Winterim Enrollment Policies  

The period between the Fall and Spring Terms is sometimes referred to as “winterim.”  At UW-Madison, winterim classes have Spring Term session codes that begin with W, X, Y, and Z. Credits taken during these sessions are included in a student’s Spring Term enrollment limits.    

In order to create learning environments that permit students optimal time to engage in their studies, UW-Madison has established limits on the number of credits students may take in any given term. In winterim, the general rule is that a student may earn one credit per week of instruction in a winterim course, whether through UW-Madison or elsewhere. Students may take up to 3 winterim credits at UW-Madison or 4 winterim credits at another institution without special permission, as long as the winterim class begins after the last day of UW-Madison’s Fall Term and ends before the first day of the regular A1 Spring Term.   

Permission from L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans’ Services is required if:  

• The first day of the winterim class session falls before the last day of UW-Madison’s Fall Term. 

• The end date of the winterim class session falls on or after the start date for UW-Madison’s Spring Term (A1 session). 

• A student wishes to enroll in up to 4 credits at UW-Madison in winterim.  See credit overload. 

• The combined total of UW-Madison credits in winterim and Spring Term is at least 19 credits. 

The ​​attached chart may help students and advisors determine whether approval for credit overload in winterim is required.  

Contact L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans’ Services with questions: 

 Phone: (608) 262-0617