University of Wisconsin: One of the Largest Public Higher Education Systems in the Country

The University of Wisconsin (UW) System serves more than 160,000 students on 26 campuses every year and employs more than 32,000 faculty and staff all over the state.

It is one of the largest systems of public higher education in the nation and consists of 13 four-year universities, 13 freshman-sophomore Colleges and a statewide extension. The UW System has a three-pronged mission of teaching, research and public service.

The Madison and Milwaukee campuses of the University of Wisconsin System offer undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as doctoral and professional programs.

Eleven comprehensive campuses offer undergraduate and master's degree programs, in smaller and more personalized academic settings. The 13 freshman-sophomore Colleges serve students who are seeking a foundation for a bachelor's degree.

UW-Extension works with all 26 UW campuses, all 72 Wisconsin counties and a wide range of other educational partners, to ensure that the expertise of the University of Wisconsin reaches all parts of the state.

Accreditation

Every campus in the University of Wisconsin System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits, and thus grants membership in the Commission and in the North Central Association (NCA), to degree-granting educational institutions in the North Central region.

HLC is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Distance learning

Institutions that are a part of the UW System offer undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs via distance learning. These programs are offered in a wide range of subjects including Business, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Social Sciences, Health-Related Studies, Education-Related Studies, Foreign Languages and Literature, Engineering, Architecture and Applied Technology.

Non-traditional adult students can find a course that will help them to enhance their career prospects and add value to their career portfolios.

You can find out about more than 1,000 distance learning courses, as well as degree and certificate programs, offered by the University of Wisconsin institutions, on the website - DistanceLearning.Wisconsin.

Some of the courses are offered entirely through distance learning, while other courses are delivered primarily through distance learning, though limited campus visits are required. Apart from online courses, other methods of delivery like video conferencing are also used.

Students who join The University of Wisconsin System can look forward to getting a recognized degree from one of the largest systems of public higher education in the country.