Majors in the School of Human Ecology seek to improve the lives of children, families, consumers, and communities. We value study abroad as a high impact experience that helps students understand the interconnectedness of people and systems that impact us on a global scale.
Prospective Community & Organizational Development Students
You may choose to study abroad at any point after your first semester of your first year at UW-Madison. We strongly encourage you to consider studying abroad in your sophomore or junior year in particular. CSCS 300 is a prerequisite to other major requirements, so it’s helpful to complete that before studying abroad.
Community & Organizational Development Course Considerations Abroad
Community & Organizational Development students typically focus on general education requirements and elective credits abroad. Elective credits are credits you pick based on interest rather than something required for your major. There are no restrictions to what you can choose for electives. Some students also choose study abroad programs that include an internship experience. The Program Search page allows you to narrow results based on internships, using the “Academic Credit” filter.
SoHE students who complete an internship abroad for credit through the International Academic Programs office should submit for the approved equivalent, which will be SAB 370 or IS 523 depending on the program, via the Course Equivalency Request process. Once your credits transfer, notify your academic advisor and they will substitute SAB 370 or IS 523 for your required major internship course. Please submit your Course Equivalency Request in a timely manner to facilitate accurate course planning for future semesters.
Mapping Your Study Abroad Experience as a Community & Organizational Development Major
There is no best time to study abroad as a Community & Organizational Development major. We strongly encourage you to consider studying abroad in your sophomore or junior year, in particular. While completing some of your core classes (CSCS 125, 300, 345) before you go will give you a foundation in the field and help you compare topics from those classes to what you learn abroad, doing so is not required. If you are also majoring in another discipline or you are following a pre-health plan, you will ultimately want to determine what works best for both of your programs by consulting with your academic advisors as early as possible in your time at UW-Madison.
Questions to Ask
Your Academic Advisor:
- 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?
Your Study Abroad Advisor:
- 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?
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.
Identifying Programs That are Right for You
The following list of programs is meant to be a starting point and should not limit you as you consider your program options. Past SoHE students have participated in these programs, and some have relevant major or elective coursework. However, courses offered as part of these programs may not be guaranteed to be the best fit for you depending on where you are in the major.
- Australia: IES Direct Enrollment – University of New South Wales
- Czech Republic: CIEE Central European Studies in Prague
- Denmark: DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia
- Israel: Tel Aviv University
- Italy
- Spain: IES Barcelona
(Liberal Arts & Business track) - United Kingdom: University of Westminster
International Internships
International internships are another way to gain valuable professional experience abroad while earning course credit. While you can often participate in a part-time internship as part of your study abroad program, it is also possible to participate on an Internship-focused program or a UW Signature Internship.
Search All Programs
Research all programs using the Program Search page. The above is not an exhaustive list of all programs. There may be other programs that are a better fit for your individual needs or interests.