A camera crew tapes a course that will be made available to off-campus students enrolled in the Engineering Outreach Program. (Large image)

A Message from the Office of Engineering Outreach Program Manager

Dear Student,

You are facing an important decision: how to continue your engineering education while meeting all your other commitments. UW-Madison's Office of Engineering Outreach can help make your decision easier. We can provide you with a powerful learning experience where and when you need it. We offer graduate level courses and degree programs in four engineering specializations: power electronics, computer controls, polymer engineering and science, and technical Japanese. We also offer certificate programs in technical Chinese for professionals, technical Japanese for professionals, and polymer engineering and science.

Through the Office of Engineering Outreach, you can keep up-to-date in your technical field while you stay connected to your life.

All courses are recorded during the live on-campus class meeting. Lectures are digitized and linked to a course homepage. Lectures can also be mailed to individual students on DVD. Students view these lectures at times and locations that fit their schedules, while completing course assignments and tests on schedules comparable to those of their on-campus counterparts.

Registration is easy. Register as an engineering special student if you are interested in taking a course for professional development along with academic credit but are not ready or do not want to apply to graduate school. Or, apply as a graduate student: oeo.engr.wisc.edu/admission.html

Take a look at what we have to offer and how you can benefit from these quality courses. Do you have questions? Use the phone number or email listed at the left to contact me. I look forward to helping you continue your engineering education.

Sincerely, Helene Demont

How the Engineering Outreach Program Works

• Credit courses are taught by UW-Madison faculty members before on-campus student audiences.

• Lectures are posted to a website for viewing.

• Off-campus students watch the lectures at a time and place convenient to them.

• Students communicate with the campus via e-mail, fax or telephone.

• Exams are taken at UW-Madison or proctored by a corporate director of training, a human resource director or a continuing education office.

Off-campus students are expected to work on a schedule similar to a university semester.

Who is eligible to obtain course lectures?

• Engineering special students (not yet accepted into a degree program) taking courses as credit students

• Matriculated graduate students working on an MS degree

• Anyone who wishes to purchase them

Admission to the Graduate School

Admission to the Graduate School is based on high probability of success in graduate work. Students' undergraduate and postgraduate academic records weigh heavily in this process. Minimum Graduate School requirements include:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

• An undergraduate major in a similar field, or equivalent evidence of a suitable background

• An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale)

No applicant is ever admitted to the Graduate School without a favorable recommendation from the proposed major department.

Applicants should clearly indicate "Master of Science in ME, ECE or EPD via distance education" on their statement of "Reasons for Graduate Study."

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a printed version of the catalog available?

Course Catalog

Yes. A PDF version of the course catalog is available for download, or contact us for a printed booklet. New catalogs are usually issued in late spring.

May I take a graduate-level course for credit if I have not been admitted to the Graduate School?

Yes. On a space-available basis you may take a graduate course as an engineering special student. Upon Graduate School and departmental acceptance and approval of the completed course, the course can be transferred to your graduate program.

Must I travel to Madison to write the exams?

No. You can take exams proctored by a corporate director of training, a human resource director or a continuing education office. Please complete the proctor nomination form.

How are homework assignments submitted?

Assignments are submitted electronically either directly to the faculty member or the outreach office. Each course is different. Information will be provided upon enrollment.

Can I take a graduate-level course without pursuing an advanced degree?

Yes. On a space-available basis you may take a graduate-level course as an engineering special student. Upon completion of all course requirements you will receive a grade and academic credit as a special student.

May I take undergraduate outreach courses?

Yes. We have a limited number of undergraduate courses available to off-campus students. You may take these courses on a space-available basis as an engineering special student and earn academic credit.

Have off-campus students actually earned MS degrees from UW-Madison?

Yes. We are building a program to make such accomplishments commonplace. Students earn their MS degrees entirely through recorded courses and by attending a brief, intensive laboratory course taught on campus during a three-week intersession.

Where do I get textbooks/course notes?

Several courses require textbooks. (Please refer to the course descriptions for this information.) Books can be purchased directly from the The University Book Store by calling Steve Scheibel at 608/257-3784 and providing your credit card number. Steve can be reached at: sscheibel@uwbookstore.com. You can also send email to Dave Jewell, djewell@uwbookstore.com.

At the beginning of the semester, registered students will be sent course notes, if applicable.

Where do I get specialized software applications for Outreach courses?

Information is available at this webpage: Tethered Software at Computer-aided Engineering.

Can I get a refund if I drop a course?

Refunds are determined based on the date the Office of Engineering Outreach is notified of your intention to drop a course:

• 100% refund during the first two weeks of the semester.

• 50% refund if class is dropped during weeks three or four.

• There is no refund after week four.

What should I do if a company or government agency is paying all or part of my tuition?

The agency must provide a letter, voucher or purchase order authorizing the university to bill the agency directly. The letter must be delivered before the end of the first week of classes. The letter must specify the student's name, amount the agency will pay, which terms are covered and the agency's mailing address. The student's tuition is then deferred to the third party. If the agency is only paying a portion of the student's tuition, it is the student's responsibility to pay the balance of the tuition by the due date in order to avoid late payment fees. Students are responsible for verifying the authorizations are in effect for each term of enrollment. Students are ultimately held responsible for fee payments if the third party does not pay the deferred fees.

MORE QUESTIONS?

Please call Helene Demont, Program Manager, 608/262-5516 or 888/661-9551.

UW-Madison provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX requirements.