Major Advising Page: Personal Finance
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
Personal finance 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 on what you can choose for electives. Students in the personal finance-financial planning option should work closely with their academic advisor to plan for course sequencing and fall/spring only options.
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
personal finance student
There is no best time to study abroad as a personal finance major, and you may choose to study abroad at any point after the 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. While completing some of your core classes (CS 201, 275) 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. Because CNSR SCI 275 is a prerequisite to many other major requirements, many students find it helpful to complete that before studying abroad. 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.
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
Czech Republic
CIEE Central European Studies in Prague (semester and summer)
Denmark
DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)
England
University of Westminster (semester and summer)
France
UW in Paris (spring)
Israel
Greece
- IES Milan
- Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) (semester and summer)
- UW in Florence (spring)
Spain
IES Barcelona
Liberal Arts & Business track
Short-term programs
Czech Republic
CIEE Central European Studies in Prague (semester and summer)
Denmark
DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)
England
- UW Experience in Principles of Global Business: England (summer)
- University of Westminster (semester and summer)
Italy
Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) (semester and summer)
Netherlands
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: Macy Johnson (Netherlands)
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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