Building on more than a century of distinguished scholarship and teaching, UW–Madison’s Department of History is one of the top programs in the country. Our undergraduate courses serve students across the university, including more than 400 history majors and nearly 250 certificate students. We are home to a vibrant community of more than 100 graduate students pursuing degrees in both history and the history of science, medicine, and technology.
Program Overview
The research and writing skills that students learn in history classrooms prepare them for careers in government, law, and history education — and also careers as diverse as international finance, sports management, and information technology.
As a member of the Department of History’s Visiting International Student Thematic Track Program you will be able to choose from a wide array of courses that will help you understand the joy and power of studying the past but also offers new ways of addressing the challenges of the present and the future.
Student Support
From the time you apply to the end of your stay, the VISP staff will be there to assist you. As a VISP participant you have full access to all academic and student support services, such as libraries, computer labs, clubs, and sports facilities; the opportunity to participate in VISP sponsored social and cultural events; and upon completion you will receive an official UW–Madison transcript. In History, you will have the option of working with our undergraduate program staff. Our faculty also stand ready to help you succeed.
Program Eligibility
Participants must meet the VISP eligibility criteria for admission into this program. This Thematic Track admits students at the Undergraduate, Graduate, or Dissertator level.
Available Terms
Students can participate in the fall and/or spring semester as well as in the summer term.
Academics & Course Offerings
The courses offered by the Department of History’s award-winning faculty cover the entire globe and a vast swath of time stretching back into the ancient world. As a Thematic Track participant, each semester you’ll work with your History thematic track advisors to choose from the over 100 courses offered by our department each semester at the undergraduate or the graduate-level.
Cost of Attendance
Estimated cost of attendance information is available on the VISP website.
Application Instructions
Submit your VISP application and in your essay please include: “I am applying for the History VISP track.”
Questions? Please contact the VISP coordinators.
Interested in learning more?
Fill out this form to learn more about our non-degree programs.