Many programs are offered at UW-Platteville. Some of these programs deserve special mention not only because they are unique strengths at UW-Platteville, but also because they suggest the depth of our commitment to a rich and varied curriculum serving the needs of all students.
The Pioneer Academic Center for Community Engagement is a scholarship of engagement program that facilitates and supports enhanced student learning through students engaging in community-based projects with community people, actual situations and real consequences. The center's mission is to nurture a campus environment that empowers students, faculty and community partners to Experience - Grow - Make a Difference.
PACCE administers the Pioneer Engagement Scholars program which provides funding to offset student expenses incurred in the implementation of for-credit community-based projects. Expenses include travel, materials and supplies, consulting fees, publication and other services. Projects must be for academic credit, include student, community and faculty partners, and involve significant interaction with community partners. The center also provides funding for engagement internships.
The First-Year Experience Program is dedicated to creating opportunities for students to develop successful academic and social skills. The executive director of FYE coordinates the Introduction to College Life courses and the Seminar for Academic Success series in cooperation with the residence halls. Seminar topics include study skills, time management, understanding academic policies, test-taking strategies, effective utilization of textbooks, healthy living and study habits, appreciation for learning style differences, comparing high school and college expectations, note-taking, respect for diverse cultures and the advising and pre-registration process. Additional programs include academic advising for students that are academically at risk. For more information, visit us on-line.
Many students enroll at UW-Platteville for coursework before completing their education at another professional school or college. Pre-professional curricula for a variety of professions have been developed. A student enrolling in one of the pre-professional programs will be assigned a faculty advisor who will assist in developing course schedules and preparing for entrance into a professional school of the student's choice. A faculty advisor has been identified as the contact person for each program listed below.
Each student interested in a specific pre-professional program is strongly encouraged to seek the advice of the contact person to ensure appropriate advising.
Chiropractic is a natural approach to health issues that concerns itself with the integration of the body's systems and organs. The Doctor of Chiropractic specializes in the adjustment of the spine and the relationship between the spinal vertebrae and the nervous system and their relationship to health and disease without the use of drugs or surgery.
The UW-Platteville program normally requires completion of a bachelor's degree and the fulfillment of other requirements of the chiropractic school. Occasionally a student enters chiropractic school after three years of coursework.
Cytotechnology is the study of cell structure and function. Cytotechnologists are integral members of the health care team. They apply their special skills in microscopy and staining techniques to determine aberrations in cellular structures and provide physicians with preliminary diagnosis of diseases. The ability of cytotechnologists to accurately perform diagnostic procedures enables effective prevention or early treatment of diseases such as cancer. They can also work as health educators, laboratory managers and administrators or researchers.
UW-Platteville has a three plus one articulation with the UW-Madison School of Cytotechnology and State Lab of Hygiene. Students are minimally required to complete three years of coursework at UW-Platteville for admission to UW-Madison or other professional schools.
Dentistry is the science or profession concerned with the teeth and associated structures of the mouth. It involves the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, injury or malfunction of the teeth, gums and jaws. Dentists practice in several specialties using a full range of techniques.
The UW-Platteville program consists of selected courses that help to provide a basic body of knowledge to meet the admission requirements for schools of dentistry. Admission to a school of dentistry normally follows the fulfillment of requirements of the desired professional school in the completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.
Pre-law is not an academic major or sequence of courses, but rather a program of activities designed to guide the undergraduate student interested in a career in law to make sound decisions and achieve success. This begins with the choice of an academic major of interest to the student and the selection of challenging courses which elicit and strengthen the student's talent. The student receives academic advisement from an advisor in his or her major field and pre-law advisement from an experienced pre-law advisor.
The advantages of our Pre-Law program include the following:
We advise students interested in a career in law or in a field where a law degree is an advantage to take the following steps:
We agree with the consensus of the legal profession that a broad liberal arts education which emphasizes the appreciation of human values, an awareness of socio-political thought and concern for the community and the environment are the best preparation for law school.
The field of medical technology or clinical laboratory science is the medical application of the basic sciences in laboratory medicine. Members of this profession are responsible for providing accurate, reliable laboratory tests to determine the presence, absence, extent or cause of disease. Medical technologists (clinical laboratory scientists) use sophisticated chemical procedures, complex instruments and microscopic observation to relay information to physicians for diagnosis and treatment of disease.
The UW-Platteville program requires students to complete a two to three year course of study which fulfills the requirements for admission to a professional program.
Medical doctors prevent, diagnose, treat and cure disease in their patients. Physicians practice in many medical specialties using a full range of health-care techniques aimed at maintaining and improving health.
The UW-Platteville program consists of selected courses which help to provide a basic body of knowledge necessary to meet the admission requirements for medical schools. Admission to a medical school normally follows the completion of a bachelor's degree.
Professional ministry as a pastor, rabbi, youth leader, teacher or parish worker requires that a student be aware of everything that touches the lives of people and is especially sensitive to the human hunger for meaning, perspective and understanding.
The UW-Platteville program provides supportive counsel and helpful experiences (not only for those wishing to enter a professional religious vocation, but also for those not certain but interested).
Faculty will help students:
Nurses meet the physical and emotional needs of patients in a broad range of settings while providing care the physicians prescribe. Nurses must pass a state examination to become registered nurses (RNs). There are two basic routes toward this end:
The UW-Platteville program is a two-year program which helps to provide a body of information necessary to fulfill the academic requirements of a school of nursing. Admission to a school of nursing normally follows the second year of study at UW-Platteville.
Occupational therapy is a vital health care service that uses purposeful activity as the basis for treatment and prevention of a wide variety of physical, developmental and emotional disabilities. Occupational therapists plan programs that enable patients to practice self-care, learn personal and social behavior skills and gain more independence.
The UW-Platteville program for pre-occupational therapy students provides the necessary science background as well as an understanding of people and society necessary to gain entrance into the professional phase.
Optometry is the branch of health services concerned with the examination, diagnosis and treatment of conditions or impairments of the vision system. Doctors of Optometry are highly trained, state licensed practitioners who examine eyes and related structures to detect the presence of vision problems, eye diseases and other eye-related problems. Optometrists are the major providers of vision care in this country.
The UW-Platteville program consists of selected courses that help to provide a basic body of knowledge to meet the admission requirements for schools of optometry. Admission to a school of optometry normally follows the fulfillment of requirements of the desired professional school in the completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.
Osteopathic medicine is one of two medical fields fully licensed and approved for the delivery of complete medical care. Osteopathic physicians practice in all recognized medical specialties, using the full range of health-care techniques in diagnosis and treatment. The distinctive feature of osteopathic medicine is the recognition of the interrelationship between the structure and function of the body, that is, traditional emphasis on holistic medicine or treating the patient as a whole person. One of the characteristic features and added dimensions of a Doctor of Osteopathy in terms of clinical practice is the utilization of manipulative therapy.
The UW-Platteville program consists of selected courses which help to provide a basic body of knowledge to meet the admission requirements for osteopathic schools. Admission to an osteopathic school normally follows the completion of a bachelor's degree.
Pharmacy has traditionally been the branch of health services concerned with the composition of medications, dosage forms, methods of preparation, tests for the purity and potency, as well as the proper medicinal use. The pharmacist is responsible for preparing, storing and dispensing medications. As an expert on the action of medication on the body, the pharmacist is called upon by physicians and the public alike concerning the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications.
The UW-Platteville program involves two years of study in a selected group of courses. The courses provide the necessary science background as well as an understanding of people and institutions to prepare students for pharmacy school.
Physical therapy is a dynamic health care profession. Physical therapists are skilled in planning, organizing and directing programs for the care of individuals of all ages who have been impaired by disease or injury. The physical therapist performs tests and evaluations which help to establish treatment objectives for the patient. In addition, the physical therapist works with the patient to carry out the objectives in ways that are realistic and consistent with daily needs.
The UW-Platteville program for pre-physical therapy students provides the necessary science background as well as an understanding of people and society to help students qualify for the professional program.
A physician assistant is a health care professional who functions as an extension of a physician and provides a wide range of medical services. Under the supervision of licensed physicians, physician assistants interview patients and record health histories, conduct physical examinations, order and interpret diagnostic tests, establish treatment plans and educate patients in preventive medicine and health maintenance.
The UW-Platteville program is usually a four-year course of study resulting in a bachelor's degree and the fulfillment of additional physician assistant professional school requirements.
Podiatry is concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the human foot and its related structures. The podiatric physician provides both medical and surgical care and may become involved in research to advance the understanding of foot care.
The UW-Platteville program is designed to meet admission requirements for a school of podiatric medicine. Most students are admitted to a podiatry school after completion of a bachelor's degree.
Veterinary medicine applies modern medical science to the care of animals. The study of veterinary medicine is concerned with gaining a thorough knowledge of the fundamental biological and physical sciences relating to animal functions. In the clinical years, students correlate and apply this knowledge to the many areas of professional service.
The pre-veterinary medicine program at UW-Platteville, through the School of Agriculture and Biology Department, consists of selected courses specified by veterinary colleges that prepare students for admission into a four-year program which culminates in the awarding of a doctorate in veterinary medicine. (Note: This program is administered by the School of Agriculture.)
UW-Platteville advocates an education in which students in any major can blend theory and practice by combining classroom learning with planned and supervised field experiences. Students in the cooperative education programs alternate periods of full-time study with periods of experience in jobs closely related to their individual academic majors and career objectives. UW-Platteville is committed to the belief that cooperative education experiences make a significant contribution to the individual student's personal, social and professional development. Academic credit is granted for the field experience.
Cooperative education programs are managed by the major/program in which the student is enrolled. Students interested in cooperative education programs should contact their departmental office for further information.
The Education Abroad Office was established at UW-Platteville in 1981 to develop and coordinate education abroad programs for the university and to provide resources in southwestern Wisconsin for international studies.
The Education Abroad Office provides university students with an opportunity to continue their education while extending their awareness of other cultures and peoples through semester, full academic year and short-term programs during the winter, spring and summer breaks. There are over 700 different program options accommodating more than 200 areas of study for UW-Platteville students in over 50 different countries across the globe. Opportunities abroad include: study abroad, international exchange, student teaching, volunteer, service learning and internships. Students who study abroad through a UW-Platteville-sponsored (approved) program will have their financial aid applied automatically toward their education abroad-related fees on their student account. In addition, there are many scholarships available including the $1,800 UW-Platteville International Study Grant.
The National Student Exchange Program is designed to provide UW-Platteville students an opportunity to study at more than 170 other NSOFTWARE member institutions for a semester or academic year while paying UW-Platteville tuition and fees. This program is nationally sanctioned and has placed more than 55,000 since its inception in 1968.
In order to be eligible, UW-Platteville students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher, be a full-time student and must agree to remain a full-time student during the exchange period. Since UW-Platteville is designated as an even exchange program, it is most important to know that unless otherwise stipulated, there should be the same number of students coming to UW-Platteville in the exchange program that are attending other NSOFTWARE institutions.
For further information about this highly successful and unique program, please contact the NSOFTWARE coordinator or assistant at 608.342.1127 or 1300 Ullsvik Hall. Because the application and advising process is highly involved, several months of careful planning before the annual March placement date is strongly suggested.
The Office of Continuing Education, in a partnership between UW-Platteville and UW-Extension, carries out the Wisconsin Idea of extending university resources beyond campus boundaries to the citizens of southwestern Wisconsin. Continuing Education offers credit classes designed for teachers and other professionals working to meet certification requirements. Some classes are delivered through web-based sessions to expand access for students living and working at a distance from campus. Community education/personal development (non-credit) evening classes, weekend workshops and seminars, and summer camps are also conducted by Continuing Education to enrich the lives of adults and young learners in southwestern Wisconsin. Continuing Education also provides registration and other support services for meetings and events held on and off-campus, coordinated by other groups.
For more information, call 608.342.1314, toll-free at 1.888.281.9472, or access course offerings electronically.
Continuing Education offers 1-3 credit professional development courses for K-12 educators working to renew their certification. Topics include best practices in classroom management, administration, reading and literacy, and other current issues. Face-to-face classes are held throughout Southwest Wisconsin, typically in a weekend (Friday night/Saturday all day) schedule, or in a web-enhanced format for increased convenience and access. Classes are held year-round, with expanded programming from June-August.
Continuing Education offers five undergraduate (or no credit) credential series for child care professionals in cooperation with The Registry and TEACH, a project of the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association.
This six-course, 18-credit credential series helps child care professionals earn the Wisconsin Professional Credential for Child Care Administrators. Course topics include administration/supervision, operations management, financial management and planning, child care in the external environment, best practices and administrator's capstone.
This four-course, 12-credit credential series helps child care professionals earn the Wisconsin Infant/Toddler Professional Credential. Course topics include infant/toddler development, group care for infants and toddlers, family and community relationships and infant/toddler capstone.
This four-course, 12-credit credential series helps child care professionals earn the Wisconsin Inclusion Professional Credential. Course topics include children with differing abilities, children with significant behavioral challenges, children with special health care needs and family and team centered practices capstone.
This six-course, 18-credit credential series helps child care professionals earn the Wisconsin Professional Preschool Credential. Course topics include foundations of early childhood education; child development; health, safety and nutrition; guiding children's behavior; art, music and language arts; and preschool credential capstone.
This four-course, 12-credit credential series helps child care professionals earn the Wisconsin Leadership Professional Credential. Course topics include the personal disposition of a leader, leading in a program, leading in a community and in the field, and leading for change.
Independent Learning provides an opportunity to take courses at the participant's convenience. Participants enroll at any time, complete assignments as their schedule permits and take their exams when they are ready. Participants can complete the course they've always wanted to take or needed.
More than 125 courses for university undergraduate credit are currently being offered. Courses range from 1-5 credits and are offered online or print with an e-mail option. Subjects include business, education and health, English and humanities, ethnic studies, foreign language, math and science, social science and more.
Independent Learning is a part of the UW-Extension Division of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning. Independent Learning has offered courses since 1892. Independent Learning's university-level courses are developed and taught by faculty and instructors affiliated with UW institutions and accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Independent Learning catalogs are available through the Office of Continuing Education, 2100 Ullsvik Hall, or by calling 1.877.895.3276 (toll-free). Independent Learning advisors are available to answer questions regarding course selection, registration, policies and procedures.
WisLine is the easy, fast and affordable way to meet with colleagues without leaving the office or building. The conference call service operated by UW-Extension has the features to serve conference call needs.
WisLine offers you these advantages:
WisLine also provides these options:
WisLine Video: Videoconferencing is a powerful telecommunication tool which transmits two-way interactive live video and audio simultaneously between two sites or multiple sites.
WisLine Web: Webconferencing allows participants to effectively and easily communicate and collaborate in real-time – conducting live, interactive meetings, courses and programs using a web browser and a phone.
Available to all government, educational and nonprofit organizations, WisLine utilizes the state of Wisconsin's STS system for outgoing calls so participants receive the lowest long distance rates. For more information, contact WisLine reservations at 608.262.0753 (M-F, 8. a.m. - 4:15 p.m.).
UW-Platteville entered a consortium agreement with Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore, Wis., whereby technical college faculty provide instruction in English and mathematics to students who are deficient in the above subject areas.
Entering new students at UW-Platteville who do not meet the minimum requirements on the UW System English Placement Test are expected to take ENGLISH 10 Fundamentals of English. These students are required to successfully complete ENGLISH 10 before they are allowed to register for credit-bearing English courses.
Entering new students at UW-Platteville who do not meet the minimum requirements on the UW System Mathematics Placement Test are expected to take MATH 10 Elementary Algebra and/or MATH 15 Intermediate Algebra. These students are required to successfully complete one or both of these courses before they are allowed to register for credit-bearing mathematics courses.
The three courses above are non-credit; therefore, they do not count toward the total number of credits needed to satisfy degree requirements at UW-Platteville. The courses, ENGLISH 10, MATH 10 and MATH 15, are taught by SWTC faculty. Students attend the above classes on the Platteville campus as is the case with all other coursework.
Students must successfully complete the necessary remedial courses prior to completion of 30 credits. Students may not register for more than a total of 15 credits of academic work per term until they have satisfied their deficiencies. Questions concerning remedial coursework may be directed to the UW-Platteville Humanities Department at 608.342.1826 or the UW-Platteville Mathematics Department at 608.342.1741.
The purpose of the individually contracted major is to afford an individualized source of study to students who are unable to fulfill important educational and/or career goals via the existing majors.
Students sometimes find that the selection of a major does not fit their own unique interests or career plans. Instead, their needs can best be served by an individualized course sequence composed of offerings from several departments or even from more than one college within the university. To accommodate such students, the College of Liberal Arts and Education offers the individually contracted major. Students, working closely with faculty members, propose and develop a course of study that will lead to the fulfillment of their personal educational goals.
The following process sets forth the steps by which students can plan and pursue an individualized course sequence constituting the equivalent of a conventional major. At the same time, it provides a means by which the faculty can monitor students' planning and subsequent activities to ensure that they meet the standard requirements for a degree. The process culminates in an agreement which sets forth the details of the proposed major.
Any sophomore or junior with a 3.0 or higher grade point average may select a member of the faculty of the college who is willing to be the advisor. With the advisor's assistance, the student drafts a preliminary proposal which includes four elements:
The coordinator, after confirming the completeness of the proposal, may help the student bring together a suitable committee of at least three faculty members, a majority of whom are from the College of LAE. One member of the committee serves as chairperson. The coordinator forwards the student's proposal to the committee chair-person for review.
The committee reviews the proposal, and if it is acceptable, requests that the student submit a more detailed proposal.
The student consults with his or her advisor and the members of the committee to develop the detailed proposal. The proposal contains a rationale and includes a complete list of courses which will be taken, the formal course descriptions and sequencing of courses where applicable. The proposal also contains a thorough report on the acceptability of the major to employers or graduate schools, depending on the student's long term goals. The complete proposal is reviewed by the committee which can approve it, send it back for revisions or reject it.
The committee chairperson forwards the approved proposal to the coordinator who reviews it to make sure that college and university requirements are met. The coordinator may approve the proposal, send it back to the committee for changes or reject it. Upon the co- ordinator's approval, an agreement is signed between the student and the college, and information is forwarded to the appropriate offices.