1st-Semester Enrollment Worksheet
This worksheet is a planning tool and enrollment guide for use when you enroll for your first semester. Save and/or print this worksheet to use as a guide when you enroll in classes.
Anticipating credit? If you hope to earn test credit through AP, IB, CIE, or transfer credit through Dual Enrollment, wait for your results before enrolling in that class. Review Module 3 in your Canvas class to see how your credit will count towards your degree.
1st-Semester Major Requirements:
Foreign Language Requirement:
The BA degree has a foreign language requirement. Enroll in a foreign language your first semester. All students must take the Foreign Language Placement Exam for language course placement. If you scored at the 101 level OR have never taken a foreign language course, you must enroll at the 101 level during your first semester to satisfy the Foreign Language requirement for this major in a timely manner. The MyMadison system will not allow you to enroll in a course in which you did not place.
1st-Semester Madison Foundations Requirement:
Critical Thinking OR Human Communications Area Course (3 credit hours)
Select ONE course from EITHER the Critical Thinking area OR the Human Communications area for your 1st-semester. You will take a course from the other area in your second semester. The MyMadison system will not allow you to enroll in both a Human Communications and a Critical Thinking course in the 1st-semester. View available courses in the GenEd planner.
- If you are continuing your study of Spanish, Russian, German or French, enroll in the appropriate foreign language course based on your foreign language placement score. Refer to Module 2 for the proper course level placement as listed on the Foreign Language Placement Matrix. If you are continuing your study of another language, enroll in the 231 level. You will be able to confirm or adjust your course level in August when you talk with the coordinator of the language.
- If you are starting a new language, you may enroll in the 101 level of that language (e.g. ITAL 101).
- If you are interested in a Pre-Professional Health minor(s), refer to the information in Module 4 under Special Student Categories for information on selecting General Education courses.
Below are the recommendations for general education courses that align with your major. Use this section to help complete your 14-17 credit hour 1st-semester schedule
Waiting for credit? If you hope to earn test credit through AP, IB, CIE, or transfer credit through Dual Enrollment, wait for your results before enrolling in that requirement area.
About GenEd: There are five areas in the GenEd program. Every student must complete one course satisfying each requirement of each area for a total of 41 credit hours to complete the GenEd program.
Madison Foundations Area
Critical Thinking* (3 credit hours)
Human Communications* (3 credit hours)
Writing (3 credit hours)
This area is fulfilled by WRTC 103.
*Select ONE course from EITHER the Critical Thinking section OR the Human Communications section for your 1st-semester. You will choose a course from the other required area in a future semester.
Sociocultural & Wellness Area
Wellness Domain (3 credit hours)
View available courses in the GenEd Planner.
Sociocultural Domain (3 credit hours)
View available courses in the GenEd Planner.
Arts & Humanities Area
Human Questions and Contexts (3 credit hours)
View available courses in the GenEd Planner.
Visual and Performing Arts (3 credit hours)
View available courses in the GenEd Planner.
Literature (3 credit hours)
View available courses in the GenEd Planner.
The Natural World Area
Quantitative Reasoning
If a math course is required for your 1st-semester, it will be indicated above in the 1st-semester requirements section.
Physical Principles (3 credit hours)
View available courses in the GenEd Planner.
Natural Systems (3 credit hours, unless indicated)
View available courses in the GenEd Planner.
Lab Experience (1 credit hour, unless indicated)
View available courses in the GenEd Planner.
American & Global Perspectives Area
The American Experience (4 credit hours)
The Global Experience (3 credit hours)
