Introduction

Welcome to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. This catalog contains information about the university, admissions standards, academic programs and policies, student services, programs of study, and course listings. The catalog is a reference for general degree requirements, detailing the course work needed to complete a declared field of study. The catalog is a public record of general university requirements.

The University

Founded in 1968, UW-Parkside graduated its first students in 1970. One of 13 baccalaureate degree-granting campuses in the University of Wisconsin System, UW-Parkside is accredited by the

Higher Learning Commission
30 North La Salle Street Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504

and is a member of the North Central Association.

The accounting, business management, management information systems, marketing, and master of business administration degree programs are accredited by AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. 

The chemistry program is approved by the American Chemical Society. The health information management and technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The molecular biology and bioinformatics program is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

Student Success

Undergraduate students choose majors in the College of Arts and Humanities; the College of Business, Economics, and Computing; the College of Natural and Health Sciences; and the College of Social Sciences and Professional Studies and work toward a bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, associate of arts, associate of science, or associate of arts and sciences degree. See the Programs section of this catalog for a full list of programs offered.

Graduate students choose from the following programs (many of which are offered online):

• Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology 
• Master of Arts in Applied Professional Studies 
• Master of Business Administration 
• Master of Science in Biological Sciences 
• Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling 
• Master of Science in Computer and Information Systems
• Master of Science in Cybersecurity 
• Master of Science in Health and Wellness Management 
• Master of Science in Healthcare Administration
• Master of Science in Information Technology Management 
• Master of Arts in Professional Communication 
• Master of Science in Sport Management
• Master of Science in Sustainable Management

Academic Excellence

The university’s best and most senior faculty teach all levels of undergraduate courses. Many programs including biological sciences, business, pre-health, psychology, and theatre arts have earned national reputations. Most class sizes are small, ensuring greater student-faculty interaction. Numerous students work one-on-one with talented faculty in their research, an opportunity that many universities restrict to graduate students.

Community and Business Engagement

The Alan E. Guskin Community and Business Engagement (CBE) promotes extended learning opportunities by connecting university resources with the communities of southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois through innovative, mutual partnerships. The university’s front door for community engagement, CBE focuses on mobilizing the talent of students, faculty, staff and volunteers in several key areas: community-based learning and research, internships, and nonprofit capacity building and community leadership. UW-Parkside plays a vital role in enriching the quality of life of the communities in southeastern Wisconsin. Likewise, students benefit from attaining civic engagement and employment skills through participation in diverse opportunities with the business, public and nonprofit sectors. UW-Parkside was the first university in Wisconsin to be recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a Community Engaged Institution in 2006 and renewed this classification in 2015.

Professional and Continuing Education

Professional and Continuing Education at UW-Parkside provides lifelong learning opportunities by offering high quality professional skills development, certificates and certifications, conferences, and personal enrichment workshops. Learning is a lifelong process, and the aim is to provide our communities with a diverse selection of topics and learning forums to fit ever-changing lifestyle needs. Continuing Education provides market-relevant educational offerings that match the needs of regional professionals as well as programs that help to prepare youth for future careers. 

Diversity and Inclusion

In accordance with the UW System’s central principle of inclusive excellence, UW-Parkside intentionally integrates diversity and inclusion efforts in the core aspects of the university such as academic priorities, leadership, quality-improvement initiatives, decision making, day-to-day operations, and organizational culture in order to maximize success.

With an explicit emphasis on excellence in student learning, the university is committed to creating diverse learning environments that are critical to students’ growth, learning, and success. Courses related to intercultural, international, social justice, and diversity topics are offered across academic programs, and students graduating from UW-Parkside must complete an ethnic diversity requirement. Further, programs in ethnic studies, international studies, and women’s studies are offered to assist in preparing students for leadership in an ever-increasingly diverse and global society.

UW-Parkside is extremely proud to be the most diverse campus in the UW System and has established itself as a leader in employing a workforce that reflects a broad spectrum of race, ethnicity, ability, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, and other affiliations.

The University Vision and Mission

Vision

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside transforms lives.

Mission

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is committed to high-quality educational programs, creative and scholarly activities, and services responsive to its diverse student population, and its local, national and global communities. To fulfill this mission, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside will:

• Offer high-quality academic programs rooted in the tradition of a liberal education in the arts, sciences and professions, responsive to the occupational, civic and cultural needs of the region, and actively seek the continued input of all stakeholders.
• Generate, disseminate and apply knowledge through research, professional and creative activity that benefits communities throughout the region and the world.
• Attract and retain a diverse and multicultural population of students, faculty, and staff.
• Foster a teaching and learning community that provides opportunities for collaborative faculty, student, and staff interaction in support of excellence.
• Utilize technology creatively and effectively in courses, programs, and services.
• Prepare students to be successful in their professional, civic, and personal lives.
• Provide programs that meet the intellectual and cultural needs of people throughout their lives.
• Provide and share in cultural and intellectual activities in partnership with our local and regional communities.

The University Campus

A model of contemporary campus planning and design, UW-Parkside is situated on nearly 700 acres of woodlands and prairies in the town of Somers, between Kenosha and Racine in the southeastern corner of the state. Glass-walled corridors connect the main academic buildings and provide views of the scenic landscape that surrounds the picturesque campus.

Greenquist Hall

Greenquist Hall houses faculty offices, laboratories and classrooms. Sophisticated computer capabilities and state-of-the-art science equipment provide students with relevant, hands-on learning opportunities. One such space is the SC Johnson Integrated Science Lab which provides a broad range of analytical instruments indispensable for research, development, and quality control in a variety of fields. The building is named for Kenneth L. Greenquist, former Racine attorney and civic leader who, at the time of his death in 1968, served as president of the UW Board of Regents.

Molinaro Hall

Molinaro Hall is named for the late George Molinaro, longtime Kenosha civic leader and state representative who introduced legislation in 1965 to establish UW-Parkside. The building houses faculty offices, classrooms, and labs. It is also home to the Institute of Professional Educator Development; the Ralph Jaeschke Solutions for Economic Growth Center; the Small Business Development Center; the App Factory; and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Sales Center. Additionally, as part of the Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts and Humanities expansion project, more than 6,000 square feet of space was remodeled for ceramics and sculpture art studios.

Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts and Humanities

The Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts and Humanities, known as The Rita, is a combination of new and existing space. A major expansion and remodeling project added more than 72,000 square feet to the original 107,000 square-foot Communication Arts Building. The Rita features:

• The 340 seat Frances E. Bedford Concert Hall;
• A 120 seat “black box” studio theatre for smaller theatre productions;
• Galleries for both professional and student art exhibitions;
• Instructional studios for music, theatre arts and 2-D art programs;
• Digital Design and Fabrication Lab; and
• Expanded and upgraded general classrooms.

Tallent Hall

Named for the late Bernard Tallent, dean of the former UW Center in Kenosha, Tallent Hall houses Business Services, Human Resources, the 
UW-Parkside Police and Public Safety Department, Center for Adult and Returning Students, Professional and Continuing Education, and the UW-Parkside/UW-Milwaukee Consortial Nursing Program.

Wyllie Hall

The building is named for the late Irvin G. Wyllie, the university’s founding chancellor, who guided the new university through construction and its early years. Its striking three-story atrium design has attracted national acclaim and is home to key administrative offices, including the Chancellor’s Office, overlooking the atrium.

In addition, Wyllie Hall houses the Callahan Family Student Success and Learning Commons. This newly renovated space provides easy access to academic and career advising, academic support and success coaching, affinity group support (international, LGTBQ+, military and veterans, multicultural students), community and business engagement opportunities and registration and financial services.

Main Place, a multi-level area in the atrium, features study and meeting areas and an entrance to the Library. Through a comprehensive and current resource collection combined with innovative services, the Library promotes and supports study and research among university and community users. Librarians serve as liaisons to academic departments and offer tailored library instruction in classes as well as individual research consultation. Multifaceted modes of reference make librarians available across boundaries of time and distance.

Sports & Activity Center

The Sports & Activity Center includes an indoor track and space for competition, practices and training in the Frank J. Petretti Fieldhouse. The Wellness Center and the Exercise Science Lab in Carmelo D. Tenuta Hall include state-of-the-art fitness equipment. The Alfred S. and Bernice De Simone Gymnasium has a seating capacity of 2,200 and is used for athletic events and commencement. The Sports & Activity Center also features a remodeled Strength and Conditioning Center.

Outdoors is an all-weather 400-meter track, the Wood Road soccer fields, the Red Oberbruner Baseball Field, and the Case Softball Complex. The Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course, considered the finest natural course in the nation, is the site of many championship events.

Student Center

The name “Student Center” describes what the building is all about. It’s a great place to eat, relax, hang out or grab a latte. But it’s also the place where you’ll find the University Bookstore, Admissions and New Student Services, the Student Engagement and Connection Office, the Student Involvement Center, Parkside Student Government, Educator’s Credit Union, and meeting rooms for student clubs and organizations.

The Student Center Cinema features first-run movies and the popular Foreign Film Series. The Den is where the action is with live entertainment, dances, concerts, pool tables and video games. And it’s the spot for a great late-night pizza.

The Brickstone Grill and Eatery has the widest variety of food selections. For fresh-from-the-oven gourmet pizza – try the Fiery Hearth. Other stations include Café Creations, Down Home, Sizzles, and the Breadbox. Whether it’s home cooking... salads ... burgers ... or just a snack, “The Brick” is the place. Encore proudly brews Starbucks® coffees and offers a variety of specialty drinks ... espresso, cappuccino, café mocha, café latte... it’s also a great spot for bakery treats and grab-and-go items. Both Brickstone and Encore are located on the D1 level of the Student Center.

Student Health & Counseling Center

The Student Health & Counseling Center provides basic quality care for the physical, emotional, and mental-health care needs of the students. This is accomplished by providing comprehensive intervention and preventive health education that contributes to the achievement of academic success. The center is staffed by counselors, nurse practitioners, certified alcohol and other drug counselors, a consulting psychiatrist, and collaborating physician. There is no charge for counseling sessions or health care visits, however, minimal fees are charged for lab tests, immunizations, medication, and supplies. Walk-in times are available, but appointments for counseling services and selected health visits are needed. The center is located in the building adjacent to Tallent Hall.

The Library

The Library provides a comfortable, user-centered environment, responsive to varied study styles of individuals and groups with laptops and tablets available for check-out. An “Art in the Library” program showcases artwork by members of the university community.

The Library delivers access to resources in many formats: print monographs, an extensive collection of citation and full-text databases, scholarly journals, e-books, music and films. To provide materials beyond its collection, the Library actively participates in resource sharing in the UW System and with many regional and national libraries.

Special Collections comprise rare books, dating from 1638, first editions, artist books, collections of works by noted local authors and presses, small press collections, and a strong collection of popular science fiction.

Administered by the Library, the University Archives preserves university records of historical or administrative importance, as well as manuscript collections relevant to the university or local area for use by students or any member of the university or local community.

The Area Research Center, a repository of the Wisconsin Historical Society, forms part of a network of 14 centers in the state that share primary historical resources. It holds public records and manuscript collections of Racine and Kenosha counties, and manuscript collections featuring private records, correspondence and papers from people, organizations and businesses. Collections include the federal and state censuses of Wisconsin and pre-1907 vital records from Kenosha and Racine counties.

The Tech bar

Located across from the Library on the L1 Corridor, the Tech bar (L101) provides support for technology –related issues such as virus and malware detection and removal, Wi-Fi connectivity, software issues, and computer replacement. Additionally, the audio-visual technicians are responsible for audio, visual and computer equipment checkout for classroom use, and installing and maintaining equipment located in lecture halls and classrooms.

Student Accessibility Services

Student Accessibility Services, located in Wyllie Hall, provides academic adjustments to students such as extended time on tests, testing in a separate area, supplemental note takers, braille and interpreter services. We collaborate with students, instructors and staff to create usable, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments.

University Housing

College is about more than just what happens in the classroom. Living on campus is the best way to have all that UW-Parkside offers right at your fingertips. We know it’s important that you’re comfortable where you live, so our residents can choose from three types of living environments: traditional, suite style, and apartment. Student rooms in all three residential communities are equipped with wireless technology and are fully air-conditioned.

Opened in 1986, the University Apartments house approximately 370 upper-class student residents. The University Apartments consists of seven buildings. Each building contains 6-10 four-bedroom apartments. Each apartment houses up to 6 students, including two single-rooms and two double occupancy rooms. Each apartment has a full kitchen, furnished living room area, and two bathrooms. The kitchens have a full-sized refrigerator/freezer, stove/oven, double-basin sink, dining table, and four chairs.

Opened in 1997, Ranger Hall is a six-story, traditional-style residence hall housing just over 400 residents. Each room is designed to house up to two students. Most of the building is co-educational, with two single gender wings. The Residence Hall Association (RHA) has an office located in Ranger Hall. 

Opened in 2009, Pike River Suites is a four-story suites-style co-educational residence hall and is home to nearly 250 residents. Each floor is divided into 2-3 wings, which include a lounge, kitchenette, and study area. Floor wings contain 4-6 suites containing 2-3 spacious rooms, including one-person and two-person rooms.  Each suite has its own bathroom.