How to declare a major in Russian or Polish

It's easy to declare a major in Russian or Polish. Contact the advisor for Russian or Polish to set up an appointment to talk about your academic plan. When you come to the appointment, bring your DARS report and campus transcript (which you can get through My-UW). The advisor will explain to you your curricular options and opportunities for study abroad and will map out an academic plan so you know what courses you have to take which semester. The Russian major has three different tracks and students must choose one of them. See here for more details about the Russian major tracks. If you're interested in honors in the Russian major, click here; if you're interested in honors in the Polish major, click here.

Most students majoring in Russian or Polish have another major. The most common "other major" for our students is International Studies, but many students have another major in English, History, Political Science or Economics.

Please note: If you are not a student in the College of Letters & Science (i.e., if you're a student in the Business School or College of Engineering), you must talk with your advisor in that school or college about how to have a second major in the College of Letters & Science. Students with a major in the
School of Business will graduate when they complete their major in business, regardless of whether or not they have completed academic programs in other schools or colleges. If you have a double major in Russian or Polish and your first major is in the School of Business, you must complete the requirements for your Russian or Polish major before you complete your major in the Business School.

When you come to the advisor to declare your major, you will fill out a few forms. Please keep a copy of the paperwork in your files so you can keep track of your progress towards completion of your degree. Once your major declaration reaches the registrar (in a few days after the day of declaration), the registrar will enter the data so that the Russian or Polish major shows up in your DARS report. Then it's easy for you to check your status any time you check your DARS report through My-UW.

If you want to cancel the Russian or Polish major, you may do so at any time by filling out paperwork with the undergraduate advisor.

To find the advisor for the Russian and Polish majors, call the Slavic Department at 262-3498 or e-mail us at slavic@slavic.wisc.edu.