Design Strategy, Certificate

What is it about?

Housed in the School of Human Ecology, this eighteen-credit certificate in Design Strategy provides undergraduate students from all majors with a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to problem solving for strategic change. Through applying Design Thinking techniques and exploring the interconnections between people, built, natural, and financial environments, students will learn to put ideas into action and develop forward-thinking approaches to a variety of issues.

What is Design Strategy?

Design Strategy is a successful approach to problem solving with a focus on quality of life and sustainable futures. It begins with asking ‘better questions as a way to understand the root of the problem and why it is an issue. It is an empathetic, human-centered perspective that uses Design Thinking and draws from historical precedence and current research from a variety of fields to help solve complex and persistent problems.

What will students gain?

Students acquire concrete methodologies which enable them to apply what they have learned in their degree studies in a way that goes beyond the theoretical emphasis of most degree programs. Rather than adding additional expertise and knowledge in a particular field, this certificate gives students ways to apply what they have learned in their majors to real world problems; in the process, they become confident and creative forward thinkers, who are able to work in interdisciplinary teams.

1. Develop and understand empathy mindsets through the practice of observation, interviewing skills, and other related techniques.
2. Recognize that theories, knowledge, and concepts intrinsic to the practice of design are relevant to informing new approaches to addressing topics that are difficult to formulate using traditional theories.
3. Incorporate methods that rely on team work, communication, and collaborative activity.
4. Examine a wide range of problems confronting society by looking at them in context, in order to uncover their roots, visualize their interconnections, and identify their interdependencies.
5. Become collaborative, divergent thinkers, able to generate and visually communicate multiple ideas.

All undergraduate students at UW–Madison must complete the university-wide General Education Requirements, which are designed to convey the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. These requirements provide for breadth across the humanities and arts, social studies, and natural sciences; competence in communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills necessary for success in college and beyond; and investigation of the issues raised by living in a culturally diverse society. This core is intended to provide students with intellectual and practical skills, basic knowledge of human cultures and the physical world, strategies for understanding these topics, and tools intended to contribute to their sense of personal and social responsibility. General Education complements the work students do in their majors and degrees. Together, these requirements help students learn what they need to know not just for making a living, but also for making a life.

Completing the General Education Requirements is an important part of achieving these competencies, and to do so, students choose from many courses in communication, ethnic studies, quantitative reasoning, and breadth of study across disciplines in the natural sciences, humanities, literature, and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Completing the General Education Requirements is an important part of achieving these competencies, and to do so, students choose from many courses in communication, ethnic studies, quantitative reasoning, and breadth of study across disciplines in the natural sciences, humanities, literature, and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Each school and college may choose to allow General Education courses to count toward other degree and/or major requirements. Students should always check with their advisors to discuss any additional degree requirements and determine if students are required to take specific General Education courses or to complete the requirements in a particular order. Students should review their Degree Audit (DARS) report to see how they are progressing toward fulfilling the General Education requirements. Please refer to.

Advising & Career center

The Advising & Career Center fosters undergraduate students' personal, academic, and professional development. Through advising, academic planning, and career education, we support students as they navigate the college experience—from exploring our majors as prospective students to becoming SoHE alumni. 

Academic Advising

Each SoHE student is assigned to an academic advisor in the Advising & Career Center. SoHE academic advisors support academic and personal success by partnering with current and prospective SoHE students as they identify and clarify their educational goals, develop meaningful academic plans, and pursue their own Wisconsin Experience. 

To explore academic advising resources or schedule an appointment with a SoHE academic advisor, visit Advising in SoHE. 

Career Development

Active engagement in the career development process is a vital component of a student’s personal growth in college and future success as a lifelong learner, professional, and global citizen. SoHE career advisors help prepare students for life post-graduation through individual and group advising and integration of career readiness throughout our curriculum.

To explore career development resources or schedule an appointment with a SoHE career advisor, visit Career Development.