Major Advising Page: Communication Arts
The Communication Arts Department encourages you to enrich your educational experience through participation in UW’s International Academic Programs. Communication arts students have studied in Italy, Spain, New Zealand, France, Denmark, Ireland, Cape Town, and Australia, just to name a few.
Studying abroad provides students with unique educational opportunities to see the world from a different perspective and a tremendous opportunity for personal growth. With careful planning, communication arts majors can make a study abroad opportunity possible.
Course considerations
Meeting with your advisor a semester or two before you study abroad is very practical. Together, you can discuss which courses you are likely to take. The production course, Communication Arts 355, for example, is most often not a class you may take abroad.
The study abroad program pages have an “Academics” tab that will lead you to the courses that have already been evaluated. Established programs usually have a list of courses that will come back as specific communication arts major requirements. Knowing which program or programs you are applying to will help your advisor navigate those course lists.
Some universities still prefer a lecture format, sometimes with a small group discussion section called a tutorial group. If possible, talk with other students who have come back from your chosen program to learn more about the academic expectations.
Map your experience as a
communication arts student
It is best to declare your communication arts major before you plan your study abroad courses. If you are considering studying abroad, discuss this with the communication arts advisor at your first meeting.
Prospective students
If you think you want to study abroad but have not declared your Communication Arts major, talk with your academic advisor sooner rather than later. There are two concentrations in the Communication Arts major: Communication Science and Rhetorical Studies and Radio-Television-Film. There is some flexibility with courses in both areas, but each concentration needs to be fulfilled in different ways (for example, fundamentals, core courses, electives, etc.).
Students declared in the major
Because of the range of expertise UW–Madison faculty has tailored their course offerings to students in the communication arts major, we recommend that you take no more than two communication arts courses abroad per semester.
Although junior year is the most popular time to study abroad, students also go during their sophomore or senior years, or during summer or winter break. If you decide to go during your senior year, make sure that your program will fulfill all of your academic requirements. Remember, studying abroad in your final senior semester may cause you to miss your UW–Madison graduation ceremony because semester end dates vary from country to country.
Senior year
Communication arts majors can still study abroad during their senior year, although you will need to choose your location carefully to ensure that you can take specific classes you need for graduation. You’ll need to watch your Senior Residency Requirement closely with your communication arts Advisor.
The L&S senior residence requirement states that all students must earn a minimum of 30 degree credits in residence at the University of Wisconsin–Madison after they have earned 90 credits toward their undergraduate degree. If you are on an IAP program, you will meet the L&S senior residence requirement.
Ask questions
- What classes must I complete for my degree (breadth/depth, major requirements, etc.)?
- Do I need to be on UW–Madison’s campus for any courses in my major?
- How many electives do I have outside of my major?
- What classes can I take abroad?
- How and when do I select courses for my program?
- When will I know course equivalents for my program?
- What is the class structure like abroad?
- What skills do careers related to my major require, and how might participating in a particular program help me gain those skills?
- When would be the best time to participate in a program based on my career goals?
- How will participating in a study abroad, study away, or international internship make me stand out?
- Why do I want to study abroad?
- How long do I want to study abroad for — a few weeks, a semester, a year?
- How does studying abroad fit into my academic, personal, and/or professional goals?
- What career skills or proficiencies will I strive to acquire or enhance on my program?
Discover programs that are right for you
The following are programs that may be of interest to you! Durations and courses vary and may count toward electives or degree requirements. If you do not have specific requirements, there’s more flexibility in program type and location.
These opportunities are not an exhaustive list of all programs.
In this section
Featured programs
UW Creative Careers in Hollywood
This 3-week summer study away program sponsored by Communication Arts will introduce students to the creative communities of Los Angeles, plug in to UW–Madison’s alumni network, and develop the skills to find success in the worlds of filmed entertainment, animation and video games, music, social media production, sports media, and more.
Semester and academic year programs
Czech Republic
CIEE Central European Studies in Prague (semester or summer)
Denmark
England
- UW in London (spring semester)
- University of Westminster (semester or summer)
France
UW in Paris (spring semester)
Germany
Italy
- UW in Florence (spring semester)
- CIEE Open Rome Campus (semester or summer)
New Zealand
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
IES Barcelona (semester or summer)
Short-term programs
Czech Republic
CIEE Central European Studies in Prague (semester or summer)
England
University of Westminster (semester or summer)
Italy
CIEE Open Rome Campus (semester or summer)
Mexico
USA
UW Creative Careers in Hollywood (summer)
International Internships
International internships allow you to apply your academic skills to the real world and gain valuable professional experience abroad while earning UW–Madison course credit.
As you consider your academic and professional goals for studying abroad, explore the different internship options, including UW Signature internships, internship-focused programs, part-time internships, or applying for credit for an external internship.
Check with your academic advisor to see if earning credit for your internship abroad can fulfill a major or certificate requirement.
Hear from students in your major
Explore student blogs and reflections to see how your peers have connected international experiences to their studies. Discover real stories about the skills, challenges, and professional insights gained through our programs.
Photo credit: Emma Freed (Italy)
Want more information?
Dive deeper into how courses and credits work on our programs, or connect with an advisor to find the best fit for your goals.
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