Search | Menu 
-
Program Overview
Race and Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary certificate in which students explore U.S. race and ethnic relations through the varied lenses of literature, history, anthropology, and sociology. Completing a sequence of Race and Ethnic Studies courses will challenge students to think critically about the roles that race and ethnicity have played in their own lives and in the development of the United States. As such, students will broaden their appreciation and knowledge of the diversity of peoples, identities, aesthetics, and cultural traditions that make up the mosaic of the United States. Students will develop an understanding of the cultural, social, and political experiences of people of color in the U.S., explore structural inequalities and forms of resistance, and study how race and ethnicity are connected to issues that at first may seem unrelated.
Program Details
Students earning the Race and Ethnic Studies Certificate can attend full or part time.
Race and Ethnic Studies classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:
- Madison - Truax
- Madison - South
For more information email Jackie Jebens at jjebens@madisoncollege.edu.
-
Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
Required CourseAdditional RequirementComplete nine credits from the listed courses -
Admission
Earning a certificate is a great way to expand your skill set and add professionalism to your resume. Applications are always open, so apply today!
To Apply
There are no admission requirements for this certificate. Simply submit your application by the deadline for each term.
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is October 15, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application available on September 15, 2025
- Application completion deadline is March 15, 2026
Additional Notes
- Certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid
- Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis
- Students who have already completed the certificate coursework at the time of application will receive the certificate diploma at the end of the term of application
After Acceptance
Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Race and Ethnic Studies career.
-
Career Outcomes
Critical Job Skills. By understanding diverse life experiences, students not only gain perspectives relevant to their personal lives but also develop critical and employer-sought skills they can utilize in the 21st century workforce.
Transfer Pathways. Many courses offer a direct one-to-one transfer to University of Wisconsin schools. Direct transferability varies according to major and college of choice. Check with your advisor and transfer school for verification of qualified courses. This certificate also serves as a gateway to many related majors, such as Social Work, History, English, and Sociology.
Academic and Professional Development. Interested students may choose to pursue opportunities for service learning, internships, conference presentations and undergraduate publishing. Consult your instructor or certificate coordinators for more information.
Honors Program Participation. Interested students may choose to participate in the Honors Program, working one-on-one on an Honors Project in Ethnic Studies with a supervising faculty member who teaches one of the certificate courses.
Earn Credits toward an Associate Degree. Most Race and Ethnic Studies Certificate courses count towards the University Transfer Ethnic Studies requirement. In addition, credits may be used as electives for the University Transfer associate degree. The certificate includes courses across several disciplines, including english, history, anthropology, and sociology.
Address six of the eight Madison College Core Abilities. Core abilities are identified by Madison College as the critical skills graduates gain during the course of their studies and use as lifelong learners on the job, at home and in the community. The Race and Ethnic Studies Certificate curriculum contributes to the following core abilities: communication, critical thinking, ethics, global and cultural perspectives, self-management, and social interaction.
