Senior Residence Requirement (30-Credit Rule)

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All L&S students must earn a minimum of 30 degree credits in residence at the University of Wisconsin-Madison after they have earned 86 credits toward their undergraduate degree. Credits are considered “in residence” if they are taken through UW-Madison or through a UW-Madison-administered study abroad or study away program. These credits do not have to be contiguous for the requirement to be met.  For more detailed information, see residence requirements for L&S undergraduate students.

​​This requirement ensures that the student’s depth of study–which should occur in advanced-level courses within the major and in areas of research — is a uniquely UW-Madison experience.   Colleges use residence requirements to confirm that those who earn a degree from their institution have completed a reasonable portion of their educational experience at that institution.

Courses that do not count as “in residence” include: 

  • transfer courses  
  • courses completed at other Universities of Wisconsin schools, including UW Independent Learning 
  • courses taken through non-UW-Madison-administered study abroad programs 
  • courses taken abroad through another institution 
  • AP credits 
  • credit by examination 
  • retroactive credits (retrocredits) 

Exceptions for up to eight (8) credits of the senior residence requirement may be approved if a student in good academic standing has a specific need to take fewer than 30 credits in residence as a Senior. To be considered for an exception, please review the information below and complete and submit the Senior Residence Exception Form. 

Please read through the information below and then fill out the Residence Exception Request Form.

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