Are you interested in furthering your studies in Human Ecology at UW-Madison? Would you like to apply for graduate school now, gain real world work experience after graduation, and return to graduate school within 3 years? The MS Human Ecology graduate program early admissions process may be right for you!
The early admission process is open to current undergraduate students with a declared major in the School of Human Ecology at UW-Madison. Students can apply for early admission to the MS Human Ecology graduate program during their junior or senior year as they finish their undergraduate degree. Upon review of application materials, the early offer of admission will be good for up to 3 years which allows students to complete their undergraduate degree and gain real world work experience before returning to Human Ecology to begin the graduate program. Students who are offered early admission will have access to the MS Human Ecology leadership team to discuss coursework taken during their undergraduate studies that will also count towards the MS Human Ecology once they officially start the graduate program.
The MS Human Ecology degree requires 32 credits and can be completed in as little as 12 months. All MS Human Ecology graduate students begin the program in the desired fall semester. Students can apply up to 7 credits of undergraduate coursework numbered 300 and above towards the MS Human Ecology graduate degree. The current tuition and fees for 7 credits is approximately $5,000 (WI residents), $10,000 (MN residents), and $11,000 (non-residents).
TIMELINE
The MS Human Ecology early admission application is open twice a year with application deadlines in April and July. Interested students will submit an application which will be reviewed by the MS Human Ecology program directors. In person or zoom interviews will be offered to the most promising applicants. Early admission decisions will be made within one month of the application deadline. Students offered early admission will have a guaranteed spot in the MS Human Ecology program good for up to 3 years from the time of admission, contingent upon successful completion of the undergraduate degree and final review by the UW-Madison Graduate School at the start of the graduate program.
Spring 2026
- March 1st: application for early admission opens
- April 1st: application deadline for early admission
- May 1st: application decisions released
Summer 2026
- June 1st: application for early admission opens
- July 1st: application deadline for early admission
- August 1st: application decisions released
Fall 2026, Fall 2027, Fall 2028
- All students offered early admission will connect with the MS Human Ecology leadership team to discuss advising for the current academic year, plans for after graduation, and/or the timing of starting graduate school.
Fall 2029
- If applying for early admission in 2026, the offer will be valid for students to begin the MS Human Ecology graduate program no later than the Fall of 2029. Students may redeem the early admissions offer sooner if recommended by the MS Human Ecology program directors during the fall advising meeting.
CONTACT
- MS Program Director: Professor Matt Calvert
- MS Associate Director: Amy Washbush
APPLICATION MATERIALS
Interested undergraduates in the School of Human Ecology can fill out the MS Human Ecology early admission application which includes a personal statement (up to 1,000 words) outlining your qualifications, professional goals that make you a fit for the program, and plans you have to develop experience prior to enrolling in the MS program, their UW-Madison transcript, a current resume or CV, and 1 letter of recommendation from a School of Human Ecology faculty member, course instructor, and/or staff member.