International Students and Visiting Scholars
We are the #1 school of education in the nation and are fortunate to have an amazing community of international students and visiting scholars throughout our ten academic departments.
With approximately 90 undergraduate students, 200 graduate students, and 35 visiting scholars from 49 countries around the globe, we value the immense range of knowledge and experiences that international students and scholars bring to our intellectual and creative communities. In turn, the School of Education aims to provide inclusive community and targeted support for those studying and researching outside of their home countries.
Undergraduate International Students
Admission to UW–Madison is granted through the Admissions Office. Once accepted, we encourage you to contact Education Academic Services to learn more about different undergraduate majors, or to meet with your advisor if you are already in the School of Education.
There are many resources available for international students:
- The Global Engagement Office (GEO) hosts events and lectures that focus on global themes.
- The International Student Services (ISS) Office hosts a number of programs and activities for the international student community, as well as provides ongoing immigration advising and assistance.
- The Center for Community and Well-Being (CCWB) is committed to providing leadership and support to students, staff, and faculty within the School of Education so that all have a sense of community and well-being.
- For students looking to connect with others who have similar interests or shared cultural backgrounds, the Wisconsin Involvement Network has a list of over 900 clubs and organizations.
Graduate International Students
Admission to UW–Madison is managed by the School of Education’s individual academic departments in coordination with the UW–Madison Graduate School.
Moving across the world to pursue graduate studies is exciting and daunting, all at the same time. We are working to build a set of resources that pertain to international graduate students’ experiences in the School of Education.
International Visiting Scholars
The School of Education values the ways international visiting scholars enrich our community and enhance our connections to create change in the world.
If you would like to serve as a Visiting Scholar in the School of Education, please review the information and follow the steps:
Complete our International Visiting Scholar Inquiry Form. This form collects some of the information necessary to be an Honorary Fellow (working title: visiting scholar) in the School of Education, including your CV and a 2- to 3-page proposal (PDF file) of the research project you intend to work on as a visiting scholar and how you foresee the visiting scholar appointment supporting your research efforts. The proposal should include a title, your proposed research questions, and a brief overview of the theoretical framework, literature, and methodology. On the form, you will be able to indicate the School of Education department most fitting to your research and identify a faculty mentor that you would like to work with during a visiting scholar appointment, if approved.
The Global Engagement Office will review your application and materials and forward them to the School of Education department that is identified as most fitting to your research interest. If the department approves your request to be a visiting scholar, you will be contacted by our office with this information and further instruction. Please do not email faculty members or departments in the School of Education directly. Instead, please complete the inquiry form and let us match you with a department and/or faculty member with expertise in your field of research, if possible. Submitting this inquiry form is not a formal application and does not guarantee an invitation to serve as an international visiting scholar.
If you plan to apply for external funding to support being a visiting scholar, you must complete the International Visiting Scholar Inquiry Form at least one month prior to the funding deadline.
After prospective international visiting scholars are approved by faculty mentors/sponsors and their respective departments, the Global Engagement Office (GEO) serves as the main point of contact in the application and administrative processes. The GEO collects and verifies all documents necessary for the DS-2019 immigration document (used to apply for the J-1 visa), before forwarding them to International Faculty and Staff Services on the scholars’ behalf. The GEO also provides incoming visiting scholars with pre-arrival resources, an orientation upon arrival to campus, and some programming opportunities throughout the academic year.
International visiting scholars must be post-PhD or terminal degree candidates. An overview of J-1 Scholar Status is available on the International Faculty and Staff Services website.
The duration of stay for an international visiting scholar is determined in consultation with the hosting department and faculty mentor/sponsor. Visiting scholars typically stay for either an academic semester or full academic year.
Important note: As an Visiting Scholar, you may not carry out human-subjects research (e.g., no formal surveys, personal interviews, site observations, etc.) which would require approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). There are no exceptions to this policy.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our office (global@education.wisc.edu).
Campus Resources for International Students and Scholars
- International Student Services (ISS): International Student Services offers a wide variety of services and programs for undergraduate and graduate international students, including support concerning visas, employment, tax information, and related immigration issues. Be sure to check out their Get Involved opportunities for programs and events to foster connections across campus and in the local community.
- International Faculty & Staff Services (IFSS): Housed within the Office of Human Resources, IFSS provides comprehensive assistance to the UW–Madison on all aspects of non-student immigration, such as J-1 visa, employment, dependent, tax information, and related immigration issues.
- ISO
- University Health Services (UHS): UHS provides health services to all students and scholars, including medical services, mental health, victim advocacy, prevention, health promotion, etc. If you are a University employee, there are different insurance plans available.
- University Apartments: Get information these housing options: Eagle Heights, Harvey Street, and University House.
Student Organizations and International Student Groups
The School of Education is affiliated with many student organizations aligned with education, health, and the arts. You can review a list of these affiliated organizations.
Additionally, the Wisconsin Involvement Network has a list of over 900 clubs and organizations. These are campus-wide organizations. Search by keyword.
International Visiting Scholars and their Faculty Mentors
The School of Education values the many ways international visiting scholars enrich our community and broaden our connections to create change in the world.
As a faculty mentor to an international visiting scholar in the School of Education, you take on the following responsibilities:
- Meet with your scholar regularly.
- Involve them in departmental and campus-wide opportunities and activities.
- Guide them in making use of the university’s and your department’s resources, holdings, etc.
- Provide opportunities when possible for scholars to share their work and network with others in their field of study.
- Encourage them to explore the campus and Madison community.
The International Faculty and Staff Services (IFSS) Office requires all faculty mentors working with visiting scholars to complete the Honorary Scholar Supervision Form. Once completed, signed, and dated, please send this form to our office: global@education.wisc.edu.
If you are interested in being a faculty mentor in the future or have questions about your role as mentor, please contact global@education.wisc.edu to learn more.
If you want to learn more about the process for International Visiting Scholars to the School of Education, see this page.
International Student Employment
International students typically hold F-1 (foreign student) visas. F-1 visas allow students to work in the United States in their field of study with proper authorization before and after graduation. Learn more about F-1 employment.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is employment authorization for F-1 students. It allows them to work in an internship, co-op, or practicum that is directly related to their major field of study. Learn more about CPT at UW-Madison.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 students to work off-campus in a job directly related to their major field of study to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to practical work experience in the U.S. There is also OPT STEM for eligible STEM majors. Learn more about OPT.
Some international students hold a J-1 visa.
Academic Training (AT) provides practical experience that compliments to the program of study of J-1 students and must be directly related to their field of study, or major. Learn more about J-1 employment.
Are you an employer who is interested in hiring a Badger? Contact our Career Center.