Academic Dean staff are here for you when you are facing academic or personal challenges. We provide support, problem-solving, advocacy, resources, and approve exceptions to policies. College can be difficult and is harder if you are experiencing financial, medical, personal, or academic challenges.
Need support? Contact us.
Email academicdeansupport@education.wisc.edu
or call 608-262-1651
139 Education Building
1000 Bascom Mall
Please fill out the Undergraduate Academic Policy/Exception Request if you are looking for:
- Late course drop request
- Credit overload request
- May Not Continue Appeal
- Dual Degree request
- SD/UD Grade Change request
How We Support You
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Course Enrollment and Deadline Exceptions
Late Add/Drop of Courses: Need to add or drop a course after the university deadline due to a non-academic circumstance outside of your control? We’re here to help you navigate this process and ensure you’re on the right track. Please speak with your academic advisor first, and then complete the School of Education Undergraduate Academic Policy/Exception Request.
Credit Overload Approval: Do you have a compelling reason to take more than 18 credits? We can help you consider the pros and cons of a credit overload and evaluate your request. First, speak with your academic advisor then complete the School of Education Undergraduate Academic Policy/Exception Request.
Support and Advocacy
Personal Support and Advocacy: Life happens, and we are here to support you through personal and academic challenges that may affect your academic progress. Let us help you.
Emergency Support: If you are facing challenges, we can connect you with campus and School of Education resources. Please reach out to us if you are facing health/mental health issues, housing insecurity, food insecurity, a need to work more than 20 hours a week, or have difficulty purchasing supplies.
Personal and Medical Withdrawals: If you need to take a break from your studies, we will help you understand the withdrawal process and connect you with the necessary resources to withdraw from the university.
To meet with Amy Shannon, please use this Starfish link.
Dual Degrees
Declaring Dual Degrees: Thinking of pursuing two undergraduate degrees at once? We’ll guide you through the requirements and approval process to declare the dual degrees. Please speak with an academic advisor, then complete the School of Education Undergraduate Academic Policy/Exception Request.
Course Grade Concerns
Course Grade Concerns: Please consult the School of Education Grievance Policy.
Academic Standing and Reentry
Probation and May Not Continue: Our academic standing process is intended to identify and alert students who are experiencing academic difficulties, preserve their academic record, and limit unnecessary tuition costs. We can assist you in understanding your options and developing a plan for your next steps.
If you have Good Academic Standing
wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Your new term GPA | Your new cumulative GPA | Your academic standing will be | Next steps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2.500-4.000 | 2.500-4.000 | Good Academic Standing | Recommended to meet at least once a semester with an academic advisor. | ||||
2 | 0.000-2.499 | 2.500-4.000 | Probation | Meet with an advisor to at least once a semester. | ||||
3 | 0.000-2.499 | 0.000-2.499 | Strict Probation | Hold on enrollment. Must meet with an advisor |
If you are on Academic Probation
wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Your new term GPA | Your new cumulative GPA | Your academic standing will be | Next steps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | 2.500-4.000 | 2.500-4.000 | Good Academic Standing | Recommended to meet at least once a semester with an academic advisor | ||||
5 | 0.000-2.499 | 2.500-4.000 | Strict Probation | Hold on enrollment. Must meet with an advisor. | ||||
6 | 0.000-2.499 | 0.000-2.499 | Strict Probation | Hold on enrollment. Must meet with an advisor |
If you are on Strict Academic Probation
wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Your new term GPA | Your new cumulative GPA | Your academic standing will be | Next steps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | 2.500-4.000 | 2.500-4.000 | Good Academic Standing | Recommended to meet at least once a semester with an academic advisor | ||||
8 | 2.500-4.000 | 0.000-2.499 | Continued Strict Probation | Hold on enrollment. Must meet with an advisor. | ||||
9 | 0.000-2.499 | 0.000-2.499 | May Not Continue at the School of Education | You can appeal to continue immediately, or take time away from your studies and appeal at a later date. Continuation is not guaranteed. |
If you continued being on Strict Academic Probation
wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Your new term GPA | Your new cumulative GPA | Your academic standing will be | Next steps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | nfetter | 08/08/2025 03:56 PM | nfetter | 08/08/2025 03:56 PM | 2.500-4.000 | 0.000-2.499 | Continued Strict Probation | You may stay in Continued Strict Probation while improving your term and cumulative GPA. Hold on enrollment. Must meet with an advisor |
11 | 0.000-2.499 | 0.000-2.499 | May Not Continue at the School of Education | You can appeal to continue immediately, or take time away from your studies and appeal at a later date. Continuation is not guaranteed. |
Reentry to UW-Madison: If you withdrew from a term or have been away from school for more than a semester, we’ll help you navigate the Reentry to UW process to continue your degree.
UW-Extension Independent Learning Tuition Waiver
Please meet with an advisor for details about Independent Learning options and use of the waiver.
Rules differ across schools and colleges on our campus for Independent Learning coursework, using the waiver, and completion deadlines.
Steps:
- Meet with an advisor about your plan to see if Independent Learning is the right fit for you.
- Complete the Independent Learning Tuition Waiver and request an advisor or academic dean sign your form.
- Apply for a credit overload if you will be taking more than 18 credits (including the Independent Learning course). Approval is not guaranteed and is required before registering for the course.
- Register for your course. The course begins with registration. You have six months from registration to complete the course.
- Submit the completed form to UW-Extension before the appropriate deadline.
- You are responsible for the registration fee and any costs for a credit overload or deadline extension.
Important Note for UW-Madison Students Maintaining an F-1 or J-1 Visa: Independent Learning courses do not count toward the minimum credit hours you need to maintain your visa status. If you are on an F-1 or J-1 visa and have questions about maintaining your F-1 or J-1 visa status, contact International Student Services (ISS) at UW-Madison.
Meet our Team

Amy Shannon
Student Support and Success Manager (she/her)
- Student support
- Consultation to faculty/instructors
- Appeals for course late drop/add
- Appeals of May Not Continue status
- Reentry to School of Education
- Medical or personal withdrawal requests

Barbara Gerloff
Asst. Dean for Student Services
(she/her)
- Oversight for Academic Advising
- Permission for dual degree
- Permission for second degree
- Permission for credit overload
- Academic program consultation
- DARS encoding

Christina Klawitter
Assoc. Dean for Student Experience (she/her)
- Oversight for Student Services: Academic Advising, Career Center, Academic Dean Support, Enrollment and Scholarships
- Grievance consultation
For Faculty/Staff
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Is the student in a life threatening crisis?
If you are referring a student experiencing a mental health emergency or there is an immediate safety concern, please directly contact the appropriate resource below before submitting a Student of Concern form
- If there is a life-threatening emergency, call 911
- UHS Mental Health Services 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Support Line – Available 24/7 – Call 608-265-5600 (option 9)
- UW-Madison Police Department Non-Emergency – Call 608-264-2677
- Dane County-24 hour Mental Health Crisis Intervention Line 608-280-2600 -Available 24/7 staffed by local providers
- Refer a Student of Concern (form)
Do you have concerns about a student, but it is not an emergency?
Are you concerned about a student, helping a student navigate a challenge, or have questions about available resources and options for a student? We are here to consult!
For undergraduate student support
Contact Amy Shannon, MS
Student Success and Support Manager
ashannon@wisc.edu
After consulting, Amy may suggest you also fill out the student concern form through OSAS Refer a Student of Concern (form)
For graduate student support
Office of Student Assistance and Support (OSAS)
Drop-in staff are available for consultation Monday-Friday 8:30am-4pm
- 608-263-5700
- osas@studentaffairs.wisc.edu
- Refer a Student of Concern (form)
- Elaine Goetz (egoetz2@wisc.edu) is the Graduate & Professional Student Assistance Specialist, and is available for consults about graduate students of concern.
Guides for specific topics
The Office of Student Assistance and Support provides guides for faculty/instructors on a variety of topics including:
- Academic and Classroom resources
Attendance, flexibility for life events, making up exams, academic complaints - Health and Wellness
how to discuss your concerns with a student, campus resources - Financial concerns, food access, Other concerns
Crisis funds, food resources on campus, pregnancy and parenting support - Navigating demanding student behavior, student anxiety and more.