Service Description

UW-Madison Online offers fully online bachelor's and master's programs as well as graduate certificates. Enrolled online students are not required to physically be on campus.

Where will students access the course(s) from?

Students will use Canvas as their Digital Learning Environment. Students can be located anywhere in the world, both nationally and internationally. We anticipate that some students may access coursework from rural areas or areas where Internet access may be a bit slower than on campus.

Will students enroll and access this course just like any other online UW-Madison student?

Yes, students in this program will be able to enroll in and access their course(s) just like any other traditional online class.

How will students communicate with or access the coaches or support staff?

Students can use Starfish to schedule an appointment with their advisor (known as an Academic and Career Coach). If a student is having issues with Starfish, please see the following article: Starfish - Accessing the Starfish App in MyUW.

Aside from scheduling appointments, actual communication between students and advisors will occur via email or an online conferencing tool like Microsoft Teams, Webex, Teams, Zoom, etc.; there is also the possibility of phone and text message communication. 

Will UW-Madison online students have a traditional Wiscard and campus ID number?

Students can obtain a Wiscard, but they will have to come to campus get it. Therefore, it’s unlikely that most will have one. Students will be introduced to where they can find their campus ID during orientation—we do have a roundabout way for students not on campus to receive their campus ID here: Help Desk - I Need My Campus ID/Wiscard Number. They can also contact the Office of the Registrar, but the Registrar does not have our same hours.

Is there a special portal that students will use to apply? If so, will the Help Desk be expected to support technical troubleshooting for the portal, or will students call their coaches?

Enrollment coaches will support the applicants through the admissions process. The students will use the Common Transfer App as well as the MyUW portal.