Continuing Education Opportunities

Just because you graduated doesn’t mean your UW education has come to an end!

Every year, the Madison campus welcomes 130,000 learners participating in more than 2,000 continuing education programs. There are professional development and personal enrichment classes ranging from “Soil Engineering for Non-Soils Engineers and Technicians” to “Chinese Calligraphy.” Whether you are looking for an excuse to return to Madison (and have your employer pick up the tab), or you never could find a way to fit “Classical Film Theory” into your schedule as a student, we hope you will continue to learn with us.

UW-Madison offers a variety of paths for lifelong learners to participate in courses:

Noncredit learning for professional or personal development

  • These courses may support professional certification and licensure, or they may help you achieve a personal goal.
  • Fees: Enrollment costs vary by program.
  • Application and requirements: No application is necessary for these noncredit, open-enrollment programs. Few programs require previous experience or coursework.
  • Course listing: Continuing Education Catalog (organized by subject matter), or individual programs.
  • Enrollment: Register according to the program guidelines
  • Special programs: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (membership organization for those age 50+), Participatory Learning And Teaching Organization (membership organization for self-directed learners), Independent Learning

UW-Madison credit courses

  • The campus’s offerings to those seeking graduate or undergraduate degrees, you may be interested in taking one of these classes to build your skills or to satisfy your curiosity.
  • Fees: Tuition is charged according to your residency and enrollment status.
  • Application: Special, Guest/Auditors and Senior Guest Auditors are required to complete a simplified admission application, which includes a residency review. Requirements and prerequisites may vary according to the course you plan to take.
  • Course listing: UW-Madison Timetable
  • Enrollment: Once admitted, you may enroll using the online service “My UW-Madison.”
  • Special programs: Capstone professional certificates (nondegree, graduate level certificates requiring a bachelor’s degree)