student consulting team brought fresh, forward-thinking ideas that added real value to our planning.”

— Melissa Beste ’94, Global CEO of Swiss luxury fashion house Akris

 

Building career skills: our specialized curriculum

All Human Ecology students take specialized courses designed to boost their career skills:

  • Career & Leadership Development: This course teaches students practical skills that will help them secure an internship or job offer.
  • Major-specific career pathways course: In this course, students hear directly from Human Ecology alumni and professionals working in their chosen field. This course provides extraordinary networking opportunities and practical advice.

Internships and experiential learning: essential real-world experience

15% higher employment rate after graduation1

$15,000 higher salary after graduation than individuals without internships2

25% more likely to receive a job offer within six months of graduating3

Human Ecology is the only school at UW–Madison that requires students to complete an internship.

1Center for Research on College-Workforce Transitions, UW–Madison
2National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
3Forbes

How does Human Ecology cultivate a strong student community?

Connecting with peers

Finding your community as a student is an important part of the college experience. At the School of Human Ecology, we believe in a supportive environment where your student can connect with peers, build friendships and feel right at home. Encourage your student to dive into our student organizations, join a research lab and more!

Explore our student organizations

4 students gathered around a table smiling and laughing together.

Explore research opportunities

Human Ecology undergraduate students can work in labs alongside our top-flight faculty on groundbreaking research that betters the lives of others. Here are a few of our offerings:

“Working in the REEL Lab has been invaluable in preparing me for graduate school and my future career… I’ve also developed strong public speaking and communications skills, which will be essential in the future when presenting at conferences and collaborating in professional settings.”

— Genna Garrigan ’25

Scholarships: education made accessible

The School of Human Ecology believes a stellar education should be accessible. Our scholarships help fund your student’s studies and achieve academic and career goals. We also encourage students to learn more about scholarship opportunities offered by UW–Madison via the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH).

Please note: To be considered for a Human Ecology scholarship, students must be declared in a School of Human Ecology undergraduate major or graduate program.

Human Ecology scholarships

Frequently asked questions

When do students pick their classes?

First-year students will choose their fall semester classes during their Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) session. For the spring semester, they’ll get an email from the Registrar’s Office telling them when it’s their turn to sign up. All returning students get these emails each fall and spring.

Can I see my student’s classes or grades?

We know you want to make sure your student is doing well in class, but due to a federal law called Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we can’t share your student’s academic information — like their classes or grades — without their specific permission.

Where can I find information about graduation (commencement)?

Graduation ceremonies (both May and December) are handled by the Office of the Chancellor. For details about the ceremonies and what your student needs to do before they graduate, please visit the UW–Madison Commencement website.

If you’re wondering about your student’s progress toward graduation, please encourage your student to chat with their academic advisor. Their advisor can tell them exactly what they need to do to get their degree and can give an estimate of when they’ll graduate.

How can Human Ecology support my student’s well-being?

We’re committed to helping your student succeed by looking after their entire well-being. Our Academic Deans’ Services team is a resource that assists students in navigating both personal and academic difficulties. Whether your concerns are about their courses, personal challenges or financial struggles, please encourage them to email the Academic Deans’ Services team directly.

UW–Madison also has many support services for students, regardless of which school or college they are enrolled in:

How can my student get into the School of Human Ecology?

If your child is still in high school or currently enrolled at another university, they’ll need to be accepted into UW–Madison first. Current UW-Madison students who are enrolled in other majors or are undecided can apply to switch into a Human Ecology major here. You can find more details on the Advising & Career Center’s website.