Major Advising Page Design, Innovation, and Society
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.
Course considerations
Studying abroad is a great time to complete general education requirements and elective credits. Elective credits are credits you pick based on interest rather than something required for your major. Direct equivalents to the design, innovation, and society core requirements can be difficult to find abroad.
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.
Map your experience as a
design, innovation, and society student
There is no best time to study abroad as a design, innovation, and society student, and you may choose to study abroad at any point after the first semester of your first year at UW–Madison. We encourage you to consider studying abroad in your sophomore or junior year. Winter intersession or summer programs are also options for you. Because DS 120 (offered only in the fall) and DS 220 (offered only in the spring) are prerequisites for many major requirements, we strongly recommend working with a Human Ecology academic advisor to plan your course sequencing before studying abroad. Since these courses are only available in specific semesters, it is important to complete them before studying abroad or have a plan to take them upon your return. If you are also majoring in another discipline, 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.
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 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.
In this section
These opportunities are not an exhaustive list of all programs.
Semester and academic year programs
Denmark
DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)
France
UW in Paris (spring)
Italy
- CIEE Rome Open Campus (semester and summer)
- IES Milan
- Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) (semester and summer)
- UW in Florence (spring)
New Zealand
South Africa
Spain
IES Barcelona
(Liberal Arts & Business track)
Short-term programs
Denmark
DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)
Italy
- CIEE Rome Open Campus (semester and summer)
- Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) (semester and 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: Benjamin Plum (Denmark)
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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