As a temporary home for new freshman students who are undecided about their college major or who are determined through the admission process to need additional support before transitioning into their chosen major, UWM's Pathway Advising will assist students in academic exploration and decision-making, leading to a permanent affiliation with one of UWM's Schools and Colleges by the end of the student's first year. Students in Pathway Advising are empowered and encouraged to form advising relationships, collaborate with faculty and instructional staff, and utilize support services. 

Students admitted into Pathway Advising choose one of six exploratory pathways called "metamajors" that allow our students to explore multiple majors that share a general academic theme. Advisors help students select classes in those metamajors that will fulfill both general UWM course requirements and classes that can later count towards the requirements in the students' chosen major(s) and degree plan. Our six metamajors are:

  • Arts, Design, & Innovation
  • Business, Industry, & Applied Technology
  • Engineering & Natural Sciences
  • Health
  • Humanities & Communication
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences

Pathway Advising also provides advising to undecided transfer students entering UWM with fewer than 45 transferable credits and reentry students who were formerly part of the Pathway Advising program or one of its predecessor programs. If you are a transfer or reentry student, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to determine the appropriate entry option for you.

In addition, Pathway Advising also houses the Student Support Services (SSS) Program, a TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. We also serve the academic advising needs of non-degree students.

For more information, please contact Pathway Advising at (414) 229-4696, email us at pathway-advising@uwm.edu, browse our website, or visit us in person in Mellencamp Hall, room 128, main campus.

Continuation into UWM Schools/Colleges

Students admitted into Pathway Advising may progress into a major offered by UWM's Schools and Colleges once they have decided on a major, are in good academic standing, and have met any entrance requirements set by the receiving program.

Dean's Honor List

Students in Pathway Advising achieve a "Dean's Honors" designation when they achieve a GPA of 3.500 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

College of General Studies Associate Degree Teach Out

With the closure of the College of General Studies (CGS) effective as of summer 2025, continuing Associate degree students have the option of completing that degree through Milwaukee campus courses. These “CGS Teach Out” students will be advised by Pathway Advising academic advisors and would earn their Associate Degree through the College of Letters & Sciences. 

Eligibility 

To participate in the CGS Teach Out option, students must have been enrolled in UWM’s Associate degree program through the College of General Studies in the Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 semester. Retaining eligibility requires that students stay continuously enrolled (fall and spring terms). 

Tuition and Fees

Students following this “CGS Teach Out” option will be charged tuition at the Associate degree tuition rate through Spring 2027. (The Associate tuition rate may increase according to any Board of Regents approved annual tuition increases.) CGS Teach Out students will follow the Undergraduate Fee Schedule for segregated fees. 

The “CGS Teach Out” program and the affiliated Associate tuition rate expires as of the end of the Spring 2027 term. Following the Spring 2027 term, any remaining continuing students in good academic standing will be moved into Bachelor’s level programs at the standard Undergraduate tuition and fee rates. 

If a student is academically dropped or stops out for one semester or more (after Spring 2025), students must apply to re-enter the university at the Bachelor’s level following standard Undergraduate tuition and fee rates. Exceptions exist only in the case of medical withdrawal or a military call-up.

Medical Withdrawal or Military Call-up

To qualify for a re-entry exception, students must document a medical drop through the Dean of Students office or a military call-up through the Military Education Benefits Office. Students must return after leave to receive the Associate tuition rate through Spring 2027 or completion of the Associate degree. 

Students returning from a medical withdrawal or military call-up after Spring 2027 are required to re-apply through a Bachelor’s level program. 

Policies and Procedures

Students in the CGS Teach Out program will follow Undergraduate policies as they appear in the UWM catalog. Appeals for exceptions to these policies (e.g., late course adds, re-instatement despite a drop action, etc.) will be handled by the Pathway Advising office in consultation with the College of Letters & Science and/or the Dean of Students office where applicable.