Digital Studies, Certificate at University of Wisconsin Madison

University of Wisconsin Madison

United States of America, Madison

University Rank:#110

University of Wisconsin Madison offers the Certificate of Digital Studies, Certificate as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its main campus in Madison , United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 4 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for digital studies, certificate and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on September 7, 2027.

About Digital Studies, Certificate

Digital studies at the University of WisconsinMadison explores the relationship between communication and digital forms of media by asking four questions:

How do digital media affect the ways we communicate?
How do we use digital tools to best communicate with each other?
What roles do the visual, sound and interactive elements of digital media play and how can we use them?
How do digital technologies affect the way we access and understand information?

It forges new connections across disciplinary boundaries by addressing distinct yet overlapping areas of intellectual activity:

Digital information structuresthe consideration and assessment of how we use and create digital archives, databases, and other digital information architectures
Digital mediathe consideration of how we consume and assess communication that is mediated by digital technologies such as Internet, mobile, and smart devices including digital video and audio content as well as games and simulations produced both in everyday discourse and by media professionals
Digital formsthe analysis and assessment of both mechanical and aesthetic elements of design in digital content including visual, audio, interactive, and other components
Digital practicesthe acquisition of skills that allow us to create expressive and strategic communication content using digital tools such as digital video and audio equipment as well as software for video and audio editing, web design, database and information architecture design, app design, computer simulation, and digital gaming

The digital studies certificate brings together departments from across campus and allows students to choose from over fifty courses to create their own individualized digital curriculum, where students have the opportunity to both produce digital content and critically assess the digital content they encounter.

To understand key theories and concepts related to digital studies and the historical context surrounding the creation of digital technologies.
To gain familiarity with methods, concepts and tools needed to research and evaluate information related to digital studies.
To think critically about how digital technologies work and their impact on society.
To be able to create strategic communication content and self-expression using digital tools.
To understand the professional and ethical principles related to the field of digital studies.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Digital Studies, Certificate at University of Wisconsin Madison

Entry Requirements

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.

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.

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 80

English Program Requirements

Freshman applicants educated in non-English speaking countries must submit an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) score, unless English was the primary language of instruction in all four years of secondary school.

All English proficiency exams should be sent electronically, directly from the testing service.

We do not superscore any English Proficiency exam and score reports cannot be older than two years from the time you apply.

How to Send Official Test Scores

Duolingo English Test (DET)

Minimum accepted score: 105+
When submitting your score(s): Search category should be “Undergraduate,” then select “University of Wisconsin–Madison”
Please do not send to offices listed under “Other,” as we are unable to retrieve those scores
The DET should be sent with sub-scores

IELTS

Minimum accepted score: 6.5+
When submitting your score(s): IELTS does not require a code, so please select our account name, “University of Wisconsin, Madison Undergraduate”
Please do not send paper copies of your IELTS scores
We do accept the IELTS Indicator

TOEFL iBT:

Minimum accepted score: 80+
When submitting your score(s): TOEFL test code is 1846
We do not accept “MyBest” score from TOEFL nor any English Proficiency exam
For each TOEFL you submit, we will require the full score report
We do not accept the TOEFL iTP Plus for China, but we will accept the iBT Special Home Edition

If you feel that you qualify for an English Proficiency Exam waiver based upon the requirements above, please submit all required transcripts to our office. Other test scores such as ACT, SAT, or AP (Advanced Placement) scores do not meet the requirements for a waiver. Once your transcripts are received in our office (are no longer displayed on your to-do list in your Student Center), we will determine your waiver eligibility. Waivers will not be processed prior to receipt of both the admissions application and transcripts.

Career Opportunities after Completing Digital Studies, Certificate

Academic advising

Connecting and working with the digital studies advisor as early as possible helps you create a meaningful course plan and stay on track as you complete the certificate requirements. The advisor is available to consult on a variety of topics including: declaring the certificate, course selection, study abroad, job and internship opportunities related to digital media, and preparing for the job market after graduation. Make an appointment to talk with the digital studies advisor through Starfish.

course planning

The list of digital studies courses found on the Requirements tab is the comprehensive list of all courses that count toward the certificate. However, not all courses on that list are offered each semester. To find out which courses are offered during a specific term, please refer to the program's Courses webpage. More specific information related to the course offerings is also available there, including: specific course prerequisites, limited enrollment course information, and application requirements.

Career Exploration and advising

Career Advising

The communication and media career advisor assists students with career preparation, such as exploring career options, learning internship and job search strategies, and writing resumes and cover letters. Workshops, programs and events, as well as guest speakers ranging from alumni to employers, are all available during the year as well.

Digital Studies alumni

Since 2012, over 1,000 students have graduated with a Digital Studies Certificate. Digital Studies alumni pursue a variety of careers after completing their undergraduate degree. To learn more about what our alumni are up to, visit the Alumni Profiles page to read about the work they are doing and how Digital Studies has impacted their paths.

L&S career resources

SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students leverage the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and liberal arts degree; explore and try out different career paths; participate in internships; prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications; and network with professionals in the field (alumni and employers). In short, SuccessWorks helps students in the College of Letters & Science discover themselves, find opportunities and develop the skills they need for success after graduation.

SuccessWorks can also assist students in career advising, résumé and cover letter writing, networking opportunities, and interview skills, as well as course offerings for undergraduates to begin their career exploration early in their undergraduate career.

Students should set up their profiles in Handshake to take care of everything they need to explore career events, manage their campus interviews and apply to jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers around the country.

SuccessWorks
Set up a career advising appointment
INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit, targeted to first- and second-year students)—for more information, see Inter-LS 210: Career Development, Taking Initiative
INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Com B General Education Requirement)
Handshake
Learn how we’re transforming career preparation: L&S Career Initiative

Tuition and Fee Information for Digital Studies, Certificate at University of Wisconsin Madison

Application Fee 60

How to Apply for Digital Studies, Certificate at University of Wisconsin Madison

Every year, we are fortunate to receive thousands of applications from a diverse range of students who are incredibly bright, engaged, and passionate. They have challenged themselves and those around them to make a difference in the world. They know that the University of Wisconsin–Madison is their next step toward something extraordinary—a place where they can lead, make discoveries, tackle key issues, gain knowledge, and establish lifelong friendships.

Starting on August 1 every year, you can begin applying to the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

The following deadlines pertain to both domestic and international applicants.

Applications and all required application materials must arrive in our office by 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on the noted deadline dates.

We cannot begin to review your application until all required materials are received.

We strongly recommend that you apply with an email that is not affiliated with your high school and that you check often. This will ensure that you have continued access to your email account after graduation from high school.

You can apply using either the Common Application or the UW System Application.

Digital Studies, Certificate at University of Wisconsin Madison

University of Wisconsin Madison

United States of America, Madison