User experience design is the process of making information systems more people-friendly. Reports show high market demand for skills in user experience design across commercial, nonprofit, educational, government, and other sectors, with 30+% or more job growth, anticipated. A master’s degree is not required to enter the field, but relevant, project-based expertise is.

The African Studies Program supports research, teaching, and outreach at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, bringing together scholars in multiple disciplines, students, teachers, and community partners to consider all aspects of land and life in Africa. The African Studies Program is a US Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center for Africa, a unit in The International Division, and a member of the campus consortium of internationally oriented programs known as the Institute for Regional and International Studies.

The undergraduate certificate in East Asian studies is offered by the Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) and is available to students working toward a baccalaureate degree in any of the University of Wisconsin–Madison schools and colleges, and to University Special students. This certificate meets the needs of students choosing to focus on the East Asian region (China, Korea, Japan, and Tibet) within their primary major, but not wishing to commit to the rigorous language study required by the relevant majors in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures.

The archaeology certificate is designed to help students to develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to analyze archaeological materials and to participate in archaeological field research. Students who complete the certificate, along with a B.A. or B.S. degree from UW–Madison, improve their competitiveness in graduate school applications and are qualified for entry-level employment opportunities in archaeology. In addition to providing a strong intellectual foundation in archaeology and hands-on experience in fieldwork, the certificate provides an interdisciplinary link to courses in three or more departments, exposing students to diverse approaches to the study of our global human heritage.

Students in the data science certificate will develop abilities such as data management, reproducibility, modeling strategies, and ethical considerations of data science to be paired with their knowledge gained from their major or domain area. The certificate is a great fit for students who like programming, want to learn data analysis, and seek to be high-end users of data science tools in domain areas. Data science is one of the fastest growing career sectors in Wisconsin and across the nation.

The Certificate in Digital Media Analytics is a 12-credit program that equips students with data analysis skills and a theoretical understanding of how digital media function in contemporary society, particularly within journalism, strategic communication, and mass media contexts. This certificate program prepares students for successful careers in data journalism, data-driven strategic communication (e.g., advertising, public relations, communication campaigns), and data-informed sports communication. The program serves both Journalism majors (as an elective sequence) and non-Journalism majors (offering training and credentials in digital media analytics to facilitate entry into media-related industries).

The undergraduate certificate in accounting provides students the opportunity to develop additional expertise in accounting without having to pursue a double major. This certificate is available to all undergraduate students enrolled in the School of Business, with the exception of those students majoring in accounting. This certificate allows for a lot of flexibility so that students can customize their coursework to best complement their current business major. Students who complete this certificate would be prime candidates to continue their study in the one-year MAcc program, which will expand potential career opportunities.

The Certificate in Art Studio allows students from across campus, regardless of their major or degree program, to engage in a structured, meaningful art studio experience. Students should work closely with their major advisor to see how the certificate requirements can fit into their degree plan. Note: Most art courses do not carry the LAS (L&S) designation. This certificate was designed for students who may not have professional ambitions in the arts, but still have an interest in a special discipline and want to develop their talents; previous coursework in art is not required.

The Certificate in Arts and Teaching is a great opportunity for undergraduate art-makers from all disciplines to incorporate teaching into their professional practice. The teaching artist is a valued professional in a range of learning settings from museums to theatre companies to providing support for school-based arts programs. We are excited to offer undergraduates from across campus the opportunity to learn about theories of teaching and learning, to work alongside future classroom teachers and other arts practitioners, and to get the opportunity to try out teaching artist work in a community-based learning setting.

The Certificate in Business (CIB) program provides non-business students the opportunity to earn a concentration in a clearly defined academic program in business. The coursework allows students to develop a foundational understanding of business and apply this to their specific field, such as international studies or engineering. In addition to careers related to their own fields, students who earn the certificate have also found job opportunities in management, marketing, and other business fields.

The Certificate in Chinese Professional Communication provides students with the opportunity to develop proficiency in Chinese while pursuing majors in other subjects across the university. It emphasizes the development of communication skills that are applicable to various professional contexts that students may encounter in their future careers.

The classical studies certificate is 15 credits and allows students to explore the literature, civilization, and culture of the ancient world. Students choose from a wide-variety of courses, including everything from CLASSICS 150 Ancient Greek and Roman Monsters to CLASSICS 308 Sex and Violence in the Ancient Near East. Students will also find offerings in art, architecture, archaeology, gender studies, history, literature, philosophy, and politics. Plus, we count language courses, too! Latin and ancient Greek are regularly offered and provide the foundation for modern English vocabulary, giving context and insight into the history of the words we use today. Class sizes are small, making the experience more personal and creating opportunities for meaningful learning outcomes.

Regardless of your major, you can enhance your career with a background in computer sciences. The computer sciences certificate is designed to deepen and validate your computing savvy for your future career prospects and/or graduate school. Compared to a major in computer sciences, the certificate requires fewer courses and offers more flexibility in course selection.

The program provides a foundation in contemporary dance practice and theory, as well as offering opportunities in a variety of movement, somatic, and creative practice courses including contemporary dance, ballet, movement analysis, improvisation, dance composition, as well as dance history. The certificate also offers students the flexibility of choosing among a wide variety of courses that may interest them, including hip-hop, African, Tai Ji, among others. Students may also participate in performance opportunities if they have an interest in performance.

The Dance Studies Certificate is a 14-credit certificate program for any undergraduate student interested in the exploration of dance from an interdisciplinary, academic approach -- to understand its political, social and historical significance. The certificate is designed to enhance a student’s main area of study, and provide knowledge and skills in the analysis, interpretation, and contextualization of dance and movement in society and culture.