L&S (UW-Madison) Undergraduate Classification & Class Standing

This section explains how students are classified in L&S based on the number of credits and grades earned.

How can I figure out my class standing in L&S?

Undergraduate students in the College of Letters & Science are classified by year according to the number of credits and grade points they have earned.  Students are classified as follows:
  • Freshman Standing (Level): fewer than 24 credits
  • Sophomore Standing (Level): at least 24 credits
  • Junior Standing (Level): at least 54 credits 
  • Senior Standing (Level): at least 86 credits
These credits must be in courses that count toward an L&S degree.  Advanced Placement (AP), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate credits, credit by departmental examination, and retroactive credits (retrocredits) will count toward a student's class standing (level).

**Please note that a first-year student may have sophomore or higher classification based on the number of credits they have at the end of each term.  For example, a first-year student may have junior standing at the end of their first semester/term at UW-Madison if they finish the term with 54 or more degree credits.  

Resources for Questions: 
L&S Academic Advising Services: (608) 262-5858, advisingaas@ls.wisc.edu
L&S Student Academic Affairs: (608) 262-0617, lsdeans@saa.ls.wisc.edu


Keywords:
freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, class standing, retrocredits, CLEP, advanced placement, International Baccalaureate credits, credit by departmental examination 
Doc ID:
21122
Owned by:
Tori R. in L&S KB
Created:
2011-11-02
Updated:
2022-07-01
Sites:
L&S KB